By Lerato Mpembe
President Cyril Ramaphosa held a meeting with Elon Musk, the South African-born American billionaire entrepreneur, in New York during his participation in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The meeting was part of Ramaphosa’s broader engagement with international business leaders and investors to boost South Africa’s economy. Ramaphosa’s participation in UNGA comes as he aims to secure investment in key sectors, particularly critical mineral value chains, which could be a driver for the country’s inclusive economic growth.
Context of the Meeting:
The highly anticipated meeting between President Ramaphosa and Elon Musk was held behind closed doors, with no media allowed. While few official details of the discussion have been revealed, President Ramaphosa described the conversation as “positive” and suggested that further engagements with Musk may unfold in the near future. This meeting took place as South Africa looks to strengthen its ties with global tech and innovation leaders. Musk, who is known for his ventures such as Tesla, SpaceX, and his recent acquisition of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), presents significant potential in areas such as technology, space, and renewable energy .
Ramaphosa’s Broader Agenda:
Beyond his engagement with Musk, President Ramaphosa is in New York leading a South African delegation at the UNGA, which runs from September 18 to 26, 2024. His agenda at the assembly includes addressing the General Debate, participating in a high-level Climate Ambition Summit, and attending a roundtable hosted by the United States Chamber of Commerce focusing on critical mineral value chains. South Africa’s rich mineral resources, particularly in platinum, cobalt, and other rare earth elements, are viewed as critical components in the global transition to clean energy technologies .
During this roundtable, Ramaphosa emphasized the need to leverage South Africa’s mineral wealth to foster inclusive growth. This aligns with his administration’s broader efforts to create jobs, reduce poverty, and accelerate development in underprivileged areas of the country. South Africa’s National Development Plan and its role in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 continue to guide Ramaphosa’s international engagements .
Musk’s Influence on the African Tech Scene:
As a South African-born entrepreneur who has achieved global success, Musk’s return to discussions involving South Africa is notable. His ventures in electric vehicles (Tesla), space exploration (SpaceX), and satellite communication (Starlink) could offer significant opportunities for collaboration in Africa. Starlink, in particular, holds promise for improving internet connectivity in rural and underserved regions across the continent, which has been a priority for many African nations, including South Africa .
President Ramaphosa is reportedly interested in exploring opportunities for South Africa to partner with Musk on various tech initiatives, including clean energy and communication technologies. Given Musk’s background and connection to South Africa, this meeting may signal a potential collaboration that could benefit both the entrepreneur and the country in areas like renewable energy, electric vehicles, and satellite communication .
South Africa’s Position at the UN General Assembly:
The overarching theme of the 78th UNGA is “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity,” a focus that resonates with Ramaphosa’s message. He has called for reforms to the global multilateral system to ensure that developing countries, especially those in Africa, have a stronger voice in international institutions. Ramaphosa’s delegation includes several key cabinet ministers, such as Naledi Pandor (Minister of International Relations and Cooperation), Ebrahim Patel (Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition), and Barbara Creecy (Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries), all of whom are integral to his mission of securing investment and promoting sustainable development in South Africa .
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