Solidarity's US visit is 'divisive, anti-democratic, minister Lamola insists

TRADE union Solidariteit (Solidarity) and civil rights organisation AfriForum have sent another delegation to the US in what is being labelled as _a further attempt to improve South Africa's fractured diplomatic relations with that country, amid punishing 30% tariffs on local goods.

- JASON WOOSEY

This comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa left for New York for “crucial” trade and investment talks with key players in the US. Solidarity claims that the purpose of its visit, which will see the delegation engage with various US government role players at the federal and state levels in the coming weeks, is to advocate for South Africa, its economy, and its working population. Yesterday, it revealed a proposed trade framework for the two countries.

However, given that this visit is not in any way affiliated with or endorsed by the South African government, the delegation has been widely condemned. A further sticking point is that previous US visits have seen Solidarity criticise South Africa's affirmative action laws as well as the Land Expropriation Act.

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, over the weekend labelled the Solidarity Movement’ actions as divisive and antidemocratic.

“Let me state this plainly: I condemn Solidariteit’s divisive rhetoric in its totality. Itis divisive, it is antidemocratic, and it has no place in our sovereign nation,’ Lamola said on X.