Resetting US-South Africa relations: Insights from Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump

DESPITE the controversial debates doing the rounds on the President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump meeting at the Oval Office, Ramaphosa and team deftly manoeuvred themselves and notched some wins in a very difficult mission.

- DR THAMI MAZWAI

South Africa's objective was a reset of the relations with the United States though the issue on the table was some “so-called genocide”. Obviously, the genocide accusation could be a red herring as there are underlying dynamics, which include Starlink, Russia and China, the BRICS fraternity and, without doubt, South Africa taking Israel, a key US ally, to the International Court of Justice.

Getting back to the meeting, many had feared a repeat of Trumps treatment of Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy. There was no humiliation.

After all, Ramaphosa had tactically included in his team white South Africans whose word Trump could not question. One of them, Johan Rupert, painted the picture as it is; that of general lawlessness that is not aimed at any racial group and affects everybody.

There is no genocide Rupert said, and John Steenhuisen endorsed this.

Trump had to believe Rupert, a pillar of the Afrikaner community, rather than some 49 inconsequentials. Trump is aware that Rupert, a respected South African, is deeply invested in the economy, contributes to transformation and supports local philanthropic ventures. He will not lie as he has a lot to lose. After the open session Trump and Ramaphosa had their closed meeting.

In a media session after the closed meeting, an upbeat Ramaphosa alluded that relations with the US are going back to normal.

Minister Parks Tau confirms that South Africa submitted a framework on future US-SA trade relations which will be the base of the next round of discussions.