Prominent figures, including Julius Malema and AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, have strongly criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s planned trip to the United States, calling it ill-timed and a potential threat to South Africa’s sovereignty.
The leaders made their remarks during a high-profile meeting attended by national, provincial, and local officials. King Dalindyebo emphasized the importance of traditional leadership in the country and urged the government to treat all kings and queens with equal respect.
Condemnation of Ramaphosa’s U.S. Visit
Julius Malema condemned the president’s decision to travel to America while South Africa faces a pressing budget crisis. “It was badly timed because the budget is coming to parliament for the third time, and the president is not there,” he said. “Once a budget comes for the third time, it means it’s a crisis. You cannot leave your country in a crisis and go to America, where you’re going to be ill-treated.”
He further claimed that Ramaphosa would not receive the necessary respect from U.S. President Donald Trump, calling the trip a “waste of time.” Malema warned that Ramaphosa might be pressured to compromise South Africa’s policies to gain favor. “If he does that, he must not come back. He must stay there with those 49 Africans already there because he can’t compromise our sovereignty for political expediency.”
King Dalindyebo’s Skepticism of Western Influence
King Dalindyebo also expressed disapproval of Ramaphosa’s visit, voicing concerns that the president might return with policies harmful to South Africa. “Every time our president goes to the West, we worry if he’s not going to fetch new instructions, new tactics, and new orders on how to steal and siphon our wealth and how to abuse our labor,” the king said.
He humorously added, “I wish one day he could come up with roses so that we can all be happy because when he comes from there, he looks brighter than before. We also want to look bright and beautiful.”
Denial of Farmer Genocide Claims
Both leaders dismissed claims of a “genocide” against white farmers in South Africa, refuting allegations that led 49 South Africans to seek refugee status in the U.S. “There is no genocide in South Africa,” they asserted. “All what the people want is equal access to land and wealth of the country.”
The statements reflect growing frustration among some South Africans over Ramaphosa’s foreign engagements amid domestic challenges. As the budget crisis looms, critics argue that the president should prioritize national issues over international diplomacy.
The presidency has yet to respond to these criticisms. Meanwhile, the debate over land reform, economic equality, and South Africa’s global standing continues to dominate public discourse.
