uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party Secretary General Floyd Shivambu has sharply criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent meeting with US President Donald Trump, calling it a “humiliating misrepresentation” of South Africa and the African continent.
Shivambu’s remarks came during an Africa Day lecture held in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni, where he urged South Africa to strengthen ties with African nations such as Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali instead of adopting what he described as a subservient posture toward Western powers.
“Colonial Attitude” in Foreign Relations
Shivambu lambasted Ramaphosa’s demeanor during the meeting with Trump, stating it was “embarrassing to all Black people in South Africa, the African continent, and the diaspora.”
“We decried the very unfortunate misrepresentation of South Africa by Mr. Ramaphosa in America,” Shivambu said. “The manner, the demeanor, the mannerisms—the way he approached that meeting was just so humiliating. We cannot continue to display colonial attitudes toward the former colonizers.”
He argued that Africa must break free from a “colonial mindset” in its diplomatic engagements, asserting that the continent should engage with former colonial powers on equal terms.
Controversy Over Proposed BEE Amendments
Shivambu also took aim at recent proposed amendments to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policy in the ICT sector, gazetted by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies. The changes include an “equity-equivalent investment program” that would allow multinational companies to meet empowerment requirements without the mandatory 30% Black ownership clause.
The MK Party leader condemned the move, stating that it undermines efforts to redress apartheid-era economic inequalities.
“There is a constitutional obligation to address and rectify the injustices of the past,” Shivambu said. “If we zigzag on redress, the massive economic inequalities that define South Africa will continue. The wealth gap between white and Black people will persist forever.”
He warned that granting exemptions to companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink would set a dangerous precedent, discouraging compliance with B-BBEE laws across other sectors.
“Why would any other sector comply if Elon Musk is given preferential treatment?” he asked. “Parliament must reject this nonsensical proposal by the ANC puppets who want to accommodate Musk in the wrong way.”
Minister Summoned to Parliament
The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has been called to Parliament to clarify the proposed amendments, which have sparked backlash from opposition parties and economic transformation advocates.
As the debate intensifies, the MK Party has positioned itself as a vocal opponent of what it sees as the ANC’s concessions to foreign investors at the expense of economic justice.
Political analysts suggest that Shivambu’s strong rhetoric signals the MK Party’s growing influence in challenging the ANC’s policies, particularly on issues of economic transformation and foreign relations.
