President Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned AfriForum against fostering divisions within the country by seeking intervention from the United States government regarding South African policies. Speaking on the sidelines of the Education Lekgotla in Boksburg, Johannesburg, Ramaphosa addressed reports indicating that AfriForum and other groups had met with representatives of the US Executive, urging them to pressure the African National Congress (ANC) to alter its policies.
Ramaphosa states, “We need to send a clear message that, as proud South Africans, we prefer to stay and solve our problems together. What they are doing has already created divisions within our nation. That is not a process of nation-building; running around the world seeking solutions to our issues only sows discord.
When this happens, many South Africans begin to view each other negatively, and I don’t believe that is the correct way to address our challenges.”
AfriForum, along with Solidariteit and the Solidarity Movement, met with representatives of the Trump administration in Washington to discuss concerns about the ANC’s governance.
The group has raised issues regarding the Expropriation Act, the BELA Act, and crimes against white farmers.
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel defended the discussions, saying the concerns were taken seriously by the US officials.
“We had a constructive discussion, and it is taken seriously, but not simply about what we tell them. The fact is they have a state department, an embassy in SA, and the feedback we got is that they have been following what the ANC leaders and ANC government are doing in SA, and they are worried about that…”
“Also, they have given examples about South Africa’s links with Hamas, their links with Iran, and several other issues. Worries about expropriation and their disrespect for property rights,” says Kriel.
