by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG – EXPECTEDLY, the meeting of the presidents of the United States and South Africa was a sweltering affair.
In the end, however, it has set the tone for the two iconic countries to reset their ties that have been disrupted by months of misinformation peddled by pro-Afrikaner groups and US President Donald Trump’s associates claiming a genocide against the minority White.
Months of a diplomatic war of words between the government of Trump and South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, hence when Ramaphosa rolled into Washington, it was arguably the most anticipated meeting between two presidents this year, globally
At the Oval Office, this was a meeting between the world’s most powerful, if not most controversial, politician, and the most influential counterpart in Africa.
This also amid ongoing geopolitical tensions that pits two countries at opposing ends. Not since the end of apartheid in 1994 has South Africa’s diplomatic affairs and domestic politics been in such disarray.
Since returning to the White House in January this year, Trump has launched a tirade on South Africa and this month, his government received some so-called “refugees” from South Africa.
At the meeting that lasted more than an hour with Ramaphosa and the latter’s high-powered delegation that also comprised some prominent White South Africans, he maintained the accusations.
He claimed “thousands” of people wanted to flee South Africa.
To back his claims, he called on aides to play some videos of opposition leader, Julius Malema, president of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for the killing of Boers. He also presented printed material alleging they documented the violations.
Ramaphosa, diplomatic through the interaction, shot down those baseless and unfounded allegations.
“There is criminality in our country (South Africa) and people who do get killed are not only white,” the South African president argued.
Ramaphosa’s choice of his delegation was a masterstroke.
Among them were some of the most prominent whites in the country, including his Agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, South Africa’s richest man Johann Rupert and star golfers, Ernest Els and Ratief Goosen.
“We have many deaths, but it’s across the board, not just white farmers,” Rupert stated.
Tensions between America and South Africa run deeper than the so-called genocide against minority white farmers.
South Africa is a rival of Israel, a major US partner.
South Africa is also an ally of Russia, America’s on-and-off associate.
China, an economic and political ally of South Africa, is a rival of the United States.
There has also been mention of a nuclear collaboration between South Africa and America’s nemesis, Iran.
In March, Trump’s administration expelled South African ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, a fierce Trump critic.
Newly-appointed South African envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas, was noticeably absent from Wednesday’s meeting, reportedly because of previous sentiments he allegedly made against Trump.
