South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa stands firm against external pressure, vowing that his country ‘will not be bullied’ in the face of rising nationalism and protectionism.
South Africa’s Ramaphosa Says Country ‘Will Not Be Bullied’
In his annual State of the Nation address, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stood firm against rising nationalism and protectionism. He asserted that South Africa would not be intimidated or bullied by external forces.
Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa is a South African politician who served as the President of South Africa from 2018 to 2021.
Born on November 17, 1952, in Soweto, Johannesburg, he rose to prominence through his trade union activism and later became a successful businessman.
Ramaphosa was elected as the Deputy President of South Africa in 2014 and took office as President after Jacob Zuma's resignation in 2018.
He played a key role in shaping the country's economic policies and was involved in various international diplomatic efforts.
‘We are witnessing the rise of ‘nationalism, protectionism, the pursuit of narrow interests, and the decline of common cause,’ Ramaphosa said in Cape Town. ‘This is the world that we as South Africa, a developing economy, must now navigate, but we are not daunted.’
Ramaphosa’s comments come amid deteriorating diplomatic relations between Pretoria and Washington. The US has been critical of South Africa’s land expropriation bill, which allows for ‘nil compensation’ in certain circumstances.
Declining Relations with the US
The tension between the two nations has been escalating over the past few days. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he would not be attending the upcoming G20 talks in Johannesburg, citing concerns about South Africa’s policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and climate change.
Rubio’s decision was likely influenced by US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly attacked DEI programs since his return to the White House. Trump also criticized South Africa’s land expropriation bill, accusing the government of confiscating land and treating certain classes of people poorly.
South Africa Rebuffs Accusations
The South African government has rejected these accusations, with Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola stating that there is no arbitrary dispossession of land or private property. He compared the new land reform law to eminent domain laws used in other countries, which allow for the state or federal government to take private property for public use.
The issue of land remains highly emotive in South Africa, particularly given its history of racist laws and forced removals under apartheid. The current government must balance redressing past injustices with respecting private land ownership.
South Africa’s Resilience
Ramaphosa’s comments on Thursday were met with cheers from some lawmakers in parliament. His assertion that South Africa would not be bullied resonated with many, who see their country as resilient and determined to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
In his address, Ramaphosa acknowledged the complexities of navigating rising nationalism and protectionism but remained unwavering in his commitment to South Africa’s development and growth.
