Ramaphosa slams Afriforum and Solidarity for damaging South Africa's international reputation

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep concern over the actions of Afriforum and Solidarity, stating that their campaign to disseminate disinformation about the country in the United States is nothing short of unpatriotic.

Ramaphosa on Tuesday said he was concerned and disappointed with Afriforum and Solidarity, with both organisations having sent representitives to meet with US government officials.

“I regard that as being non-patriotic because when you are a patriot of a country, the best you do is resolve problems or issues you have in country rather than beginning to damage the sovereignty of your country by running to other countries and expecting them to take action against your own country,” Ramaphosa said when responding to oral questions in the National Assembly.

He blamed Afriforum and Solidarity, saying what they had done had instigated the actions now being taken against the people of South Africa.

Ramaphosa's response came shortly after United States President Donald Trump signed executive orders to terminate the President’s Emergency Plan for Aid Relief (Pepfar).

Trump has since offered white Afrikaners refugee status in the US as the impasse over South Africa’s expropriation policy escalated, with AfriForum claiming there was a white genocide in the country.

Ramaphosa said the issue of whether the two organisations had committed treason was a matter for law enforcement agencies and the National Prosecuting Authority to look at.

“I take a dim view, in fact a negative view of what ensues as they run around the world bad mouthing their country, putting their country in disrepute not by things that are happening but by misinformation.”

He said that Afriforum and Solidarity’s actions was dividing the nation.

“What they seek to do is to spread racist statements about their own country when we are involved in building a nation. I am hugely disappointed and take a dim view of what Afriforum and Solidarity have done.”

Asked about measures the government has put in place to maintain a positive relationship with the US towards growing the economy and creating jobs, as the US is the second-largest trading partner and the fourth largest investor in South Africa, Ramaphosa said South Africa maintains active engagement with the US through political, diplomatic and economic channels.

He said after the Government of National Unity was formed, South Africa undertook an official visit to the Washington DC and engaged with members of the Congress, business, academics and think tanks.

Ramaphosa also said he had a telephone call with Trump after his election to congratulate him and reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthen relations between the two countries.

He said South African Ambassador to the US, Ibrahim Rasool, as an envoy was on the ground engaging various stakeholders to underscore the importance to deepen economic, political and cultural relations between these two historic partners.

“We have taken note of executive orders and recent statements the current administration has made about South Africa and aspects of domestic and foreign policy.

“We have expressed concern about mischaracterisation of the situation in our country and certain laws and foreign policy.”

Ramaphosa also said engagements would continue with the US and other stakeholders to correct the mischaracterisation.

“A lot of work is underway through various channels to ensure the relationship is respected. All the efforts that we put in place, both diplomatic, political and others will bear fruit.”

Ramaphosa confirmed that he is still planning on sending envoys to the US as well as other countries in Africa and the world in line with his undertaking during the State of the Nation Address.

“That is still our intention,” he said.

Ramaphosa said there was no need to send envoys to Europe as South Africa will soon host the European Union summit and exchange with leaders from the EU on a variety of issues.

He also said the country will continue to engage with African sister countries through the African Union and economic commissions.

“When it comes to countries like China and others, we have had opportunities to engage them during the G20 meeting that involved foreign and finance ministers,” he said adding that Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola, will continue to travel around the world.

Regarding the US visit by envoys, Ramaphosa said preparation were underway through various departments.

“In time we will be able to send envoys that should go and they will do so under the rubric of advancing our foreign policy.”

He insisted that foreign policy was the preserve of the executive.

“Rest assured that we will be following through the mandate we have in terms of our constitution to ensure that what we do in relation to other countries, advances the interest of South Africa and the executive,” Ramaphosa said.

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