The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to Washington, D.C., for high-level talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. This visit is an important opportunity to reset relations and reassert South Africa’s commitment to democracy, multilateralism, and principled global engagement.
We commend President Ramaphosa for leading this effort and acknowledge the delegation accompanying him, including Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, and special envoy Mcebisi Jonas. We trust they will communicate South Africa’s strategic, economic, and human rights priorities with clarity and integrity.
We expect that this delegation will firmly refute the harmful and false claims of “white genocide” and land grabs in South Africa. They need to make it clear that these narratives are baseless and they undermine our constitutional democracy. Our country remains committed to non-racialism, the rule of law, and the protection of all its people. If necessary we call on the President to invite President Trump and a multi-party delegation to come To South Africa to find evidence of the so-called genocide.
This visit must go beyond trade. It should remind the world of the moral responsibility leaders share in shaping a more peaceful global order. In the spirit of Ahmed Kathrada’s legacy, we call for human dignity, truth, and accountability to guide all engagements.
Should the South African delegation be demeaned in any way, we are sure that most South Africans will support them walking away from anything that seeks to trample on the dignity of our country and its people.
We wish President Ramaphosa and his delegation strength and wisdom in this important diplomatic mission.
ENDS
Released by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation