South Africans supports Ramaphosa's calm reaction to White House ambush
President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the meeting with important South African figures, such as golfers Retief Goosen and Ernie Els, highlighting the diversity of his team. All agreed that there is no “white genocide” in their country.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa was at the White House for a meeting last Wednesday. During their public encounter, President Donald Trump ambushed Ramaphosa and accused him of "ethnic cleansing" against white farmers in his country, even showing a realted video on this serious crimes.
Ramaphosa's response is being praised by many South Africans. On social media and in their broadcast outlets, there seemed to be agreement on their President's way of handling the situation, which was described as calm and measured. Even his party mentioned that his conduct was "in keeping with President Nelson Mandela's proud tradition of diplomacy."
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South African former ambassador praises Ramaphosa
President Donald Trump expelled the South African ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, to the U.S. earlier this year. The U.S. president also mentioned that he cut South Africa's aid to the U.S. and imposed a 30% increase on their commercial tariffs.
Rasool praised, in an interview with DW, how his president handled the TV meeting with "dignity." He was also asked why Ramaphosa's answers were not more energetic or stronger. "Further pressure could have risked a Zelenskyy moment in the White House," said the former South Africa's ambassador.
Ramaphosa dellegation were with him the entire meeting, including white-South Africans. Photo: AFP News
Ramaphosa's company at the White House
Despite the "white genocide" accusations, President Ramaphosa attended the meeting accompanied by three men and a minister, showing his extensive contact list. Among them were South African golfers Retief Goosen and Ernie Els, the richest man in South Africa, Johann Rupert, and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen.
All of these men are white South Africans and were invited by Ramaphosa himself. They expressed that violent crimes in their country affect all races, and there is no such thing as a "white genocide." Rupert even talked to Elon Musk, who was also in the room, and mentioned his Starlink system as a way to combat criminals.
