Ramaphosa Responds to Trump’s Criticism with Call for National Unity

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for national unity in response to Donald Trump’s criticism of the country’s land expropriation laws and foreign policy stance.

“We need to stand united as a nation, particularly now when we are facing a harsh global wind,” Ramaphosa told lawmakers in Cape Town during a parliamentary debate on his state-of-the-nation address.

Trump’s Accusations and US Aid Freeze

The remarks follow Trump’s decision to freeze most US aid to South Africa, citing concerns over the country’s relationship with Hamas and Iran and falsely claiming that South African authorities were conducting land grabs.

Ramaphosa dismissed Trump’s claims, reiterating that while land reform remains necessary, South Africa’s government will not allow forced removals.

“Like the transformation of our society, the process of restitution is not complete. It is an ongoing process,” Ramaphosa said.

New Land Expropriation Law Explained

In December 2024, Ramaphosa signed into law a new act allowing the government to expropriate land for public purposes, such as infrastructure projects, or in the public interest, which includes addressing historical land injustices.

Key points of the law include:

• Fair compensation: Owners of expropriated land must receive just and equitable compensation.
• Exceptions: In cases where land is unused or acquired for speculative purposes, compensation may be zero.

The government maintains that the law is constitutional and aligns with South Africa’s need for equitable land access.

US-South Africa Tensions Ahead of G20 Meeting

Ramaphosa’s remarks come just one week before South Africa hosts a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced he will boycott the event, citing concerns over South Africa’s land policies and foreign policy agenda, which he dismissed as “DEI and climate change.”

Despite US criticism, South Africa continues to assert its sovereignty in policy decisions, emphasizing its commitment to land reform and independent diplomacy.

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