Ramaphosa’s handling of US spat hailed

 

International Relations expert, John Stremlau, and some ordinary South Africans say President Cyril Ramaphosa’ decision to reach out to Elon Musk was a right move to ensure that false narratives about the country are curbed.

The remarks are part of a fierce debate in the country over the President’s decision to call Musk amid the controversy over Donald Trump’s threat to cut off funding to South Africa due to allegations of government confiscating land and ill-treating certain classes of the population.

Various groups have blamed Musk and lobby group AfriForum, among others, for Trump’s hostile stance on Pretoria, saying they have been spreading mistruths to Washington.

Stremlau believes that Ramaphosa has handled the situation in a mature manner.

 

The scholar says Trump’s actions will have long time effect on the US, adding that South Africa taking Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has put a target on the country’s back.

Another Political Analyst, Professor Sam Koma, says the tense relationship between the Republicans and ANC leaders is a result of a long-standing feud centred around foreign policies.

Koma says South Africa needs to have a dialogue with the US and Trump’s administration to iron things out.

 

Smooth🫰🏾 https://t.co/6ceRTJWtZS pic.twitter.com/0Pm1ZvjeYR

— Nelisiwe (@NeliMsomi) February 3, 2025

There is nothing wrong with President Cyril Ramaphosa,calling Elon Musk. For all its worth he could have possibly scolded or educated him on peddling falsehoods about our country,first because he is our native and that he is now eminence grise in the US Presidency.

— Jabulano Gumbi Mtshali (@GumbiJabulano) February 5, 2025

Imagine if Cyril Ramaphosa took a platform like Donald Trump and said all colonial settlers and their descendants must leave South Africa and be repatriated in Europe or somewhere else they’ll be in a happy place and not be worried about dying. Elon would be a crybaby.

— MfanaKaGogo (@Basoh_Mabaso) February 5, 2025

However, there are pockets of people who are not happy about the President’s move.

Weak leadership and Cyril has no business discussing national issues with Elon Musk! He is not the president of America! Why is Ramaphosa treating him as a policymaker? 😳 https://t.co/SyPh6l9U5S

— Aya🇿🇦 (@AyaDlamini_) February 5, 2025

Why is President Cyril Ramaphosa explaining himself to Elon Musk? I do not like presidents who report to capitalists and this sums up who Ramaphosa is. A president that serves capital and who reports to world capitalists and not his people.

— Shark Razor (@SharkRayza) February 5, 2025

Cyril Ramaphosa lowered his dignity by talking to Elon Musk. He’s a nobody,not a statesman or or so-called Secretary of State. We’re a country whose president is afraid to face other elected leaders like him and instead opt for none elected personnel for all the wrong reasons…!

— Freddy (@Freddy951841823) February 5, 2025

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) agrees with Ramaphosa’s critics, saying he compromised the country’s sovereignty because of US foreign aid.

The EFF’s Statement on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Reckless Interaction with Elon Musk and Breaking of Diplomatic Protocols

-It is an objective fact that Elon Musk’s interference with U.S foreign policy as it relates to South Africa is rooted not only in his racist and white… pic.twitter.com/CIhZeI6DVh

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 5, 2025