President Cyril Ramaphosa intends to engage United States President Donald Trump over South Africa’s land reform policies following Trump’s threats to halt aid.
Trump on Sunday announced plans to cut off all future US assistance to South Africa, accusing the country of land confiscation and mistreatment of “certain classes of people” – a reference to white farmers.
In a statement issued by his office on Monday, Ramaphosa expressed his intention to engage with the Trump administration to foster a better understanding of South Africa’s land reform policies and to address issues of bilateral interest.
“We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters,” the statement continued.
The Presidency insisted that South Africa is committed to the rule of law, justice and equality, and clarified the nature of the recently adopted Expropriation Act.
It asserted that the Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner.
“South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land,” the Presidency said in a statement on Monday.
It said the Expropriation Act aims to address racial disparities in land ownership that have persisted since the end of apartheid in 1994.
The South African government noted that the act balances the need for public usage of land with the protection of property owners’ rights, similar to expropriation laws in other countries, including the US.
The Presidency also highlighted that the US remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa.
It, however, noted that, apart from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief – which constitutes 17 percent of South Africa’s HIV and AIDS programme – there is no other significant funding received from the US.
JN/APA