(The Post News)- A high-level meeting between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and U.S. President Donald Trump took an unexpectedly sharp turn on Wednesday, as the two leaders engaged in a tense exchange over claims of racially motivated violence against white farmers in South Africa.
Originally scheduled to focus on trade relations and regional security, the Oval Office meeting veered into controversial territory when President Trump presented video footage of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema chanting “Kill the Boer” at a public rally. Trump cited the clip as evidence of what he called a “white genocide” taking place under the South African government’s watch.
“What we are seeing is persecution. These people are being driven from their homes. That is not democracy — that’s discrimination,” Trump said, affirming his administration’s policy of fast-tracking asylum for white South Africans. “We’ve already welcomed dozens of Afrikaner families, and we will welcome more.”
President Ramaphosa strongly rejected the characterisation, saying that Malema’s inflammatory rhetoric does not reflect the views or policies of the South African government.
“Let me be clear: Malema does not speak for the government of South Africa,” Ramaphosa said. “We remain committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of race. Crime is a challenge, yes, but it is not racially motivated. It affects all South Africans.”
The president also reaffirmed South Africa’s adherence to democratic principles and cited Nelson Mandela’s legacy of reconciliation as a guiding force.
Joining the meeting was billionaire businessman Johann Rupert, who has long been a vocal critic of the EFF’s populist tactics. Rupert expressed concern about Malema’s repeated attacks on him personally, while supporting Ramaphosa’s broader message.
“I’ve been a target of Malema’s rhetoric for years,” Rupert said. “But the truth is, our crime crisis affects black and white South Africans alike. We need unity and international cooperation, not division.”
Rupert added that South Africa’s past rejection of U.S. crime-fighting support — driven by political ideology, may have come at a high cost.
“We turned down help when we needed it most. That must change,” he said. “We must work with our allies, not isolate ourselves from them.”
The meeting ended with discussions about potential U.S. support for South Africa’s domestic security efforts, signalling a possible thaw in a relationship that has been strained by recent geopolitical disputes. These include South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, subsequent U.S. sanctions, and mutual diplomatic expulsions.
Despite a few light-hearted moments including the presence of South African golf legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, as well as tech mogul Elon Musk, the tone of the meeting underscored deep divisions over foreign policy and human rights.
“This was not a routine meeting,” one senior U.S. official said off the record. “It exposed a profound disconnect between two allies with very different worldviews.”
Whether the session will lead to concrete policy shifts or merely deepen the rift remains to be seen. But for now, hopes for a diplomatic reset appear dim.
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