Civil rights movement Save South Africa has pointed fingers at President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing him of "lack of agility” required to intervene timeously and save the deteriorating relationship between Pretoria and Washington.
In the latest episode, in a series of adverse developments targeting Pretoria, IOL has recently reported that South Africa’s ambassador Ebrahim Rasool has been expelled from the United States on Friday, after the diplomat shared his opinion on Donald Trump’s presidency during a webinar.
Rasool previously served as SA ambassador to the US during the Barack Obama administration between 2010 and 2015. He was re-appointed in January 2025, as ambassador during the Joe Biden and then Donald Trump administration.
Save SA president Sydney Monnakgotla said before the relationship degenerated to the current all-time low, Ramaphosa would have intervened to save the bilateral ties.
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“As Save South Africa movement it is our contention that this is as a result of lack of agility from the side of the president of South Africa to engage the government of the United States. You would remember that the engagement between the two countries have been taking place through social media platforms," he told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.
"Since the rightwing organisation AfriForum went to America and spoke lies about this country, misleading the government of America, it was upon our president to follow the right formal channels and engage the president of America but that has not been happening hence we see now the expulsion of the ambassador of South Africa in the United States. We believe the president could have acted with agility and ensure that he engaged president of United States.”
Last month, IOL reported that Errol Musk, Elon Musk's father, confirmed that he arranged a call between his son and Ramaphosa. The call followed Elon Musk's pointed criticism of South Africa’s land reform and expropriation policies. At the time, Trump had made threats to cut funding to South Africa.
Monnakgotla said there was no purpose for Ramaphosa to have an engagement with Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump.
“Elon Musk is not the president of America. He (Ramaphosa) could have engaged Donald Trump who is the president of America and ensured that they follow the correct communications channels. This matter cannot be dealt with through social media platforms.
“By the way, America is one of our largest trading partners, and you understand the devastating results this might lead us to, as a country. We are saying the president could have seen the urgency of this matter and made sure that he engages. said Monnakgotla.
Earlier this month, IOL reported that Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson of the presidency, clarified that South Africa remains committed to foster cordial relations with the United States, confirming that no official delegation has been sent to Washington to mend ties.
Magwenya emphasised that the government remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the US, but stressed that the timing for such a delegation is not ideal at the moment.
Magwenya stated: "Unfortunately, there is no delegation that has been dispatched by the president nor by the government."
This follows recent reports claiming South Africa had sent a delegation to the US to improve diplomatic relations with the US President Donald Trump’s administration.
Magwenya told Newzroom Afrika that vacancies within the Trump administration, particularly in positions related to African affairs, make it an unfavorable time for such a visit.
"There are still vacancies within the Trump administration in the areas of decision-making and influence that will normally interface with us," Magwenya explained.
He also addressed concerns about the absence of engagement with the US, stating that while the government remains open to discussions, "rushing to send a delegation when they will not be able to meet their counterparts and hold meaningful discussions will be counterproductive at this stage."
When the delegation is eventually sent, Magwenya emphasised that it will be a high-level delegation, involving ministers from various sectors, particularly those dealing with trade and diplomacy.
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