The ANC's leadership stresses the importance of South African autonomy as tensions with the US intensify, particularly in relation to land expropriation and racial discrimination discussions.
South Africa Asserts Sovereignty Amid Rising US Tensions
South Africa Asserts Sovereignty Amid Rising US Tensions
ANC Chair Gwede Mantashe firmly defends South Africa's sovereignty in light of escalating disagreements with the US over new land laws and racial issues.
In a robust assertion of South Africa's independence, ANC National Chair Gwede Mantashe emphasized that the nation will uphold its sovereignty amid rising tensions with the United States regarding race relations and controversial new land legislation. Addressing the issue during South Africa's Freedom Day celebrations in Mpumalanga, Mantashe stated, “We are a free country, we're a sovereign country. We're not a province of the United States and that sovereignty will be defended.”
The controversy escalated after President Donald Trump criticized South Africa's expropriation law, which allows the government to seize land without compensation under certain conditions. In response, Trump signed an executive order in February, alleging that the law enables the government to seize agricultural properties owned by ethnic minority Afrikaners without compensation. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended the law, asserting it was designed for equitable public land access.
Tensions have further intensified, with reports indicating that almost 70,000 South Africans have sought asylum in the US, driven by the discord surrounding these laws. Trump’s order also referenced the plight of Afrikaners as “victims of unjust racial discrimination,” and opened pathways for their potential admission into the United States as refugees.
Mantashe criticized those in South Africa who have called for punitive measures against the nation, noting that those who sought refuge should consider their options seriously. "Now they are told to go there and be refugees, they are refusing. They must go," he remarked.
Prominent tech figure Elon Musk has also weighed in on the land ownership debate, labeling existing laws as “racist.” The historical context remains relevant, as the majority of private land and wealth in South Africa is still held by the white minority, despite the dismantling of apartheid years ago.
In an attempt to alleviate ongoing diplomatic strains, South Africa recently designated a special envoy, Mcebisi Jonas, to handle diplomatic and trade relations with the US. This development follows the expulsion of South Africa's ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, who had accused Trump of engaging in divisive politics.
In a potentially conciliatory move, Mantashe proposed integrating the predominantly white separatist community of Orania into a broader national framework, suggesting that “Black people must go and build there, and we mix them.” He added that fostering peace is essential for nation-building, implying that hatred has no place in a reconciled society.
