By: Bayero Ade
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly defended his country’s land reform policies, stating that they are an internal matter and should not be influenced by external pressures, particularly from the United States.
According to Afripost, In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Ramaphosa responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to stop future financial aid to South Africa over the Expropriation Act. This legislation allows the South African government to seize land without compensation, a move that Trump criticized, claiming the law targets “certain classes of people” and asserting that “The United States won’t stand for it.”
Ramaphosa, however, stood by the legislation, emphasizing that its goal is to promote equitable land access and address past injustices. He pointed out that South Africa functions as a constitutional democracy based on justice, equality, and the rule of law.
In his response, Ramaphosa clarified the nature of U.S. financial support, stating that aside from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which funds 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program, the country does not rely heavily on other forms of American assistance.
The President also reassured that the Expropriation Act is not intended to unfairly confiscate land, but is part of a broader legal framework that balances public interest with property rights. “Like the United States and many other nations, South Africa has long-standing expropriation laws that serve public needs while respecting property owners,” Ramaphosa said.
Despite the tension, Ramaphosa expressed a willingness to engage in constructive discussions with the Trump administration. He stated, “We look forward to dialogue on our land reform policies and other bilateral matters, confident that these discussions will promote mutual understanding.”
Ramaphosa also reiterated that the U.S. remains an important strategic partner for South Africa in both political and trade relations.
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