A prominent leader from the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa has asserted the nation’s sovereignty in light of escalating tensions with the United States regarding racial issues and a recent land reform legislation. “We are an independent nation, a sovereign entity.
We do not belong to the United States, and we will uphold our sovereignty,” stated ANC National Chair Gwede Mantashe on Sunday.
President Donald Trump of the United States has criticized South Africa’s new expropriation law, having signed an executive order in February that claims it allows the government to confiscate agricultural properties owned by ethnic minority Afrikaners without providing compensation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa asserts that the legislation guarantees equitable and just public access to land. The expropriation law permits the government to acquire land without compensation, albeit under specific conditions.
Trump’s order in February also facilitated the possibility for Afrikaners to seek refuge in the United States, labeling them as victims of unfair racial discrimination.
During a speech at South Africa’s Freedom Day celebration in Mpumalanga, Mantashe expressed disapproval of South African citizens who have urged Trump to impose sanctions on the nation.
They are currently instructed to relocate and accept refugee status, yet they are resisting. It is imperative that they comply, he stated. Public disputes have also emerged on Elon Musk’s X platform, where he has labeled his nation’s property laws as discriminatory.
Presently, the majority of private land and wealth in the country is held by white South Africans, a minority group, despite the conclusion of the apartheid regime many years ago.
To address the ongoing tensions that have persisted for several months, South Africa appointed a special envoy to Washington earlier this month. Mcebisi Jonas has been assigned the responsibility of promoting the country’s diplomatic, trade, and bilateral interests, as stated by Ramaphosa.
This action follows the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, by Washington, who had accused Trump of employing ‘dog whistle’ politics.
Last month, representatives from the all-white separatist town of Orania, established by Afrikaners post-apartheid, traveled to the US to pursue recognition as an independent state.
In his speech on Sunday, Mantashe indicated his intention to promote the integration of the Orania community.
‘Black individuals should go and establish themselves there, and we will integrate them,’ he stated. He further remarked that ‘hatred cannot endure in the presence of peace. It is peace that fosters the development of a nation.’
