South African organisations slam Trump
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – The FW de Klerk Foundation has strongly opposed US President Donald Trump's offering of citizenship to white South African farmers. And the head of AgriSA has warned that the loss of farmers' duty-free access for some products to the US through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) will hurt them.
This is after US Congressman Andy Ogles on Monday called for South Africa to be expelled from AGOA, claiming that the country “hates native whites” and “loves terrorists”.
President Trump recently described South Africa as “a bad place to be right now” and accused the government of seizing land from white farmers.
He also announced the termination of US aid to South Africa, citing unsubstantiated claims that Pretoria is persecuting white people. Tensions between the two countries are tied to South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Christo van der Rheede, CEO of the FW de Klerk Foundation, said President Trump's actions are based on disinformation and lack any basis in truth. “The challenges we face in South Africa are not just limited to white people. All of us are affected by crime, unemployment and ill-conceived policies, especially economic ones,” he said.
Mecia Petersen, CEO of the South African Table Grape Industry, said that it was possible for South African farmers to switch to new markets if the country is excluded from AGOA.
The US last month boycotted the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Johannesburg. It was part of a series of ministerial gatherings leading up to the G20 leaders mega summit in November which will also be held in Johannesburg.
President Trump will assume the presidency of the G20 once South Africa’s term expires at the end of November.
-0- PANA CU/MA 11March2025
