February 4th 2025.
South Africa's Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, is not taking President Donald Trump's threats lightly. In response to Trump's remarks about cutting funding to South Africa, Mantashe fired back by stating that the country could simply cut off its supply of minerals to the United States. This bold statement was reported by Democracy Now.
Trump's accusations against South Africa stem from the country's land reform legislation, which aims to address the ongoing issue of the white minority owning the majority of farmland, even 30 years after the end of apartheid. Trump claimed that "terrible things are happening in South Africa" and threatened to withhold funding. However, Mantashe quickly devised a plan to counter this threat. "You passed an Exploration Act, therefore Trump will withhold funding to South Africa. And I said, 'Let's mobilize Africa. Let's withhold minerals to the U.S.,'" he explained.
But it's not just Mantashe who is standing up to Trump's remarks. South African officials have also urged the president and his administration to gain a better understanding of the new law and its purpose. The new Expropriation Act, passed in January 2024, allows the government to acquire land from private parties if it serves the public interest. However, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa clarified that "The South African government has not confiscated any land."
In fact, during the apartheid era, it was the Black majority who suffered from land confiscation and forced segregation. Ramaphosa's office further explained that the act is not a tool for confiscation, but rather a legal process to ensure public access to land. They also pointed out that many other countries, including the United States, have similar expropriation laws in place.
Trump's threats specifically target funding for South Africa's HIV/AIDS program, known as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This program provides close to $400 million a year to support the nation's efforts in fighting the disease. However, advocates are concerned that these funding cuts would only harm the people of South Africa. While some may criticize the country's new legislation, they urge that any "punitive measures" be directed towards senior government leaders rather than the native citizens.
In light of these tensions, South Africa and the United States have recently partnered to boost trade, investment, and community collaboration. It is important for both countries to engage in open dialogue and work towards finding solutions that benefit all parties involved.
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