By Madalitso Mtukula
A highly anticipated meeting between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and U.S. President Donald Trump ended in sharp disagreement on Tuesday, after Trump confronted Ramaphosa with claims of “white genocide” in South Africa and questioned the country’s land reform policies.
Held at the White House, the talks were meant to smooth diplomatic relations ahead of the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg. However, the atmosphere quickly soured when Trump presented videos showing South African politician Julius Malema chanting “Kill the Boer,” and cited the Witkruis Monument as evidence of racially targeted violence against white farmers.
Trump reiterated claims made by far-right groups that white South Africans are victims of state-sanctioned violence. He also raised concerns over land expropriation without compensation, calling it “a violation of property rights.”
In response, Ramaphosa firmly denied the existence of a “white genocide,” stating that violence in South Africa affects all racial groups and that land reform is a legal and necessary step toward correcting historical injustices caused by apartheid.
“Our efforts are rooted in the law and in the spirit of justice. Misrepresenting this as genocide is both harmful and untrue,” Ramaphosa told reporters following the meeting.
In an unusual diplomatic gesture, Ramaphosa was accompanied by South African golf stars Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, in an attempt to connect with Trump through a shared love for golf. Despite the effort, Trump declined Ramaphosa’s invitation to attend the G20 summit in South Africa later this year.
Observers warn that the failed talks could jeopardize the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a key trade agreement between the U.S. and several African nations. AGOA, which allows duty-free exports to the U.S., is set to expire in September 2025.
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