SA makes it clear it won’t engage in ‘megaphone diplomacy’ with US
Spokesperson for the Presidency, Vincent Magwenya said the country is still committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the Trump administration.
Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to President Cyril Ramaphosa, briefs the media on 15 March 2024 on the President’s upcoming public engagements, and responding to media questions on current matters of public interest at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa has made it clear that it won't engage in unproductive "megaphone diplomacy" with the United States (US) after Donald Trump's recent social media posts claiming that land is being confiscated in the country.
In his post, Trump has criticised South Africa for its alleged treatment of long-time farmers, claiming that the country is confiscating their land and farms.
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Earlier in 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Bill into law, which sets out how organs of state may expropriate land in the public interest for varied reasons.
Land ownership has been a contentious issue, with most private farmland owned by white people, 30 years after the end of the apartheid system.
Trump's February executive order that stopped aid to South Africa alleged there was discrimination against the white Afrikaner minority, descendants of Dutch and French settlers.
He further added that his administration was stopping all federal funding, and reiterated his invitation to farmers seeking refuge, stating that they are welcome with a rapid pathway to US citizenship.
READ: Trump's reading of Expropriation Act a misunderstanding and misinterpretation - Presidency
Spokesperson for the Presidency, Vincent Magwenya said the country is still committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the Trump administration.
“We remain committed to building a mutually beneficial bilateral trade, political, and diplomatic relationship with the United States, particularly the Trump administration. Obviously, it must be a relationship that is based on mutual respect and respect for our independence and sovereignty.”
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