South Africans praise Ramaphosa's composure during White House meeting

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa remained calm during a White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, who raised disputed claims about violence against white farmers in South Africa.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday for talks intended to strengthen bilateral relations. However, the discussion included Trump raising allegations that white minority farmers in South Africa are facing systematic violence and land seizures - claims that remain disputed.

Despite the sensitive nature of the topic and the challenging exchange, Ramaphosa remained composed throughout the meeting, earning praise from South Africans for his diplomatic restraint. The South African leader arrived prepared to discuss trade and cooperation, bringing members of the country’s golfing community with him to Washington as part of his delegation.

Rebecca Davis, a columnist for the Daily Maverick, highlighted Ramaphosa’s steady demeanor, noting that he “did not rise to the bait” and handled the situation with care amid pressure ahead of the visit. Comparisons were drawn to a previous tense encounter between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Some South Africans, however, questioned the value of Ramaphosa’s trip given the confrontational tone. Johannesburg shopkeeper Sobelo Motha said, “I don’t think it was necessary to explain ourselves to the USA. The claims of white genocide are unfounded, so the visit felt like a pointless exercise.”

South Africa’s Foreign Ministry defended the president’s approach. Spokesperson Chrispin Phiri told Reuters, “Most importantly, the two presidents engaged. Ramaphosa approaches issues calmly and with a matter-of-fact attitude, which is what we expect from our leaders.”

Many South Africans found it surprising that such claims gained traction at the highest levels, especially given that South Africa’s violent crime disproportionately affects Black and poor communities. Official statistics show that in 2024, there were over 26,000 murders nationwide, with only a small fraction related to farming areas.

As the dialogue between the two leaders concludes, South Africans continue to consider the implications for their country’s image and international relations moving forward.

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