President Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office was overshadowed by Trump’s repeated and controversial assertions that white South Africans are being “slaughtered” and that their land is being stolen.
The meeting began on a cordial note, with Ramaphosa expressing gratitude to Trump for providing respirators to South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the conversation soon took a dramatic turn.
For much of what became an at times dizzying encounter, Trump fixated on claims that white farmers are being persecuted and fleeing the country in large numbers.
In a surreal moment, videos were played of EFF leader Julius Malema singing “Kill the Boer”, while Ramaphosa listened in silence. Trump also presented printed photographs of white South Africans he alleged were recently murdered, at one point claiming people were getting their “heads chopped off” on farms.
Ramaphosa acknowledged South Africa’s high crime rates but emphasized that black South Africans are disproportionately affected. He firmly denied that land was being stolen and attempted to redirect the discussion to broader issues.
Trump frequently interrupted, insisting that white South Africans were under attack and leaving the country en masse.
In an effort to address the matter further, Ramaphosa asked Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen to comment.
Steenhuisen acknowledged the seriousness of crime and the need for more policing resources, but stated that the vast majority of farmers remain committed to staying in South Africa.
He added that one of the reasons the Democratic Alliance joined the government was to prevent parties like the EFF and MK from gaining influence.
Ramaphosa reiterated that the government strongly opposes the rhetoric espoused by Malema.
Trump then questioned why Malema had not been arrested, describing the violence against white South Africans as the “opposite of Apartheid.”
Business figures were also drawn into the discussion. Golfer Ernie Els, invited by Trump to speak, affirmed his continued love for South Africa and noted that many farmers and businesses remain committed to rebuilding the country.
Billionaire Johann Rupert echoed this sentiment, pointing out that crime affects all South Africans, not just white citizens.
Both Rupert and Ramaphosa appealed to Trump for technological assistance to help South Africa combat crime more effectively.
As Trump was then asked whether he would label what was going on in South Africa a white genocide, Trump said he hadn’t made up his mind yet, but that he was trying to save lives.
Ramaphosa’s delegation emphasised the need for economic growth and job creation as a means to address the country’s deep-seated social challenges.
Toward the end of the meeting, Ramaphosa was able to steer the discussion back to his original agenda: trade and investment—critical tools, he argued, in confronting South Africa’s broader societal issues.
In a parting shot, Ramaphosa also expressed that he would like to see Trump attend the G20 meeting in November, to which Trump responded he has not ruled it out yet.
