President Cyril Ramaphosa paid a surprise visit to NAMPO, the southern hemisphere’s biggest agricultural expo, in Bothaville in the Free State today.
The President said he was there as a farmer.
President @CyrilRamaphosa visited #NAMPO2025 today, exploring cutting-edge technology and equipment. He engaged with @GrainSA leadership to discuss the challenges and opportunities for SA grain producers
The president was warmly welcomed by visitors and exhibitors.@PresidencyZA pic.twitter.com/JGeO3IrMas
— Grain SA Farmer Development Programme (@gsafarmerdev) May 13, 2025
In a post on X, the President said he engaged with committed and patriotic South Africans who are dedicated to contributing solutions that will advance the sector and grow the economy.
I spent the day with the farming community and other role players in the agricultural sector at Nampo 2025 in Bothaville, Free State.
I engaged with committed and patriotic South Africans who are dedicated to contributing solutions that will advance the sector and grow our… pic.twitter.com/q7DCrJ1J7J
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) May 13, 2025
It comes amid heated political debate over the Trump administration’s decision to grant refugee status to Afrikaners.
While there is no indication that there are any farmers among the first group of 49 South Africans of Afrikaner descent who landed in the US on Monday, Ramaphosa held an impromptu press briefing at NAMPO, expressing his displeasure that these South Africans decided to leave their country.
He says he considers what they did a cowardly act, and ultimately very sad.
“I think that it’s a sad moment for them. They may be feeling excited that they left the country, that they’ve got somebody like President (Donald) Trump.”
“But in the end it’s a group of South Africans demonstrating that the changes and transformation that we are embarking on here, they’re not favourably disposed to it. That’s why they are running away. As South Africans, we are resilient. We don’t run away from our problems.”
“And if you look at all national groups in our country, black and white, they’ve stayed in this country because it’s our country and we must not run away from our problems. We must stay here and solve our problems. When you run away you are a coward, and that’s a real cowardly act.”
