South Africans are voicing strong support for President Cyril Ramaphosa following a tense and high-profile meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which Trump repeated unfounded allegations of a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa.
The meeting, held at the White House earlier this week, saw Trump accusing South Africa’s Black-led government of targeting white farmers through land seizures and racially motivated violence claims widely discredited by experts and human rights groups.
Instead of confronting Trump directly, Ramaphosa opted for a diplomatic approach, allowing members of his delegation, including renowned South African golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, to help present a more accurate picture of the country.
In Johannesburg, local residents praised Ramaphosa’s response as dignified and strategic.
The controversial chant, often cited out of context in international discourse, was part of the anti-apartheid struggle and is still sung by some as a symbol of resistance.
However, it remains a flashpoint in discussions about racial tension in post-apartheid South Africa.
Trump, who returned to office with a hardline agenda on foreign affairs, has repeatedly accused South Africa’s government of enacting anti-white and anti-American policies. His claims have stirred backlash at home and abroad and have been sharply criticized for fueling division.
Ramaphosa, meanwhile, used the opportunity in Washington to stress that while South Africa continues to grapple with its complex history of racial inequality, the narrative of white genocide is not only false but dangerous.
He emphasized his administration’s ongoing efforts to promote reconciliation and inclusive development in a country still healing from decades of apartheid rule.
