MEDIA STATEMENT
Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday 8 February 2025 - Public Interest SA categorically rejects, with all the contempt it deserves, the recent executive action by United States President Donald Trump and his administration to terminate US aid to South Africa and to promote the admission and resettlement of Afrikaners under the false pretence of “persecution and genocide.” This action is based on outright lies, racist propaganda, and deliberate misinformation peddled by race-based lobby groups such as AfriForum. It is a shameless attempt to sow division among South Africans and to derail our collective efforts to advance socio-economic transformation after decades of apartheid rule.
Trump’s executive order is steeped in hypocrisy, neocolonial arrogance, and racist fearmongering. It weaponises brazen falsehoods to justify an unjustifiable attack on South Africa’s sovereignty. The claim that the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 is designed to target “ethnic minority Afrikaners” is nothing more than a cynical distortion of facts, aimed at shielding historic injustices under the guise of human rights advocacy.
It is clear that Trump and his corrupt, racist acolytes — aided by certain unpatriotic and racist South Africans — are attempting to blackmail our nation into submission. Public Interest SA also takes note of the dubious role of US-based oligarchs championed by Elon Musk, who are using deception and coercion to force South Africa into acceding to their unlawful commercial and political demands. These individuals seek to weaponise US foreign policy to advance their own selfish interests, at the expense of South Africa’s hard-earned sovereignty and progress.
Public Interest SA stands firmly behind President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African government in their unwavering defence of our country’s sovereignty. We will not be bullied by Trump, whose racist, reckless, and divisive politics have already sown chaos and destruction in the United States.
Trump’s absurd assertion that South Africa poses a national security threat to the United States due to its principled foreign policy positions — whether on Palestine, Iran, or any other matter — reveals his true agenda. This is nothing more than a crude attempt to punish South Africa for asserting its independent foreign policy and upholding international justice.
Public Interest SA calls on all South Africans — regardless of race, creed, or political affiliation — to stand united against these neocolonial tactics. We urge the South African government to take decisive diplomatic and legal measures to resist this blatant attack on our national dignity. While democratic South Africa will not obstruct those who choose to leave under false pretences, their departure and resettlement in the US among their ilk will only serve to strengthen our nation's unity and progress.
To those in the United States who still uphold the values of truth and justice, we say: Do not be fooled by Trump’s racialised fearmongering. South Africa remains committed to democracy, economic transformation, and global peace — despite the desperate lies of those who wish to see us fail.
Public Interest SA will continue to expose and confront all efforts, foreign or domestic, that seek to undermine our nation’s progress and unity.
ENDS
