CLEMENT MANYATHELA: Ramaphosa ready for whatever Trump may deal

CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit speaks with 702's Clement Manyathela.

Listen below:

After months of tension, aid cut and tariff threats, and misinformation, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pulled off what some are calling a diplomatic miracle.

He will meet face to face with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday to try and mend the two countries' fractured relationship.

Manyathela is in Washington DC ahead of the highly anticipated engagement.

He says the American media are taking this incredibly seriously.

“I have had meetings with some CNN reporters, New York Times reporters… They are taking it as seriously as we are.” 

- Clement Manyathela, 702

However, he says that many of his American counterparts think Ramaphosa has made a mistake in coming to Washington.

They argue that Ramaphosa will not be coming into the meeting as an equal and will be 'caught in an undercurrent he cannot swim against'.

RELATED: Ramaphosa meets Trump in Washington DC: Expect much ‘political theatre’ - The Guardian

While the meeting is not expected to be easy, Manyathela says Ramaphosa is well prepared to deal with Trump.

“The South African government says they are ready for whatever happens. The President has been readied to respond to whatever form of embarrassment that can come through, but it is a risk they are ready to take.”

- Clement Manyathela, 702

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