US expat group condemns Trump 'white genocide' claims

Democrats Abroad South Africa (DASA) has issued an unusually strong condemnation of United States President Donald Trump’s rhetoric, warning that his claims about land seizures and 'systematic murder' of white South Africans are dangerous and diplomatically damaging.

DASA spokesperson Ricardo Gressel argues that the statements not only misrepresent South Africa but also harm the reputations of all Americans living here.

"We've just seen more and more rhetoric, more and more mudslinging, especially from our camp in the Trump administration, that is just not consistent and conducive to diplomatic behaviour."

The group has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s firm rebuttal of those allegations during his national address on Sunday, following the G20 Summit.

Gressel says the organisation had avoided direct political confrontation in the past, but Trump’s 'isolationist and divisive' messaging, along with cuts to USAID and health funding, had reached a point where remaining silent was 'no longer responsible' for Americans living abroad.

"South Africa's been looking after itself in a lot of ways in terms of HIV/AIDS and in terms of different social programmes. America, or at least the Trump administration, wants the people to believe that they have been the saviour in terms of helping our social programmes in South Africa.

"We've been through many periods in our history where you have the ugly American, a lot of wars, a lot of wars that you can question whether or not we should have gotten involved. Here we are in a very diplomatic place, in a place that speaks to inclusivity, that speaks to overcoming the perils of apartheid, something similar to what we had in the United States of America through Jim Crow laws for 100 years.

"We really find not only comfort in the beautiful place that is South Africa, but also the beautiful people and the people who are trying to make the world a better place. It is very kumbaya for a lot of people, but it's real for us Americans who've grown up in a place where liberty, justice, social justice, and economic opportunity are real opportunities for our future and especially for our children.”

To listen to Gressel in conversation with CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit, click below: