We must break down the real politics behind ‘white genocide’ allegations - Vincent Magwenya, Presidential Spokesperson
President Cyril Ramaphosa has brought a team to the United States to meet with President Donald Trump. Clement Manyathela is Washington, DC. He interviews Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for Ramaphosa.
702’s Clement Manyathela is in the United States and speaks with Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Listen below:
Relations between South Africa and the US are at an all-time low.
However, Ramaphosa is currently in the US to try to mend fences.
He is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday.
Magwenya says Ramaphosa is in high spirits and looking forward to meeting with Trump.
“We need to reset this relationship and enjoy the benefits of this strategic relationship.”
- Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson - Presidency
White genocide and Afrikaner ‘refugees’
One of the major issues that Ramaphosa’s team plans to address is the allegations of ‘white genocide’ in South Africa.
Magwenya says the president plans to dispel the disinformation but also to understand from Trump’s perspective why he is insisting that this is happening.
“When you engage one-on-one, you get the opportunity to allow the person to elaborate further on what they think they understand, and deal with their assertions one by one.”
- Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson - Presidency
“We have US government footprints in South Africa… there is absolutely no way that the Trump Administration does not know that what they are propagating is false. They know, and at some point, we need to get to the bottom of the real politics behind this and agree that we need to move past this issue.”
- Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson - Presidency
Ramaphosa is reportedly hopeful that this topic does not dominate the discussion.
“If the problem continues, we will certainly as a government take exception to it.”
- Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson - Presidency
Trade between the US and South Africa
The future of AGOA, the agreement which gives Africa preferential trade with the US, is under threat under the Trump administration.
Magwenya says Ramaphosa hopes to save this agreement.
However, if that is not possible, he says Ramaphosa is prepared to outline a new mutually beneficial trade framework for our countries.
The presidential envoy also includes Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen to boost agricultural trade between the countries.
“There is an opportunity for mutually beneficial, two-way trade in agriculture.”
- Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson - Presidency
He says having Steenhuisen at the meeting can highlight the reality of the Government of National Unity and send a message about the lived reality of white South Africans.
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