Lesufi: Ramaphosa left White House 'smelling of roses'
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has praised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s approach to Wednesday's dramatic meeting with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, at the White House.
Trump stunned President Ramaphosa by playing a video of EFF leader Julius Malema singing the controversial "Kill the Boer" chant during a high-level meeting at the White House.
Trump claimed the video was evidence of genocide against white people in South Africa, alleging that it was driving thousands of white farmers to the United States.
The meeting, aimed at revitalising strained relations between the two countries and securing a mutually beneficial trade deal, quickly shifted focus as Trump turned the Oval Office into a platform to question South Africa’s internal politics.
Ramaphosa repeatedly tried to interject, at one point appealing for a calm discussion.
Speaking in Midrand on Thursday, Lesufi said Ramaphosa left the Oval Office 'smelling of roses'.
"I'm really pleased that the president really went there open-minded, and the President really led us as a country, and he made us proud. Obviously, it was tense and difficult.
"But I think our president came out of that session smelling [of] roses, and ready to then execute the trade relations that we want, which is very important to us."
Lesufi warned that trade relations with the US directly impact thousands of jobs in the motor industry in Gauteng.
"The motor industry is in Gauteng, and it's our major economic activity, and we were worried that this relationship between South Africa and the US was starting to really harm various sectors."
ALSO READ:
