Trump’s anti-SA remarks take centre stage in SONA debate

He was speaking during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate in Cape Town on Tuesday.

Malema dismissed Trump’s criticism of South Africa following the signing of the Expropriation Act as a cover for his real agenda.  

He believes the attacks stem from South Africa’s decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its actions in the Gaza region.

While Malema agreed with Ramaphosa that South Africa should not be bullied, he called on the President to clarify his plan when he responds to the debate on Thursday.  

"Speaker, we want to make it very clear that we should not be confused with a generation of cowards who can be bullied by imperial forces and power-hungry individuals intoxicated by the wealth of apartheid.

“The United States of America has bullied nations before, imposed senseless and arbitrary sanctions, and threatened wars.

“But we are a different generation. We are the generation of Economic Freedom Fighters, and we will not be bullied. We agree with you, President, that we should not be bullied," said Malema. 

At the same time, opposition leader in Parliament and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party deputy president John Hlophe also dismissed Trump’s comments.  

"While we expect President Donald Trump to end the imperialist war of NATO in Russia and to dissociate from the neo-colonial green energy transactions imposed on the developing world, we do not agree with him and his promotion of white supremacy. 

“There is no genocide in South Africa, and there is no threat of genocide. Let’s make that clear," Hlophe called for South Africa to deepen economic ties with BRICS+ nations.  

"These are sustainable and dependable trading partners, unlike Western nations that impose unfair conditions on developing economies," said Hlophe.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen raised concerns over potential economic consequences for South Africa, including new trade barriers and exclusion from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).  

"The truth is we have persisted for too long with policies that fail.

“ State monopolies have been bailed out repeatedly, excessive regulations stifle business growth, and empowerment policies benefit the few, not the many. 

“Our foreign policy puts ideological solidarity ahead of the life chances of desperate South Africans," said Steenhuisen.

Steenhuisen warned that South Africa’s weak position makes it vulnerable to external threats.  

"Now, having made ourselves weak, we confront a new threat—the risk of US tariff barriers, being kicked out of AGOA, and possibly even facing sanctions driven by an administration that will put America’s interests ahead of ours."

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