Citizens have taken to social media to discuss President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent trip to the United States. Considering the current state of RSA-USA relations, these users are concerned about the intentions of this trip.
Earlier this week, President Cyril Ramaphosa embarked on a working trip to the United States of America (USA), in an effort to reset and bolster the bilateral relations with South Africa. The president has brought along some key individuals with him on the trip, including Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, and more.
As expected, news of this trip has raised some eyebrows, as citizens have taken to social media to express regarding what is on the president’s agenda while in the U.S. These express immense scepticism, as they believe that this trip could do more harm than good, and could possibly undermine the republic’s sovereignty and public interest. These users believe that Donald Trump’s homeground advantage could make President Matomela susceptible to agreeing to deals that do not benefit the country and its people.
Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s EFF, is furious over President Ramaphosa’s rushed trip to the US this week, calling it a dangerous move that could sell out the nation’s independence. Ramaphosa’s visit, from Monday to Thursday, aims to fix broken ties with America after pic.twitter.com/fIVvOuuwA7
— Forever Yena News 𝕏 (@ForeverYenaNews) May 20, 2025
Thing with President Ramaphosa going to USA is that they will overpower him & make him make deals that will probably back track the country another 30 years to come. This is the same person who sat at the forefront of the negotiations in ‘94.
— Athel (@callme_athel) May 20, 2025
Improving Relations
On record, South Africa’s presidency has revealed that the main purpose of Cyril’s visit to the White House in Washington, DC, is strictly to re-invigorate the bilateral relations between the two nations, and attempt to discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The purpose of the visit is to reset and revitalise bilateral relations between South Africa and the United States (US). In this regard, the visit will focus specifically on reframing bilateral, economic and commercial relations. pic.twitter.com/HkhYZTOWTX
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) May 19, 2025
However, it has recently been reported that South Africa’s richest man Johan Rupert is set to join Cyril Ramaphosa during these discussions with Donald Trump, leaving citizens scratching their heads even further, as they try to figure out what his role is in the matter.
Johan Rupert is behind the meeting between the South African government led by Ramaphosa and the US government led by Trump. No noise of state capture because it’s not Zuma and the Gupta. Remember even the GNU was organised by Rupert. pic.twitter.com/2xy863jRHM
— Wind Of Change (@Dumisan01399730) May 20, 2025
Securing Starlink Deal?
With Elon Musk being so vocal regarding the alleged ‘white genocide’ and racial tensions in South Africa, some citizens are wondering whether the president’s trip is connected with his persistence to establish his Starlink in mzansi. Julius Malema’s EFF has condemned the reports of President Ramaphosa offering any assurances to Elon Regarding Starlink.
According to Sunday Times, it appears the government is looking for a loophole in regards to the BEE laws in order for Elon’s services to operate in South Africa. This loophole would see Starlink operating in South Africa by investing in disadvantaged communities, as opposed to selling 30% of his equities, as per the laws.
The EFF’s Statement on Ramaphosa’s Illegal Assurances to Elon Musk and Starlink
-We must remind the public and the presidency that Cyril Ramaphosa has no executive authority to unilaterally guarantee access to South Africa’s telecommunications sector, let alone bypass necessary… pic.twitter.com/NqrVhU9S3r
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 20, 2025
Some users have expressed concern over a potential state capture, as they compare Johan Rupert’s relationship with the president, to the one former president Jacob Zuma had with the the controversial Gupta’s, which caused immense chaos and controversy in South Africa.
The spineless Ramaphosa had to take Johan Rupert, his white monopoly capital handler, with him to Washington to help him negotiate with Trump.
We are led by a clown.
— Sentletse 🇿🇦🇷🇺🇵🇸🇱🇧 (@Sentletse) May 20, 2025
The media hasn’t told you that Johan Rupert is to Cyril Ramaphosa what the Guptas were to Jacob Zuma,
That’s why you’re not angry and not yapping about State Capture yet.
Unfortunately the media will not tell you, because he owns it along with his 3 friends! pic.twitter.com/gqLBROz1IV
— Sive ✨ (@SiveXaluva) May 20, 2025
Also see: Renaldo Gouws finally apologises to Julius Malema for decade old racist video
