South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly responded to Donald Trump after the former U.S. president announced he would cut funding to South Africa. Trump claimed that the country was unfairly taking land and mistreating people, though he did not provide any evidence.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare that he would stop all U.S. funding to South Africa while an investigation takes place. He described South Africa’s leadership as “terrible” but did not share specific examples to support his claims.
Ramaphosa dismissed these allegations, saying that South Africa is a democratic country that follows the law, justice, and equality. He clarified that the government has not forcefully taken any land. He also pointed to the Expropriation Act, a new law that allows land redistribution legally and fairly. According to Ramaphosa, similar laws exist in the U.S. and other countries.
Responding to Trump’s funding cut, Ramaphosa clarified that South Africa does not rely on U.S. money, except for PEPFAR, a program that supports 17% of the country’s HIV/AIDS response. No other funding comes from the U.S.
In a strong statement, Ramaphosa said, “I don’t know what Donald Trump has to do with South African land. South Africa does not belong to Donald Trump. He must leave us alone. Stay out of our issues.”
He also pointed out that Trump should focus on his own country, referencing how Native American lands were taken in U.S. history. Ramaphosa added that if he ever meets Trump, he will tell him directly that he is the worst leader, whose ancestors stole land from indigenous people.
Land ownership has been a major issue in South Africa for decades. The 1913 Natives Land Act removed Black South Africans from their land under apartheid. Even after apartheid ended 30 years ago, most farmland is still owned by white landowners.
To address this, Ramaphosa recently signed a law allowing the government to take land without compensation in certain cases. The government insists this will be done fairly, with negotiations, to avoid situations like Zimbabwe’s land seizures.
Many wealthy business figures, including South African-born billionaire Elon Musk and PayPal co-founders David Sacks and Peter Thiel, have spoken out against land reform. These figures have ties to Trump and share conservative views on the issue.
Despite international criticism, South Africa’s government continues to defend its land reform policies. Ramaphosa has made it clear that his country will not be influenced by Trump or other foreign leaders. He insists that South Africa will make its own decisions based on fairness, justice, and the law.
With Trump cutting funding and tensions rising, this debate is far from over. However, Ramaphosa has sent a clear message—South Africa will handle its own affairs without interference.
