{"id":326,"date":"2025-05-27T13:39:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T13:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/?p=326"},"modified":"2025-05-27T13:39:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T13:39:00","slug":"ramaphosa-trump-meeting-signals-possible-reset-in-u-s-south-africa-relations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/ramaphosa-trump-meeting-signals-possible-reset-in-u-s-south-africa-relations\/","title":{"rendered":"Ramaphosa\u2013Trump Meeting Signals Possible Reset in U.S.\u2013South Africa Relations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"\" data-start=\"167\" data-end=\"482\"><strong data-start=\"167\" data-end=\"187\">WASHINGTON, D.C.<\/strong> \u2014 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described his meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House as \u201crobust and fruitful,\u201d with both leaders exploring ways to open \u201ca new chapter of engagement\u201d between their countries\u2014particularly in the areas of trade and investment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"484\" data-end=\"771\">The Oval Office meeting on Wednesday, which was livestreamed, was part of a broader diplomatic effort to recalibrate bilateral ties. Ramaphosa also used the occasion to firmly reject controversial claims of \u201cwhite genocide\u201d in South Africa\u2014a narrative pushed by Trump during the meeting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"773\" data-end=\"1159\">Trump presented video clips of opposition figures chanting inflammatory slogans to support his allegations. However, Ramaphosa clarified that such rhetoric originated from fringe political parties and did not reflect government policy. He emphasized that violent crime in South Africa affects all racial groups, particularly Black citizens, and urged for calm and constructive dialogue.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"1161\" data-end=\"1204\">Private Talks Paint a Different Picture<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1206\" data-end=\"1518\">According to South African media personality Redi Tlhabi, who reported for the <em data-start=\"1285\" data-end=\"1301\">Daily Maverick<\/em>, the tone shifted in a private lunch held in the Cabinet Room following the public session. Citing unnamed sources, she described the atmosphere as \u201ccordial,\u201d in contrast to the tension seen in the televised meeting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1520\" data-end=\"1834\">Ramaphosa used the occasion to invite Trump to attend the upcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg this November, noting the importance of symbolic continuity as South Africa hands over the G20 presidency to the United States in 2026. \u201cI hope to hand over the presidency to a full chair, not an empty one,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"1836\" data-end=\"1867\">Delegations and Key Figures<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1869\" data-end=\"1933\">Ramaphosa was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1934\" data-end=\"2320\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1934\" data-end=\"2009\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1936\" data-end=\"2009\"><strong data-start=\"1936\" data-end=\"1953\">Ronald Lamola<\/strong> \u2013 Minister of International Relations and Cooperation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2010\" data-end=\"2073\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2012\" data-end=\"2073\"><strong data-start=\"2012\" data-end=\"2025\">Parks Tau<\/strong> \u2013 Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2074\" data-end=\"2173\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2076\" data-end=\"2173\"><strong data-start=\"2076\" data-end=\"2096\">John Steenhuisen<\/strong> \u2013 Minister of Agriculture and leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2174\" data-end=\"2231\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2231\"><strong data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2200\">Khumbudzo Ntshavheni<\/strong> \u2013 Minister in the Presidency<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2232\" data-end=\"2320\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2234\" data-end=\"2320\"><strong data-start=\"2234\" data-end=\"2251\">Zingiswa Losi<\/strong> \u2013 President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2322\" data-end=\"2501\">Also present were prominent white South Africans known to Trump, including billionaire businessman <strong data-start=\"2421\" data-end=\"2438\">Johann Rupert<\/strong>, and professional golfers <strong data-start=\"2465\" data-end=\"2478\">Ernie Els<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"2483\" data-end=\"2500\">Retief Goosen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2503\" data-end=\"2571\">The U.S. delegation featured several key Trump allies and officials:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2905\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2603\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2574\" data-end=\"2603\"><strong data-start=\"2574\" data-end=\"2601\">Vice President JD Vance<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2604\" data-end=\"2642\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2606\" data-end=\"2642\"><strong data-start=\"2606\" data-end=\"2640\">Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2643\" data-end=\"2684\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2645\" data-end=\"2684\"><strong data-start=\"2645\" data-end=\"2682\">Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2685\" data-end=\"2737\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2687\" data-end=\"2737\"><strong data-start=\"2687\" data-end=\"2735\">Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2738\" data-end=\"2784\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2740\" data-end=\"2784\"><strong data-start=\"2740\" data-end=\"2782\">White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2785\" data-end=\"2833\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2787\" data-end=\"2833\"><strong data-start=\"2787\" data-end=\"2804\">Massad Boulos<\/strong>, Senior Advisor for Africa<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2834\" data-end=\"2905\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2836\" data-end=\"2905\"><strong data-start=\"2836\" data-end=\"2849\">Elon Musk<\/strong>, the South African-born billionaire and Trump advisor<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2907\" data-end=\"3094\">The meeting marked a pivotal moment in U.S.\u2013South Africa relations and may pave the way for increased economic cooperation\u2014if mutual understanding and political goodwill can be sustained.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described his meeting with former U.S. President&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":327,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","category-politics"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",614,376,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1-300x184.png",300,184,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",614,376,false],"large":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",614,376,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",614,376,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",614,376,false],"wpucv-grid-three":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",360,220,false],"wpucv-grid-two":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",600,367,false],"wpucv-grid-one":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",614,376,false],"wpucv-classic":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",278,170,false],"wpucv-classic-small":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",150,92,false],"wpucv-galary":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",400,245,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",614,376,false],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",614,376,false],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1.png",614,376,false],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1-540x340.png",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/00670412_09dc03b93dc9e502f4c3a931dee5e140_arc614x376_w614_us1-400x250.png",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"info":["Editor Author"]},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Economy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>","tag_info":"Politics","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=326"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/326\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":328,"href":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/326\/revisions\/328"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}