President Cyril Ramaphosa said there was nothing sinister in his government having discussions with a variety of people linked to US President Donald Trump.
Image: Supplied/GCIS
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday there was noting sinister in his government having discussions with a variety of people regarding the diplomatic challenges with the United States.
“When people make contact with us, we talk to them. We make sure our foreign policy positions are advanced and are not undermined or diluted,” Ramaphosa said during a question session in the National Assembly.
He was responding to EFF leader Julius Malema, who asked why he chose to engage with businessman Elon Musk instead of using established diplomatic challenges in light of the diplomatic tension between South Africa and the US.
Malema also asked what the role of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola was in the arrangement of the meeting and the subsequent call with Musk.
In his response, Ramaphosa said Lamola had been present when he met Musk together with Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau at the United Nations General Assembly.
He also said Musk had come to his hotel room to have a discussion around Musk's would-be investments.
“Yes I did speak to him recently. We do continue to engage with a variety of people through diplomatic channels and through various constituencies in countries we have relations with.”
Ramaphosa said his discussion with Musk, whom he said was influential whether people liked him or not, was about the mischaracterisation of South Africa.
“We do interact with people we believe are able to discuss issues with some people in very official categories. We talk to non-state actors as well a state actors. We will continue to engage with people inside and outside South Africa to promote our country and the interests of our country.”
Malema said despite Musk engaging with Ramaphosa, remained emboldened and continued to criticise South Africa after their meeting.
“Don’t you think you emboldened white people to undermine and destroy diplomatic relations with other countries and juniorised the Department of International Relations and Cooperation?" he asked Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa said: “In whatever I do, I do not seek to undermine any of the colleagues I work with.”
ANC MP Malusi Gigaba asked Ramaphosa about the measures the government was taking to ensure South Africa harnessed national consensus on patriotism, solidarity and responsibility as there was need for a new strategy in light of the new geopolitical risks.
Ramaphosa said all South Africans should project a positive image of their country.
“This much has been said, particularly to people though the work they do in other countries as they travel, work and in whatever they say.
“We often say be proud of your country. We are a sovereign nation and we stand very proud among nations of what we are and able to achieve since the dawn of our democracy. Let us speak about all of that and where there are challenges and problems, we should have opportunities to discuss them here at home.”
He said the business community has heeded the call.
“We have not heard much negative talk from them about their own country and indeed in our engagement with South Africans in the diaspora, we seek to foster that type of message.
“This is a mission all of us should take up wherever we have time to interact with various people."
mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za
