Latest news with #FreedomFrontPlus
eNCA
2 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Freedom Front Plus visits Washington to mend SA-US relations
WASHINGTON, DC - Freedom Front Plus leader, Dr Corne Mulder says he's in the United States, to fly the South African flag high. The FF-Plus is in Washington DC, for what it says is a genuine concern for the country's future. Dr Murder says President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation's visit to the White House was not a success, and therefore, through their visit to Washington, hope to fix South Africa's relationship with the United States. The party with some business representatives and farming groups believe some preconditions need to be met before ties are restored. These preconditions include prioritising farm murders and exempting US companies from BEE. Freedom Front Plus leader, Dr Corne Mulder had a discussion with eNCA's Gareth Edwards about their trip to the US.
The South African
3 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
US lists FOUR demands of South Africa, including condemnation of 'Kill the Boer'
The United States government has outlined a set of preconditions that it wants met before fully normalising bilateral relations with South Africa. These demands were communicated to a visiting delegation of Afrikaner leaders during a high-level meeting with senior White House officials. The delegation, made up of Freedom Front Plus leader Dr Corné Mulder, Southern African Agri Initiative chairman Dr Theo de Jager, and National Employers' Association of South Africa CEO Gerhard Papenfus, met with representatives from the Office of the US Vice President, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council. During the meeting, US officials emphasised that improving relations will depend on South Africa addressing four key issues : The US wants the South African government to officially classify farm attacks as a priority crime, on par with crimes like rhino poaching and cash-in-transit heists. They said that each incident should be handled by elite investigative units such as the Hawks, and warned that the current lack of urgency sends the wrong message about rural safety and human rights. American officials called for a clear, public condemnation by the ANC of the chant 'Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer,' which they described as inciting violence, regardless of whether it is expressed in song or speech. The US stressed the importance of promoting inclusive rhetoric to foster social cohesion. The US reaffirmed its stance that land expropriation must include fair market compensation and follow full legal processes. Officials noted concern about property rights and investor confidence, saying that land reform must be conducted in a transparent, lawful, and non-discriminatory manner. Another demand is that US companies be exempt from Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies that impose race-based requirements. According to the officials, BEE regulations function as non-tariff trade barriers and should not be imposed on American entities doing business in South Africa. Following the meeting, the Afrikaner delegation expressed their support for improved US-South Africa relations and committed to conveying the US administration's expectations to both the South African public and government. They said that these preconditions had been raised with South African authorities multiple times before but had not yet been adequately addressed. Context and implications This development comes at a sensitive time for South Africa's foreign relations, particularly in light of ongoing criticism regarding rural safety, land reform, and the country's affirmative action policies. The White House's strong messaging suggests that unless these concerns are resolved, bilateral cooperation – especially in trade, investment, and diplomatic areas – may remain strained. Analysts suggest this may also affect South Africa's standing in US-Africa trade programmes and its broader geopolitical positioning, particularly as the global focus shifts toward more rights-based and investor-friendly governance models. The South African government is expected to respond to these concerns in the coming weeks. Whether it engages with these demands could determine the future strength of US-South African ties – and how both countries navigate mutual economic and political interests going forward. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Afrikaner visit to US 'attempt to sabotage' Ramaphosa's visit'
Three Afrikaner representatives visited the White House in Washington. The Presidency has condemned the visit of the Freedom Front Plus and two other Afrikaner groups to the White House in the United States, claiming it was an attempt to 'sabotage' President Cyril Ramaphosa's meeting with his counterpart, Donald Trump. The three Afrikaner representatives visited the White House in Washington this week to call for the normalisation of relations between South Africa and the US. 'Pre-conditions' According to the Afrikaner delegation, they discussed the pre-conditions for the normalisation of bilateral relations between the two countries. These include the classification of farm attacks as a priority crime; a clear and unequivocal public condemnation by the ANC of the Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer – whether used in song or any other context-, and the exclusion of US entities from all broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) requirements. ALSO READ: 'There is doubt in Trump's head about genocide in SA,' Ramaphosa says [VIDEO] 'Sabotage' Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the visit was an attempt to 'sabotage' Ramaphosa's efforts to reset relations between South Africa, the US and President Donald Trump. 'We find this exercise quite disturbing. It's an exercise that seeks to sabotage the enormous amount of work that President Cyril Ramaphosa has led to reset the relationship with the United States. 'It's an exercise aimed at destabilising our economy as well as undermining our economic interests with the United States,' Magwenya said. Farm murders While the Afrikaner delegation wants the US to make farm murders a priority crime, Magwenya said murder in the country is already a priority crime. 'Murder is already classified as a priority crime. Murder, across the board, wherever it occurs, in South Africa, is already classified as a priority crime. Not so long ago, Minister Mchunu, the Minister of Police, shared crime statistics and showed that there has been a significant reduction of all farm-related matters, and there is even a much lower number of murders that directly impact farmers'. 'The majority of victims of farm murders are farm dwellers, and so this continuing rationalisation of this issue is most unfortunate,' Magwenya told eNCA. 'Not racial or Afrikaner issue' Magwenya added that President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed to looking at murders broadly, putting more resources into dealing with murders. 'The president is also committed to revisiting what we are doing as a government in dealing with rural safety, which will then impact all communities in rural areas, farmers and non-farmers alike. 'So we need to be cautious not to use what is an important problem that we must resolve, and use it to divide the country or polarise the country along racial lines. It's not a racial issue. It's not an Afrikaner issue'. Trump meeting Ramaphosa met with Trump last month. He was joined by four ministers, renowned businessman Johann Rupert and golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Trump proved to be a political rottweiler for Afrikaners and white farmers and shifted the focus from what began as a cordial discussion with Ramaphosa to farm attacks in South Africa, ambushing the president. Ramaphosa said he and his delegation went to Washington to meet with Trump in the Oval Office to establish a 'basis for greater economic cooperation and to address some of the challenges' that have recently arisen in relations between our two countries. ALSO READ: WATCH: Donald Trump ambushes Cyril Ramaphosa in Oval Office
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
White House lays down terms for SA relations amid Afrikaner visit
US officials told Afrikaner representatives that condemning hate speech and exempting US firms from B-BBEE are key to restoring diplomatic relations. The first group of Afrikaners from South Africa to arrive in the US for resettlement on May 12, 2025. Picture: Saul Loeb / AFP Three Afrikaner representatives visited the White House in Washington to call for the normalisation of relations between South Africa and the US. Freedom Front Plus leader Corné Mulder, SA Agri Initiative (Saai) chair Theo de Jager and National Employers Association of South Africa (Neasa) chief executive Gerhard Papenfus said they held a constructive and high-level meeting with senior US officials, including representatives from the office of the vice-president, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council. Pre-conditions According to the trio, the officials communicated the pre-conditions for the normalisation of bilateral relations between the two countries. The conditions include the classification of farm attacks as a priority crime; a clear and unequivocal public condemnation by the ANC of Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer, whether used in song or any other context; and the exclusion of US entities from all broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) requirements. Any race-based legislation that may constitute a non-tariff trade barrier should not apply to US entities, they said. 'The delegation now has a clear understanding of the US administration's expectations.' A call to convey conditions clearly White House officials expressed concern that these conditions, despite being communicated multiple times to the South African government, have not been adequately addressed. ALSO READ: Amerikaners founder denies claims of 'struggling' South African 'refugees' in US They called on the Afrikaner delegation to convey these conditions clearly. Political analyst Rene Oosthuizen said the trio's statement concerningly highlights a new layer of complexity in SA-US relations. 'These pre-conditions for normalising bilateral trade, particularly the call for US entities to be exempted from B-BBEE and to limit land reform, directly challenge the core of our country's apartheid transformation agenda,' she said. Oosthuizen was concerned the statement underscores the real diplomatic economic risks facing the country if relations with the US deteriorate further. Not a good impression? Senior political lecturer at North-West University Benjamin Rapanyane said this does not at all create a good impression of the Afrikaner community in South Africa. 'First of all, who delegated them to the White House? No one delegated them to go them. Also, why would the White House officials agree to meet this group outside the normal diplomatic channels,' he asked. South Africa needed to be careful when addressing such matters with big economies like the US, otherwise the country will suffer terrible consequences unnecessarily, Rapanyane said. ALSO READ: Afrikaner 'refugees' continue to arrive in US on commercial flights – reports Political analyst Piet Croucamp said it was a common practice for cultural and language groups of interest to visit the United States and speak to individuals. The visit 'has no impact' 'Speaking to senior White House officials creates the impression that it does have an impact; a significant impact. I am hesitant to accept the statement because we haven't seen it covered in the foreign media, American media or Washington media,' he said. Croucamp said the trio must be careful not to create expectations of what can be achieved with the statements that they themselves have issued and the clever use of senior White House officials. 'However, it doesn't mean the visit was meaningless and shouldn't be done and that there was reason to criticise it, but it is important to see it for what it is. In the long run, it has no impact. 'Ramaphosa visited Washington and he spoke to US President Donald Trump. They really spoke to senior officials; you could see it – but even that had minimal impact,' Croucamp said. 'The same things were said and there is no indication that there has been influence specifically to a significant extent,' he said. NOW READ: WATCH: SA should know what leverage it has on the US and act on it, Rasool says
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Afrikaner delegation returns from US with proposal to mend strained relations
Afrikaner refugees soon after landing in the USl. The American representatives reportedly expressed unease over the ongoing incidents of violence affecting farmers, which they see as a growing human rights and security issue. As a result, the delegation was told that stronger and more visible action to tackle farm attacks would be seen as a step towards improving bilateral ties. A delegation of Afrikaner leaders and interest groups has returned from a visit to Washington with a proposal aimed at restoring and improving relations between South Africa and the United States. The visit, which included representatives from the Freedom Front Plus, agricultural organisations and business groups, focused on addressing tensions that have developed in recent years over trade, security and governance issues. While the details of the talks remain partly confidential, members of the delegation have confirmed that several conditions were discussed as part of a proposed framework to rebuild trust and cooperation between the two nations. One of the key concerns raised by the US side, according to the delegation, is the current state of security in South Africa, particularly in rural areas. The American representatives reportedly expressed unease over the ongoing incidents of violence affecting farmers, which they see as a growing human rights and security issue. As a result, the delegation was told that stronger and more visible action to tackle farm attacks would be seen as a step towards improving bilateral ties. Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Groenewald, who was part of the delegation, said the matter was raised in nearly every engagement. 'There is a perception abroad that rural communities in South Africa are not adequately protected. The US wants to see clear and decisive steps to address these attacks, which are affecting both local farmers and broader agricultural investment,' he said. In addition to the security concerns, the delegation said economic issues also featured prominently. Several US business representatives raised questions about South Africa's current empowerment policies, particularly Black Economic Empowerment requirements. According to the delegation, there was a request for exemptions or tailored solutions for foreign companies operating in the country, especially those in sectors deemed crucial for trade and investment. A senior business leader who took part in the talks said the proposal is not about undermining transformation but about finding ways to make the local environment more attractive for international investors. 'American firms want clarity, fairness and the ability to operate competitively. They are not asking for special treatment, but they want assurance that the rules do not place them at a disadvantage simply for being foreign entities,' he explained. The South African government has not yet officially responded to the proposals brought back by the delegation. However, political analysts believe the report could prompt discussions at the national level, particularly as concerns about foreign investment and international partnerships grow. The delegation described the tone of the meetings in Washington as constructive, though frank. 'There is goodwill, but also a sense of urgency,' Groenewald added. 'The Americans want to see evidence that South Africa remains a reliable and strategic partner on the continent.'
