Ramaphosa’s Visit to Trump

President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the White House with the aim of convincing President Donald Trump to cease promoting conspiracy theories regarding a supposed genocide against white South Africans. Instead, he ended up stepping right into a contentious situation.

Ramaphosa sought this meeting to strengthen ties with the U.S. president and enhance trade relations. He was accompanied by two white South African professional golfers and the country’s white agriculture minister. He even brought along a sports book to present to American officials. “If a genocide against African farmers were happening, I doubt these three gentlemen would be here,” he remarked.

This remark seemed to set the stage. Trump proceeded to play a video that darkened the mood, reinforcing his assertions that white farmers were under threat. Included in the footage was Julius Malema, the leader of the South African opposition, who infamously chanted “kill Bohr,” referring to farmers.

“Each of those white figures you see represents a grave, and there are roughly 1,000 individuals,” Trump stated. “You’re separated from where those people are, and many of them face execution.”