The committee on International Relations continued its engagement with the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) to get an in-depth perspective on how South Africa can traverse the shaky US–South Africa relations under the new American administration led by President Donal Trump.
They assured the committee that it is not only South Africa that is facing turbulent times. However, much can be learnt from South Africa’s partners, such as India, on how to navigate them, said the Senior Research Fellow at Institute for Global Dialogue, Ms Sanusha Naidu.
In her view, the hallmark of US–SA relations is based on a historical relationship driven by push and pull. Dating back to apartheid years, she pointed out, the relationship has always been influenced by state and non-state actors. But what drives the American interest now is a reform agenda that is internationalist but whose nature and character is uncertain. She suggested that “the old is facing an existential crisis and is dying, but yet the new is not yet born. This makes it difficult to build trust and common interests with the US administration, currently.”
Beside the noise, the US knows that South Africa is a strategic and valuable partner of US interests economically and militarily, said Dr Philani Mthembu. “US has more than 600 companies operating here and we have over 200 South African companies operating in US. Ours is not a donor–recipient relationship, but a strategic one, he said.
After their presentation, the members of the committee aired their concerns about what transpired in the Oval Office between President Trump and President Ramaphosa. Adv Shameemah Salie wanted to know why the South African delegation was composed of so many white men. She viewed the delegation as a conflict between personal and national interest and demanded that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation should explain how it was formulated and whose business and national interests it represented.
That was state capture, suggested committee member Mr Wesley Douglas. “How do people who disposed us of our land represent our interests?” he asked. Hence, they failed to explain to Americans that despite our democratic transition, the majority of South Africans are still subjected to “apartheid genocide in impoverished townships that deprives them of dignity and self-determination.”
Another committee member Ms Nqobile Mhlongo said it is ironic that the international relations committee knows nothing about the trade deals that were supposedly signed during the visit. “We want to know what these trade deals are; who is going to benefit from them. As a committee, we must assert again that we should be informed of all trade deals signed by the executive,” she said.
Committee member Mr Desmond Moela commended the President for clarifying the misconception that US had about South Africa. He said the country could not afford to put trade relationships at risk due to unfounded claims. “We couldn’t leave these claims unattended and leave then at the risk of losing much needed jobs,” he noted.
Given the current global turbulences, South Africa should look beyond the post-AGOA period, committee member Ms Andisiwe Kumbaca suggested. Considerations should focus on how this period would underpin South Africa’s transformation goals and equity and how it will drive industrialisation and create jobs.
The committee Chairperson, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, said: “… we should reset our strategic relations with US beyond AGOA and see how we can we have economic relations with other influential economies around the world.”
Sadly, however the African Union is not at the point of agreeing on this issue as yet, he noted. However, African countries should use their minerals as strategic leverage for our economic interests. In addition, oversight instruments over the African Union should be strengthened to ensure that it adopts a progressive posture in this regard.
The Chairperson further stated that the committee will write a letter to gain clarity on the composition of the delegation that went to the US. He also stated that the committee will host a symposium to continue the dialogue between the US and South Africa. He also intimated that the departments of Trade, Industry and Competition and of International Relations will have a joint session to look at the relationship between the two countries to find additional commonalities. He declared, “South Africa is open for business as long as one follows and abides by its rules, regulations, constitution and policies.”
Abel Mputing
29 May 2025
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