South Africa president boosts LGBTQI+ rights; Trump cuts off aid to South Africa
South Africans ‘stand for non-racialism and democracy, for tolerance and compassion’
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared his support for LGBTQI+ rights during a response to anti-South Africa vitriol coming last week from U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s billionaire ally Elon Musk, a South Africa native.
The U.S. criticism did not focus on LGTTQI+ rights but on South Africa’s new land-seizure policy and its anti-genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice. Trump says the new land law discriminates against white farmers, whom he invited to move to the United States. South Africa disputes Trump’s claims.
On Feb. 7, Trump issued an executive order to cut financial assistance to South Africa, citing its land-seizure policy and the International Court case against Israel.
Ramaphosa’s remarks, made during his State of the Nation Address on Feb. 6, earned him praise from LGBTQI+ rights activists in South Africa and elsewhere.
The South African LGBTQI+ advocacy group Iranti said, that “Ramaphosa affirmed that he stands with members of the LGBTQIA+ community” — a significant gesture “as we witness a regression of LGBTQI+ rights and the growth of the anti-gender movement across the globe.” The organisation urged Ramaphosa “to follow up on this commitment with concrete strategies and actions that will improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ people”, Mamba Online reported.
The LGBTQ rights advocacy organization Activism Ghana stated on X, “It’s refreshing to see an African c!s heterosexual/straight man affirming LGBTQI+ rights during his key public address as President. Human rights in Africa, especially LGBTQI+ rights, have been under attack by anti-gay/anti-gender groups in alliance with western right-wing ones.”
Rightify Ghana added, “At a time when anti-LGBTQI+ and anti-rights movements are pushing for discriminatory laws across Africa, this strong stance is a powerful reminder that equality and human rights must be defended.”
Trump has worked to limit the rights of transgender people, but he did not raise that issue in his latest criticisms of South Africa.
The context of Ramaphosa’s remarks is “growing global tensions and shifts, including the US government’s withdrawal from international bodies such as the World Health Organization, a retreat from global climate change commitments, attacks on transgender rights, and the suspension of international aid programmes,” Mamba Online said. “Recently inaugurated President Donald Trump has made it clear that his vision for America prioritises ruthless self-interest, regardless of the impact on other countries, its own democracy, or the international order.”
Ramaphosa said, in contrast, “As South Africans, we stand for peace and justice, for equality and solidarity. We stand for non-racialism and democracy, for tolerance and compassion. We stand for equal rights for women, for persons with disabilities, and for members of the LGBTQI+ community. We stand for our shared humanity, not for the survival of the fittest.”
The South African government, which is made up of a coalition of diverse political parties, responded firmly but diplomatically to the American criticism, NPR said. Ramaphosa said the country would “not be bullied.”
The White House added it would make plans to “promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination.” Afrikaners are the mainly white descendants of predominately Dutch colonists.
So why is the new U.S. administration taking potshots at one of Africa’s most developed democracies, and what are the facts behind the allegations?
The law has been controversial in South Africa because it allows land expropriation with no compensation in some rare circumstances, including if land is not being used in what the act calls a “productive manner.”
However, the law does not allow for land to be seized arbitrarily and there has to be an agreement with the owner. Any land expropriations would still also have to go through South Africa’s independent courts.
Ramaphosa issued a statement denying Trump’s accusations: “South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice and equality. The South African Government has not confiscated any land.”
He also pointed out that Trump’s threat about cutting funding has little relevance, saying: “With the exception of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS programme, there is no other funding that is received by South Africa from the United States.”
