Janice R. Andrews
President Cyril Ramaphosa firmly denied Trump’s claims of land confiscation, emphasizing South Africa’s constitutional democracy and legal land reform process. The dispute centers on historical land inequities from the apartheid era, where Black South Africans were systematically dispossessed of their lands.
In January, Ramaphosa signed a law allowing land expropriation in certain cases, but stressed this is a structured legal mechanism, not arbitrary seizure. The policy aims to address longstanding racial disparities, with Black South Africans—80% of the population—currently owning a minimal land portion.
Trump’s threat to cut aid lacks official U.S. government backing. Ramaphosa noted that U.S. financial support is primarily limited to HIV/AIDS relief programs. Legal experts anticipate potential court challenges to the land redistribution policies.
The president maintains that South Africa remains committed to the rule of law and equitable land access through legitimate constitutional processes.
