Different political parties and formations have ventilated their responses after South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool was branded persona non grata by that country’s government.
The ANC responded as follows:
“We are not speaking on this issue.”
South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) responded as follows:
“No comment.”
Be that as it may, other parties and formations contacted by Tshwane Talks were generous and brave enough to let us know how they feel regarding the unceremonious kick on the backside meted out to Rasool by US President Donald Trump and company.
1. PAC SECRETARY GENERAL APE POO.
The PAC notes with disappointment the decision by the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio to declare South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool persona non grata in that country.
This blatant act of political hostility represents yet another attempt by the United States to undermine South Africa’s sovereignty and dictate our policies.
The remarks made by Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool – stating that the Trump administration is white supremacist in nature, inward-looking and unconcerned with global opinion – are undeniable truths.
Rasool’s comments, made during a webinar organised by Mapungubwe Institute reflect what is already known by South Africans and the global community at large, and instead of engaging with the substance of his statements, the US has chosen to retaliate, thus exposing its unwillingness to confront the realities of its own government.
South Africa is not a puppet of the USA and has a right to govern itself without foreign interference.
Transformation is not negotiable because the land was stolen and it must be returned.
It is worth noting that Rubio’s decision to expel Rasool was based on an article written by DA leader Helen Zille’s former confidant Josi Polak, who is a former South African citizen.
The said article was published in the right-wing propaganda outlet known as Breitbart.
This exposes the extensive and effective influence of unpatriotic South Africans who continue to undermine our country from abroad; serving the interests of imperialist forces.
2. MK PARTY LEADER IN TSHWANE ABEL TAU.
I genuinely believe that South Africa is under siege from the United States as the Trump administration apparently has issues with us for a number of reasons.
We are a sovereign country and must be treated as such because it is our decision to appoint anyone as our Ambassador to any country and any action against Rasool should have been taken through proper diplomatic channels.
We have seen what Trump has done regarding the Ukrainian/ Russian war and his stance against Canada.
I think we have entered a stage of toxic politics whereby diplomatic channels are undermined and sovereignty can be undermined.
The US should have handled this matter better and we should never allow ourselves to be bullied by imperialists, but must start practicing self-reliance.
3. AFRIFORUM CEO KALLIE KRIEL.
The ANC is gambling with the country’s future and it is in everyone’s interests to accelerate change in direction in South Africa and AfriForum will persevere in these efforts, otherwise the actions of the ANC leaders will lead the country down a path of destruction.
We owe it to our children to now take a stand against the injustices that President Cyril Ramaphosa and his cadres are committing to the detriment of everyone in the country.
4. DA SPOKESPERSON ON INTERNAL RELATIONS EMMA POWELL.
The DA views the situation as deeply unfortunate and we call on the Presidency to expedite the GNU delegation to the USA to negotiate a pathway towards the stabilisation of diplomatic relations with one of our country’s biggest trade and investment partners.
5. FF PLUS LEADER DR CORNE MULDER
The government must work to normalise its relations with the Trump administration because the United States of America has drawn a clear line in the sand when it unceremoniously kicked South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool out of that country.
6.COSATU NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON ZANELE SABELA.
The expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool is regrettable and we would have preferred that there be engagements before this drastic decision was taken.
That said, COSATU supports government’s response and position to focus on fixing the relationship with the US, while ensuring South Africa’s sovereignty and transformation imperative is respected.
COSATU’s main concern is the half a million jobs linked to the 600 American investors in the country.
With an expanded unemployment rate of 41,6%, South Africa cannot risk losing even a single job.
The USA is South Africa’s second biggest trading partner, that is why it is imperative that we fix relations with it.
7.AZAPO PUBLICITY AND INFORMATION SECRETARY JABU RAKWENA
America the home of democracy has proven to have jettisoned the basic rule of democracy; being tolerant to opposing views.
Rasool is entitled to his opinion and the maturity of the USA’s democracy has failed the test.
The government has been provoked to react and AZAPO says our sovereignty as a country must not be undermined because America needs us more and we should use that leverage.