ANC National Chair Gwede Mantashe emphasized that South Africa is a sovereign nation deserving of self-determination, as tensions with the U.S. rise over new land legislation and treatment of ethnic minorities.
South Africa Asserts Sovereignty Amid Rising U.S. Tensions

South Africa Asserts Sovereignty Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
Amid escalating disputes with the U.S. over race relations and land expropriation laws, ANC leaders reaffirm South Africa's independence.
In light of increasing friction between South Africa and the United States over domestic policies, a senior official from South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has staunchly defended the nation's autonomy. ANC National Chair Gwede Mantashe delivered remarks during Freedom Day celebrations, asserting, "We are a free country, we're a sovereign country. We're not a province of the United States and that sovereignty will be defended."
The tensions intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump criticized South Africa's new land expropriation law, which he claims allows the government to confiscate agricultural properties from minority Afrikaners without compensation. This executive order, signed in February, labelled these individuals victims of "unjust racial discrimination," subsequently offering them potential refugee status in the U.S.
Contrary to this critique, President Cyril Ramaphosa maintains that the law is intended to facilitate equitable access to land for South Africans. Although the legislation permits land seizure without compensation, it does so only under specific conditions. In a pointed response to South Africans calling for international intervention, Mantashe advised those advocating for U.S. action to pursue asylum instead, asserting, "Now they are told to go there and be refugees, they are refusing. They must go."
Social media platforms have seen heated exchanges as well, with business magnate Elon Musk referring to South Africa's property laws as "racist." He highlighted that a vast majority of the country's wealth and land is still held by white South Africans despite the abolition of apartheid decades ago.
To address these ongoing diplomatic strains, South Africa appointed a special envoy to Washington earlier this month. Mcebisi Jonas's new role involves fostering the nation's diplomatic relations, trade initiatives, and bilateral collaboration. This decision follows the expulsion of South Africa's ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, after he accused Trump of employing "dog whistle" politics. As the situation evolves, the international community watches closely.