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If Trump imposes sanctions

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration has urged the Johannesburg Council not to rename Sandton Drive after Palestinian activist Leila Khaled. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will engage the City of Johannesburg on this sensitive issue—a commendable decision.

Preventing the renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled is the right move by Ramaphosa’s administration. It reflects an understanding of the strained relations between South Africa and the United States. The proposed renaming of Sandton Drive—home to the Johannesburg-based United States consulate—appeared to be an act of defiance against the United States, a staunch ally of Israel. Khaled, as a Palestinian, symbolizes a contentious political stance.

Following the expulsion of Ambassador Rasool by the Trump administration, Ramaphosa’s government seems to grasp the gravity of the situation. As I’ve previously written, President Ramaphosa and the African National Congress (ANC) must address the diplomatic fallout with the United States and work to restore relations. But now that we’re here, what should Trump do about South Africa?

This question has occupied my thoughts recently, spurred by Joshua Meservey’s report on how the Trump administration should respond to South Africa’s anti-American behavior. Meservey—whom I met in Washington, D.C., last June—offers insightful recommendations in his report.

If Trump imposes sanctions on South Africa, they should target ANC leaders rather than ordinary South Africans. The US strategy should aim to preserve the US-South Africa relationship while holding ANC leaders accountable. However, South Africa should not be removed from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) program.

AGOA benefits numerous industries in South Africa, safeguarding countless jobs. Targeted sanctions against the ANC would likely endure beyond Trump’s presidency, as a Democratic administration might hesitate to reverse them. The ANC’s anti-Israel agenda has already cost South Africans millions of rands, with no clear benefits. This stance appears to be a long-term losing strategy.

Israel is increasingly accepted as a state in the Middle East, with US leaders facilitating the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab nations. South Africa’s position on this issue seems misguided and unlikely to yield any advantages.

South Africa’s economy depends on a functional relationship with the United States. Industries benefiting from AGOA include agriculture, automotive, textiles and apparel, mining and metals, and chemicals and fertilizers. Losing AGOA privileges would hurt many people.

The ANC must be held accountable for its mismanagement of South Africa, which has led to disastrous consequences. Countries like India demonstrate that it’s possible to maintain good relations with the United States while engaging with other nations globally. South Africa could adopt a similar approach through strategic foreign policy.

The Government of National Unity (GNU) must foster robust debate on South Africa’s foreign policy going forward. After the May 2024 elections, the ANC should no longer control foreign policy. Their questionable approach to South Africa’s foreign policy must end.

Ramaphosa’s administration has stated that it won’t rush the appointment of a new ambassador to the United States. That’s fine. However, the next appointment must be strategic.

I’ve suggested appointing an Afrikaner as next ambassador to the United States. This move could open doors in Washington, D.C., as Trump has shown an affinity for the Afrikaner community. Such an appointment would signal that South Africa values its Afrikaner community.

Dealing with Trump isn’t difficult. Leaders like France’s Macron, Britain’s Starmer, and India’s Modi, have successfully navigated relations with him, offering valuable lessons for South Africa’s leadership.

Restoring South Africa’s relations with the United States should be a top priority. It’s encouraging to see Ramaphosa open to negotiations with the US. An opposite approach could have been costly to South Africa.

South Africans, who generally don’t hold strong views on foreign policy, shouldn’t suffer for the ANC’s reckless foreign policy decisions. It’s the ANC leadership that must bear the consequences. PM

This article was first published on Politicsweb.co.za. Buy Phumlani’s book Lessons from Past Heroes here, and subscribe to his YouTube channel here.

© PHUMLANI M. MAJOZI