SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke with tech billionaire Elon Musk regarding misinformation about South Africa, the presidency confirmed on Tuesday. This discussion follows US President Donald Trump’s recent threat to suspend aid to South Africa over its land reform policy.
Trump had accused South Africa of confiscating land and treating certain classes of people unfairly, a claim that Ramaphosa strongly refuted, asserting that the policy was designed to promote equitable land access without violating legal or constitutional rights.
Trump’s allegations and Musk’s response
The controversy began on Sunday, when Trump accused South Africa of land confiscation and alleged mistreatment of certain groups. In response, Ramaphosa issued a statement on Monday, clarifying that: ‘The government has not confiscated any land, and the policy is aimed at ensuring equitable public access to land.’
Adding to the debate, South African-born billionaire Elon Musk—who has close ties to Trump—took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that South Africa had ‘openly racist ownership laws,’ implying that white citizens were victims under the land reform policy.
This remark further intensified online discussions, drawing global attention to South Africa’s land reform policies and the broader issue of misinformation.
Ramaphosa’s call with Musk
According to the South African presidency, Ramaphosa and Musk spoke directly on Monday about the spread of misinformation concerning South Africa.
The presidency stated on X: ‘The President reiterated South Africa’s constitutionally embedded values of the respect for the rule of law, justice, fairness, and equality.’
However, no further details were provided about the conversation, leaving uncertainty regarding whether Musk revised his stance following the discussion.
South Africa’s land reform policy: facts vs. misinformation
South Africa’s land reform policy has been a highly debated issue, particularly in Western media and political circles. The government’s approach aims to address historical land dispossession and ensure equitable redistribution, but critics argue it could impact property rights and economic stability.
The South African government has repeatedly clarified that any land redistribution will occur legally and constitutionally, without violating private property rights.
‘South Africa remains committed to land reform policies that correct historical injustices while upholding legal and economic stability,’ the presidency has emphasized in previous statements.
Impact on US-South Africa relations
Trump’s threat to suspend aid could impact diplomatic and economic ties between the US and South Africa. The United States provided $440 million in assistance to South Africa in 2023, supporting healthcare, trade, and security programs.
Despite Trump’s stance, the South African government remains committed to its policies, and Ramaphosa’s engagement with Musk suggests efforts to correct global narratives surrounding land reform.
The debate over South Africa’s policies could become a bigger geopolitical issue, particularly given Musk’s influence on online discourse and Trump’s continued political presence.
As South Africa continues to navigate global scrutiny over land reform, will Ramaphosa’s engagement with Musk and international leaders help counter misinformation?
