Jacob Zuma Criticizes South African Delegation’s US Trip to Lobby Trump Administration

Former President Jacob Zuma has openly criticized the South African government’s recent diplomatic efforts in Washington, DC, aimed at repairing strained relations with the United States. Addressing supporters of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party over the weekend in KwaMaphumulo, near his hometown of Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma delivered a pointed rebuke of the country’s outreach to former US President Donald Trump’s administration.

Zuma’s comments come in the wake of a high-level visit to the US capital led by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May. Accompanied by four senior cabinet ministers, the delegation was tasked with restoring confidence in South Africa’s governance and encouraging renewed American investment. However, Zuma expressed skepticism about the value of seeking help from foreign powers, especially the United States.

“You can go to America for all we care,” Jacob Zuma said to a crowd of MK Party supporters. “But we refuse to have our problems fixed by Americans we don’t even know. We want to fix our own problems.”

Jacob Zuma’s remarks were met with applause from the crowd, reflecting growing political divisions in South Africa over foreign policy and economic strategy.

The visit to Washington came at a time when South Africa’s relationship with the United States had reached one of its most strained points in recent memory. Under Donald Trump’s presidency, the US administration openly criticized South Africa’s land reform policies, equity laws, and internal governance, raising diplomatic tensions.

In particular, Trump sparked global outrage when he tweeted about alleged “farm killings” in South Africa, which he described as a “large-scale killing of farmers,” echoing controversial and widely disputed claims of white genocide. This rhetoric was widely condemned by South African leaders and the international community, but it also created a difficult environment for diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

Despite these tensions, the Ramaphosa-led delegation made efforts to clarify South Africa’s position. During meetings with US officials and business leaders, the South African government sought to dismiss the genocide narrative and emphasized the country’s commitment to inclusive growth and crime reduction. Officials also reportedly appealed for technology partnerships and assistance in addressing rising crime rates through innovation and law enforcement cooperation.

Zuma’s Nationalist Stance Gains Political Momentum

Jacob Zuma’s response to the US trip is emblematic of his broader political messaging as he seeks to reestablish his influence through the MK Party. Since leaving office in 2018 under pressure from his own party, Zuma has been vocal in criticizing the leadership of his successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, particularly on issues of economic sovereignty and international diplomacy.

Zuma has consistently positioned himself as a champion of self-reliance, pan-Africanism, and national pride. His message resonates with segments of the population who feel alienated by global economic policies and frustrated by persistent domestic challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and crime.

“The problem is not America,” Jacob Zuma told his supporters. “The problem is us not believing in ourselves. We cannot keep running overseas every time we face a crisis. We must learn to stand on our own two feet.”

Zuma’s comments are part of a broader critique of what he sees as the current government’s overdependence on Western powers and foreign investment. While he did not directly name Ramaphosa in his speech, the implication was clear: South Africa should not look to former colonial powers or Western allies for solutions to its internal struggles.

The timing of Zuma’s remarks is particularly significant, as South Africa heads into a highly contested election season. The MK Party, under Zuma’s symbolic leadership, has been actively courting voters dissatisfied with the African National Congress (ANC), which has governed the country since the end of apartheid.

By taking a stand against the US visit and portraying it as a betrayal of South Africa’s sovereignty, Jacob Zuma is tapping into a wave of nationalist sentiment that could pose a real challenge to the ANC’s electoral dominance.

Political analysts suggest that Jacob Zuma’s continued presence on the national stage, combined with his populist rhetoric, may influence not only voter behavior but also future policy debates—particularly those involving foreign investment, economic autonomy, and South Africa’s role on the global stage.

As the dust settles from President Ramaphosa’s diplomatic efforts in Washington, the backlash from figures like Jacob Zuma highlights deep rifts within South African politics. While the government continues to pursue international partnerships to revive the economy, Jacob Zuma and his supporters advocate a return to a more inward-looking, self-sufficient national strategy.

Whether Jacob Zuma’s criticism will gain broader traction remains to be seen, but his influence over South Africa’s political discourse—particularly in an election year—cannot be underestimated.

Source – EWN