Fikile Mbalula
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has accused former US President Donald Trump of punishing South Africa with false claims of “white genocide.” He said Trump’s rhetoric and trade measures are part of a political agenda to undermine the country’s sovereignty and its ongoing transformation efforts.
African National Congress Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has accused former US President Donald Trump of deliberately targeting South Africa over fabricated claims of “white genocide.” Speaking ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, Mbalula said the narrative was not only false but a calculated attempt to weaken South Africa’s image and sovereignty.
According to Mbalula, Trump’s claims that white South Africans are being persecuted and that land is being taken without compensation have fuelled racist and divisive sentiments abroad. He said the former president’s remarks had also emboldened right-wing groups in the United States to interfere in South Africa’s domestic affairs.
“There is no racial discrimination or genocide in South Africa,” Mbalula said. “These are lies rooted in apartheid nostalgia. Our Constitution is among the most progressive in the world, and our transformation policies are meant to correct historical injustices, not to harm anyone.”
The tensions between Washington and Pretoria escalated after the United States imposed higher tariffs on certain South African exports and introduced restrictions tied to what it called “human rights concerns.” Mbalula dismissed these moves as economic punishment based on propaganda, describing them as “a continuation of the old imperial playbook.”
He emphasised that South Africa’s democracy remains stable and that its government would not be distracted by external attempts to discredit its progress. “We fought for freedom and equality, and we will not allow those who were silent during apartheid to lecture us about human rights now,” he said.
Political analysts believe the dispute reflects a broader struggle between Western narratives about Africa and the continent’s own assertion of independence in global affairs. Mbalula’s comments have resonated across the political spectrum, with many South Africans expressing frustration at how foreign figures exploit racial tensions for political gain.
As Johannesburg prepares to host the G20 Summit, Mbalula said South Africa would welcome all nations committed to genuine cooperation and peace. “The summit will go ahead with or without those who believe in falsehoods,” he said. “South Africa’s place in the world is not defined by fear or manipulation but by truth and justice.”
