President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk both criticized South Africa on Friday over its discriminatory economic policies and deepening ties with Iran. Their comments came after a senior member of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) met with Iran’s ambassador, defying Trump’s recent executive order condemning South Africa’s relationship with Tehran.
The ANC’s deputy secretary-general, Nomvula Mokonyane, declared that the party would maintain ties with Iran, regardless of U.S. sanctions. “We will not hide our friends,” she said, reaffirming South Africa’s longstanding relationship with the Islamic Republic.
In response, Trump reiterated his stance against South Africa’s policies, announcing that U.S. federal funding to the country would be cut. He also renewed his invitation for South African farmers to immigrate to the U.S., citing land seizures and racial violence. “Any Farmer (with family!) from South Africa, seeking to flee that country for reasons of safety, will be invited into the United States of America with a rapid pathway to Citizenship,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Meanwhile, Musk highlighted South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws, which require companies to meet racial ownership quotas. He noted that these policies prevented him from launching Starlink in the country, reinforcing concerns about racial discrimination in post-apartheid South Africa.
The South African government has also faced criticism for its alignment with authoritarian regimes, including Russia, China, and Palestinian terrorist organizations. Economic concerns are mounting, with the country’s GDP growth slowing to just 0.6% in the last quarter of 2024.
With U.S.-South Africa relations deteriorating, it remains unclear whether the ANC will adjust its foreign and domestic policies or continue its defiance against the Trump administration.
