Dr. Reneva Fourie
Donald Trump has dismally failed to mature since his last term as U.S. president. His blatant narcissism, marked by an inflated sense of self-importance and an insatiable need for admiration, is a threat to global security. His combination of narcissism and fascism creates a dangerous cocktail.
Driven by his desire to assert dominance and secure personal victories, he has demonstrated unpredictable and impulsive decision-making within two weeks in office. South Africa, like numerous other nations, has fallen prey to his far-right, ultranationalist deliria. His threat to stop funding South African NGOs is based on the misinformed labelling of land reform as a ‘massive human rights violation’, undoubtedly influenced by local far-right extremists.
Since his inauguration on January 20, Trump has issued a series of executive orders. These include withdrawing from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Climate Agreement, asserting a binary view of gender, curtailing women’s reproductive rights, tightening immigration controls, imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, and banning diversity, equity and inclusion programmes.
He threatened to seize the Panama Canal. He even hosted Netanyahu despite the International Criminal Court having issued a warrant for his arrest. Thus, Trump’s recent ultimatum to stop financial support to South Africa until a thorough investigation into land expropriation is completed is not exceptional.
Elon Musk, a South African-born beneficiary of apartheid, was appointed by Trump to spearhead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk has been equally vocal against progressive reforms. He is currently considering shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
While this move could be regarded as positive, considering USAID’s role in destabilising countries that do not align with U.S. interests, it highlights that South African NGOs are not the only ones affected by the Trump administration’s freeze and review of foreign aid in line with the ‘America First Policy.’ Nevertheless, the Trump administration’s approach to South Africa’s land restitution process remains grossly misguided.
The hysteria evoked by the Democratic Alliance and Afriforum is entirely unjustified. The Expropriation Act is mild, as it merely supports the principles outlined in the Constitution. Afriforum’s conduct is unsurprising: from the beginning, it has shown no commitment to the democratic project or the establishment of a non-racial South Africa. The DA, however, is disappointing.
Its foundational party, the Progressive Federal Party, and its later incarnation, the Democratic Party, contributed to the opposition against apartheid and played a role in crafting the very Constitution they now undermine. While the DA has always prioritised the interests of the wealthy, it has managed to disguise its true agenda with a façade of non-racialism. The flag-burning election campaign advertisement last year unequivocally revealed its true colours. The original values of the PFP have long faded, and the DA has become more reactionary than even the apartheid-era National Party.
The stance of entities like Afriforum and the DA are concerning as they embody counter-revolutionary tendencies. Both organisations, while superficially operating within a democratic framework, actively resist measures that are essential for advancing the country’s post-apartheid transformation agenda aimed at rectifying historical racial inequalities.
They have strategically lobbied for international support and funding from sources including the U.S. and right-wing organisations. This support has been achieved by manipulating sentiments around minority rights, tapping into the conservative South African diaspora, fuelling anti-ANC sentiments, and collaborating with global conservative movements – the role of the Brenthurst Foundation and the Gdansk Declaration springs to mind.
The highly emotive narrative around farm murders has particularly been exploited to garner international support. Unfortunately, South Africa does have a very high crime rate, particularly the murder rate. The South African Police Services reported that there were 6,545 murders, 7,061 attempted murders and assaults and 42,721 incidents of assault with the intent to inflict grievous harm during the second quarter of 2024. The figures include 114 farm attacks and 26 farm murders. While this is not acceptable by any means, farm murders have declined, and the statistics demonstrate that minorities are not explicitly targeted.
Trump is positioning himself as the Messiah of South Africa’s right wing, and he is being embraced as such. Afriforum’s Kallie Kriel has openly declared that they will formally request the U.S. to impose sanctions on senior ANC leaders. February marks the 35th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's – a calibre of statesman that Trump could only dream to match – release from prison.
It is difficult to reconcile the courageous choices made by Madiba and the ANC in pursuing a negotiated settlement and creating a Constitution that upholds human rights with the current support for Trump from the right-wing movement in our country. It feels disheartening to witness the actions of Afriforum and the DA, as they continue to challenge the spirit of our ‘rainbow nation’. In less democratic countries, we might see a more severe response to organisations that appear to exhibit such a troubling lack of patriotism.
Trump does not deserve to be placated. His transactional approach to diplomacy and disregard for long-standing alliances will likely accelerate the consolidation of a multipolar world. A principled foreign policy can be retained without pandering to his dictates. Addressing unemployment, poverty, domestic security and advancing the transformation agenda are more significant imperatives.
During the chairpersonship of the G20, South Africa should amplify the voices of the Global South, promote equitable development and demand structural reforms in global trade and finance. The future, however, resides with the BRICS + (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa Plus) group. It presents opportunities for accessing new markets for our goods and services, thereby stimulating economic growth and creating vital jobs.
Moreover, the New Development Bank can help address some of the country’s most pressing developmental needs by funding projects in areas such as housing, transportation, and healthcare. Likewise, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will unlock trade and job creation opportunities.
Trump’s rhetoric is divisive and undermines the urgent need to confront South Africa’s historical injustices. Time and again, the U.S. has shown a blatant disregard for the sovereignty of other nations. However, South Africa’s sovereignty remains sacrosanct and must be protected. Patriotism and national unity are, therefore, important.
As Trump positions himself as a figurehead for South Africa’s right wing, South Africans must scrutinise the ramifications of these alliances. We must reject polarising rhetoric and policies that threaten to derail our progress.
* Dr Reneva Fourie is a policy analyst specialising in governance, development and security and co-author of the book ‘The Art of Power: Pursuing Liberation and Nation-building’
***The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of IOL or Independent Media