Kay Sexwale
This week the world watched as US President Donald Trump launched an irrational attack on South Africa, falsely accusing the country of “racist land grabs” and announcing that he would cut “all funding.”.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s measured response was swift: the only assistance South Africa receives from the US is 17% of funding for the HIV-AIDS programme — hardly the billions Trump imagines.
So, why this sudden outburst? The source of Trump’s misinformation is clear: Kallie Kriel of AfriForum and Elon Musk, both of whom have used their platforms to spread falsehoods about land reform in South Africa.
Their disinformation has trickled up into Trump’s latest rant, fuelled by an orchestrated attempt to discredit SA globally.
This reactionary fury comes as South Africa faces external pressure over its support of Palestine, tensions with friends of Israel, Rwanda, and even a bizarre land claim by a rogue Lesotho MP, also reportedly funded by Israel.
Trump’s falsehoods about South Africa’s land policies are nothing new. During his first term, he pushed the debunked AfriForum narrative of “white genocide,” claiming white South Africans were being targeted.
Now, in 2025, the misinformation campaign has found new energy with his close proximity to Musk, who leads his newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.
Kriel has been on several world tours, falsely claiming that white farmers are being dispossessed. Meanwhile, Musk — who has increasingly embraced far-right politics — has amplified these lies.
But here’s the truth: South Africa’s land reform policies are constitutional. There is no race-based land confiscation, only attempts to correct historical injustices through lawful, structured reforms.
Many Black South Africans argue that the policies are too mild and too conciliatory towards the white minority, who make up 7% of the country’s population but control 72% of its land.
The Trump-Musk-Kriel axis thrives on ignorance, turning SA’s legitimate land reforms into a false racial panic.
Trump’s meltdown isn’t just about land. It’s also about geopolitics. South Africa’s strong stance at the International Court of Justice against Israel’s actions in Palestine has enraged Washington and its allies.
By leading the charge in holding Israel accountable, SA has angered those who expect silence from African nations.
Trump’s attack is likely part of a broader retaliation.
This tactic isn’t new. The West has long used economic threats and diplomatic pressure to silence countries that challenge its foreign policy.
But Trump’s so-called “funding cut” is meaningless. The US contributes little to our economy, making his grandstanding nothing more than an empty threat.
The NGO’s that receive funding from US agencies play a large role in efforts of regime change, so as far as I’m concerned, Trump must keep his ‘‘aid.’’.
Adding to the absurdity, a rogue Lesotho MP — without support from his own parliament — has petitioned the UN, claiming SA stole Lesotho’s land.
The Lesotho Tribune reports that the MP’s bid is allegedly funded by Israel—a move likely meant to punish SA for its stance on Palestine.
But this frivolous claim has no legal basis. SA and Lesotho have diplomatic agreements and strong economic ties.
Without backing from Lesotho’s government, the MP’s stunt is destined to fail. It is another attempt to discredit SA.
While Trump rants, Rwandan President Paul Kagame is escalating tensions with SA, even threatening war.
South African troops — deployed as SADC peacekeepers — have been battling M23 militants in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Fourteen of our soldiers were killed, while up to a thousand militants (allegedly backed by Rwanda) were neutralised in self-defence.
Kagame, long accused of supporting rebel groups in the DRC, is furious. But his threats against SA are irresponsible and dangerous.
His real motive is about maintaining control of mineral resources in eastern DRC.
His warmongering is about protecting his influence over mineral-rich regions and, in the process, returning favours to his Zionist allies in Tel Aviv.
But South Africa is resilient. It has survived years of Western threats, misinformation, and economic pressure — and it will survive this coordinated noise too.
Ramaphosa’s calm response to Trump’s nonsense was the right move. We will not be bullied by reactionary forces, whether in Washington, Maseru, or Kigali.
The country’s constitutional democracy remains strong, and its global credibility remains intact. If that upsets dictators like Trump, Kagame, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, and their cronies — so be it.
• Sexwale is a columnist and social commentator known for her incisive critiques of local and international affairs
