22-5-2025
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has made a light dig at his host Donald Trump during his visit to the White House for talks with his US counterpart.
Both Presidents before the meeting have lobbed barbs at each other over Trump’s accusation without a proof that Mr. Ramaphosa’s government is persecuting “White” South Africans.
But at the meeting at the Oval Office Wednesday Ramaphosa pulled a fast joke on Trump who was fuming with a journalist’s question about the luxurious Qatari jet offer from the Qatari government.
To defuse the tension Ramaphosa humorous apologised for arriving without an aircraft gift. “I’m sorry I don’t have a plane to give you,” the South African leader remarked.
“I wish you had,” Trump replied. “Should your nation offer an aircraft to the United States Air Force, I would accept it.”
Ramaphosa disputed genocide claims in South Africa, acknowledging its complex racial history. The country’s apartheid system, under Afrikaner rule, ended thirty years ago, with ongoing reconciliation efforts despite residual tensions.
His entourage include former world golf champions Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, Johann Rupert, South Africa’s wealthiest person and an Afrikaner businessman.