Among the most significant by-products of the country’s successful hosting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit was that it put the disinformation being pedalled by supremacists about “horrible things” being done to White South Africans to bed.
The gathering did not explicitly counter the disinformation. It didn’t have to. The upbeat presence in South Africa of a host of world leaders – many representing historical allies of the US – and their endorsement of a progressive declaration, represented global dismissal of the Afriforum/Solidarity/President Trump racist campaign.
South Africa has many well-documented problems and challenges. But on all the metrics, from employment to land ownership to the stock market to incidence of violent crime, there is no argument to be made that White people are unduly prejudiced by government policies of post-apartheid redress.
If anything, it is citizens of colour who have been most prejudiced by government’s inabilities to implement its policies properly.
South Africa’s relationship with the US is important, economically, but not more important than developing a sustainable country of justice for all its citizens. The fact that BBBEE and land reform programmes have under-delivered does not mean they are unnecessary. If anything, the policies must be tightened and implemented better.
South Africa has sought to dismiss the disinformation campaign being waged against it through all means at its disposal, from the issuing of strong statements to a leader’s meeting at the White House. Yet the US has proceeded with its programme to prioritise the acceptance of White South African “refugees” above the claims of other nationalities.
The fact that the US chose to boycott the G20 was a regrettable disavowal of global solidarity by the world’s biggest economy. But its absence sucked the oxygen from the anti-South African disinformation campaign.
The GOOD Party congratulates all South African G20 organisers and participants for representing the country well. Now is however not the time for crowing and back-slapping. We call on our government to double down on its efforts to stabilise South Africa’s relationship with the US.
*The GOOD Party is a founding member of UNITE FOR CHANGE.
GOOD Manifesto on Land Reform: Supporting fair land reform that respects property rights.
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