ANCYL president demands Ramaphosa delegation repay US trip costs, slams White House visit
ANCYL president Collen Malatji has launched a scathing attack on President Ramaphosa's US delegation, demanding they repay trip costs and accusing the president of 'cowardice' before US President Donald Trump.
Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Newspapers
ANC Youth League (ANCYL) president Collen Malatji has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and members of the delegation that travelled to the United States last year to repay the costs of the trip, accusing them of cowardice for what he described as "explaining themselves" to US president Donald Trump.
Malatji was speaking in Mogwase, Rustenburg, Bojanala Platinum District, in the North West province on Friday during the Peter Mokaba Memorial Lecture, ahead of the ANC's 114th anniversary held at Moruleng Stadium on Saturday, where Ramaphosa delivered his January 8 statement.
The ANCYL president delivered a blistering attack on South Africa's engagement with the US and the conduct of senior government officials.
He said Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau should urgently explore alternative sources of investment and economies, arguing that South Africa should reduce its economic dependence on the US.
"They have weapons; we have what they need. We must starve them. Stop giving them our oranges and bananas. These people don’t have food; they survive through us," Malatji said, adding ominously, "The war is coming, whether you postpone it or go to the White House or not."
Malatji also took issue with Ramaphosa’s interaction with Trump during the visit, particularly around a video involving an opposition leader that, according to him, placed the South African president in a demeaning position.
"Our president was made to explain a video of some leader of the opposition. A president of a country explaining himself to a president of another country. That is cowardice," he said.
He further criticised ministers for using public funds to undertake the trip, insisting the money could have been better spent domestically.
"Ministers take taxpayers' money, take flights and book hotels, and go to the USA to explain themselves. Everyone who went to the USA must pay back that money. South Africans need that money to build schools and universities," he said.
Malatji said the country could not afford what he described as wasteful expenditure, accusing senior officials of prioritising foreign travel over local needs.
Malatji also blamed Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Zuko Godlimpi for going to the US to explain himself "to a racist moron called Donald Trump".
"The ANC Youth League is going to hold everyone accountable."
Malatji also tore into AfriForum, branding them a right-wing formation.
"How are we going to fight Trump when even our own economy is not secure? Imperialism in the world is gaining confidence. Right-wingers in this country, through AfriForum, are still running the economy of the country. That's why they are arrogant."
"That’s why they can go to the USA and misrepresent South Africa, and nothing happens to them. Even today, no one can explain to me why AfriForum is not banned as an organisation in this country. How do people leave the country and misrepresent South Africa? They go to the USA. They don’t tell Donald Trump that the economy of the country is still run by them." - Sunday Tribune Reporter