Cape Town – A high-level South African delegation, led by G20 Sherpa and Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), Zane Dangor, has engaged in a series of meetings with senior United States officials to address recent tensions and clarify South Africa’s domestic policies.
During their visit, the delegation met with key figures, including the White House National Security Council’s Africa Director, the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, and representatives from the US Treasury Department.
Discussions focused on bilateral priorities and sought to dispel misconceptions about South Africa’s policies, particularly regarding land expropriation and equity laws, SABC’s Sherwin Bryce-Pease reported.
These meetings follow US President Donald Trump’s executive order issued on February 7, which cut aid to South Africa, citing concerns over alleged racial discrimination and land expropriation without compensation.
[WATCH] The Department of International Relations has confirmed that a recent delegation to the United States, led by Director General Zane Dangor, met with senior officials from the White House and State and Treasury Departments. pic.twitter.com/iWQpObYiuR
— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 2, 2025
The executive order also offered refuge to Afrikaners claiming persecution.
Dirco said that the delegation aimed to “refine the current administration’s understanding of South Africa’s position on critical matters, fostering a more nuanced perspective”.
They addressed concerns that the government’s policies violate the human rights of minorities in post-apartheid South Africa. Clarification was provided on the Expropriation Act’s nil compensation clause, emphasising that it does not enable unlawful land seizures or discourage property investment. Instead, it applies to cases such as unused land held for speculative purposes, abandoned properties, and instances where the market value is equal to or less than the state’s investment in the land.
A statement from DIRCO says a recent Government delegation led by G20 Sherpa and DIRCO DG Zane Dangor met with senior White House, State Dept and Treasury officials in Washington to discuss bilateral priorities. This would be the first meeting between senior Government officials…
— Sherwin Bryce-Pease (@sherwiebp) April 1, 2025
The delegation also tackled misconceptions about laws perceived as race-based, highlighting the deep-seated racial and structural inequality that persists in South Africa. They emphasised that the post-apartheid administration is constitutionally mandated to address past injustices and uphold human dignity, equality, non-racialism, non-sexism, and the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law.
These engagements form part of ongoing efforts to position South Africa as a strategic partner without conflicting national interests with its global allies.
Dirco indicated that such dialogues will continue at various levels of government to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation.
“We believe these dialogues will assist to refine the current administration’s understanding of South Africa’s position on critical matters, fostering a more nuanced perspective,” EWN quoted Spokesperson Chrispin Phiri as saying.
This marks the first high-level interaction between South African and US officials since the ousting of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool by the US State Department in March. The delegation’s visit aimed to build on discussions initiated by Rasool before his removal.
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