‘The likelihood of humiliation is there’- Musk to grill Ramaphosa in front of Trump 

SA-born billionaire Elon Musk will likely be at Donald Trump’s side when the US president meets Cyril Ramaphosa this week, with one official predicting a “rough meeting”.

SA president Ramaphosa is jetting off for a working visit to the USA from Monday, 19 May. This visit will include a series of meetings at the White House. While some of these will be behind closed doors, others will be in front of the world’s cameras.

Two months ago, Trump’s publicised meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky descended into a heated argument and shouting match that saw the US president kick reporters out.

An official told the Sunday Times that SA is prepared for similar tensions.

“The likelihood of humiliation is there. We have been given a sense that behind closed doors, it’s going to be a rough meeting.”

Musk to grill Ramaphosa

Musk is a close adviser to Trump and has been vocal about the alleged genocide of white farmers in the country. This is despite official crime statistics not supporting his claim.

He has been trying to get his Starlink internet service in South Africa, but reportedly refused to comply with local equity and empowerment laws.

The official said the SA delegation expects Musk to pressure Ramaphosa “in front of President Trump on his Starlink issue and will lament our BEE laws as discriminatory.”

“We are also made to understand that Marco Rubio will be leading the charge and playing the bad cop.

“It’s going to be an extremely difficult meeting, and all of the contentious issues around the so-called white genocide, singing of the ‘kill the boer’ song, as well as issues related to Israel, will be led by Rubio.

“Elon will be there to just drive the point.”

Ramaphosa has previously called Musk to try to defuse tensions between the two countries.

The president’s office said in the call Ramaphosa “reiterated South Africa’s constitutionally embedded values of the respect for the rule of law, justice, fairness and equality”.

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Who will be joining Ramaphosa at the White House?

Ramaphosa will be joined in the US by international relations minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, trade minister Parks Tau and agriculture minister John Steenhuisen.

Mcebisi Jonas, who is SA’s Presidential Envoy to the United States, and investments adviser Alistair Ruiters are also expected to join the delegation.

Ramphosa said on Friday that the team would not be distracted by the noise around and during their trip.

“We will just focus on what is important for our country.

“We are a sovereign state and we will be conducting our discussions in a business-like manner, representing the interests of our country,” he told the media.

Ntshavheni has likewise downplayed a possible spectacle, claiming, “There is no one who invites a guest to mistreat them”.

“We are expecting the highest level of decorum and necessary protocols to be accorded. It doesn’t mean we’ll agree on all matters. We will differ, but we believe that our relationship with the US is mutually beneficial.”

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