South African Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has urged citizens who are unhappy with the country to "go in peace". Her comments come amid strained diplomatic relations with the US under the Trump administration. Ntshavheni emphasized that South Africa does not prioritize farm murders, citing statistics that show most farm-related deaths are not of farmers, but rather farm workers and spouses.
Ntshavheni pointed out that South Africa determines minority groups statistically by language, not race. She highlighted that the country's constitution recognizes all languages as equal and protects them equally. The minister cited data showing that isiZulu is the most widely spoken language in South Africa, followed by isiXhosa and Afrikaans. She argued that this approach prevents a racially-based definition of South Africans.
The minister expressed concern that the US focus on protecting minority groups could lead to a racially-based approach. She noted that her own home language, spoken by only 2.5% of the population, is also a minority language. Ntshavheni questioned why the US would prioritize protecting groups that speak languages spoken by a larger percentage of the population.
Ntshavheni also addressed the US's five requests, stating that some have already been addressed. She mentioned that the US has expressed concerns about black economic empowerment, but South Africa will not apologize for its policies. The minister emphasized that the country's wealth should be shared among all its citizens, not just a select few.
The minister's comments have sparked debate, with some arguing that farm murders and attacks on white people are a reality that needs to be addressed. Others have criticized Ntshavheni's approach, accusing her of being out of touch with the concerns of certain communities.
Ntshavheni reiterated that South Africans of all races are committed to working together to address the country's challenges. She urged those who are unhappy to "go in peace" and return when they are ready to contribute to the country's development. The minister emphasized that destabilizing the country is not in anyone's interest.
The issue of farm murders and US relations with South Africa remains a contentious topic. While some argue that the US has a right to express concerns about human rights and property protection, others see it as interference in South Africa's internal affairs. The situation is likely to continue to unfold in the coming weeks and months.
Key points
- The South African government will not prioritize farm murders or allow external pressure to dictate its policies.
- The US has expressed concerns about human rights and property protection in South Africa, leading to strained diplomatic relations.
- South Africa determines minority groups statistically by language, not race, according to Minister Ntshavheni.
