US-EYE
AT HIS recent Oval Office meeting, Cyril Ramaphosa laid the flattery on with a trowel – or rather, a sand wedge. The South African president needed to, because two separate allegations of genocide hung over his encounter with Donald Trump.
In late 2023, South Africa accused Israel of trying to wipe out the residents of Gaza – a position which has gathered international support ever since. At the same time, Ramaphosa’s government is charged by South Africa’s reactionary right – and their friends in MAGA circles – of a “white genocide” against the country’s farmers.
In light of this, Ramaphosa understandably feared his trip to Washington might end with him getting “Zelenskyed”. Hence his cunning plan: inviting along two white golfers, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, alongside billionaire Johann Rupert. Trump might have little time for the niceties of international law, but he respects both sheer wealth and putting ability. (Remember during the election campaign, when he started musing unprompted about Arnold Palmer in the showers?)