The African National Congress (ANC) said President Cyril Ramaphosa’s handling of engagements with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, demonstrated “maturity, diplomatic depth, and a steadfast commitment to truth and national dignity”, which the party said reflected the values of the party he leads and the country he represents.

Ramaphosa made a working trip to the US with the aim of discussing diplomatic, trade and economic relations, however, what began as an upbeat conversation, quickly turned when Trump began grilling Ramaphosa, confronting him with allegations of a white genocide and land grabs.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party welcomed the “strategic and high-level” diplomatic engagement between Ramaphosa and Trump.

“The discussions focused on deepening trade and investment cooperation, exploring new frontiers for partnership, and advancing dialogue on global development and shared prosperity,” she said.

While aspects of Trump’s public posture during the engagement may have reflected a confrontational tone, and at times, a reluctance to abandon previously stated misconceptions, Ramaphosa remained “calm, focused and unwavering”, the ANC said.

Bhengu-Motsiri said Ramaphosa used the platform not only to champion South Africa’s economic interests, but to also “confront and dispel harmful misinformation, notably the false and inflammatory narrative of a so-called white genocide.”

She pointed to Ramaphosa’s clarity and composure, as he acknowledged crime, which he explained was a by-product of inequality and historical injustice, and not racially motivated persecution.

“This intervention was essential to defending the truth and preserving the dignity of our democratic order,” Bhengu-Motsiri added.

The ANC commended Ramaphosa for his “principled leadership”.

“His conduct was in keeping with the proud diplomatic tradition of President Nelson Mandela and President Oliver Tambo who taught us that dialogue must be used not to flatter power, but to advance justice, truth, and human dignity.

“This engagement stands as a victory for reason over rhetoric, diplomacy over division, and truth over propaganda,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.

Meanwhile, uMkhonto weSizwe Party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said Ramaphosa deliberately chose to have his trip to the US on dates coinciding with the Phala Phala case and the Budget speech.

“On Monday was the Phala Phala case in court, he was absent, Wednesday we had the Budget vote he was absent,” he said.

He further claimed that the trip was facilitated to have discussions around Elon Musk's Starlink.

“…what is Johann Rupert doing there? Again, this is just a clear demonstration that this has nothing to do with diplomacy. This is a President that came to the US clapping hands and more than anything else just a posture of subservience,” Ndhlela said.

He was not confident that engagements between Ramaphosa and Trump would be successful and said issues of genocide and the Expropriation Act were not properly addressed.