The Solidarity Movement has officially begun what it says is an extensive visit to the US, where the Movement will visit members of the US government, at the federal and state levels, in the coming weeks.

Solidarity Movement chairperson Flip Buys said the purpose of the visit was to advocate for South Africa, the economy “and the people who are working”.

Relations between South Africa and US President Donald Trump’s administration came to a head earlier this year, after the signing of the Expropriation Act, tensions which many believe were exacerbated by the Solidarity Movement and its members AfriForum and Solidarity lobbying the US.

However, the Solidarity Movement and its organisations have instead blamed the South African government, and particularly the African National Congress (ANC), for alienating the US and increasing tensions.

The Solidarity Movement and its sister organisation, AfriForum, made a trip to the US earlier this year, to discuss concerns regarding South Africa’s policies, such as its land policies.

The organisation was criticised for this move, with many blaming AfriForum, Solidarity and the Solidarity Movement for creating a campaign of misinformation that led to Trump cutting funding to South Africa.

The Solidarity Movement said it had sent several letters to the South African government, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, attempting to engage in discussions about the “diplomatic crisis”, its consequences and possible solutions before the visit. However, this was unsuccessful.

“The ANC is responsible for the poor diplomatic relations. They can no longer be trusted to repair them alone. The private sector and civil society must play a much greater role. Where government ruins relations and endangers the country’s economic future, the Solidarity Movement builds bridges, creates solutions, and restores hope,” Buys said.

He said ordinary South Africans were feeling the effects of a weakening economy, citing “great concern” about South Africa’s diplomatic infrastructure.

“Like many other infrastructures in the country, the government’s diplomatic infrastructure has imploded. Previously, South Africa had diplomatic infrastructure down to state level, but now there is not even an ambassador, and the special envoy does not even have a visa. The question is not what the Solidarity Movement is doing in the USA, but where is the government?” he said.