THE meeting of two powerful heads of States- SA’s President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa and US Donald Trump, continues to hog headlines globally.
Some expected drama, but it was not to be, thanks to Pres Ramaphosa’s ‘diplomatic approach and decorum’ throughout the high level meeting at the White House- Oval, on a rainy Wednesday.
In our culture when it rains, it’s a sign of peace…
On the discussion were myriad of issues namely economic trade-offs, the withdrawal of HIV medicine funds, and of course the controversial ‘genocide’ and ‘persecution’ and the land issue, amongst others.
Typical of SA’s Pres Ramaphosa, who at times seemed to be ambushed by Pres Trump, used his ‘cleverness and street-wise approach’ in handling the fire that was directed at him.
The local and international SA based business-figures in the form of golf legends also played to Pres Ramaphosa’s advantage. That’s called patriotic as the likes of billionaire Johann Rupert, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, came in defence of what could have been a disaster.
Albeit, Pres Trump did not deny he’d be headed to SA for the G20 Meeting in November this year, one thing is certain- expect Starlink to provide high tech soon, so would be the introduction of Tesla.
Talk of Starlink, its boss Elon Musk was in attendance and uttered no word, with Pres Trump stating “I don’t want to involve him” during the meeting.
Unpacking what could have been a meeting gone wrong, Pres Ramaphosa’s spin-doctor Vincent Magwenya, said there was a great deal of provocation but the ‘our President remained calm’.
“We have many people who feel they are being persecuted and they are coming to the United States. We take from many locations and if we feel there is persecution or genocide going on.
“That is what actually helped in ending off that session as well as it ended.”
He said Ramaphosa’s restrained posture helped to secure the closed-door session with Trump, which was topped with a working lunch.
“In previous experiences, other presidents left even without lunch,” said Magwenya.
‘The smartest President in the world, just came to White House. He outplayed Trump at his own game. He played him like a fish,’ remarked a social media post.
Both countries agreed will reset talks on various subjects from economical point of view, namely from agriculture to tourism, from tech to security, health, and so forth.
Trade-offs, US has over 600 companies invested in SA, and over 200 organisations are trading in the US from SA, thus making US the second largest trade partner after China.
As we speak, Pres Ramaphosa should be landing back home today, after what he described as a ‘successful trip’.
Image provided (Pres Cyril Ramaphosa meeting US Pres Donald Trump, outside the Oval, at the White House, on a rainy Wednesday afternoon, with a guard on hand).
