The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the latest imperialist and racist assault on South Africa’s sovereignty by U.S. President Donald Trump. His reckless decision to freeze aid to South Africa, based on blatant misinformation about our land reform policies and our principled stance against the genocide in Palestine, is nothing short of neo-colonial bullying and a flagrant attack on our democratic processes.
This act is not just an attack on our nation’s sovereignty—it is an act of racism. By targeting South Africa’s efforts to redress the historical injustices of colonialism and apartheid, Trump is aligning himself with reactionary, white supremacist forces that seek to maintain the racial status quo. His intervention has emboldened racist formations such as AfriForum, who continue to oppose land reform and transformation under the guise of protecting so-called “property rights,” while conveniently ignoring the centuries of violent land dispossession that have left the majority of South Africans landless and impoverished.
Trump’s threats are part of a broader pattern of imperialist aggression designed to undermine nations that refuse to bend to Washington’s will. Whether it was his administration’s flirtation with the absurd idea of purchasing Greenland, his unwavering support for Israel’s illegal annexation of Palestinian territories, or his disregard for the sovereignty of nations like Panama, Trump has consistently demonstrated contempt for international law and the right of nations to self-determination. His threats have even extended to the International Criminal Court (ICC), attempting to bully the institution into submission for daring to hold war criminals accountable—unless, of course, those criminals are American or Israeli.
South Africa’s Expropriation Bill is a constitutional tool aimed at addressing the deep injustices of colonialism and apartheid. It is a democratic process driven by the will of the South African people, not by the whims of foreign imperialists. For Trump to misrepresent this as “land confiscation” is not just a distortion of facts—it is an insult to the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom and a direct attack on our post-apartheid transformation agenda.
Moreover, Trump’s aggression is a direct response to South Africa’s courageous decision to stand with the people of Palestine at the International Court of Justice, holding Israel accountable for its genocidal war on Gaza. By threatening South Africa and the ICC, Trump is sending a clear message to the world: Israel is free to slaughter, colonize, and commit genocide on behalf of the United States, with complete impunity.
SAFTU calls on all progressive forces in South Africa and around the world to reject Trump’s imperialist and racist rhetoric and to stand firm in defense of our sovereignty, our land reform process, and our solidarity with oppressed peoples globally. We will not be intimidated by the threats of an imperialist bully whose policies serve the interests of global capital and white supremacy at the expense of human rights and justice.
South Africa belongs to its people, and no foreign power, no matter how aggressive, arrogant, or racist, will ever change that fact. Our solidarity with Palestine, our fight for land justice, and our commitment to international law are non-negotiable.
A Statement was issued on behalf of SAFTU by General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
For more details, contact the National Spokesperson at:
Newton Masuku
066 168 2157
Newtonm@saftu.org.za
