South African President Cyril Ramaphosa engaged in a conversation with Elon Musk, the influential billionaire advisor to Donald Trump, following Trump’s threat to cut funding for South Africa over a controversial land expropriation law signed by Ramaphosa. Musk, a South African-born entrepreneur known for his ventures like Tesla and SpaceX, has been critical of the South African government, portraying the law as anti-white. The law aims to address the injustices of the apartheid era by targeting unused land, with property rights protected. Contrary to Trump’s claims, no land has been confiscated under this law.

The potential funding cut by the U.S., amounting to nearly half a billion dollars annually, primarily supporting South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program, has raised concerns due to the country’s significant HIV prevalence. The South African government refuted Trump’s allegations of land confiscation and misinformation, emphasizing the importance of clarifying the situation. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson expressed the government’s willingness to engage with the Trump administration and influential figures like Musk to address the inaccuracies.

Musk’s criticisms of South Africa’s policies, including affirmative action and ownership laws, have sparked debate. His Starlink satellite internet service faced obstacles in South Africa due to non-compliance with affirmative action requirements. Despite his contentious views on the country, Musk has previously considered investing in South Africa, highlighting concerns about regulatory frameworks. The interactions between Ramaphosa, Musk, and the Trump administration underscore complex dynamics at the intersection of politics, business, and international relations.