In his recent State of the Nation address, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed his nation’s resilience in the face of global challenges, emphasizing the need to navigate a changing world without being deterred. These remarks came in response to threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to cut funding to South Africa due to concerns over the Expropriation Act of 2024, a law aimed at addressing land ownership inequality. Trump and South African-born billionaire Elon Musk have criticized the law for allegedly disregarding property rights, particularly those of the white minority.

The Expropriation Act of 2024 allows the government to expropriate land for public purposes without compensation in certain cases, aiming to rectify historical injustices stemming from apartheid-era land policies. Despite ongoing racial disparities in land ownership, the law has faced opposition from political parties like the Democratic Alliance and the Freedom Front Plus, who argue that it undermines property rights and could deter foreign investment.

The narrative of white dispossession in South Africa has been perpetuated by right-wing groups and figures like Trump and Musk, despite Ramaphosa’s rejection of these claims. The President maintains that the Expropriation Act is not about confiscation but rather ensuring equitable access to land. The law, which was enacted after years of consultation and debate, marks a significant step towards addressing the legacy of apartheid and promoting social and economic justice in South Africa.