by LUKE ZUNGA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – QUIET, no statement.
This is regarding the United States (US) Bill HR 2633 for a review of “bilateral relationship between America and South Africa and identify South African government officials and the African National Congress (ANC) leaders eligible for the imposition of sanctions, and for other purposes,”to be cited as “U.S-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025”,sponsored by Senator Ronny Jackson of Texas and Congressman John James from Michigan.
It is referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs headed by its president Michael Froman.https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2633/textThe 60 million South African population would like to address these gentlemen on the first part of what they call ‘findings’paragraphs1 to 4I.
South Africa is a new democracy, emerging out of a liberation struggle to free the citizens from apartheid by a small bunch of Boers making less than 4% of the population.
This is an African country, where the majority black citizens were not allowed to vote, where physical and mental subjugation, inequality and segregation was part of statute books.
Millions of black people perished in the process.
Alan Paton in his first novel, Cry, the Beloved Country (1948), rendered a passionate tale of racial injustice that brought international attention to the problem of apartheid in South Africa.
It took a breed of American activities such as Rev Jesse Jackson, Paul Robeson and Coretta Scott King, singer Harry Belafonte, tennis player Arthur Ashe, and political leaders such as Congressman John Conyers and Senator Lowell Weicker, among other global, African players and the United Nations to sway the American government to understand that support of apartheid was criminal.
South Africa is free and is identifying players to associate with and listening to voices of reason only.
On charge 1, South Africa is not bound to follow anyone. That is where the word ‘nonalignment’ emanates from.
On charge 2, South Africa is not aligned to Hamas. It talks to Palestinians, all sides and any country.
The United States talks to China and there is a China-US Business forum.
South Africa also talks to China as it deems fit, not through the US. If the United States talks to China, why can’t South Africa talk to China too.
China is one of the countries which contributed to the fight for freedom, and South Africa cannot shut its doors to China, which is also the biggest trading country.
In terms of charge 3, South Africa, as part of the United Nations, supports the two-state solution for Palestine and Israel. Hamas is not a country.
As a country South Africa appreciates the Palestine question, which has similarity to its own history.
South Africans studied the history and origins of Palestine and Israel and can make their own judgements about it.
On 4A allegation, there are international rules emanating from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
These rules protect ordinary people from military actions. With its intelligence Israel should be able to isolate Hamas fighters from ordinary civilians and engage them.
Flattening homes, buildings and neighbours through indiscriminate bombing cannot be right.
In 4B, the Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri referred to is not a government official and is an individual outside government.
A relationship with the government must talk to government policy articulations, not individuals. The United States has many free speaking individuals which form no government policy.
On 4C the senators must wait for the decision of the ICJ on this matter. Then they can say Ramaphosa was wrong if the ICJ finds otherwise.
On 4D, as a South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor (former minister) can talk to anyone.
In the allegation Haniyeh phoned, not the Minister. South Africans don’t know how it works in America if somebody phones.
Does one have to look for an American rules book first to answer a call? Former South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor called for a legal discipline approach on Israel.
On 4E Pandor visited Iran, as with other countries, and Iran also sells oil, nothing to do with Hamas.
On 4F that question should be raised by Israel as a country, not the US as a country.
Is the US talking for and on behalf of Israel? Is the US directing Israel, and why would that be? On 4G South Africa raised the notice in terms of laid down statutes that when fighting a war, indiscriminate punishment is not acceptable.
To refer a matter to a court of law is the correct thing. Let the court decide.
Our view is that Hamas fighters are a few. They don’t require an army and the size of operations going on to deal with them, but localized intelligence based operatives.
There must be other reasons for the expanded operations.
South Africans want good relations with the US and request the United States to respect South Africa, as a country and as a player in its own right, and not as a lackey of any other country.
South Africa cannot be at the tail-end of an American train. It engages everybody, as the US does and cannot be dictated to.
USA enemies or foreign policy is not South Africa’s enemies or policy.
It would be foul policy to embarrass a country which is at a pivotal position in Africa, and which engages all, including the European Union (EU), Britain, Asia etc.
Except for a few apartheid Boer remnants, South Africans will rally behind their government if the US proceeds to sanction anyone.
Unless it uses diplomacy and fairness, the US is losing friends. South Africa has a problem with its economy but will solve it in the next 10 years.
It does not need the US to do so. One wonders what the Senator seeks to achieve with this bill.
On a cultural note, the Senators are invited to visit South Africa, particularly in September to witness the reed dance and ceremony in the kingdom of KwaZulu Natal.
We love America but there must be respect for life and other nations, and not to be dictated to by blind love for Israel.
– CAJ News