Joseph Isangura
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has personally reached out to billionaire Elon Musk to address concerns over misinformation about South Africa’s land reform policies.
The move came after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to suspend over $400 million in aid to the country, citing unverified claims of land confiscation and discrimination against white citizens.
The conversation between Ramaphosa and Musk was arranged through Musk’s father, Errol Musk, who resides in South Africa. Speaking to Reuters, Errol Musk confirmed that he facilitated the discussion after being approached by Bejani Chauke, one of Ramaphosa’s senior advisers.
“I was asked if I could arrange a quick talk between Ramaphosa and Elon last night, so I did,” he said from his home in Langebaan, a coastal town where he keeps luxury cars, including a Bentley and a Rolls-Royce.
Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa, had previously weighed in on the land reform debate, posting on X that the country has “openly racist ownership laws” and implying that white South Africans were being unfairly targeted. His comments echoed Trump’s statement on Sunday, in which the former president claimed—without providing evidence—that South Africa was seizing land and mistreating “certain classes of people.”
The backlash was swift. South Africa’s financial markets reacted sharply, with the rand dropping nearly 2% on Monday, alongside a decline in stocks and government bonds. Investors grew nervous, and the cost of insuring South African debt against default surged to its highest level since August 2024.
In response, Ramaphosa sought to set the record straight. His office confirmed the phone call with Musk in a statement posted on X, emphasizing that South Africa’s land policies are aimed at addressing historical inequalities rather than targeting any particular group.
“The President reiterated South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law, justice, fairness, and equality,” the statement read.
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Land ownership remains a sensitive issue in South Africa, where the legacy of apartheid left vast tracts of land in the hands of the white minority. The government has been pushing for land redistribution to create a more equitable system, but the process has been slow and politically charged.
Despite Ramaphosa’s assurances, the controversy highlights the growing influence of social media in shaping global narratives. With figures like Musk and Trump amplifying concerns, the stakes for South Africa’s economic and political stability remain high.
While neither Musk nor Trump has publicly commented further, the incident underscores how quickly misinformation can escalate into diplomatic tensions, forcing leaders to intervene in real time to prevent broader consequences.
