ANC will protect South African sovereignty despite US challenges -Mbalula

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula stated that the ANC is committed to protecting South African sovereignty despite pressure from the US.

Speaking at the Solomon Mahlangu Commemoration in Mamelodi East Cemetery on Monday, Mbalula noted that South Africa has faced isolation and aggression for its support of Palestine, but he affirmed that the government remains resilient.

This is after South Africa opened a case of genocide at the International Court of Justice, a move the US government strongly opposes. 

Following South Africa’s refusal to drop the case, the US has taken several steps ranging from formal legal intervention to rising diplomatic pressure against South Africa. These include the US move to freeze future funding for South Africa in early 2025 as punishment for its legal actions against Israel.

The US also imposed tariffs of 30% on certain South African exports.

Two significant bills were introduced in the US Congress aimed at reviewing bilateral relations with South Africa and potentially sanctioning leaders of the ANC and government officials.

US President Donald Trump also accused South Africa of committing a “genocide” against the country's white minority, specifically targeting Afrikaner farmers. These accusations were made both on social media and during official diplomatic meetings, most notably an "ambush" in the Oval Office in May 2025, where Trump confronted President Cyril Ramaphosa with videos purportedly showing mass killings.

“We have been isolated and subjected to aggression on a daily basis by the US, and the South African government is resilient under Ramaphosa. He went to the US, and they showed him a movie there. And you know what was entailed in that movie, but still, we remain resilient and determined to protect South Africa’s sovereignty,” Mbalula said. 

Mbalula made these remarks despite AfriForum's recent call for the US to impose targeted sanctions on Mbalula under the Global Magnitsky Act. 

The lobby group argued that Mbalula’s “anti-Western” and “radical” rhetoric risks bringing broader international punitive measures against South Africa.

The group claimed it is trying to prevent the US from imposing broader punitive measures on South Africa as a whole, which could worsen poverty and unemployment. 

Mbalula said the ANC must protect the country’s sovereignty, as Mahlangu, an anti-apartheid activist and a member of the ANC armed wing - uMkhonto weSizwe, who was executed by hanging at the age of 22, stood for South Africa and “our” liberation. 

“Today, in our lifetime, we must pursue a national democratic revolution with discipline, resilience, and determination. We must be truthful to our people and not become visitors,” he said, adding that the struggle is not over as there is a plot to take the country back to the apartheid era.

Mbalula also warned that the party must abandon factionalism and infighting ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

Mbalula added that even in death, Mahlangu’s voice continues to resonate, calling on “us” to remain steadfast and unwavering in the pursuit of genuine economic freedom.

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