03/02/2025
There's growing tension between South Africa and the United States, fueled by Donald Trump's stance on various issues. The relationship between the two countries has been strained since Trump's first administration, with South Africa's ties to Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran being major diplomatic flashpoints .
The situation is further complicated by Lesotho's ongoing petition to reclaim land allegedly exploited by South Africa, specifically KwaZulu-Natal Province and parts of Eastern Cape. Lesotho's status as a non-liberated country adds another layer of complexity to the issue.
Meanwhile, Rwanda's tensions with South Africa are also a concern. However, South Africa's membership in BRICS (alongside Brazil, Russia, India, and China) could provide some protection against potential US aggression. China, in particular, has its own tensions with the US, which might make it less likely to allow South Africa to be destroyed.
It's worth noting that the US has significant economic leverage over South Africa, particularly through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). South Africa's inclusion in AGOA provides preferential access to the US market, supporting thousands of jobs and generating critical foreign revenue ¹
