Solidarity Movement conducts follow-up visit to the White House

The Solidarity Movement paid a follow-up visit to the White House over the weekend. This comes in response to criticism by Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, as well as statements by Firoz Cachalia, acting Minister of Police, that the treason investigation against Solidarity and AfriForum is being prioritised.

The White House requested the Solidarity Movement to provide clarification on these ministerial statements as well as additional information about Solidarity’s proposed trade framework.

Solidarity’s Head of International Liaison, Jaco Kleynhans, had to adjust his travel plans and fly back from Texas to Washington for this meeting.

“We had an excellent and constructive discussion. Both Solidarity and the United States of America want a trade agreement. It is in the USA’s interest, but also in the interest of Solidarity members, workers in general and South Africa itself.

“The White House is clearly frustrated with the South African government. Concluding a trade agreement is within reach, but the South African government lacks the political will,” Kleynhans said.

Solidarity’s proposed trade framework contains all the elements needed for a positive trade agreement between the two countries. It includes both political and trade components.

“We have repeatedly attempted to engage with the South African government. This included two letters to President Ramaphosa, a letter to Minister Tau and various private messages. It is not in our interest to sabotage the conclusion of a trade agreement in any way. “Our concern is that it is the government that is sabotaging such an agreement. They are doing everything wrong. The government’s diplomatic infrastructure has collapsed,” Kleynhans explained.

During the follow-up meeting, Solidarity addressed further questions from the White House. Proposals were made on how American businesses could be exempted from race-based legislation, and potential special economic zones were discussed. There was also discussion about which industries might receive tariff relief and how the codes of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) could be used for this purpose. The impact of race-based laws on South Africa, particularly on minorities, was also discussed.

According to Kleynhans, the Solidarity Movement now has better access and knows exactly what the US government wants. “It is in South Africa’s interest for the government to engage with the Solidarity Movement, but its political obstinacy makes this impossible, and people are paying with their jobs.”

Click here for a picture of Jaco Kleynhans on his visit to the White House