PATRIOTIC Alliance leader and Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie believes that US President Donald Trump has the right to express his concerns when his country is unhappy with South Africa's actions.
McKenzie's stance is based on the significant financial support South Africa receives from the United States, particularly through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which provides millions of dollars in aid.
McKenzie argued that if America invests billions of rands in Mzansi, then the Trump has the right to demand answers when the US is unhappy with the country's actions.
Trump recently stated his unhappiness with South Africa "confiscating land" and doing "things that are perhaps worse than that".
McKenzie said Mzansi should have clarified the misinformation on which Trump's views were based. He said telling America to back off is not a good idea.
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https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/news/live-sona-2025-will-ramaphosa-deliver-on-his-promises-20250206"Burkina Faso can't tell us what to do here; they can't ask us questions because there is absolutely nothing they give us. But America gives us billions. When someone gives you billions, and they are unhappy, it is your right to show them they are wrong. America is wrong in its assessment, but we mustn't say America must go to hell.
"I'm a leader. If America leaves, people will lose jobs, people will die. At the moment, doctors don't have jobs. If we lose PEPFAR, all these politicians are just saying things people want to hear. Right now, we can't afford to lose PEPFAR or AGOA. We have the highest unemployment rate in the world. We can't just say Trump must go to hell-what about the people? Who will give them jobs," said McKenzie.
https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/news/live-sona-2025-will-ramaphosa-deliver-on-his-promises-20250206Instead of insulting Trump, McKenzie said leaders must ensure the people are taken care of.
"A leader must not be emotional; you must not say Trump must go to hell because then Trump might say, 'Let me show you'. Our people will suffer because 25% of our HIV and Aids budget comes from PEPFAR. AGOA provides hundreds of thousands of jobs, especially in the Eastern and Western Cape where I got many votes.
"They can call me an ass-licker of America. I will be an ass-licker to save people's lives and jobs. Call me Trump's ass-licker, but I believe he can demand answers from us because he gives us money," said McKenzie.
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