Trump’s Win Spells Disaster for Ramaphosa’s Hold on Power
In an insightful opinion piece for IOL, Sipho Tshabalala outlines how Donald Trump’s return to the White House could unravel South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s carefully constructed political alliances. Tshabalala argues that Trump’s victory represents a seismic shift in global politics that threatens to destabilize the power dynamics Ramaphosa has relied on, especially his close ties to the American elite. As a reader, I couldn’t help but agree with Tshabalala’s assertion that Ramaphosa’s balancing act between Western interests and BRICS alignment is now at risk of collapse.
Tshabalala’s analysis begins by framing the relationship between Ramaphosa and Joe Biden, which was central to Ramaphosa’s political survival. The South African president was able to leverage his connections with some of the wealthiest and most powerful American families, including the Menells and Oppenheimers, to secure support for his administration. Under Biden, Ramaphosa had an open door to the highest levels of American power, a relationship that, as Tshabalala notes, was deeply embedded in South Africa’s political landscape, particularly in the mining sector.
However, this partnership was not without its complexities. The Democratic Party, while supportive of Ramaphosa’s presidency, has also been involved in global conflicts that have, at times, created friction. Tshabalala points out that Biden’s leadership has allowed Ramaphosa to play both sides, simultaneously courting American elites while maintaining South Africa’s involvement in BRICS. But with Trump’s unexpected return, this delicate balance is now under threat.
Trump’s foreign policy stance is a stark contrast to Biden’s. Where Biden represented the status quo and a commitment to Western hegemony, Trump has signalled a willingness to realign with Russia and other BRICS countries, such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This geopolitical shift could isolate Ramaphosa, who has tried to appease both Western and BRICS interests. Tshabalala argues that Ramaphosa’s attempts to maintain his position as a leader in both spheres are increasingly untenable in the face of Trump’s unpredictability.
Tshabalala also highlights the DA’s role in weakening Ramaphosa’s political influence. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has long held significant sway over South African politics, and their ties to American elites have further complicated Ramaphosa’s power base. Tshabalala’s piece paints a vivid picture of how the DA, with its knowledge of the Phala Phala scandal, is in a position to leverage its knowledge and influence to destabilize Ramaphosa’s administration.
Furthermore, the article touches on how Ramaphosa’s dealings with BRICS and the West have left him in a precarious position. Tshabalala notes that while Ramaphosa initially promised to withdraw from BRICS to appease Biden, his reversal during a meeting with BRICS leaders shows the tension within his administration. The president is clearly caught between two powerful global forces, and with Trump back in the White House, his precarious balancing act could tip.
In reading Sipho Tshabalala’s opinion piece, it became clear that Trump’s return represents more than just a shift in American politics—it’s a direct challenge to Ramaphosa’s control over South Africa’s future. The alliances Ramaphosa has spent years nurturing are now in jeopardy, and Tshabalala’s insights suggest that the fallout from Trump’s victory will be far-reaching. Ramaphosa’s political future, once secure under Biden, is now uncertain, with the potential for legal, political, and economic ramifications that could shake South Africa to its core.
Source: IOL
