Johannesburg – The United States would be more inclined to improve trade and diplomatic relations with South Africa if the African National Congress (ANC) distances itself from Iran, according to FF+ leader Dr Corné Mulder, SAAI executive director Dr Theo de Jager and NEASA CEO Gerhard Papenfus.
According to Daily Investor, speaking at the ninth BizNews Conference in the Drakensberg, the three said Washington had raised concerns over South Africa’s foreign policy, BEE, land expropriation and farm killings.
They were part of an independent South African delegation that travelled to Washington in 2025 as relations between the two countries deteriorated.
According to the delegation, Washington wants South Africa to address five key issues: the ANC’s association with the “Kill the Boer” song, farm killings, BEE requirements affecting US investors, Expropriation without Compensation, and the ANC’s relationship with Iran.
The three said the US position could be summed up as:
“You want all our investments in South Africa, but you are friends with all of our enemies.”
They argued that South Africa could unlock significant economic opportunities if its political leadership was prepared to address Washington’s concerns.
“The opportunities are unlimited in terms of what could positively change for South Africa if we have the political gravitas to take these things on board and just do it.”
But Papenfus warned that ideology remained an obstacle.
“The ANC is not rational. They have never been rational. They are bound by loyalties from the struggle days.”
Duduzane Zuma defends his father
Meanwhile, speaking at the same conference, newly appointed MK Party First Deputy President Duduzane Zuma defended his father, former president and MK Party leader Jacob Zuma, arguing that he had helped prevent greater social unrest in South Africa.
“We should thank our lucky stars for him,” he said ccording to NewsDay.
Duduzane also described himself as a capitalist while defending the MK Party’s position on land expropriation.
“I am a businessman… a capitalist at heart.”
His comments come as the MK Party seeks to expand its political and economic influence ahead of the local government elections.
Hill-Lewis and Roodt raise economic concerns
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis used the conference to call for a smaller and more efficient government and criticised the state’s performance under successive ANC administrations.
Economist Dawie Roodt, meanwhile, warned of growing resistance to South Africa’s tax burden and urged taxpayers to make full use of legal mechanisms to reduce their tax liability.
“Do not evade taxes. Do not break any laws, but do whatever you can to pay as little tax as possible.”
Roodt’s warning reflects a broader concern raised at the conference about whether South Africa’s tax and regulatory environment is discouraging investment and economic activity.
Sources
BizNews Conference — conference programme and reporting on speakers and discussions.
Newsday — reporting on comments by Duduzane Zuma, Geordin Hill-Lewis and Dawie Roodt.
Sunday World — reporting on Duduzane Zuma’s comments on capitalism and land expropriation.
African Insider — previous reporting on South Africa-US relations and the issues raised by the South African delegation.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
