The inclusion of South African billionaire Johann Rupert in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delegation to Washington has drawn sharp criticism from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who have labelled the move “a spit in the face of democracy.”
Rupert, one of the country’s wealthiest individuals, is accompanying Ramaphosa to the highly anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump scheduled for 5:30pm (CAT) on Wednesday at the White House. Golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen are also part of the South African contingent.
Although business magnate Elon Musk was also initially linked to the meeting, sources close to the Presidency confirmed he would not be attending.
The EFF issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, blasting the involvement of Rupert in diplomatic engagements. The party accused both Rupert and Musk of undermining efforts toward social and economic transformation in South Africa and the US.
“They are both racist to the core and are opposed to transformation and equity because it threatens their ill-gotten wealth and control over the political fortunes of the United States and South Africa,” the EFF charged. “The inclusion of Johann Rupert in a diplomatic delegation is spitting in the face of our democracy, which has grown to appreciate the need for redress in education, health care and land ownership.”
The EFF’s Statement Condemning the Inclusion of Johann Rupert in SA Delegation Which is Set to Meet With US President Donald Trump
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 21, 2025
-The inclusion of Johann Rupert in a diplomatic delegation is a spit in the face of our democracy, which has grown to appreciate the need for… pic.twitter.com/pEV0aYyMTq
The EFF specifically referenced recent legislation like the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, the National Health Insurance Act and the Expropriation Act as hard-won tools of reform that they believe Rupert’s presence symbolically opposes.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa, who landed in Washington on Monday, dismissed concerns that he could face a “Zelensky-style ambush” at the White House, a reference to the tense exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump during a previous visit.
Speaking to journalists in Washington, Ramaphosa said he remained optimistic about the outcome of the talks.
“I’m looking forward to a really good and positive meeting, and we’re looking forward to a very good outcome for our country, for our people, for the jobs in our country and good trade relations,” he said.
When asked whether he feared public humiliation similar to what transpired between Trump and Zelensky, Ramaphosa responded confidently: “Well, South Africans are never humiliated, are they? South Africans always go into everything holding their heads high.”
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