Washington D.C.: President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to arrive in the United States of America later today as part of a working visit to the country. He is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, with both leaders set to discuss trade and bilateral relations.

According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa’s visit comes amid recent developments where at least 49 Afrikaaner South Africans have left the country for the USA, claiming they are seeking refuge from a ‘genocide’ in South Africa. Speaking at the reburial of struggle icon Advocate Duma Nokwe, President Ramaphosa dismissed these claims, asserting, “There’s no genocide in South Africa. That is a fact that’s borne out of a lot of evidence.”

The South African President emphasized the focus of his US visit, stating, “I’m not worried about anything. We’re going there to discuss trade and our bilateral relations and that’s what we’re going to discuss. It’s country to country and we trade with each other, so we have to relate to each other.”

The visit is also significant in light of President Trump’s earlier decision to halt future funding to South Africa pending an investigation into allegations of ‘land confiscation’ following the assent of the Expropriation Act by President Ramaphosa. Despite the diplomatic tensions, South Africa has maintained its commitment to engaging with the USA. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation reiterated, “The Government of South Africa remains dedicated to constructive dialogue with United States of America, anchored in mutual respect for sovereignty, the rule of law, and a shared commitment to deepening mutually beneficial bilateral partnership.”

In the interim, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe has been appointed as the Acting President of South Africa until 22 May, due to the simultaneous international commitments of both President Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile. The Presidency stated, “This designation flows from the simultaneous Working Visits by President Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile to the United States of America and the Republic of France respectively.”