Minister and Solidarity in a war of words

The heated diplomatic spat between South Africa’s government and the Solidarity Movement escalated this week as Solidarity’s leadership launched a counter-attack against condemnation leveled by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola.

Following the dispatch of a new delegation to the United States (US), Solidarity CEO Dr. Dirk Hermann published an open letter directly addressing Lamola.

He accused the African National Congress (ANC)-led government of “reckless domestic and foreign policies” that are responsible for the collapse of trade relations and job losses.

The current delegation, which includes trade union Solidariteit and civil rights organisation AfriForum, is undertaking the trip to the USA while South African goods face an arduous 30% tariff.

Solidarity maintains that the mission is aimed at mending the strained relationship between the two countries, engaging with US government role players at federal and state levels to advocate for South Africa, its economy, and its working population.

However, Lamola described the delegation as a distraction that sends a negative message internationally, potentially souring the diplomatic relationship further.

He said that he “condemns Solidarity’s divisive rhetoric in its totality. It is divisive, it is anti-democratic, and it has no place in our sovereign nation”.

Rapport reported last week that the South African government was “cautiously optimistic” about securing an agreement with Washington.

This followed meetings by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s investment adviser, Alistair Ruiters, with US politicians and officials.

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau also met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, as well as members of the House of Representatives’ tax committee.

Solidarity’s letter

In an open letter, Hermann said Solidarity is stepping into a “diplomatic vacuum” left by the government, insisting that the trip is not out of choice but necessity.

“We are in the US not because we particularly want to be here, but because the South African government’s reckless domestic and foreign policies are costing hundreds of thousands of jobs,” he said.

The union placed responsibility for the trade fallout squarely on the ANC, arguing that R160 billion in exports and more than 500,000 jobs are at risk if a trade deal cannot be secured.

Solidarity also cited policies that it said discourage US investment, including race-based legislation, uncertainty over property rights, inadequate security, and poor diplomatic management.

It criticised Pretoria’s alignment with countries such as Iran, Russia, China, and Hamas, moves it said have alienated Washington and triggered calls in the US Congress for a review of bilateral ties.

Solidarity maintains that its attempts to engage the South African government have been ignored.

On Sunday, the union unveiled a proposed trade framework for South Africa and the US, outlining political conditions, trade measures, and proposals linked to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Hermann said the framework had been sent to both President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump.

While the Trump administration had allegedly “warmly” acknowledged the proposal and agreed to further talks, he said, Ramaphosa merely acknowledged receipt without further engagement.

Solidarity’s head of international liaison, Jaco Kleynhans, claimed the union may currently have better access to Washington than Pretoria does. “We understand very well what the Americans want,” he said.

‘A mirror of truth’

On social media, Hermann rejected Lamola’s criticism, arguing that Solidarity’s initiative was consistent with democratic principles.

He described the union’s role as holding up a “mirror of truth” to the government. “Instead of looking at the failing state and reckless foreign policy, the government gets angry at the mirror and throws stones at it,” Hermann said.

He added that Solidarity would continue to pursue dialogue with US officials, saying the livelihoods of its members could not be left solely in the government’s hands.

In attempts to smooth things over with the global superpower, Ramaphosa’s administration has engaged Washington to clarify foreign policy, proposed a bilateral trade deal to safeguard access under AGOA, and dispatched delegations to rebuild trust.

In a notable move, Pretoria also postponed joint military exercises with China and Russia ahead of the 2025 G20 summit, signaling pragmatism in balancing relations with the US.