A delegation of senior officials, led by South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Sherpa and the Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Zane Dangor, have met with United States officials to clarify the country’s expropriation and equity laws.
During their visit, the department announced that the delegation had made progress in discussions that were initially started by former United States Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool.
They engaged with their counterparts in Washington, including senior officials at the White House and the State Department, to address key bilateral priorities.
“The delegation clarified key issues and misconceptions in meetings with the National Security Council’s Africa Director, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, as well as Treasury Department representatives.
“We believe that these dialogues will assist in refining the current administration’s understanding of South Africa’s position on critical matters, fostering a more nuanced perspective,” the department said in a statement on Monday.
In addition, the delegation directly addressed the concern that the South African Government’s policies are perceived to violate the human rights of minorities in post-apartheid South Africa.
“Amongst the issues addressed was the matter of how the Expropriation Act’s nil compensation clause is not designed to facilitate unlawful land seizures and undermine property investment.”
Senior officials also addressed misconceptions regarding proposed laws affecting minority rights in South Africa, according to the department.
“To this end, the senior officials presented information, which highlights the persuasive racial and structural inequality that continues to divide South Africa in all areas of the nation.”
The department stated that the post-apartheid administration is constitutionally mandated to correct the injustices of the past.
“These initiatives are consistent with the efforts to ensure that post-apartheid South Africa entrenches human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms, non-racialism, non-sexism and the supremacy of our constitution and the rule of law.”
The department stated that these productive engagements will occur at various levels of government, following an executive order issued against South Africa by the President of the United States in February this year.
This includes ensuring that the seventh administration positions itself as a strategic partner in a manner that avoids conflagration of our national interests against those of our strategic partners worldwide.
Meanwhile, last week, the officials addressed the United Nations General Assembly to provide an update on South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
The department said the General Assembly “overwhelmingly” endorsed the priorities and theme of the South African G20 Presidency. – SAnews.gov.za
