Statement on the Executive Order of President Donald Trump

Sakeliga welcomes President Donald Trump’s forthright assessment of the South African government’s harmful track record and future policy direction.

The Trump administration’s concerns align with those of international and local businesses who find themselves confronted at every turn with racial requirements on business ownership, deals, employment, licensing, and even charity. South Africa has been heading in the wrong direction for many years now and is, absent reform, on-course for crisis.

We express caution at what appears to be plans among some groups to dissuade the Trump administration by convincing it that everything is fundamentally fine in South Africa. Substantive international disagreements are not resolvable through public relations campaigns.

It is Sakeliga’s standing policy to support foreign missions and businesses with insight on local economic matters, in service of mutually beneficial relationships. We will extend this offer to the new United States administration as well.

In the meantime, we will continue our engagement with the South African government through both dialogue and litigation. As a not-for-profit and independent business organisation, our efforts will remain dedicated to creating a favourable environment for business right here, for the common good.

This is our mission, and we intend to succeed.