U.S., South Africa In Fresh Diplomatic Clash Over Minister Lamola’s “MAGA Attacks Black People” Remarks

A fresh diplomatic clash has erupted between the United States and South Africa after the U.S. State Department launched a scathing attack on South African officials over remarks linking the American “Make America Great Again” movement to attacks on black people and opposition to human rights.

The unusually direct statement, issued by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, accused South Africa’s government of failing to address worsening violence, economic hardship and unemployment while blaming external political ideologies for the country’s domestic challenges.

The statement was aimed at South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, following comments he recently made.

In the statement, the U.S. State Department said: “Federal Minister Ronald Lamola, you blame concerns about violence and failed governance on ‘MAGA politics.’

“Ghana and Nigeria just airlifted their citizens out of your country. Thousands of South Africans are fleeing to America to escape your government’s Left-wing policies. Unemployment still remains at 33% while you and corrupt government elites get rich while promoting race-based laws and chanting ‘Kill the Boer.’

“If caring about your own citizens is MAGA, South Africa might want to give it a try.”

The sharp rebuke came after Lamola criticised the MAGA movement in the United States, accusing it of promoting anti-black and anti-human rights ideologies.

Speaking in the video circulating online, Lamola said, “We know that in the United States, the MAGA movement is very clear to attack black people, we know what they stand for, they stand against the human rights of women, LGBTQI communities is driven by a particular ideology.

“Is Honourable Ryan also aligning the Democratic Alliance. Is he aligning the DA with this position, is he part of the movement that is against human rights, against progressive outlook of the people in the group? If this is his position, the DA must clearly declare for the people to know.”

Lamola’s remarks were reportedly directed at members of South Africa’s opposition Democratic Alliance and alleged ideological alignment between some opposition figures and conservative political movements in the United States.

The exchange has further exposed growing tensions between Washington and Pretoria over race relations, governance, foreign policy and ideological differences.

The reference to “Kill the Boer” in the U.S. statement is also likely to intensify controversy around South Africa’s long-running debate over the anti-apartheid struggle song, which critics argue promotes violence against white farmers while supporters insist it is a historical liberation chant.

The diplomatic spat comes at a time South Africa continues to battle economic difficulties, rising unemployment and persistent violent crime. Official figures have placed unemployment at around 33%, one of the highest rates globally.

The U.S. statement also referenced recent evacuations involving foreign nationals from South Africa due to xenophobic attacks.

Relations between the U.S. and South Africa have faced repeated strains in recent years over issues ranging from geopolitics and international alliances to domestic policy and human rights debates.

In 2025, Donald Trump’s administration refused to attend the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg and later declared that South Africa would be barred from the 2026 G20.

The move was justified by Trump on claims of “genocide” against white South African farmers and alleged human rights abuses, which Pretoria strongly rejected.