South Africa, despite finding itself between a rock and a hard place amid the deepening fallout with the United States, should not go and kneel before US President Donald Trump.
As the diplomatic row continues to degenerate, IOL has recently reported that former South African ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool arrived in Cape Town on Sunday after he was expelled from Washington DC.
The former ambassador was greeted as a hero and was surrounded by South Africans and family members.
Speaking to the SABC, Greece's former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis said the fallout presents a difficult opportunity for South Africa to be more self sufficient. He cautioned that begging Trump is not advisable.
"It is a great opportunity, is it not, for South Africa to become more self-sufficient. South Africa has many unused resources. There are better ways to organise your own political economy in order to become more self-sufficient, to create better facilities for producing the pharmaceuticals that you are importing from the United States. It is a crisis but it is also an opportunity to become more efficient and more self-sufficient," he told the broadcaster in an interview.
"Secondly, men like Donald Trump do not appreciate yes men. It is crucial that your government does not make the mistake to go begging at the White House, of turning the other cheek to Donald Trump. He doesn't appreciate weaklings. You have to show strength, you have to be moderate but at the same time not beg for his forgiveness as some leaders around the world have done to their detriment."
He added that Trump is cognisant of the bottomline of countless American entities which are involved in business with South Africa, and making profits in the process as part of the bilateral relations between Pretoria and Washington DC.
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On Monday, IOL reported that International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has met with Rasool, following his return from the US after being expelled.
Rasool has told South Africans who welcomed him home that he does not harbour any ill towards the US and their president.
He said that South Africa has had a strong relationship with the US for over 50 years, and this was not just with the White House but with Congress and most importantly the people of United States.
He stressed that South Africa-United States relationship should continue to be nurtured, despite the current tensions.
IOL