President Cyril Ramaphosa has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over two weeks ago to express hope of peace between Russia and Ukraine. Ramaphosa says that South Africa is deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and believes the only path to peace is through diplomacy. Talks had come on the heels of Russia launching a wave of deadly attacks against Kyiv early Thursday morning, hours after US President Donald Trump accused Zelensky of harming peace talks in a fresh tirade against the Ukrainian president. Zelensky’s official working visit to South Africa amid the controversy is seen as a diplomatic breakthrough for the Ukrainian leader in his efforts to counter Russia’s influence across African nations.
President Ramaphosa has confirmed he had a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump this morning ahead of Zelenskyy’s visit to South Africa. Ramaphosa hosts Zelenskyy on first official visit to SA. Ramaphosa says he and Trump discussed a number of issues, including the war in Ukraine. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. President Ramaphosa says earlier in the week, he also spoke to the Russian Federation President, Vladimir Putin. He says South Africa will continue with its efforts, aiming to assist in ending the war in Ukraine.
“The call between myself and President Trump was long in the making. And I last spoke to the President in January when he was about to be inaugurated, when I congratulated him. So, we had a second call now, which was a very cordial discussion, and of course, as President Zelenskyy is paying a visit here, the issue of the war in Ukraine and Russia came up as well, and many other issues we touched on.”
Ramaphosa is in luck to have had this phone call with Trump. It shows that the country is still significant in the eyes of the United States leadership. President Ramaphosa must do everything in his power to accelerate an understanding with Trump concerning the importance of South Africa as a nation strategic to US interests. Pretoria still has close relations with Moscow and as a result must utilize those relations. Peace between Ukraine and Russia will end sanctions and restart the flow of food grain from that region of the world. Africa still relies on that grain for food aid. The lack of it could be detrimental to South Africa.
At the moment the Trump Administration in Washington’s popularity is at an all time low. President Trump has sort South Africa out to make a new bargain. New trade relations to end isolation for appeasement of corporations and working voters at home on American soil. Trump’s hope of new trade relations may work to Ramaphosa’s advantage if he can take the opportunity.
Meanwhile the prices of petrol, diesel, and illuminating paraffin prices are set to be decreased (cut) next week despite the rand’s heightened volatility.
The latest data from the Central Energy Fund shows a 19 cents per litre decrease in petrol 95 and an 18 cents per litre drop in petrol 93. Diesel prices are also expected to drop by 37 cents per litre, while illuminating paraffin should decrease by 28 cents per litre. All metrics show an over recovery in prices, driven primarily by lower international product prices, as the exchange rate continues to pressure prices. The rand has remained incredibly volatile over the last month due to international and local developments. However, the rand is now pointing in the right direction. With the increase set for next Wednesday, 7 May, the likelihood of a decrease remains high, leading to the second straight cut in fuel prices.
The reduction of oil prices should be good news for South African drivers. The decrease could be attributed as an appeasement to the public by the government for having tried to burden them with the VAT increase. The increase in VAT has now been withdrawn. The cuts have been heavily influenced by the trading of international prices as well as an abundance of said resources. The reason why the rand finds itself is in a volatile state is because of the way government has been handling of the VAT issue on the domestic front as well as the tariffs imposed by US President Trump on the international scene. Now Ramaphosa could have an opportunity to repair that damage.
Due to the stability of the rand, Ramaphosa may have a new hope for redemption. This is still the early part of his second term. As the days unfold, we will see how the president utilizes that chance.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
