South Africa is ready to share with the US its experience of a peaceful transition to democracy.
This follows a violent riot in that country this week, where supporters of President Donald Trump invaded the Capitol in Washington, DC.
Ramaphosa said what happened "shook the foundations" of democracy in the US.
South Africa is ready to share its experience of a peaceful transition to democracy with the US, should that country ask for help, President Cyril Ramaphosa has said.
This follows a violent riot in the US this week, where supporters of President Donald Trump invaded the Capitol in Washington, DC. At the time, Congress was voting to certify the result of the recent presidential election and declare Joe Biden president-elect. Five people died as a result.
"I was pleased to hear one of them say they have a lot to learn, even from Nelson Mandela and from South Africa," Ramaphosa told the SABC's Mzwandile Mbeje in an interview on Saturday. This was a reported suggestion by a commentator.
"If indeed they would like to learn something from us, we are on the ready to provide them with our own experience and how we were able to navigate a very difficult situation that confronted us at the dawn of our democracy."
Ramaphosa admitted he was "shocked" about the events that unfolded in the US this past week, just like people around the world, but said the country should be allowed the space to deal with its problem.
"It is a matter they have to deal with, and when one reads the news reports and watches the television, they are in the process of doing that, and all we can say is that we wish them the best as they seek to bring stability to their own democracy."
He said what happened "shook the foundations" of democracy in the US.
"So we wish them luck and we wish them very well. They have got to handle it in terms of their processes and their own Constitution."
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OnigrizaOmorte on January 9th, 2021 at 21:30 UTC »
Not only was the transition of political power from the Apartheid government to the ANC not peaceful at all. South Africa as a country is a flawed democracy because there is no separation of powers between the Executive branch of government and Juridical branch of government because the President gets to appoint the Chief Justice which in turn has led to massive amount of corruption without consequences.
Jaseto88 on January 9th, 2021 at 21:10 UTC »
As a South African, I can confirm there is nothing SA can share with the USA. There is still deep racism in the country, roughly half the country unemployed, a wide income gap, immense poverty, a failed public education system, a destroyed public health sector, a violent society, a private sector economy that underpays staff and overprices on services, and a government that lies, steals and doesn't accept any criticism, punishment or consequences for their action.
This "peaceful" transition of democracy has not been peaceful. If it was peaceful, we wouldn't have factions in the ANC of good vs evil, political party members killing each other for position of power, and the Marxists and Facist EFF running around spouting racism and destroying everything in site.
SA is a breaking country, and has no place (not even in Africa) to be a positive example. If you are not a South African, read about the Guptas in South Africa and State Capture in SA.
Edit: Our neighbour, Namibia (Nambia for you Trump), where they have an elected politician called Adolf Hitler, serves as a better example than South Africa.
GetsTrimAPlenty on January 9th, 2021 at 20:43 UTC »
You know, Africa needs a consistent, cheap, and clean energy source to come into its own.
I'm sure the luminous power of this burn could light up the continent for years to come.
Edit: Thanks everyone for the awards and kind words. Now I just have to figure out what awards are for... XD