Africa-Press – South-Africa. The DA has protested against President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to the United Kingdom, citing concerns about the war in Ukraine and load shedding.
The DA held a picket outside South Africa’s High Commission offices in London on Tuesday to protest against Ramaphosa’s visit.
The president arrived in the UK on Monday on a state invitation by King Charles lll. During his visit, the president has a series of political engagements, including talks with Rishi Sunak, the British prime minister.
Ramaphosa is the first president to be hosted by the King following his ascension to the throne earlier this year.
DA leader abroad Gordon Mckay said the DA’s picket was to show solidarity with Ukraine as the impact of the Russian invasion in the country was intensifying.
Mckay said Ramaphosa had to consider the war’s impact on Ukraine and South Africa with rising inflation on food and petrol prices.
South Africa has taken a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine, a political view that the DA believes harms South Africa’s international standing.
“The protest was in solidarity with fellow South Africans who oppose the Russia-Ukraine War. This war is making life harder for South Africans and the South African economy as it impacts inflation, security and our standing in the world.
“The DA is raising awareness and concerns around the ANC’s implicit support of the Ukraine war, which directly increases fuel and food prices in South Africa, affecting vulnerable, ordinary South Africans the most, and has risked our international relationship with powerful trade partners that could jeopardise trade and tariff agreements in the future due to embarrassing UN votes, referendum election observations and of late military training exercises,” Mckay said.
He accused Ramaphosa of “galivanting” across the world instead of addressing load shedding at home.
“As South Africa enters increased load shedding yet again, President Ramaphosa is having tea with the King, while South Africans can’t switch on a kettle. President Ramaphosa should instead be in South Africa focusing on addressing these issues affecting vulnerable South Africans, as these issues will not be fixed by President Ramaphosa galivanting across the world.”
The president was expected to be welcomed by King Charles on Tuesday. He will address a joint sitting of the houses of parliament. Talks with Sunak were expected to take place on Wednesday.
Ramaphosa is accompanied by a high delegation of ministers, including; Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, Minister of Health Joe Phaahla, and Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel.
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