President Cyril Ramaphosa is under more pressure than he’s ever been during his four-and-a-half years in charge – Photo: GCIS / Flickr
President Cyril Ramaphosa is under more pressure than he’s ever been during his four-and-a-half years in charge – Photo: GCIS / Flickr
The devastating KZN floods have reduced parts of the province to rubble, and the human cost of this natural disaster is simply unbearable. However, as efforts to rebuild and recover continue, President Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed that there’s another humanitarian aid package in the works – and it’s going to Cuba.
Ramaphosa ‘plans to continue’ with Cuba aid donations
The ANC leader was responding to Parliamentary questions posed by John Steenhuisen, and the DA frontman has seemingly drawn a controversial response out of Mr. Ramaphosa.
Earlier this year, AfriForum launched a successful legal challenge, which blocked the government’s planned donation of R50 million to Cuba. The ANC argue that this is a necessary act of solidarity, for a country that has supported South Africa in a similar fashion previously.
Indeed, as we’ve witnessed with SA’s diplomatic stance towards Russia, loyalty trumps morality at all costs. Ramaphosa told Steenhuisen that a humanitarian aid package – consisting of food provisions and health equipment – would be sent to the island nation instead. This still doesn’t cut the mustard with the opposition.
Anger amongst opposition politicians, as KZN floods wreak havoc
Dean Macpherson, the shadow trade minister, has instructed Cyril Ramaphosa to ‘prioritise his own country’, as thousands of displaced citizens scramble to find food and running water themselves.
“I’m not sure if you’ve noticed President Ramaphosa, but 443 people have died so far in KZN after the recent floods. Thousands are homeless, people have no water, as well as battling to get food. Prioritise your own country for humanitarian aid over Cuba. Show us you care.”
Dean Macpherson
Cuba aid donation ‘likely to prove unpopular’
The hostile sentiment is certainly prevalent on social media. One informal opinion poll shows there is an overwhelming opposition to the Cuba aid package, after 443 people were confirmed dead as a result of the KZN floods.
Is Ramaphosa right about this? Should SA make donations to Cuba?
— Jacques Maree (@JacquesMaree73) April 18, 2022
- Should the ANC move to make donations to Cuba, this move could also face a stern court challenge
