AfriForum says it will be visiting the United States (US) soon on a what it describes as a mission to salvage the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
This is according to Chief Executive Officer Kallie Kriel during an interview with South African Broadcasting Corporation’s Political Editor Mzwandile Mbeje.
Kriel’s comments follow the issuing of an executive order by US President Donald Trump, withdrawing financial aid for South Africa based on misinformation that white-owned land is being grabbed by government.
Amongst other effects, the US order has seen a nearly 20% shortfall in funding for South Africa’s HIV/AIDS prevention programme.
Kriel says the US cancelling AGOA, which allows preferential treatment of South African assembled vehicles and produce into the US market, will hurt all citizens.
“We need to speak to the US in the interests of all in this country and it is AGOA and Pepfar, we know Pepfar is people with HIV/AIDS, we know AGOA has a huge effect on the farming communities or benefit to factories and factory workers and what the US says in respect of AGOA is that if you are going to abuse human rights. If you are not going to respect property rights and you are going to act against the interests of the US, you are going to lose that. So, our effort is to save AGOA by saying to the US tell South Africa they are contravening this.”
Trump has also offered Afrikaners refugee asylum in the US.
VIDEO | Afriforum has rejected the US’ offer for refuge:
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