Johannesburg – South Africa will not be bullied, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared at the African National Congress (ANC) rally, where he read the party’s “January 8 statement” that traditionally sets the agenda to be followed by the government for the year.
Thousands of ANC members and supporters gathered in Moruleng, filling the stadium with energy and anticipation to listen to the January 8 Statement delivered by ANC President Ramaphosa, as the party of Nelson Mandela marks 114 years and charts the path forward.
Having lost its majority in the last elections, the ANC formed a Government of National Unity (GNU) that included parties previously opposed to the party.
Today, Saturday, 10 January 2026, was the first time since democracy that the “January 8 Statement” was read with the ANC not being in the majority, suggesting the party’s agenda could face resistance among GNU partners.
In that regard, President Ramaphosa took a swipe at political parties that were falsely claiming there was genocide aimed at White farmers in South Africa, something the Trump Administration has used as a big stick over the country.
He pointed out that the vast majority of South Africans, and global humanity, embrace values of freedom, equality, non-racialism, nonsexism and human solidarity.
“However, there is an increasingly vocal minority in our country that make common cause with this global attack and actively propagate falsehoods,” President Ramaphosa stated.
“Their aim is to undermine South Africa’s constitutional democracy, non-racialism, non-sexism, and the transformation project.
“They employ multifaceted tactics, including the propagation of blatant falsehoods such as claims of ‘white genocide’, to attract sympathy and solidarity from global racist movements and individuals.”
Although President Ramaphosa did not mention the U.S. by name, it was no secret that Trump was out to get back at South Africa for, among other things, accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians at the ICJ.
Continuing with his criticism of some local parties, President Ramaphosa said: “On the one hand, they form and fund political parties designed to fragment the motive forces of change.
“On the other hand, they sow the seeds of regime change, establish parallel state structures, and foment secessionist tendencies.
“Reversing the gains of democracy by any means has become an increasingly open objective of domestic anti-transformation forces and their global allies.”
Since taking office a year ago, U.S. President Trump has implemented several punitive measures against South Africa, including:
- Signing an executive order in February 2025 to halt all U.S. aid and assistance to South Africa.
- Prioritising refugee resettlement for Afrikaner farmers fleeing alleged race-based discrimination.
- Imposing a 30% tariff on South African goods (part of broader reciprocal tariff policies).
- Boycotting the G20 summit hosted by South Africa in November 2025.
- Announcing in November 2025 that South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 G20 summit hosted by the U.S. in Miami, while reiterating the suspension of payments and subsidies.
Therefore, given these challenges, President Ramaphosa said the current conjuncture demands that “we build the broadest united front to defend, consolidate, and advance the National Democratic Revolution, our Constitutional democracy and status as a sovereign country in the family of nations”.
He added: “We will not be diverted from the path that we have set out. I would like to repeat that we will not be bullied by anyone in the country or outside from our intent to work together”.
FULL JANUARY 8 STATEMENT
The post ANC January 8 Statement: President Ramaphosa Declares SA ‘Will Not Be Bullied’ appeared first on The Bulrushes.
