Statement by Dr Patrice Motsepe on his remarks to President Donald Trump at Davos dinner

I’m aware of the lively, diverse and at times emotional debate in the global media and on social media relating to my remarks to President Donald Trump at the dinner in Davos during the World Economic Forum.

The debate also exposed me to the views of Africans who disagreed with my remarks. I have a duty to listen to these differing views and would like to apologise. I do not have the right to speak on behalf of anybody except myself.

As a global philanthropist and business leader, I have for many decades, in South Africa and on the African continent, worked to bring together and unite people of different races, ethnic groups and members of different religious and faith-based organisations. I’ve worked with political, business, societal and other leaders whose views and policies I do not share and will continue to do so in Africa and globally.

My remarks at the dinner with President Donald Trump were partly aimed at encouraging discussions between the Trump Administration and African political and business leaders, particularly in the context of the increasing feedback from certain American political and business leaders that South Africa and some African countries are anti-America and its political leadership.

This perception has had an impact on our ability to attract foreign investments and create jobs.

Africa’s current population is 1.35 billion and it has the fastest growing youth (aged between 15 and 24) and total population in the world.
The unemployment rate in the 8 largest African economies measured by GDP is approximately 18%. South Africa which has the most industrialised and diverse economy in Africa has an unemployment rate of 29.1% and a youth (aged between 15 and 24) unemployment rate of 51%.

Africa has to create approximately 8 million new jobs for the youth every year and South Africa has to create in excess of 500 000 new jobs for the youth each year.
In order to do this and to provide skills and expertise and improve the living conditions and standards of living of millions of Africans, Africa will have to create partnerships and increase trade and investment ties between Africa and America and between Africa and other parts of the world.

A successful, prosperous and growing Africa is good and beneficial not only to the 1.35 billion people living in Africa but for the world.

Africa and America to a very large extent, share common values and principles and have greater mutual interest than the issues or policies on which they disagree or have different views.

It is in the interest of South Africa and the rest of the African continent to build mutually beneficial socio-political, trade, investment and cultural ties between the economies and people of Africa and America and Africa and the world.

I am committed to continue making a humble contribution in this regard.

Statement ends

For any questions and enquiries contact:
Sandile Langa
Cell: +27 (0) 71 679 7254
Tel: +27 (0) 11 779 1432
sandile.langa@arm.co.za

28 Responses
  1. Theodore

    I respect Dr. Motsepe for always being so humble and showing the world that with humility, we can all get along and live together…
    Much respect Sir?

  2. Lucky D

    I’ve watched this video on numerous occasions and am failing to understand the fuss.

    Mr Patrice Motsepe was addressing Americans, that “Africa loves America, Africa loves You”

    Will Trump be hosting the Soccer world cup or America? Who gave Ntate Motsepe the platform to talk? Who’s the head of the state? So although in his adress he had to look at Trump as a manner of acknowledging his position but it is clear even to a Toddler that uBaba uMotsepe was talking about the Country or States not an individual.

    Yes he has apologized out of his humble character, but it was truly unnecessary. I feel it is really uncalled for that he apologize while he knows what he meant. I would have understood if he offered his apologies for the misunderstanding. Because now this makes it seem as people are right and he doesn’t know what he was saying.

    Although Mr Motsepe has apologized but I see no wrong in what he said. Sometimes we like to bash people unnecessarily, which African loves and looks up to China? Australia? Russia? Guys we all love America, all our Radio Stations are playing their content, our TV’s are playing their Content… ai Mara isokheyi.

    Nonetheless, Baba Motsepe you’ve earned more respect from me just by apologizing though you were not wrong!

    ☠️ Up the Bucs

  3. Mpolayene Malogadihlare

    Much respect my president,I hope those who felt offended by your remarks would find it in their hearts to forgive you. We love you

  4. Bra Theo

    No need to apologize Dr Motsepe. The issue with us darkie we always complain about pity and over things. You did something that a caring person would for his family. A lot of people with influence are doing nothing except for watching our people suffer.

    Please keep doing what your think and believe is right for and can bring a better change to the country.

    I’ve got maximum respect for you Mr President.

  5. Bango

    It is out of his humble character that he apologizes , he is a typical leader who does not insist in his own right but has an ear to hear the public sentiments and clear the cloud in a democratic state. Well done Dr Motsepe. Apologizing does not mean someone is weak, its a clear sign of unwavering strength not to put a deaf ear and a blind eye on issues that need clarity and solutions. In every society people will always differ in their thinking & opinions .When opinions differ it does not make another person a wrong person, it would be opinions that would have differed. It is normal to say a statement and people hear it differently or interpret it differently. Love comes naturally and hate is taught. To love is good and to hate is bad according to me, but to another person in his /her own eyes to hate is good , whether justified or not. This is what you meet in a diverse society. But love is ultimate. Every person has a right to forgive and love again. Words have power to build, words have power to correct things ,particularly in the positions of influence. Words can also destroy people and the economy at large. It only depends on what you want to achieve,what is it that you are aiming at?Words with deep sentiments needs revelation to be comprehended and it is through interpretation that it can be heard clearly and understood. Thumbs up our Leader!

  6. Ronnie Bothma

    There’s nothing wrong with what Mr Motsepe said. It shows how much of a human he is. Spread love and it will reciprocate.

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  8. It is true that Africans Loves USA we wear their clothes we watch their movies we play their sopies on SABC we eat their chickens and many things and yes Africans Loves USA there is nothing wrong with that statement from the Humble President Patrice Motsepe

  9. Tsepo mpela

    You know Mr President! I always Said, we as South African it’s easier to judge while we misjudge wrong or it is easy jump to conclusions without learsten, and I think you must carry on put South Africa in the map because you’ll never satisfying all US.

    It take an intellegent person to apologise while is not wrong.

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