South Africa has officially received notice of its removal from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). From next year, unless things change, South Africa will no longer enjoy the benefits associated with AGOA.

South Africa’s removal from AGOA comes as no surprise. The AGOA relationship between the USA and South Africa has been uncertain and turbulent for a while.

The ANC has finally succeeded in pushing the USA to a point where it could no longer recognise South Africa as a qualifying nation for AGOA. They have been hostile towards the USA, and indifferent toward the USA’s demands for the normalisation of trade relations.

The ruling party has obstinately failed to repair the deteriorating diplomatic relationship with the United States. Instead, they pursued a foreign policy and made public statements that have further strained relations with one of the country’s most important trading partners.

AGOA has helped bolster economic growth in South Africa and has been a key source of investment in the country. South Africa’s participation in AGOA has therefore benefited South Africa in creating jobs, particularly in both the agricultural and manufacturing industries.

It is truly regrettable and disappointing that ordinary South Africans will now pay the price for our government’s political agenda.

The ANC destroys economic independence; they are determined to create an environment of total state dependency, keeping the people under its control and begging for scraps.

This is not poverty alleviation. This is weaponising poverty for political power.