The Democratic Alliance (DA) recently stirred up diplomatic debate during a week-long trip to the United States, aimed at addressing the strained relationship between South Africa and the US under the Trump administration. The opposition party’s diplomatic efforts have drawn sharp criticism from South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, who argues that the DA is overstepping its bounds.
Emma Powell, DA’s foreign affairs spokesperson, defended the party’s actions, stating that their goal was not to align South Africa’s foreign policy with that of any other nation but to gauge how key US lawmakers view a potential path to stabilize relations between the two countries. Powell emphasized that the DA, as part of the Government of National Unity (GNU), has a clear stance on foreign policy—one that upholds constitutional values, human rights, solidarity, and peace-building.
However, Lamola’s department expressed concerns that the DA’s actions undermine the nation’s foreign policy framework. According to DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri, only the executive branch—represented by the President and Foreign Minister—has the authority to shape and execute South Africa’s foreign relations, not opposition parties or parliamentarians.
The controversy also follows the US’s decision to withhold aid from South Africa, fueled by misinformation surrounding the country’s Expropriation Act. Lamola’s office suggested that the DA’s US visit represented a failure to prioritize national interests, as it presented an inaccurate portrayal of the nation’s stance on international relations.
As this diplomatic clash unfolds, the role of opposition parties in shaping foreign policy remains a contentious issue in South African politics.
