Lamola said he noted the DA's recent visit to the US, stating that Africa's non-aligned stance advancing its national interest remains a central pillar of its foreign policy.

“South Africa’s nation building project cannot survive and flourish if the majority of our citizens remain in abject poverty, without land, without tangible prospects for a better life,” Lamola said.

“Attacking poverty and deprivation remains our priority, not racial segregation or even racial supremacy.”

“Our nation’s constitution places a strong emphasis on socio-economic rights in the Bill of Rights that imposes a duty to redress past wrongs and improve the quality of life of all South Africans.”

The DA’s visit to the US comes after the lobby groups representing Afrikaners, Afriforum and Solidarity visited Washington following Trump’s decision to offer them refuge in the country.

The visit by the two groups to the country has sparked widespread outrage from the South African government, which blamed them for causing divisions in the country.

However, Powell argued that the party is dedicated to building a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship with the United States, one of South Africa’s largest trade and investment partners.

Powell insisted that the visit was aimed at emphasising the importance of maintaining strong communication channels between our two nations, “in light of recent tensions exacerbated by unnecessary provocations, which come at the expense of the unity and continued economic development of our Nation.”

“It was clear from discussions that much work must be done in order to rebuild bilateral trust,” Powell said.

According to Powell, the DA has consistently called for a comprehensive reform of South Africa’s foreign policy agenda and the consistent application of our policy of non-alignment in advancing our national interest.

The DA remains resolute in opposing the ANC’s divisive, race-based policies, and advocating for a means-based approach to addressing systemic inequality,” Powell said.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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