Opposition plans protest against Zelensky’s visit to South Africa
The Presidency has confirmed that Volodymyr Zelensky’s state visit to South Africa will proceed as planned…
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is now scheduled to arrive in South Africa on Thursday, 24 April 2025, after his state visit was unexpectedly postponed by two weeks earlier this month.
While the Presidency has confirmed the new date, Pretoria has yet to unveil the official programme for the visit.
The government is most likely keeping details under wraps deliberately, anticipating opposition protests against Zelensky’s visit to South Africa. According to an IOL report, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) is preparing to stage a protest. The Ukrainian leader was all over the world’s media following his televised argument with President Donald Trump.
UKRAINE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IN SOUTH AFRICA
Additionally, MK Party secretary general Floyd Shivambu labelled the Ukrainian president a “puppet leader,” accusing him of serving the interests of NATO. Shivambu claimed the alliance is attempting to destabilise Eastern Europe through what he described as unjustified expansion.
Speaking at a media briefing in Sandton two weeks ago, Shivambu criticised President Ramaphosa’s decision to invite Zelensky to South Africa.
“We strongly condemn the president’s misguided decision to extend an invitation to Zelensky in South Africa. He is a figure widely discredited among progressive and non-aligned nations and we will stage protests against the state visit.”
Moreover, Shivambu says the MK Party views the invitation as a clear alignment with European imperial interests. “It’s an affront to South Africa’s historical position of non-alignment and anti-imperialism. Accordingly, we will protest the visit,” confirmed Shivambu.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has confirmed that Zelensky’s visit to South Africa is a “continuation of ongoing engagements to find peace between Russia and Ukraine.”