The backlash comes amid rising tensions between SA and the US, particularly following Trump's sanctions against SA.

Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya defended Ramaphosa's interactions with Musk, explaining the rationale behind the engagement.

"The President is the head of State, and the President will always do whatever it takes to protect and promote the interests of this country.
Musk owns the X platform, which has been part of the lives of our country. Musk is quite influential, as we all know, in the Trump administration. He's part of the inner circle. Therefore, the President will not have an issue or ego issue to engage directly with Musk. Prior engagements between Musk and the President were aimed at convincing him to invest in SA through one of his many business portfolios," Magwenya said.

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--