This is on a perilous mission to persuade a hostile United States (US) Donald Trump to make deals with his country rather than scold and punish it as he has done since the start of his second term.

Attacking SA's land reform law aimed at redressing the injustices of apartheid and its genocide court case against Israel, Trump has cancelled aid to the country, expelled its ambassador and offered refuge to white minority Afrikaners based on racial discrimination claims Pretoria says are unfounded.

"Whether we like it or not, we are joined at the hip and we need to be talking to them," Ramaphosa said on SA state television before flying to Washington to meet Trump.

The stakes are high for SA The US is its second-biggest trading partner after China, and the aid cut has already resulted in a drop in testing for HIV patients.

Ramaphosa goes into his meetings with Trump, scheduled to start at 1530 GMT, bearing offers of trade deals and investment opportunities, and accompanied by Ministers, luxury goods tycoon Johann Rupert and champion golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

On Trump's side will be Vice President JD Vance, SA-born billionaire Elon Musk who has accused Ramaphosa of pursuing anti-white policies, which he denies -- and senior figures from the US government.

Rashaad Tayob, a portfolio manager and macro strategist at Foord Asset Management, said markets were nervous about the talks given the clash between Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy on February 28.

"One hopes that the inclusion of business leaders like Johann Rupert and golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen can serve to create a friendly environment and encourage Trump to tone down the aggressive anti-South Africa rhetoric," he said.

Ramaphosa's Spokesperson told SA outlet News24 that "Zelenskiy-style treatment" was not expected.
--Reuters--