South African billionaire apologises for saying ‘Africa loves Trump’

South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe has apologised for telling US President Donald Trump that Africa loves him during a dinner in Davos.

Mr Motsepe’s praise for the president at the World Economic Conference prompted widespread backlash at the time, with critics saying he had no right to act as Africa’s spokesman.

“I have a duty to listen to these differing views and would like to apologise”, Mr Motsepe said.

During the dinner in Switzerland, Mr Motsepe told the US president “Africa loves America. Africa loves you... We want America to do well. We want you to do well”. 

Mr Motsepe, an influential mining tycoon and close friend to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, said his comments were aimed at encouraging discussions between the Trump administration and African political and business leaders. 

He said in a statement that the perception of Africa as anti-America “has had an impact on our ability to attract foreign investments and create jobs”. 

He went on to admit “I do not have the right to speak on behalf of anybody except myself”. 

South African opposition party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), criticised Motsepe’s comments at the time, saying he had been motivated by “selfish business interests”. 

“Motsepe’s statement is an insult to the African-Americans who have been directly affected by Trump’s racism”, the party said. 

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