South Africa's ambiguous stance on Russia has led to the US Congress and Senate noting that the docking of the Lady R vessel, in Simon’s Town naval base in May, and the joint military drills with Russia in February, “call into question South Africa’s eligibility for trade benefits under the US African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) owing to the statutory requirement that beneficiary countries not engage in activities that undermine US national security or foreign policy interests”. A key factor that has undermined US goodwill is the various confusing actions and statements from South Africa's government. If the country cares about its Agoa eligibility and the tens of thousands of jobs it creates, then the time has come to clarify that the country does not threaten US security interests, says business organisation Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso.
