(Ret) Col. Chris Wyatt: CR is taking the B, C, D team to America

Loading player...
All eyes will be on the meeting between presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday. In this interview with BizNews, US intelligence analyst retired Colonel Chris Wyatt slams the composition of Ramaphosa’s team. He says neither Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen nor International Relations Minister Ronnie Lamola is “that credible” in the United States’ eyes. “I think both of those are bad decisions that are going to backfire. I don't think that the US government is going to be hoodwinked by … either one of those people.” While Wyatt deems Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau, “probably not a bad idea”, he questions the inclusion of Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni by asking: “You want to send a minister who failed in every previous portfolio. I really don't think that that's the A team. Ramaphosa is taking his B team at best, possibly even a few C or D team members to it.” Meanwhile, he says Ramaphosa “had better have a very good plan….I have termed (it) the single most important meeting in the political life of Cyril Ramaphosa. I think it's more significant than his role in CODESA, more significant than his role when he won the party presidency in December 2017 at the ANC Congress. I think this could make or break South Africa, depending on what happens on Wednesday.”
19 May 2025 4AM English South Africa Investing · Business News

Other recent episodes

Juanita Du Preez: Police- and political capture - more worms crawl out the can…

There have been dramatic scenes in Parliament where the Ad Hoc Committee has resumed hearing testimony of police and political capture. In her latest interview with BizNews, Juanita du Preez of Action Society speaks to Chris Steyn about Crime Intelligence (CI) Chief General Dumisani Khumalo’s warning that criminal organisations survive…
21 Jan 6AM 22 min

The Editor's Desk - Wed 21 Jan 2026: A fading global order and the Trump liability

In today’s analysis, we explore Mark Carney’s powerful address at the World Economic Forum, where he urges middle-ground nations like South Africa to "name reality" and act together against the rivalry of global giants. We also examine why right-wing parties in France and Germany are increasingly distancing themselves from Donald…
21 Jan 4AM 16 min

Director's Cut: BEE is breaking South Africa - Gerhard Papenfus v Gwede Mantashe

In this candid and hard-hitting interview, Alec Hogg speaks to Gerhard Papenfus, CEO of the National Employers’ Association of South Africa, about his open letter condemning Black Economic Empowerment. Papenfus argues that BEE has distorted markets, damaged entrepreneurship, and entrenched elitism rather than broad-based upliftment. He challenges prevailing political narratives,…
20 Jan 5AM 37 min