AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo launched a sharp criticism of the ANC government’s foreign policy on Friday, following his controversial visit to Israel.
The king, part of a delegation hosted by Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar, reaffirmed his support for Israel and questioned the government’s decision to take the country to the International Court of Justice. He stated that traditional leaders should have been consulted before such a major foreign policy move.
“If the ANC has a policy, then it can f* off with its policy,” Dalindyebo told media upon his return. He accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of acting without proper consultation, saying, “The state is not Ramaphosa’s spaza. The state represents us.”
Dalindyebo defended his trip by saying Israel had assisted him “at a time of need,” and claimed he received respect from Israeli authorities that he does not get at home. When asked if he would visit Palestine to hear their perspective, he refused, calling Hamas “a club of criminals.”
He also directed strong language at the media, accusing journalists of bias and being “prostitutes of the ANC.”
His spokesperson, Princess Ntando Dalindyebo, said the delegation’s views were shaped by meeting survivors of the October 7 attacks and visiting attack sites, which gave them a deeper understanding of the impact.