When South African political reporter Tshidi Madia faced off against an American journalist questioning her country’s situation, she didn’t hold back.
The interview quickly caught attention for her confident and well-informed responses, especially around the controversial topics of “white genocide” and claims made by former US President Donald Trump about persecuted white farmers in South Africa.
Context: Ramaphosa Meets Trump Amid Global Attention
This eye-catching interview happened just a day after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s high-profile meeting with Donald Trump at the White House.
That meeting sparked global headlines, largely because of Trump’s repeated claims about “white genocide” and violence against white farmers — topics that remain highly sensitive and widely debated both in South Africa and internationally.
Challenging Misinformation Head-On
During the interview on the US news platform News Nation, which bills itself as “unbiased,” presenter Leland Vittert grilled Tshidi Madia about the situation back home.
He brought up Trump’s dramatic presentation at the White House, which included imagery and information about “targeted killings” of white farmers.
Tshidi fired back, calling the claims “misinformation” and a “gimmick,” even pointing out that Elon Musk, born in Pretoria, seemed to support this narrative.
She explained that crime in South Africa affects everyone — it is not a case of one group being specifically targeted.
“The real question is: is there ethnic cleansing? Are white people being targeted? That’s simply not true,” she said firmly.
“Crime impacts all South Africans, not just one race.”
Addressing Hard Questions About Race and Violence
Vittert pressed further, asking if white people were being disproportionately targeted, if farmers were abandoning their land, and about the controversial song “Kill The Boer” sung by politician Julius Malema.
Tshidi clarified that none of the 49 Afrikaner “refugees” who recently arrived in the US were actually farmers.
She also provided important historical context for the song, explaining its roots in the Apartheid struggle, not as a call for modern-day violence.
Defending South Africa’s Transformative Laws
Another hot topic was Elon Musk’s claim that South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws prevented his company Starlink from operating in the country.
Tshidi challenged this view head-on.
“Are we really expected to undermine our laws aimed at correcting historical injustices?” she asked rhetorically.
“Should we accept a South Africa where the majority remain landless and economically sidelined? South Africa is one of the most unequal countries in the world, and we need to do something about that.”
Social Media Applauds Tshidi’s Poise and Passion
Tshidi Madia’s interview quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), sparking praise from journalists and viewers alike.
Fellow South African reporter Redi Tlhabi praised her delivery, saying she “outplayed the anchor on his home-ground.”
Others chimed in with comments like, “Give her her flowers,” and “Tshidi Madia mopped the floor with his face,” showing admiration for her sharp and clear rebuttals.
No Hard Feelings From the US Interviewer
Interestingly, Leland Vittert himself responded to the buzz on social media, joking that he had “never been so eloquently insulted,” showing that the exchange, while tense, remained professional.