Cape Town - While initial reactions were divided and humourous, it appears that after having seen the the video footage of the event, many people were eager to criticise Patrice Motsepe for his remarks to President Donald Trump at the WEF dinner.
Social media was in a stir on Thursday when the billionaire and African Rainbow Minerals founder and CEO was part of a select group of business leaders from across the world who were invited to dine with Trump in Davos, at the World Economic Forum.
After Motsepe spoke, Trump asked the CEOs in attendance at the dinner to introduce themselves.
In a clip from the dinner that was posted to social media, Motsepe said: "All I wanted to say is that Africa loves America. Africa loves you."
"Thank you very much. That's an honour. Thank you," replied Trump.
Motsepe added: "We want America to do well, we want you to do well. The success of America is the success of the rest of the world."
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/BabesMampintsha?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BabesMampintsha #ThursdayMotivation #etvScandal #Uyajola99 #djzinhle #Mampintsha #thursdaymorning #GRAMMYs #CoronavirusOutbreak @_AfricanSoil @AdvoBarryRoux pic.twitter.com/D0U7rpTjmm
— Ndisha Makhari (@ndisha)
The responses have since become more critical of Motsepe, from those questioning his authority to speak for Africa, while others saying that he is just playing the game of capitalism.
Basically Patrice Motsepe is just a glorified slay king. That video clearly shows him bending over and asking for money. The Oppenheimer's and Rupert's are no different. No one serves the interests of SA
— Tangeasy12 (@tangeasy12) January 24, 2020
Patrice Motsepe is smart but was star struck. He told Donald Trump what Donald Trump likes hearing. It was a perfect set up...very strategic or very naive 🤷🏾♂️
Anyway who cares we are a shithole country right...
Unapologetic capitalists like Dr Patrice Motsepe knows when to play a humility card like he did with US President Donald Trump. Capitalists are brutal in nature and it remains to be seen how far the humility will take Motsepe in the Trump World pic.twitter.com/sCmZxDGNOO
— MorioMoriano (@MorioMoriano) January 24, 2020
Interview: Tell us about yourself
— Nqaba (@CharlzyWalsy) January 24, 2020
Me after watching the Patrice Motsepe clip: I love your company. My family loves your company. My village loves your company. Even my ancestors love your company.
Patrice Motsepe save us all in Africa because Donald Trump will not attack Africa for now .
Thank you Patrice Motsepe for being a patriot . 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/QYcbHSqr7T
I learnt a lot from Patrice Motsepe in one 30 seconds. I’ve got the cheat code now. Let me go get my billions. Twitter can stay complaining alone! 🤣🤣
— Patricia’s Grandson 🌵 (@ScottyWang_) January 24, 2020
Lol did he jus say "Africa loves you?" pic.twitter.com/BJwarBOo31
— iVandal (@Blueskit_bobby) January 24, 2020
Having a lot of money is not a measure of intelligence
You can have much of it and still be a fool.
Cyril Ramaphosa and Patrice Motsepe are just visible examples of that!
He didn’t have to say any of that nonsense.
— As We Move Forward. (@moira__m_p) January 24, 2020
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/PatriceMotsepe?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PatriceMotsepe pic.twitter.com/nshfOtCKPj
— #Skibirip (@deejaynko)
Patrice Motsepe. Africa loves a racist? Narcissistic bigot? Is it about more money?
— Shabodien Roomanay (@Shanur) January 24, 2020
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/djzinhle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#djzinhle #Patrice pic.twitter.com/okmLd1FuA5
— IG: Unobhala the SG📝 (@azania_black)
To be honest it was irresponsible of our national breadwinner to utter such words. He should just said m hpy to be here . Thank u#PatriceMotsepe pic.twitter.com/cRQ8tQ1YOU
— Jay wa Borwa (@kgwedijay) January 24, 2020
Cape Argus