Ramaphosa praises Bafana and snubs UFC champ
Is President Cyril Ramaphosa giving UFC champ Dricus du Plessis the cold shoulder after the UFC champ called him ‘greedy’?
South Africans are convinced that President Cyril Ramaphosa is giving Dricus du Plessis the cold shoulder after the latter accused him of being corrupt and greedy.
This after Ramaphosa congratulated Bafana Bafana for advancing to the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) quarter-finals this weekend.
Unlike the soccer team, SA’s first UFC champion did not receive any social media pleasantries from the president
RAMAPHOSA QUESTIONED AFTER DRICUS ‘SNUB’
Just hours after Bafana Bafana’s victory against Morocco on Tuesday, 30 January, President Cyril Ramaphosa joined South Africans in congratulating the squad.
He tweeted from his official X account: “Well done to Hugo Broos and Bafana Bafana on advancing to the #AFCON2023 quarterfinals with your victory over the continent’s leading side, Morocco”.
He added: “No pressure – but we know you have it in you to make us proud again.”
Well done to Hugo Broos and @BafanaBafana on advancing to the #AFCON2023 quarterfinals with your victory over the continent’s leading side, Morocco.
No pressure – but we know you have it in you to make us proud again. pic.twitter.com/p7OznJwoqn
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) January 31, 2024
In recent days, the president has also congratulated the Matric class of 2023 and Trevor Noah for winning an Emmy in the Outstanding Talk Series category. He’s even praised a SA delegation who challenged Israel at the International Court of Justice.
WHAT ABOUT DRICUS?
Following his tweet, a few X users called out the president for seemingly ignoring Dricus du Plessis’s historic victory.
@Bici93660910: “What about Dricus winning the undisputed UFC belt?”
@isabelt2603: “Not a single word to congratulate Dricus”
@Angela221510541: “He criticised the government, and they didn’t like it”
Not a single word to congratulate Dricus.. https://t.co/omLUw5HDad
— Isa 🛎 .. I’m Observing 👀⭐️🌻🐠 (@isabelt2603) January 31, 2024
Dricus du Plessis’s scathing comments about the SA government and president were shared in an interview ahead of his UFC title fight.
Speaking to US interviewer Nina Drama, he said of his country: “It’s the worst government in the world by a long shot. We are truly and exceptionally s**t…it’s the most corrupt in the world”.
He continued: “Our country is beautiful, the people are amazing…..There are a lot of great people doing great work. But I have to say, the government is terrible. Do I admit the tenacity in which they screw up? It’s astonishing”.
Of president Cyril Ramaphosa, he added: “He takes all the money.”
Chest pains incoming… 😜👀
Share if you agree with Dricus.
— Iwan Swiegers (@iswiegers) January 22, 2024
UFC CHAMP STANDS BY ‘WORST GOVERNMENT, PRESIDENT’ COMMENTS
Meanwhile, Dricus du Plessis has doubled down on his outspoken statements following his return to SA last week.
Speaking in a press conference at OR Tambo, the 30-year-old was questioned over his recent comments criticising the SA government and president.
However, he claimed he had no regrets about what was said.
Dricus told the media: “I stand by what I said. I’m not a politician, and that’s why I haven’t gone in a political direction. I’m a sports person. There are few people who will argue with me or who can argue with me if you go on facts”.
Dricus added that SA citizens were united in their spirit of overcoming setbacks.
He continued: “We, as South Africans, don’t let negative things get us down, and that’s why we do this well. They can try as hard as they want with negative things. They can try as hard as they like to get under our skin, but they won’t get it right.”
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis stands by his earlier statements that have caused controversy. pic.twitter.com/4gzuA7rPlT
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) January 25, 2024
