By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday night, reflecting on the country’s hosting of the successful G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
Ramaphosa said the country was pleased that many organisations, businesses and individuals from the US participated in large numbers in G20-related activities, such as the Business 20 Summit and the G20 Social Summit.
He said their constructive and enthusiastic participation was valued.
Ramaphosa added that South Africa is one of the founding members of the G20 and South Africa is therefore a member of the G20 in its own name and right, adding that the country will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20.
Ramaphosa steered the G20 this year amid rising geopolitical tensions and heightened protectionism brought on by US president Donald Trump.
The US openly opposed South Africa’s presidency of the grouping and boycotted the leaders’ summit in Johannesburg last week, adding to the US leader’s false accusations that Pretoria is conducting a genocide against white Afrikaners and expropriating land.
Ramaphosa said while it is regrettable that the US declined to participate in the leaders’ summit because of unfounded claims, “South Africa remains a firm and an unwavering friend of the American people”.
Trump has announced he will block South Africa from attending next year’s G20 summit, as relations between the two nations continue to sour.
Ramaphosa called on “those who are spreading misinformation” about the country to bring their concerns and their solutions to the national dialogue.
“We must never allow others to try to redefine our country and cause divisions amongst us, or dictate who we are as a nation,” he said.
“We know who we are. South African problems must be solved by South Africans themselves.”
Ramaphosa noted that the next item on government’s agenda was the next phase of the National Dialogue, and urged all South Africans to have their say, especially those who felt aggrieved.
The US is South Africa’s second-largest single-country trading partner after China. In 2024, total goods and services trade between the two countries reached an estimated $26.2bn, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative.
The Group of 20 comprises 19 leading economies plus the European Union – and, now, the African Union. Countries within the group meet throughout the year, but an annual summit is also held, hosted by the country holding the presidency of the group.