South Africa has pushed back firmly against recent criticism from the United States, making it clear the country will not bow to Washington’s demands.
The spat comes after the US took over the rotating presidency of the G20, following its boycott of the last summit hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested earlier this week that South Africa would be excluded from G20 activities next year, accusing the ANC-led government of pursuing a ‘politics of grievance’ and promoting ‘spite, division, and radical agendas’ unrelated to economic growth. Rubio added that America would only welcome South Africa back once it had made ‘the tough decisions needed to fix its broken system.’
In response, Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola refused to bow to pressure on race-related policies, including Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). In a pointed open letter to Rubio, Lamola wrote: ‘We do not seek your approval for our path. Secretary Rubio, the world is watching. It is growing weary of double standards.’ He emphasised that South Africa’s policies are aimed at fulfilling the promise of equality made after the end of apartheid, countering claims by the US and former President Trump about alleged ‘white genocide.’
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The recent tensions also follow a June 2025 meeting in Washington, DC, where a delegation of Afrikaner leaders, including FF+ leader Corne Mulder and Southern African Agri Initiative chairman Theo de Jager, met senior White House officials to discuss bilateral relations. The US reportedly demanded that South Africa halt all BEE policies and exempt US entities from such rules, as per Business Tech.
Despite the rising rhetoric, Lamola stressed that South Africa remains open to dialogue, and the government has confirmed it will temporarily step back from G20 engagements while the US is in charge. ‘About this time next year, the UK will be taking over the G20 presidency. We will be able to engage meaningfully and substantively over what really matters to the rest of the world,’ said Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
As the diplomatic row continues, South Africa has made it clear that it will not compromise its domestic policies to appease external powers, highlighting ongoing efforts to address racial inequality and redistribute land and wealth fairly, decades after the end of apartheid.
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Picture: Jaco Marais / Gallo Images
