South Africa’s moment in the global spotlight as host of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg has been overshadowed by a diplomatic rift with the United States, as President Cyril Ramaphosa forcefully rejected what he described as “blatant misinformation” fueling Washington’s boycott of the historic gathering. In a nationally televised address delivered on November 30, 2025, Ramaphosa defended South Africa’s stewardship of the G20 Presidency, celebrated the country’s hospitality, and took aim at claims from the US—specifically President Donald Trump—that South Africa is perpetrating “genocide against Afrikaners” and confiscating land from white citizens.
The controversy erupted after the US declined to send a delegation to the G20 Leaders’ Summit held November 22-23, 2025, in Johannesburg—the first time the event has ever been hosted on African soil. Trump, back in the White House since early 2025, repeated widely discredited allegations that South Africa’s Black-majority government persecutes its white minority. According to Reuters, Trump announced that South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 G20 summit in Miami, citing a dispute over the handover of the G20 presidency and what he called the host country’s refusal to transfer leadership to a US representative at the closing ceremony. Pretoria, however, maintains it handed over the rotating presidency to a US embassy official, as established protocol dictates.
Ramaphosa did not mince words in his address, broadcast on SABC. “This is blatant misinformation about our country,” he declared, directly referencing the US claims. He further asserted, “As a country, we are aware that the stance taken by the US administration has been influenced by a sustained campaign of disinformation by groups and individuals within our country, in the US and elsewhere. These people who are spreading disinformation are endangering and undermining South Africa’s national interests, destroying South African jobs and weakening our country's relations with one of our most important partners.”
Despite the diplomatic chill at the highest level, Ramaphosa emphasized that the US and South Africa continue to enjoy robust ties in other arenas. According to BizCommunity, US businesses and civil society groups actively participated in G20-related events in Johannesburg, even as the official government delegation stayed away. Ramaphosa signaled Pretoria’s intent to keep the lines of dialogue open, stating, “We value those constructive ties and will continue to work within the G20 framework.” He added, “South Africa is and will remain a full, active and constructive member of the G20.”
The president’s remarks came at the conclusion of a year-long G20 Presidency that he described as both a privilege and a responsibility. “We must be the People’s G20,” Ramaphosa reminded the nation, echoing his inaugural pledge that the summit “cannot belong just to the leaders, but to the millions of people who have a stake in the discussions and decisions of the G20.” This year’s summit, he noted, was especially significant as it marked the first time the G20 convened on African soil, giving South Africa the opportunity to represent the continent’s 1.4 billion people.
International delegates were quick to praise South Africa’s warmth and efficiency as hosts. According to Ramaphosa, a Japanese delegate remarked, “Your security guards smile while being vigilant. Your drivers share stories while navigating… Everyone – from the protocol officers to the coffee vendors – treats us like welcomed family, not foreign dignitaries.” A French representative added, “We came to discuss economic frameworks. But what we’ll remember is how your people made us feel. That’s not soft power – that’s real power.” Such sentiments were echoed online by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who thanked the South African people and government for their hospitality, and by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, who praised the “incredible hospitality.” Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz commended South Africa for its “ambitious presidency in these turbulent times.”
Beyond the diplomatic drama, Ramaphosa highlighted tangible progress achieved during South Africa’s G20 term. He pointed to agreements on debt relief mechanisms, increased climate funding, and beneficiation of critical minerals as evidence that “the spirit of multilateral cooperation is alive and strong.” The summit also saw the commissioning of the G20 Extraordinary Committee on Global Inequality, which produced the group’s first report on the subject. Countries agreed to explore the creation of an International Panel on Inequality, modeled after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
“Africa’s growth and development was placed at the heart of the G20’s agenda,” Ramaphosa said, emphasizing that the continent’s challenges—ranging from global conflicts and climate change to economic instability—were given priority. He cited improvements at home, noting that unemployment had fallen and public finances were on the mend. Quoting South African businessman Adi Enthoven, Ramaphosa said, “After a decade of decline, South Africa has turned the corner.”
One of the most significant domestic policy announcements in Ramaphosa’s address was the declaration of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster. He argued that this move would strengthen efforts to combat the crisis, which has long plagued South African society. “GBVF were recently classified as a ‘national disaster,’” he said, “which will strengthen efforts to tackle the crisis.”
Yet, the diplomatic standoff with the US loomed over these achievements. Ramaphosa repeatedly condemned the US administration’s claims of genocide and land confiscation as “baseless and false allegations.” He warned that such rhetoric, spread by both domestic and foreign actors, risks undermining South Africa’s national interests and international reputation. “Those spreading such claims are endangering and undermining South Africa’s national interests,” he cautioned, adding that the country “offers the US nothing but goodwill and friendship.”
Despite Trump’s assertion that South Africa would not be invited to next year’s G20 summit in Miami, Ramaphosa made clear that Pretoria intends to remain engaged. “We are willing to continue to engage in dialogue with the United States government, and to do so with respect and with dignity as equal sovereign countries,” he said, signaling both resilience and a desire for reconciliation.
As the dust settles from a tumultuous summit, South Africa stands at a crossroads—celebrated for its leadership and hospitality, yet challenged by persistent misinformation and diplomatic headwinds. The coming year will test the country’s ability to navigate these complexities while advancing both domestic priorities and its role on the world stage.