South Africa has found itself at the center of global attention as it prepares to host the Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on November 22 and 23, 2025. In a move that underscores the delicate balancing act of international diplomacy, South Africa’s Department of Defence announced on September 4, 2025, that it has formally requested China to postpone joint naval exercises involving China and Russia—an event originally scheduled to coincide with the high-profile summit.
The naval drills, known as Mosi III, are biennial exercises among BRICS partners and were slated to take place in South African waters with China as the lead nation this year. According to AP News, the Department of Defence stated that the request was made to ensure the exercises "do not impact on the logistical, security and other arrangements associated with South Africa’s G20 Presidency." The department emphasized that it is seeking a mutually suitable date for the rescheduling in consultation with both the Presidency and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
South Africa’s decision to seek a postponement comes amid a whirlwind of diplomatic preparations. The G20 summit, which brings together leaders from 19 countries and the European Union, is the first of its kind to be hosted on African soil. President Cyril Ramaphosa has championed the theme of "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability," positioning the summit as a unique opportunity to shape global discussions on climate change, trade inequalities, and sustainable development. The event is expected to draw over 40 heads of state and thousands of delegates, requiring extensive security and logistical arrangements, including deployments from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
The biennial naval exercises themselves are nothing new. South Africa has a long tradition of participating in joint military drills with a diverse array of countries, reflecting its commitment to fostering strong multilateral and bilateral relations while maintaining a non-aligned foreign policy. As Central News reported, "As it has in the past, South Africa continues to hold joint military exercises with a broad range of countries. In the last few years, the SANDF has conducted joint and multinational military exercises with countries such as Brazil, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States." Notable examples include the Ubuntu exercise with the US in 2024 and joint naval drills with France under Operation Oxide.
The Mosi series of exercises are designed to enhance naval cooperation among BRICS partners through tactical maneuvers, search and rescue operations, anti-piracy simulations, and interoperability training. Mosi I took place off the coast of Cape Town in 2019, hosted by South Africa, while Mosi II was held in Richards Bay in 2023 with Russia as host. However, these collaborations have not been without controversy. The 2023 Mosi II exercise, which coincided with the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, sparked both domestic protests and international criticism. Opposition parties accused the government of compromising South Africa’s neutrality, and similar concerns have been raised about the 2025 plans, especially given the high-profile nature of the G20 summit.
Adding further complexity is the uncertain attendance of U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has been invited to the summit, but his participation remains unclear following a series of pointed criticisms directed at South Africa’s government. After a tense meeting with President Ramaphosa at the White House in May 2025, Ramaphosa confirmed Trump’s invitation. However, in July, Trump told reporters, "I think maybe I’ll send somebody else because I’ve had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies." Trump has accused South Africa’s Black-led government of adopting anti-white policies at home and an anti-American foreign policy stance, allegations that South Africa has firmly denied. As Devdiscourse notes, the government has reiterated its commitment to a non-aligned stance and rejected any characterization of its policies as anti-white or anti-American.
The diplomatic stakes are further raised by the expected attendance of China’s President Xi Jinping, who will join leaders from France, Germany, the UK, and other major economies in Johannesburg. Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, is unlikely to attend due to an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest related to the war in Ukraine—a legal obligation that South Africa, as a signatory to the court’s statutes, would be expected to uphold. The absence of Putin is notable, especially given the recent display of military might in Beijing, where China marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a grand parade attended by both Xi and Putin.
South Africa’s history of multinational military engagement is extensive. Beyond BRICS, the country has participated in peacekeeping simulations with Brazil and Germany and has engaged in humanitarian and disaster relief exercises with the United States. These activities, the Department of Defence maintains, are standard practice and do not signify alignment with any particular geopolitical bloc. Nevertheless, the timing of the Mosi III exercise—originally set to overlap with the G20 summit—raised concerns about resource strain and the potential for diplomatic complications, prompting the current efforts to reschedule.
While there has been no official confirmation from China regarding agreement to the postponement, South Africa’s move is widely seen as an attempt to prevent any disruptions to the summit’s extensive preparations. The logistical challenges of hosting such a large international event are immense, involving not only security and traffic management but also the coordination of diplomatic logistics for a diverse array of world leaders. The potential overlap with major naval exercises risked stretching South Africa’s resources thin at a critical moment.
The G20 summit itself is expected to deliver significant economic benefits for South Africa. Beyond the immediate boost from tourism and investments, the event provides a platform for business forums and cultural showcases that highlight the country’s diversity and potential. For President Ramaphosa and his administration, the summit is an opportunity to elevate Africa’s voice in multilateral forums and to demonstrate South Africa’s capacity to host major global events.
Yet, the underlying tensions with Western nations, especially the United States, remain a persistent backdrop. South Africa’s previous naval exercises with China and Russia in early 2023 already strained relations with Western partners. The postponement of Mosi III is, in part, an effort to avoid further controversy and to ensure that the focus remains on the summit’s goals of solidarity, equality, and sustainability.
As South Africa prepares to hand over the rotating G20 presidency to the United States at the end of 2025, its diplomatic choices in the coming months will be closely watched. The country’s efforts to balance its international partnerships, uphold its non-aligned stance, and successfully host a landmark global summit will serve as a testament to its evolving role on the world stage.
With the eyes of the world on Johannesburg this November, South Africa is determined to ensure that nothing—including naval exercises—detracts from its moment in the global spotlight.
