SA will remain an active, constructive G20 member: Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa will remain a full, active and constructive member of the G20 — dismissing what he calls the United States’ theatrics.

This comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to bar South Africa from the G20 summit when America takes over the presidency in 2026.

Trump has doubled down on false claims of white killings in South Africa — the same assertions behind his boycott of last week’s G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg. He has also announced that the US will halt all payments and subsidies to South Africa.

Ramaphosa has described Trump’s remarks as “regrettable”, saying the US opted to snub the summit of its own accord.

He stressed that South Africa holds its G20 seat “in its own name and right.”

“Its G20 membership is at the behest of all other members. South Africa is a sovereign constitutional democratic country and does not appreciate insults from another country about its membership and worth in participating in global platforms.”

“As one of the founding members of the G20, South Africa has always valued the spirit of consensus, collaboration and partnership that defines the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation.”

Labour federation, COSATU, has welcomed Ramaphosa’s firm stance.

COSATU’s Matthew Parks says the strong backing South Africa received from G20 members for its 2025 Presidency reinforces the importance of multilateralism and diplomacy.

He added that the Presidency must continue leading efforts to stabilise relations with the US.

#COSATU notes with deep disappointment the latest statement by the United States (US) on South Africa. We welcome our Presidency’s dignified response affirming South Africa’s sovereignty, hard-won constitutional democracy and respect for multilateralism. @sherwiebp @DIRCO_ZA pic.twitter.com/loNSP2XsSv

— @COSATU Today (@_cosatu) November 27, 2025

Meanwhile, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel says Trump’s decision to bar South Africa from the G20 could have been avoided.

“They actually went against any effort to find a solution while making strong anti-American statements and with irresponsible policies, such as their ties with Iran.”

“Afriforum has made proposals such as that the president should condemn the ethnic violence against farmers, like ‘Kill the Boer’, also that farm murders be declared a priority crime.”

This is an unfortunate development. It could and should have been averted in the interest of South Africa and its people. @afriforum and the Solidarity Movement’s efforts to find solutions suffered a major setback when @RonaldLamola , as the minister responsible for building… https://t.co/VV34pnND5Z

— Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) November 27, 2025