By Thapelo Molefe
President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed the United States’ accusations against South Africa as “baseless and false,” warning that a deliberate campaign of disinformation is threatening the country’s national interests.
Diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington escalated sharply following the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
In his address to the nation on Sunday night, Ramaphosa directly rebutted US President Donald Trump’s claims that South Africa is committing “genocide against Afrikaners” and seizing land from white citizens, calling the allegations “blatant misinformation.”
“It is regrettable that the United States… chose not to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit,” Ramaphosa said.
“It is even more unfortunate that the reasons the US gave for its non-participation were based on baseless and false allegations that South Africa is perpetrating genocide against Afrikaners and the confiscation of land from white people.”
He made it clear that South Africa is a constitutional democracy with an independent judiciary and a Bill of Rights that guarantees equality under the law.
“South African problems must be solved by South Africans themselves,” Ramaphosa said.
“We are a country that has a tradition of dialogue, that has an enduring ability to come together to confront the challenges we face.”
The remarks follow Trump’s announcement that South Africa would “not be invited” to the 2026 G20 summit in Miami, despite Pretoria being a founding member of the group.
“We must make it clear 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,” Ramaphosa said.
“We will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20.”
Trump also criticised the ceremonial handover of the G20 presidency, which took place at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation after the US did not send a senior official to Johannesburg.
Ramaphosa said these actions were part of a “sustained campaign of disinformation” affecting South Africa’s jobs, economy, and global relations.
He urged those spreading misinformation to bring their concerns to the National Dialogue, stressing that no one outside the country has the right to redefine South Africa or sow division.
“We offer the people of the United States nothing but goodwill and friendship,” Ramaphosa said, recalling the historic solidarity of the American people during South Africa’s struggle for democracy and freedom.
“We value the United States government and its people as a partner. We have common interests, common values and a shared wish to advance the prosperity and well-being of the people of both our countries.”
The dispute comes despite widespread praise for South Africa’s G20 Presidency. Leaders including India’s Narendra Modi, the UK’s Keir Starmer, and France’s Emmanuel Macron hailed the Johannesburg summit, the first held on African soil, as highly successful.
Ramaphosa highlighted that all G20 members attended year-long meetings except the US, and that the summit achieved agreements on debt relief, climate funding, beneficiation of critical minerals, and the establishment of an International Panel on Inequality.
He closed by calling for national unity and resilience in the face of external pressure.
“We know who we are. We are South Africans. We live together, work together, learn together, laugh together, play together, pray together, mourn together, celebrate together and face our challenges together. In the best and worst of times, we have stood together,” he said.
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