South Africa will not push G20 boycott after US snub, says Magwenya

Simon Nare

The South African government will not lobby other G20 countries to boycott US-hosted activities, including the Leaders’ Summit, but will instead persuade fellow members to ensure that priorities raised and adopted during its presidency are carried forward.

The stance follows President Donald Trump’s decision to block South Africa’s participation in the 2026 G20, which the US will host, amid a fresh flare-up in tensions between the two nations. Trump has accused Pretoria of pursuing “anti-American” policies and aligning with anti-American international allies.

Presidency spokesman Vincent Magwenya told reporters in Tshwane on Monday that South Africa would channel its energies into ensuring that issues such as inequality, poverty alleviation and climate change continue to find expression in future G20 meetings.

He said these priorities were not only critical to South Africa and the African continent, but to the global community, and could not be confined to one G20 cycle.