President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to reassure South Africans — and the wider continent — of the country’s firm position within the G20, following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 G20 Summit set to take place in Miami, Florida.
Last week, in a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed the South African government refuses to acknowledge or address the horrific human rights abuses endured by Afrikaners and other descendants of Dutch, French, and German settlers.
Trump also cited South Africa’s refusal to hand over the G20 presidency to the US embassy official, Marc Dillard, during the closing ceremony on Sunday, 23 November, citing that it was against protocol.
Speaking on Sunday, Ramaphosa emphasised that South Africa’s role in the G20 is not dependent on the preferences of the host nation, nor on invitations from any individual member.
“South Africa is one of the founding members of the G20 and is a member of the G20 in its own name and right,” Ramaphosa reiterated.
Trump’s remarks, which implied South Africa would be excluded from next year’s gathering, raised questions about the state of relations between Pretoria and Washington. Tensions have simmered in recent months amid disagreements over global political alignments — including South Africa’s position on the Israel–Gaza conflict and its continued cooperation with fellow BRICS nations.
Ramaphosa’s response underscores an important reality: G20 membership is permanent and can only be altered by the collective will of the group, not by the host country of any particular summit.
South Africa remains the only African nation represented in the G20, serving as a conduit for African priorities within one of the world’s most influential economic blocs. Its membership stretches back to 1999, when the G20 was established to strengthen international financial stability and foster dialogue among advanced and emerging economies.
For the continent, South Africa’s continued presence in the G20 remains a critical link to global economic decision-making, particularly as African states push for greater representation and reform of global governance institutions.
