Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa says he has noted the “regrettable statement” by President Donald Trump on South Africa’s participation in the 2026 G20 meetings.
Trump announced that South Africa will not be invited to the 2026 G20 Summit in Miami, accusing the country of mishandling its presidency of the forum and repeating controversial claims about “white genocide.”
The 79-year-old US President opted not to participate in the just-ended G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“At the conclusion of the G20, South Africa refused to hand off the G20 Presidency to a senior representative from our US Embassy, who attended the closing ceremony,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida, next year.”
Responding to the comments late on Wednesday, 27 November 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said: ”South Africa is a sovereign constitutional democratic country and does not appreciate insults from another country about its worth in participating in global platforms.
“South Africa will never insult another country or its standing in the community of nations.”
Magwenya said the G20 South Africa 2025 Leaders Summit was hailed by all members who attended as one of the most successful summits.
“It is regrettable that despite the efforts and numerous attempts by President Ramaphosa and his administration to reset the diplomatic relationship with the US, President Trump continues to apply punitive measures against South Africa based on misinformation and distortions about our country.”
The G20 Leaders Summit in South Africa was hailed by all members who attended as one of the most successful summits.
The summit produced a declaration that affirmed the indisputable strength and value of multilateralism in response to the most pressing challenges facing the world.
“As the United States was not present at the summit, instruments of the G20 Presidency were duly handed over to a US Embassy official at the Headquarters of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation,” explained Magwenya.
“As a founding member, South Africa has always valued the spirit of consensus, collaboration, and partnership that defines the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation.”
Magwenya said in keeping with this approach, the United States was expected to participate in all meetings of the G20 during South Africa’s Presidency and elected not to attend the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg out of its own volition.
“South Africa is a member of the G20 in its own name and right,” Magweya stated.
“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 worth in participating in global platforms.
“South Africa will never insult another country or its standing in the community of nations.”
He pointed out that US entities, such as businesses and civil society organisations, participated in large numbers in G20-related activities such as the B20 and the G20 Social. South Africa values their participation.
South Africa will continue to participate as a full, active, and constructive member of the G20.
“We call on members of the G20 to reaffirm its continued operation in the spirit of multilateralism, based on consensus, with all members participating on an equal footing in all of its structures,” Magwenya said.
