Pretoria – South Africa has responded to moves by the United States to impose visa restrictions on its citizens accused of enacting or enabling policies that promote race-based discrimination, incite violence, or enable land confiscation without compensation.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, said he has “noted with concern the unilateral visa restrictions” announced by his counterpart, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“The announcement once again aligns with the mischaracterisation of South Africa’s domestic policies by fringe groups who wrongly portray themselves as representatives of ‘minorities’ and Afrikaners in general,” Minister Lamola said.
“We reiterate that healing the divisions of the past and establishing a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights is a constitutional imperative.
“South Africa remains committed to addressing the injustices of the past and contemporary challenges as a sovereign people.
“It is our sovereign right to put in place laws that address the nation’s concern over centuries of racial injustice.”.
Minister Lamola explained that South African Legislation in the democratic era was intended to improve the plight of the people “excluded for centuries”.
This is consistent with other countries that have a similar experience to South Africa.
“Furthermore, South Africa, as part of its commitments to the international convention on the eradication of racial discrimination and the protection of the dignity of all people, has enacted the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act 16 of 2023,” Minister Lamola said.
“This legislation sets a stringent legal framework for the eradication of hate speech and the prosecution of hate crimes.
“This law is binding on both the State and non-state actors.”
Minister Lamola said South Africa respects that the United States may hold different views regarding particular measures and their implementation.
“However, we remain committed to addressing these challenges through our constitutional institutions, democratic processes and the rule of law, with the objective of building a more equal and inclusive society for all South Africans,” Minister Lamola said.
“The people of South Africa respect the right of American people to develop laws to address their conditions.
“It is our expectation that people of South Africa must be afforded the same respect as sovereignty demands.”
Minister Lamola said the South African government remains seized with the challenges of crime in South Africa, which affects everyone and does not target anyone based on their race, colour, or social origin.
“Therefore, the ongoing South Africa – United States bilateral discussions on these matters demonstrate the importance that both countries attach to finding a lasting solution,” Minister Lamola said.
“The discussions have highlighted the need for any resolution to consider South Africa’s unique circumstances and to respect its democracy, constitution, sovereignty, and the will of its people.
“We maintain that challenges in our bilateral relations with the United States can only be resolved by constructive engagement through state actors on both sides of the diplomatic channel, not unilateral acts.”
