South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has responded to a Substack post by US Secretary Rubio, congratulating the United States on assuming the G20 Presidency. Minister Lamola expressed his country’s sincere wishes for a successful term, hoping it will serve the cause of global unity and inclusive progress.
In his response, Minister Lamola highlighted the significance of the G20 forum, emphasizing that no single member has the unilateral right to exclude any other member, including South Africa. He drew a contrast between the approaches of the two countries to G20 leadership, underscoring the importance of treating Africa and the Global South as equal partners and addressing systemic macroeconomic issues that impede their growth.
Minister Lamola reflected on South Africa’s presidency of the G20, which was built on the principle of multilateralism and the United Nations. He noted that the country’s liberation was won through the solidarity of a global community that recognized a shared stake in justice. The success of South Africa’s G20 presidency was attributed to the conducive environment created for the free flow of ideas, which led to a “people’s G20” with many delegations praising the country’s hospitality.
The minister also addressed critiques of South Africa’s domestic policies, stating that the country is governed by a ten-party Government of National Unity and that its policies of redress are not a political invention, but rather the fulfillment of a promise made to all South Africans as they emerged from the darkness of apartheid. He emphasized that the country’s Constitution enjoins the transformation of society for the better through the rule of law.
Minister Lamola disputed claims that the South African government has an appetite for racism and tolerance for violence against its Afrikaner citizens, stating that this could not be further from the truth. He highlighted progress made in the farming sector, where Afrikaner farmers continue to dominate and power the country’s food security, and noted that the sector has more than doubled in value terms since 1994.
The minister concluded by stating that South Africa does not seek approval for its path, but rather seeks respectful partnership and believes in a world where nations can disagree yet still find common ground for the sake of a child’s health, a community’s stability, and the planet’s future. He reinforced the country’s commitment to maintaining its overall relations with the United States and its openness to dialogue.
