South Africa has hit back strongly at the United States after Washington confirmed that Pretoria will be excluded from all G20 activities during America’s presidency of the forum. The move comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions over U.S. accusations that South Africa is discriminating against its white minority — claims Pretoria has dismissed as politically motivated and factually false.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that South Africa would not be invited to participate in G20 meetings over the next year, citing what he described as the country’s “racism” against white citizens. Rubio’s remarks echoed broader narratives pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly accused South Africa of “white genocide” and land seizures — allegations long discredited by human rights groups, academics, and the South African government.
Responding to the U.S. decision, South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola issued one of the government’s strongest rebukes to date. In an open letter addressed to Rubio, Lamola declared that Pretoria “will not bow” to U.S. pressure or abandon its race-related reform policies.
“Secretary Rubio, the world is watching. It is growing weary of double standards,” Lamola wrote. “We do not seek your approval for our path.”
Despite the firm tone, Lamola noted that South Africa remained open to constructive dialogue, even as tensions between Washington and Pretoria reach their lowest point in years.
Strained Ties Amid Racism Allegations
Relations between South Africa and the United States have deteriorated sharply in recent months, fuelled by Trump’s repeated claims that white South Africans are being targeted in state-sponsored campaigns of violence and dispossession. These assertions, widely circulated on right-wing media platforms in the U.S., have been rejected by South African officials, legal experts, and independent investigators.
White South Africans make up roughly 7% of the population, yet nearly three decades after the end of apartheid, they continue to own a dominant share of land, capital, and economic assets. The South African government argues that policies aimed at correcting this imbalance — including preferential hiring, economic empowerment programmes, and land reform — are essential for building a fair and stable society.
“Our policies of redress are not a political invention,” Lamola wrote in his letter. “They are the fulfilment of a promise made to all South Africans as we emerged from the darkness of apartheid.”
South Africa’s land expropriation bill, which allows the state to acquire land in specific cases of public interest, has been a particular target of U.S. criticism. President Trump has repeatedly claimed that white-owned farms are being seized, despite the fact that the law has not yet resulted in the forced expropriation of any white-owned land.
Pretoria Responds to G20 Exclusion
In a separate response, Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa, said South Africa would effectively withdraw itself from G20 engagements during the U.S. presidency.
“About this time next year, the UK will be taking over the G20 presidency. We will be able to engage meaningfully and substantively over what really matters to the rest of the world,” Magwenya wrote on social media.
“For now, we will take a commercial break until we resume normal programming.”
His comments signalled a willingness by South Africa to wait out the U.S. presidency of the forum rather than challenge or appeal the exclusion — a rare diplomatic stance that highlights Pretoria’s growing frustration.
Growing Concerns Over U.S. ‘Double Standards’
Lamola’s letter also pointed to what he called a pattern of inconsistency in U.S. foreign policy, arguing that Washington routinely overlooks human rights abuses committed by its allies while criticising developing nations that pursue social justice reforms.
“South Africa is not alone in noting the contradictions,” he said. “The international community is increasingly aware of the selective application of principles.”
Political analysts say the U.S. decision to exclude South Africa is likely to deepen diplomatic rifts and may push Pretoria closer to alternative global partnerships such as BRICS, where it already enjoys strong ties with China, Russia, India, and Brazil.
For now, South Africa maintains that its commitment to correcting apartheid-era inequalities will not be influenced by external political pressure.
Lamola concluded his letter with a pointed message: “Our duty is to our people, and to the unfinished work of building a just and equal South Africa.”
