Cyril Ramaphosa's pivotal role at the 80th UN General Assembly: A test of leadership

A United Nations (UN) representative in South Africa has decried President Cyril Ramaphosa’s participation in the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting, which is important in representing the voice of the Global South.

Ramaphosa is among the world leaders attending the UNGA meeting in New York, which will take place from Tuesday to September 29. 

UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa, Nelson Muffuh, said it was time for South Africa, under Ramaphosa’s leadership, to demonstrate its global leadership.

“As a leading voice in the Global South and the current G20 president, the country is uniquely positioned to advocate for a more inclusive, equitable, and responsive multilateral system. 

“It brings to the table not only a historical commitment to justice and reconciliation but also a lived experience of navigating complex development challenges in a middle-income context,” said  Muffuh.

The Global South is made up of countries in Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia.

He said the world still needs a transition to democracy, as well as efforts to tackle inequality, climate change, and youth unemployment. 

“We need reform, we need results, and we need relevance in an increasingly green and digitised world. 

“As emphasised during the recent Unstoppable Africa multi-stakeholder dialogue we organised in Pretoria, Africa must step up as it cannot merely be a beneficiary of multilateral cooperation — to ensure its continued rise rather than stagnation, it must be a co-creator of the present and future of global governance and cooperation,” said Muffuh.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said South Africa would use the platform to reinforce its commitment to global human rights, sustainable development, and peaceful conflict resolution.

“With South Africa special emphasis on the conflict in the Eastern DRC, the two Sudans, and Palestine, with Russia and Ukraine as another area of focus,” she told the media. 

She said Ramaphosa would hold bilateral meetings with several of his counterparts and captains of major international industries. 

Ntshavheni said ministers Parks Tau of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), and International Relations and Cooperation’s Ronald Lamola were already in the US to discuss the South Africa/US trade deal. 

Ramaphosa’s travel to the US comes five months after meeting President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington in May to discuss trade deals.

Following that meeting, Trump continued to accuse South Africa of violating human rights, and he also imposed 30% on the country’s exports to America. 

Trump also said he would not visit South Africa, where Ramaphosa would hand over the G20 presidency to him. 

International relations expert Professor Siphamandla Zondi does not anticipate Ramaphosa meeting Trump during the UNGA meeting.

“I do not think the intention is to meet Trump, but as announced, it is to attend UN meetings,” Zondi said.

He said Ramaphosa’s participation in the UNGA was crucial for building trade and investment relations, “as it helps shape a favourable international environment for the country to grow”.

Zondi said it was important for South Africa to resolve its trade relations with the US to protect jobs and business for both countries. 

“South Africa does need to seek a deal with the US, like other countries, to minimise the tariff levels and cushion its trade and economy. The president has a duty to build as many trade relations as possible so that we do not depend too much on one or two countries,” Zondi said.

Brand South Africa said in a statement that DTIC, in partnership with the South African Consulate in New York, will host a targeted investor roundtable. 

“This exclusive forum will bring together South African public and private sector leaders with high-level US investors. It will focus on high-growth sectors such as infrastructure, digital innovation, energy, and agriculture. 

“The president’s participation highlights the country’s commitment to advancing strategic investments and showcasing the tangible returns available within the South African economy,” read the statement.

bongani.hans@inl.co.za