Naledi Pandor believes Pretoria must intensify efforts, reach out to US and explain factual policy positions

Former minister of international relations and cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor has expressed disappointment over the onslaught targeted at South Africa, with the latest being US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing that he would skip the G20 meeting in Joburg later this month.

IOL reported on Thursday that Rubio has lambasted Pretoria on social media platform X, accusing Pretoria of "doing very bad things".

South Africa, which occupies the G20 presidency, is set to host the G20 summit in Johannesburg on February 20-21.

Reacting to the political developments in the South Africa-United States bilateral relations, Pandor said Pretoria should heighten its engagement with Washington, to communicate its correct policy positions through intensified diplomatic efforts.

“I hope that our minister of international relations is speaking to Secretary Rubio, broadly the State Department, senior officials through the director general of our department in South Africa, really to engage and to inform," Pandor told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.

“I believe there is a lot of wrong perception about our country. We have been and are a good partner to the United States of America and we need to provide information as to the factual position on all the matters that have been raised thus far – many of which I think have really been misconstrued.

Pandor, who earned her acclaim as a distinguished diplomat for Pretoria, recommended that “a great deal of diplomatic effort” should be directed at mending the fence with the United States.

She said South Africa has loyal friends in influential position in Washington, and they need to be rallied to convey South Africa’s true position on the transformation topics which are at the heart of the debacle.

Pandor said with a formidable economy on the African continent, South Africa should not be surprised at the scrutiny attracted by its policy decisions. 

“We are a very important country on the African continent, we have the largest economy, we are a country that has always attracted international commentary and interest. We shouldn’t be surprised at the interest in our country,” she told Newzroom Afrika.

Rubio wrote on social media platform X: “I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property".

He added: “Using G20 to promote ‘solidarity, equality, & sustainability.’ In other words: DEI and climate change. My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism".

DEI which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion has been heavily criticised by United States President Donald Trump.

On Thursday, Dr Gideon Chitanga, a renowned political analyst and international relations expert told IOL that the United States has adopted an adversarial stance towards South Africa.

Rubio's announcement came two days after US President Donald Trump lashed out at South Africa over land reforms aimed at redressing land inequalities perpetrated during the apartheid era.

Chitanga highlighted that for some years, Washington has been following with disapproval, South Africa’s growing closeness to the People’s Republic of China and other countries in the BRICS forum.

Also, Chitanga pointed out that South Africa had disappointed Washington with its non-aligned stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The United States has sided with Ukraine and made huge financial injections.

“Additionally, I think this is where I think the real issue is, the position that South Africa took over the Israeli war in Gaza, particularly going to the ICC (International Criminal Court).

“There is a very significant lobby of the current Israel government, and I would like to differentiate the Israeli government under Netanyahu from the people of Israel. The Israeli government is very close politically and ideologically to the Trump government.  I think the sense of really desiring to punish South Africa is mostly driven by a vindictive, punitive policy to punish South Africa for its posture," Chitanga told IOL.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL