Lamola to Washington: Congrats on the G20 crown, try not to trip over the facts
SA fires back at US ‘sabotage’ claims, calling them ignorant, inaccurate and diplomatically reckless.
Image: G20 South Africa/ X
Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) Ronald Lamola has issued a sharply worded response to criticism from the United States over South Africa’s G20 Presidency, insisting that Washington has mischaracterised the country’s role and misunderstood the purpose of the forum.
Lamola delivered the remarks following comments by US officials suggesting South Africa had undermined consensus during its tenure as G20 host, an assertion he rejected as both factually incorrect and contrary to the ethos of multilateral cooperation.
In his opening remarks, Lamola offered formal congratulations to the United States for assuming the G20 Presidency, but his address quickly pivoted to a direct challenge of the criticisms levelled at Pretoria.
“From the outset, let me extend congratulations to the United States on assuming the G20 Presidency. We offer our sincere wishes for a successful term, one that we hope will serve the cause of global unity and inclusive progress.”
Lamola said Washington’s statements “compelled” him to respond, invoking South Africa’s history to argue that dialogue, not dominance, defines genuine leadership on the global stage.
“Your words, however, compel me to speak, not merely as a representative of a government, but as a voice from a nation whose very existence is a testament to a profound truth: that the deepest divides can be bridged.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched a blistering attack on South Africa’s leadership ahead of the G20 summit, accusing the ANC-led government of racial hostility, economic decline and abandoning its post-apartheid democratic foundations.
“Rather than take responsibility for its failings, the radical ANC-led South African government has sought to scapegoat its own citizens and the United States,” Rubio added. “As President Trump has rightly highlighted, the South African government’s appetite for racism and tolerance for violence against its Afrikaner citizens have become embedded as core domestic policies.”
The Minister stressed that South Africa remains a founding member of the G20 and that no member state may unilaterally determine another’s participation. He said the country’s presidency was anchored in elevating Africa and the Global South as equal partners in the global economy.
He argued that South Africa’s approach was rooted in multilateralism, historical solidarity and the belief that global challenges are interconnected, whether economic, environmental or geopolitical.
Delegations from across the world, he said, had publicly praised South Africa’s hospitality and the inclusive environment that characterised the summit.
He cited statements previously referenced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, including remarks from delegates from Germany, Japan and France, each lauding the warmth and “real power” of South Africa’s hosting.
Lamola also referenced online endorsements from international leaders, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said: “Thanks to the wonderful people of South Africa and the government of South Africa for organising the summit.” IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised South Africa’s “incredible hospitality”, while Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the UNDP’s South Africa office also offered commendation.
The Minister used these examples to dispute allegations that South Africa had obstructed consensus — noting pointedly that the United States had not attended the G20 meetings in question.
“It is a matter of public record that the United States chose not to attend our G20 meetings. Given that absence, the notion of our ‘sabotaging’ consensus is not just incorrect, it misunderstands the very purpose of a forum like the G20.”
Lamola said the US position misread South Africa’s responsibility as chair, which was to facilitate dialogue among equals rather than enforce agreement.
He underscored that the G20 South Africa hosted was widely described as a “people’s G20”, shaped by the spirit of Ubuntu and guided by a commitment to ensuring all voices were heard.
“True leadership doesn’t mean everyone leaves getting everything they want; it means everyone leaves feeling they have been truly heard.”
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