The November G20 Summit 2025 in South Africa to proceed despite United States President Donald J Trump’s boycott of the bloc’s gathering. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in reference to the boycott by Washington called it ‘their loss’. The event set from November 22-23, the summit marks the first time the world’s leading economies will meet in Africa, to discuss global issues such as free trade, world conflicts, the impact of climate change on the environment among other concerns. The diplomatic row between Washington and Pretoria spans a wide range of policy matters, including South Africa’s agenda for the Summit. In the end Trump made it clear that no official in his administration will attend the Johannesburg gathering.
The US has labelled South Africa’s theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” as “anti-American”. “They’ve chosen to boycott, and boycotting never achieves anything of great impact, because decisions will be taken that will move the various issues ahead,” Ramaphosa, alluding to a decision on the cost of debt, a hot-button issue for developing nations. Trump has singled out South Africa for harsh treatment on a number of issues since he returned to the White House in January, notably making debunked claims of white Afrikaners being systematically “killed and slaughtered” in the country. He ambushed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval office earlier this year, playing a video in which he alleged a campaign against white farmers by the post-apartheid government. South Africa’s government denies any such policy.
In May, Trump offered refugee status to Afrikaners, descendants of the first European settlers, a first group of around 50 were flown to the United States on a chartered plane.
South Africa has to be weary of Trump’s agenda and diplomatic manoeuvres to attempt to isolate the country. Ramaphosa is doing the right thing by proceeding to host the summit. The allegations of a “white genocide” or “Afrikaner persecution” are intended to create internal division and manipulate the truth to sow discontent. Trump has done this before. When he lost the 2020 presidential election and alleged blatant fraud and theft of that election it sparked the “Capitol Riots”. Trump is using the same tool of deception on the international stage to mislead the global public. Ramaphosa must stand firm and present the truth so as not to allow the South African people to succumb to the lies. The G20 Summit is going to happen next week and the Trump administration’s boycott must not be allowed to stand in the way of bilateral talks.
The attacks in the rural veld are reported to be indiscriminate both black Farm employees and white farmers.
The treatment of white Afrikaners in the United States is not ideal and just for show. The main goal behind Trump’s use of the Afrikaner farmers is to cripple the integrity of South African society and political institutions. Why? It is Pretoria that is moving forward to oppose Israel’s genocide in the Gaza strip. Trump and his administration have a close relationship with the right-wing regime of Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu. This could be the reason for Trump’s hostility to South Africa.
Meanwhile Johannesburg is commencing with rushed upgrades to the city in time for the upcoming Summit next week.
City officials, working alongside the national government, have launched a series of urban renewal projects in key districts such as Sandton, Rosebank, and the Johannesburg CBD, where international delegations are expected to stay and convene. Workers have been repaving sidewalks, repairing streetlights, and clearing litter at an accelerated pace. New greenery and public art installations have appeared across the city, while pothole repair crews work around the clock to give major roads a smooth finish. The OR Tambo International Airport and nearby highways have also received upgrades to handle the influx of foreign delegations. Officials describe the push as an “opportunity to restore civic pride” while presenting Johannesburg as a world-class host city.
The renewal projects that have been launched on a massive scale are meant to give Johannesburg an overall good look so as to have a profound impression on the diplomatic delegations staying in the city. The G20 Summit 2025 South Africa is a political theatre where the regional economies of the world from the Americas and Europe to the far East gather to not only find bilateral solutions but air grievances. China wants to move to annex Taiwan, Japan and South Korea opposes Beijing’s ambitions, while Russia pursues its war in Ukraine, while the US and Argentina boycott the summit over their own egos being hurt. Of course, bilateralism will be centre stage and South Africa must mediate and navigate various international intrigues.
It remains to be seen how Johannesburg as an attraction for business manifests after the summit.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
