WATCH | Ntshavheni hits back: ‘No US beef — SA is bigger than that’

Johannesburg – Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has dismissed suggestions of diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the United States, saying both countries remain fully engaged as part of the G20 troika alongside the United Kingdom.

“There are no tensions between us and the US. The declaration that has been adopted, the declaration of G20 leaders, is not a declaration of one country over the other. It has been accepted and we’re going to implement the declaration of the G20,” the minister said.

She said South Africa will continue working with the US and UK as they take on future G20 presidencies.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni responded to a US official’s remark that President Cyril Ramaphosa was “running his mouth,” asserting that South Africa is “bigger than that.” https://t.co/vwosM1qBoJ
📷: Simon Majadibodu/IOL#KhumbudzoNtshavheni #CyrilRamaphosa… pic.twitter.com/0fwi1IkM2i

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“We remain part of the troika of the G20, and we will make sure the South African voice will be there. If they don’t want us to participate, they will have to tell the 19 other members of the G20 that South Africa cannot participate, and the world will have to watch what the other members of the G20 will do.”

Ntshavheni stressed that Cabinet ministers are not concerned about possible US visa revocations ahead of the 2027 G20 Summit, despite the unexplained cancellation of former minister Naledi Pandor’s visa.

She noted that the G20 declaration adopted at the summit involves many nations, not just South Africa, and that the country will stay active in discussions even though the US stayed away from this year’s summit.

Ntshavheni reiterated that South Africa’s position in the G20 is secure and that its voice will continue to be heard through the troika structure.