Pretoria – South Africa says it will pause its active participation in G20 activities until the United Kingdom assumes the presidency in 2027, following the US refusal to invite South Africa to the next summit.
This comes after the United States announced on Wednesday that it will not invite South Africa to the 2026 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Miami, sharply criticising the country’s government for policies it says have “the private sector” and “bankrupt[ed] the state”.
In a statement issued by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Trump administration outlined its rationale for excluding South Africa, which hosted this year’s G20.
“The contrast with South Africa, host of this year’s G20, is stark,” Rubio said, highlighting what the US described as the country’s failure to capitalise on its post-apartheid potential.
“South Africa entered the post-Cold War era with strong institutions, excellent infrastructure, and global goodwill,” the statement said.
The United States is forging ahead with a new G20. South Africa operated with spite, division, and radical agendas that failed to produce economic growth. America’s G20 will propel us forward with innovation, entrepreneurship and perseverance that makes America great and provides… pic.twitter.com/N3npfX4WvH
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) December 3, 2025
“It possessed many of the world’s most valuable resources, some of the best agricultural land on the planet, and was located around one of the world’s key trading routes. And in Nelson Mandela, South Africa had a leader who understood that reconciliation and private sector driven economic growth were the only path to a nation where every citizen could prosper.”
However, the statement accused the current African National Congress (ANC)-led government of abandoning these principles in favor of “redistributionist policies that discouraged investment and drove South Africa’s most talented citizens abroad.”
Rubio also directly criticised the government for instituting racial quotas and tolerating corruption, which, he said, “cripples the private sector” and “bankrupts the state.”
The US statement went further to link these domestic policies to South Africa’s G20 leadership this year.
“The politics of grievance carried over to South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 this month, which was an exercise in spite, division, and radical agendas that have nothing to do with economic growth,” it said.
The statement accused South Africa of prioritising “climate change, diversity and inclusion, and aid dependency as central tenets of its working groups” while allegedly obstructing US input, “dox[ing] US officials working on these negotiations,” and “fundamentally tarnish[ing] the G20’s reputation.”
ICYM| Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says South Africa will not beg to be included in G20 deliberations under the United States Presidency. pic.twitter.com/9PPisHnUOn
— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 4, 2025
Rubio’s statement emphasised that the United States remains supportive of the South African people, but not the government.
“The United States supports the people of South Africa, but not its radical ANC-led government, and will not tolerate its continued behaviour,” it read.
He concluded with a conditional path for future engagement: “When South Africa decides it has made the tough decisions needed to fix its broken system and is ready to rejoin the family of prosperous and free nations, the United States will have a seat for it at our table. Until then, America will be forging ahead with a new G20.”
The announcement comes as the US prepares to host the G20 summit in Miami in December 2026, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary.
Rubio highlighted the summit’s themes as “removing regulatory burdens, unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering new technologies and innovation.” The administration also invited emerging partners such as Poland to participate, citing its success in embracing free-market policies and partnership with the US.
The South African Presidency, while expressing regret over the US stance, emphasised it will not lobby for boycotts and described the hiatus as a “commercial break” to await meaningful engagement under the UK presidency.
“About this time next year, the UK will be taking over the G20 Presidency. We will be able to engage meaningfully and substantively over what really matters to the rest of the world. For now, we will take a commercial break until we resume normal programming,” said Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya on Wednesday.
About this time next year, the UK will be taking over the G20 Presidency. We will be able to engage meaningfully and substantively over what really matters to the rest of the world. For now, we will take a commercial break until we resume normal programming.😅 https://t.co/0gMIc3PnOx
— Vincent Magwenya 🇿🇦 (@SpokespersonRSA) December 3, 2025
“It is regrettable that despite the efforts and numerous attempts by President Ramaphosa and his administration to reset the diplomatic relationship with the US President Trump continues to apply punitive measures against South Africa based on misinformation and distortions about our country.”
Meanwhile, the US has removed content about South Africa’s G20 presidency from official platforms.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
