Ramaphosa hits back at ‘Third World’ label, says SA has a ‘big, loud voice’ globally

Ramaphosa

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has pushed back against descriptions of South Africa as a “Third World” country, saying the nation is a developing economy with global influence and a strong international voice.

The president was speaking at the opening of the SARB Museum, which aims to improve public understanding of the central bank’s role in the economy and promote financial literacy through educational programmes. The museum explores South Africa’s economic history, from early forms of exchange to the establishment of the Reserve Bank in 1921 and its role in the democratic era.

Ramaphosa criticised what he described as Western perceptions of South Africa, referencing comments by US President Donald Trump, who previously referred to the country using a derogatory term.

“People in the Northern Hemisphere always call us a Third World country. One other president once called us a ‘SH’ country and all that,” Ramaphosa said, according to The Citizen.

He said South Africa should be proud of being a developing economy, adding: “We are very proud of that. We are a middle-income country and we are a middle power and we have a big voice, a very loud voice.”

Ramaphosa’s remarks come amid strained relations between Pretoria and Washington following disagreements over issues including South Africa’s foreign policy, claims made by Trump about alleged persecution of white Afrikaners, and South Africa’s exclusion from some international engagements.

The United States, which currently holds the G20 presidency, has left South Africa out of some key diplomatic meetings, including certain summit engagements. South Africa was also not invited to the G7 leaders’ summit in France, despite previously attending as a guest.

However, aording to EWN, Ramaphosa insisted that South Africa’s influence would remain, saying: “When we speak, they sit up and listen. Whether they want us there or not. Even when we are not there in November, they will find that there is South Africa in our midst at the G20, we will be there.”

Government has previously described South Africa’s limited participation in some G20 processes as a temporary “leave of absence” and has said it expects to resume full engagement when the United Kingdom assumes the G20 presidency in 2027.

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