Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is ready to help mediate or support efforts to resolve the escalating Middle East conflict if called upon by the international community.
Speaking at the Africa Energy Indaba 2026 in Cape Town on Wednesday, he said South Africa is committed to playing a responsible global role in addressing conflicts and promoting peace.
“South Africa is always ready to play a contributing role, either in mediation or whatever,” Ramaphosa said.
“And if a gap opens or if we are asked, we always live up to obligations, we are a global citizen and we therefore can play whatever role the UN would like us to play.”
“We have issued a clear statement that we want a ceasefire, we want this madness to come to an end.”
[WATCH] “We want this madness to come to an end.” President Cyril Ramaphosa says he’s interested in an opportunity to talk to US President Donald Trump to stop the war. #Newzroom405 #IranIsraelWar pic.twitter.com/V8nGtyNoLV
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 4, 2026
Ramaphosa called for an immediate ceasefire and emphasised that dialogue is the best way to end the war. He said South Africa would be willing to engage with Donald Trump if an opportunity arose to push for negotiations.
“Donald Trump is very busy right now. He’s got a war on his hands and obviously, if the opportunity were to open, we would talk and say there must be a ceasefire.
“A dialogue is always the best way of ending conflict and we want this war to come to an end immediately. We are losing too many lives and unnecessarily so.”
Meanwhile, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) is working to identify and assist South Africans stranded in the region and plans to repatriate them when airspace conditions allow.
The conflict has intensified as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claim control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, prompting the US Navy to prepare to escort tankers while some shipping companies reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
