President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his congratulations to Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, despite not being invited to the ceremony. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations with the U.S.
“Congratulations to President @realDonaldTrump on the occasion of your inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America. I look forward to continuing the close and mutually beneficial partnership between our two nations across all areas of our cooperation,” Ramaphosa posted.
While the congratulatory message reflected diplomatic cordiality, social media reactions were far from unanimous. Critics on X were quick to highlight the perceived snub.
- @nkulipp: “He didn’t invite you. Why are you embarrassing yourself?”
- @Ephraim_Snr: “Imagine congratulating someone who didn’t bother to invite you.”
- @Whipstick14: “You told the man to ‘leave us alone,’ now you want to work with him… I hope the US investigates the Iran payments and links to terrorism.”
Inauguration Without South Africa
Trump’s inauguration, held on January 20, 2025, was attended by an array of international dignitaries, though Ramaphosa’s absence was conspicuous. This development follows a November 2024 telephone call where Ramaphosa congratulated Trump on his electoral victory. During the call, the two leaders discussed their shared commitment to strengthening trade and political ties.
Ramaphosa also expressed enthusiasm about hosting Trump at the G20 Heads of State Summit, set to take place in South Africa later this year.
South Africa’s Leadership in the G20
December 2024 marked South Africa’s historic assumption of the G20 presidency, the first African nation to lead the group of major economies. Ramaphosa highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “The G20 is an important formation. Our economy may be small, but we are part of the G20, and we are punching above our weight due to our global positioning, as well as the strength of our economy and the positions we have taken.”
The upcoming G20 summit offers an opportunity for South Africa to spotlight African issues on a global stage and engage in meaningful economic and political dialogue. Ramaphosa expressed hope that hosting Trump and other global leaders would strengthen South Africa’s diplomatic influence.
Navigating Diplomatic Nuances
While some see Ramaphosa’s overture to Trump as diplomatic pragmatism, others question the optics of extending congratulations despite the apparent snub. The mixed social media reactions underscore the challenges of maintaining international relations in an age where public sentiment often plays out online.
South Africa’s leadership in the G20 and its evolving relationship with the United States will be critical in shaping its global positioning in 2025 and beyond.
