Cyril Ramaphosa

Rule Changes

Leading diplomatic response to exclusion

The Group of Twenty, operating by consensus since 1999, hosts its December 2026 summit at Trump National Doral Miami. For the first time, it's excluding South Africa—a founding member—and seating Poland instead, the world's twentieth-largest economy.

Updated May 27

Force in Play

Leading South Africa's diplomatic confrontation with Israel

South Africa and Israel have expelled each other's top diplomats, leaving neither country with a senior representative in the other. On January 30, 2026, South Africa declared Israeli chargé d'affaires Ariel Seidman persona non grata for using embassy social media to insult President Cyril Ramaphosa. Hours later, Israel reciprocated by expelling South Africa's chargé d'affaires Shaun Byneveldt. Both were ordered to leave within 72 hours.

Updated May 26

Force in Play

Leading national disaster response; conducted site visits to both Limpopo and Mpumalanga

Torrential rains driven by La Niña have killed more than 200 people across Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe since late December 2025. South Africa declared a national disaster on January 18, 2026, after floods killed at least 37 in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and other provinces, destroyed thousands of homes, and washed away roads and bridges.

Updated May 22

Force in Play

Defending non-alignment policy while hosting sanctioned nations

Chinese destroyers, Russian corvettes, and Iranian warships sailed into Simon's Town on January 9 for a week-long joint exercise led by China. Russia and Iran, both heavily sanctioned and fighting active wars, sent forces, while India and Brazil stayed away despite the BRICS branding.

Updated May 19

Force in Play

Defending land reform while seeking to salvage US relations

President Trump cut all US aid to South Africa on February 7, 2025—$440 million annually, most for HIV treatment—over a land law allowing seizure without compensation. He called it discrimination against white farmers.

Updated May 19