Ramaphosa says SA is looking forward to hosting Trump for G20 Summit
South Africa will assume the rotational G20 presidency in less than a month, making it the first African country to head the bloc.
Former US President and Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, speaks during an election night event at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on 6 November 2024. Picture: Jim WATSON/AFP
JOHANNESBURG - US President-elect Donald Trump may finally make his first visit to South Africa when the continent’s most industrialised economy hosts the G20 Summit.
South Africa will assume the rotational G20 presidency in less than a month, making it the first African country to head the bloc.
Leaders of the world’s biggest economies are set to discuss a range of pressing global issues.
Following Trump's extraordinary performance at the polls in the US elections, President Cyril Ramaphosa joined some world leaders in congratulating the 78-year-old on his return to the Oval Office.
Trump beat Democrat Kamala Harris in the historic election.
The Republicans also secured control of the US Senate.
Ramaphosa said that he made a courtesy call to Trump on Friday.
During the call, he said they both agreed on the need to strengthen political and trade ties with the US being SA's second biggest trade partner after China.
Ramaphosa also said that SA looks forward to hosting Trump during the G20 heads of state summit in 2025.
This would be Trump's first visit to a country he previously labelled as "a very dangerous mess" criticising land and farm seizures, as well as farm killings.
Trump’s return to office also sparked some concerns about the impact on the rest of Africa.