Ramaphosa’s visit comes just days after the US welcomed a group of 49 white South African “refugees” who President Donald Trump claims are being persecuted in SA.
The Presidency says President Cyril Ramaphosa is prepared for his much-anticipated meeting with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, amid concerns that talks might be heated between the two leaders.
Ramaphosa touched down in Washington on Monday afternoon with his delegation for his working visit to the US amid tensions between the two countries.
The visit comes just days after the US welcomed a group of 49 white South African “refugees” who Trump claims are being persecuted in South Africa because of their race, and are facing a “genocide”.
Ramaphosa and Trump
Ramaphosa and Trump are expected to meet at the White House on Tuesday to iron out several issues, including members of the US administration snubbing the G20 meetings, the recent resettlement of 49 Afrikaners being offered asylum under false claims that white South Africans and farmers are under attack.
The agenda is also expected to include aid cuts and the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
The government said the purpose of the visit is to “reset and revitalise bilateral relations between South Africa and the United States (US).”
“In this regard, the visit will focus specifically on reframing bilateral, economic and commercial relations.”
WATCH Vincent Magwenya addressing the media in the US
[WATCH] Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya engages the media in Washington on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s time in the country, and his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump. @ZiyandaNgcobo #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/WWjxnyx9i5
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 19, 2025
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‘Not apprehensive’
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the president is not “apprehensive” about the meeting with Trump.
“He’s looking forward to it, he’s highly enthused, and we’re looking forward to a very successful meeting aimed at resetting the relationship between South Africa and the United States. He’s not apprehensive at all.
“We don’t think President Trump invited President Ramaphosa for that kind of treatment. There are issues of concern on the side of the US and on our side as well. It is possible that those issues may trigger a rather robust discussion, that is only the nature of these engagements. But we believe that the kind of courtesy that we are accustomed to, that heads of state extend to one another, will be in full display tomorrow,” Magwenya said.
Zelensky treatment
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not afforded the same kind of courtesy Trump during their meeting, Magwenya said “the issues are different”.
“President Ramaphosa is not President Zelensky. He’s got his own style of engaging. He’s got his own style of communicating, and so we cannot attribute that event to what may or may not happen tomorrow.”
Afrikaners
Magwenya said the issue of the white Afrikaner refugees being granted asylum in the US by Trump will be addressed by Ramaphosa.
“In the build up to tomorrow’s meeting, there’s been an increasing or rather, let me put it this way, the assertion that there’s a persecution of white people in South Africa has kind of been made repeatedly, and so clearly it’s an issue that needs to be addressed, and it won’t be addressed.
“But the president is not planning to spend an inordinate amount of time on that issue. Really, the focus, as I was saying, is on researching this relationship and refocusing towards a revised and more enhanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship,” Magwenya said.
Meeting
This is the first time Trump will host an African leader at the White House since he took office in January.
South Africa, which currently presides over the G20, will hand over leadership to the US in November.
Elon Musk
Ramaphosa also plans to discuss business opportunities for Elon Musk’s companies, especially Starlink.
Asked about the question of licencing for Musk’s satellite company Starlink, Magwenya said: “Certainly, the issue will be discussed.”
Musk, who is South African-born, has previously claimed Starlink was barred from operating in South Africa because he is not Black, an allegation South African officials refuted.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa said in March that Starlink had not applied for a licence.
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