He highlighted that these ideas are now spilling into the international arena in ways that harm the nation\u2019s sovereignty and foreign relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSome South Africans still adhere to notions of racial superiority and seek to maintain racial privilege,\u201d Ramaphosa said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that these views align with broader narratives of white supremacy and white victimhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ramaphosa noted that these ideas have been pushed through false allegations that white Afrikaners are being persecuted in South Africa, claims he described as unfounded but increasingly influential in certain international political circles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His comments follow heightened tensions sparked after US President Donald Trump boycotted the G20 summit in Johannesburg two weeks earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump claimed that South Africa mistreats its white minority and that white farmers were being \u201ckilled and slaughtered\u201d while their land was being \u201cillegally confiscated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his absence, the summit proceeded, and a G20 declaration was adopted\u2014an outcome that angered Trump\u2019s administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This subsequently resulted in South Africa not being invited to the next G20 summit, which is to be held in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ramaphosa noted that in February, Trump used these false narratives as justification for cutting development aid to South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He warned that misinformation of this nature is not harmless rhetoric; it carries real consequences for the country\u2019s reputation, international relationships, and economic stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese false claims have real implications for our sovereignty, international relations and national security,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that a campaign must be launched both within South Africa and internationally to counter the misinformation being spread about the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Straining relationships <\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Trump-1-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe United States is South Africa\u2019s third-largest export market, after the European Union and China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the relationship has become strained, particularly as the Trump administration imposed a 30% import tariff on South African goods\u2014a tariff the government has been trying, without success, to have reduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ramaphosa said that South Africa continues to engage the US in the hope of reaching a mutually beneficial trade agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the country has also accelerated efforts to diversify its export markets as a precaution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe United States is South Africa\u2019s third-largest export market, after the European Union and China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the relationship has become strained, particularly as the Trump administration imposed a 30% import tariff on South African goods\u2014a tariff the government has been trying, without success, to have reduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ramaphosa said that South Africa continues to engage the US in the hope of reaching a mutually beneficial trade agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the country has also accelerated efforts to diversify its export markets as a precaution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n