President Cyril Ramaphosa will be visiting the United States from May 19th to 22nd, 2025, the president has announced.
During his visit, President Ramaphosa is expected to meet President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.
According to the presidency, the highly anticipated high-level engagement focuses on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.
“On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, President Ramaphosa will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of interest,” the president said.
The president said the visit would provide a platform to reset and strengthen the strategic partnership between South Africa and the US.
“The President’s visit to the United States provides a platform for resetting strategic ties between the two countries,” the statement read.
The visit comes shortly after a group of 49 Africans departed South Africa for the United States, claiming that they were victims of “genocide” and sought refugee status.
The South African government has expressed serious concern over these claims, clearly stating that they are unfounded and do not reflect the reality of life in South Africa.
In line with international law, President Ramaphosa reiterated that the officials did not meet the criteria for refugee status, as the officials were not persecuted based on race, ethnicity, religion or political beliefs.
President Ramaphosa addressed the issue in a recent discussion on the Presidential Open Panel, reaffirming South Africa’s constitutional commitment to human rights, nonracism and social justice.
He explained that he had a phone conversation with President Trump to clarify South Africa’s position.
He reaffirmed that those leaving the country under such claims are small fringe groups opposed to constitutional change, and that they do not represent the wider South African society or earthly reality.
The United States is one of South Africa’s most important economic partners, with over 600 US companies operating in South Africa after China, reflecting the deep economic ties and investment flows between the two countries.
Details of the president’s visit and engagement will soon be communicated by the presidency. -sanews.gov.za
