South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola has reiterated the country’s commitment to human dignity, equality, and democratic values, emphasizing its independent stance in global affairs.
Lamola stated that South Africa continues to champion non-racialism and non-sexism while upholding its constitution and the rule of law. His remarks followed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement that he would not attend the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg.
Rubio criticized South Africa’s land reform policies and accused the country of using its G20 presidency to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives alongside climate policies.
Defense of Land Policies and Global Leadership
Addressing concerns over land reforms, Lamola defended the recently enacted Expropriation Act, comparing it to the eminent domain laws in the US. He assured that private property would not be arbitrarily seized and that the law aims to address historical injustices.
He also stressed that South Africa’s G20 leadership is focused on more than just climate policies, with a strong emphasis on securing fair treatment for Global South nations and fostering a more equitable global system. Despite the US stance, Lamola affirmed South Africa’s willingness to engage with Washington.
Meanwhile, the South African presidency issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to resolving land claims and correcting past injustices, noting that over 9,000 people have already benefited from the process.
Johannesburg is set to host the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting on February 20-21. South Africa assumed the G20 presidency in December, marking a historic milestone as the first African nation to lead the group of major economies. The country, which has Africa’s largest economy, plays a crucial role in advocating for the interests of developing nations.
