Lamola wrote in a direct message to Rubio: “Mr. Rubio, the world is watching. It is tired of double standards,” adding, “We are not asking for your approval on our path.” This message is one of the strongest responses from South Africa so far this year, although Lamola confirmed he remains open to dialogue.
In another response, a spokesperson for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa commented on Rubio’s accusations, saying his country “will take a break from the G20” during the U.S. presidency of the group. The statements came after U.S. Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio released a statement on Wednesday, accusing the South African government of “racism” against its white citizens, a claim previously made by U.S. President Donald Trump against Pretoria, which has widely lost credibility.
The statement indicated that South Africa will not be invited to participate in the G20 summit meetings when the United States leads the forum next year. Relations between Washington and Pretoria have noticeably deteriorated over the past few months, with Trump repeatedly alleging “white genocide” in South Africa and criticizing government policies aimed at addressing racial inequality.
Whites make up only about 7% of South Africa’s population, yet they still control a significant portion of land and wealth three decades after the end of apartheid.
