Pretoria, Gauteng- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump today at the White House in a crucial diplomatic engagement aimed at easing growing tensions between the two nations.
The high-level meeting is scheduled for 5:30 PM South African Standard Time (SAST), which corresponds to 11:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in Washington, D.C.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Entourage
President Ramaphosa is accompanied by a select delegation of South African statesmen, including Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister in The Presidency; Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition; John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture; and Mcebisi Jonas, the Special Envoy to the United States. In a surprising yet strategic move, golfing legend Ernie Els has also joined the delegation to help foster goodwill, capitalizing on President Trump’s well-documented love for the sport.
Key topics on the agenda include U.S. concerns over South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment laws, land reform policies, and its legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Potential trade agreements and investment opportunities for U.S. companies like Tesla and Starlink are also expected to be tabled.
While South Africa’s delegation has been widely reported on in international media, no individual members have made formal appearances in the U.S. press ahead of the meeting.
Today’s engagement marks a critical moment for bilateral relations between South Africa and the United States, with both leaders under pressure to navigate difficult conversations and pursue common ground.
Key Highlights
President Cyril Ramaphosa is accompanied by a delegation of key South African officials for his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House today, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The delegation includes:
- Ronald Lamola – Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
- Khumbudzo Ntshavheni – Minister in The Presidency
- Parks Tau – Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
- John Steenhuisen – Minister of Agriculture
- Mcebisi Jonas – Special Envoy to the United States
