[Image: Presidency of South Africa / Facebook]
President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Washington on Monday afternoon for his working visit to the US, where he is to meet President Donald Trump.
In one of the most tepid welcoming ceremonies for a foreign president we’ve seen in quite a while, the US barely rolled out the red carpet for our president as he disembarked his plane before being greeted with all the enthusiasm of a Monday morning by a handful of US diplomats and a half-dozen military guards.
Look, we don’t expect a stealth bomber flyby and 21-gun salute, but even the refugees who recently fled to the States received a more enthusiastic welcome.
The potential success of Ramaphosa’s trip should not be judged by the welcome he received, but we could have hoped for a slightly better hello than a lukewarm shrug.
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In a statement, the Presidency said the purpose of the visit was to reset and revitalise bilateral relations between South Africa and the US. Ramaphosa’s office said the visit would focus specifically on reframing bilateral, economic and commercial relations.
According to the Presidency, Ramaphosa will meet Trump at the White House on Wednesday. Ramaphosa is accompanied by:
- Ronald Lamola, minister of international relations and co-operation;
- 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 US
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ARRIVES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR WORKING VISIT
President @CyrilRamaphosa has this afternoon, Monday 19 May 2025 arrived in Washington DC for his working visit.
The purpose of the visit is to reset and revitalise bilateral relations between South… pic.twitter.com/XenuyrHhWi
— The Presidency (@PresidencyZA) May 19, 2025
Though Ramaphosa was welcomed into the U.S. with all the grandeur usually reserved for delivery drivers at the White House’s staff entrance, we really hope the visit goes smoothly and that our president gets a word in edgewise when Trump pauses to breathe.
Just drop John Steenhuisen at a Chipotle with free Wi-Fi, and maybe keep a safe diplomatic distance from JD Vance while you’re at it.
[Source: Timeslive]
