By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider 

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, spoke at a G20 conference, the Freedom Dialogue, where he spoke about the unpredictable relationship between South Africa and the United States. Minister Lamola believes that pushing towards diversifying is the key to unlocking self-sustainability. The Freedom Dialogue was held at the Friedrich Naumann Conference yesterday. 

“To build our self-sustainability, to look at other markets around the globe. At least we already have what we believe is a reliable partner, the European Union. We need to build from that relationship, look at what is possible. And a market in China, with which the president had already built relations.” said Minister Lamola during his address. 

Lamola has expressed that South Africa will need to gear itself up by expanding onto more reliable markets due to the impending tariff hikes that were imposed by US President Donald Trump which went into motion yesterday. 

This year has been one of turbulence between South Africa and the United States as there are even talks of President Trump not attending the G20 Summit in which South Africa holds the current presidency and will commence in November. This is due to disagreements on foreign policy as the United States feel threatened by the growing relations between countries that do not align with American policies. 

Despite the unpredictability of the US market, Minister Lamola affirms that South Africa will continue to negotiate and engage with the US.

 “We will also continue with the engagement. But where it leaves us is that South Africans, we need to prepare ourselves with the reality that this is an unpredictable market. This market being unpredictable does need us as a country to de-risk, to diversify in terms of our economy, to build our own self-sustainability.” Said Minister Lamola.

 Minister Lamola also spoke about the dissonance in agreeing on foreign policy within the GNU and has reaffirmed that no political party can undermine the constitution. 

“We have not undergone any extensive process of policy review of our foreign policy perspective. So what it means is that the current foreign policy positions of South Africa stands, if there are parties in the GNU as you have already mentioned, they are governed by the existing foreign policy. Even if you are part of the GNU it does not mean that because you have now come into the GNU that the South African constitution has changed.” said Minister Lamola.

The Minister was also asked about the recent attack on foreign nationals to which he assertively condemned; “I mean it should be condemned there is no other way. The law must be applied. If there is any breaking of the law by foreign nationals it must be treated the same way that a South African is breaking the law.”

In regards to the termination of  

Minister Lamola has also addressed the matter of South Africa taking Israel to the International Court of Justice stating that Israel’s occupation of Gaza is an act of genocide. 

Minister Lamola reaffirms that South Africa will not back down in presenting these charges and that America has accepted that this stance will not change from South Africa.

 “I think there is an acceptance in Washington that South Africa will not withdraw the case in the ICJ. They may not agree with us on it but I think they accept that we will not withdraw and I think that it is important that the case must be decided based on merit.”

 The Minister also explained that Israel has until early next year to respond to South Africa’s memoriam that they have sent.