Former Minister Naledi Pandor criticises Marco Rubio’s G20 boycott, calls for diplomatic engagement

Former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, has expressed disappointment over US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision not to attend the upcoming G20 foreign ministers' summit.

This comes after Rubio in a post on X said he would boycott the G20 talks of foreign ministers in Johannesburg on February 20-21.

''I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote 'solidarity, equality, and sustainability'. In other words: DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and climate change.

"My job is to advance America's national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism,'' he said.

Noting the tweet by Rubio, Minister of international Relations and Co-Operation, Ronald Lamola said: ''We are a sovereign and democratic country committed to human dignity, equality, and rights, championing non-racialism and non-sexism while placing our constitution and the rule of law at the forefront.

''There is no arbitrary dispossession of land / private property. This law is similar to the Eminent domain laws. Solidarity / Ubuntu promotes collective problem-solving.

''Our G20 Presidency, is not confined to just climate change but also equitable treatment for nations of the Global South, ensuring an equal global system for all. These are important principles that we remain open to pursue and engage the United States on,'' said Lamola.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Pandor stated, "I think it's extremely disappointing and of concern. I hope that our Minister of International Relations is speaking to certainly Secretary Rubio, but broadly the State Department, senior officials through the director general of our department in South Africa, really to engage and persuade and to inform."

Pandor stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts to counter misconceptions about South Africa.

"We have been and are a good partner to the United States of America, and we need to provide information as to the factual position on all the matters that have been raised thus far, many of which I think have been really misconstrued. So, a great deal of diplomatic effort is needed on our part," she said.

Her remarks come amid growing scrutiny from the Trump administration over South Africa’s newly formed Government of National Unity (GNU). Despite this, Pandor underscored the nation's sovereignty and the right to determine its policies.

"To comment negatively on our policies before examining them closely is the oddity. But to be focused on South Africa is not odd. We're a very important country on the African continent," said Pandor.

Pandor also emphasised the importance of South Africa maintaining strong relations with the US and leveraging its international partnerships to address concerns.

"We do have friends, by the way, in the United States of America, in both houses. We need to use them. We have friends in civil society.

''We have chambers of business that are focused on investing in South Africa. We have CEOs of branches of large corporates located in our country.

''We need to convene them, speak on these issues clearly, get communication out there," she said.

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