President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that South Africa’s foreign policy is driven by national interest and constitutional values rather than external influence.
In his weekly newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa said the country’s stance in global affairs is forward-looking and anchored on principle. He referred to the words of Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah, noting that South Africa “faces forward” in its diplomatic posture.
The president had returned from Japan after participating in the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development. He described TICAD as a vital platform for strengthening trade and investment ties between Japan and African states at a time when global trade faces disruptions and tariff pressures.
Ramaphosa explained that South Africa’s economic diplomacy focuses on securing market access, attracting investment and promoting sustainable development. He said the approach is neither partisan nor beholden to any power bloc, but strategic in ensuring long-term benefits.
He pointed to challenges such as potential tariff hikes from the United States as part of the reason why the country is working to diversify its markets and reduce dependence on historical trade partners.
On the international stage, Ramaphosa said South Africa advocates for a fair and equitable trade regime and stands by principles of multilateralism and respect for sovereignty. He reaffirmed solidarity with the Palestinian people and the cause of Western Sahara, noting that Pretoria’s foreign policy decisions remain guided by justice and the rule of law, even when they attract criticism.
He added that the country continues to support peacebuilding across Africa, citing involvement in Lesotho, Burundi, Sudan’s Darfur region and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while also contributing to mediation efforts in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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