SOUTH Africa will not resort to “trading insults” with the United States as it seeks to repair strained diplomatic relations, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola declared Wednesday during a major foreign policy address.
“We will remain firm on our principled positions and continue to pursue our national interest in line with diplomatic decorum. If we disagree with any country, it should not be on the basis of insults but on the substance of the matter,” Lamola told diplomats and foreign policy experts at the inaugural Aziz Pahad Peace, Security and Human Rights Dialogue.
The definitive statement comes at a critical juncture in US-South Africa relations, which have deteriorated to what observers describe as an “all-time low” following the recent expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to Washington.
“We continue to value our mutually beneficial trade relations with the USA, and we continue to extend a hand to bridge our recently challenging relationship with the US,” Lamola said, signalling Pretoria’s willingness to engage despite tensions.
The minister rebuffed critics who suggest South Africa should take a more confrontational approach to demonstrate courage in foreign affairs. “I know that there is a yearning from some among us that, to show we’re courageous, we should be trading insults with countries, ignoring all the firm and courageous positions we’ve taken on progressive internationalism,” he said.
Lamola used the occasion to reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to multilateralism and international justice, calling for a transformation of global governance systems that he described as “stacked against Africa and the global South.”
“The UN and its agencies, particularly the UN Security Council, have to be transformed — it is not even a debate. It simply has to happen,” Lamola insisted.
The minister also highlighted South Africa’s continuing advocacy for Palestinian self-determination, a position that has contributed to tensions with Washington.
Speaking at the dialogue named for the late Aziz Pahad, whom Lamola described as an “insurgent diplomat” known for his anti-imperialism stance, the minister emphasized South Africa’s non-aligned foreign policy posture.
“Our Non-Aligned posture had to be constantly reaffirmed, and NAM had to be strengthened. This is especially true in the year of the 80th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement,” Lamola said, channelling Pahad’s diplomatic philosophy.
The dialogue comes as South Africa prepares to assume the presidency of the G20, where Lamola indicated the nation would remain vigilant about “Africa’s critical minerals” and continue pushing for “value addition at source, beneficiation, and investment for industrialization” across the continent.
