JOHANNESBURG - South Africa said it was prepared to wait out next year's G20 after being barred by the United States and did not expect other countries to lobby for its inclusion.
The United States this month took over the year-long presidency of the group of leading economies after largely boycotting South Africa's tenure, including the November summit, in an escalation of its attacks on Pretoria.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio repeated on Wednesday that South Africa would not be invited to the US-run G20, repeating complaints, including unfounded claims that the government deliberately discriminated against the white Afrikaner minority.
The United States is forging ahead with a new G20. South Africa operated with spite, division, and radical agendas that failed to produce economic growth. America's G20 will propel us forward with innovation, entrepreneurship and perseverance that makes America great and provides… pic.twitter.com/N3npfX4WvH
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) December 3, 2025
Presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said in response that South Africa would sit out the 2026 series of meetings and resume participation when the G20 is handed to Britain in a year's time.
"For now, we will take a commercial break until we resume normal programming," Magwenya said on social media.
About this time next year, the UK will be taking over the G20 Presidency. We will be able to engage meaningfully and substantively over what really matters to the rest of the world. For now, we will take a commercial break until we resume normal programming.😅 https://t.co/0gMIc3PnOx
— Vincent Magwenya 🇿🇦 (@SpokespersonRSA) December 3, 2025
The G20 group of nations includes the world's top economies as well as the European Union and the African Union regional blocs.
It accounts for 85 percent of the world's GDP and two-thirds of its population.
The Johannesburg summit, the first in Africa, was attended by a host of world leaders, including from countries not in the G20, but boycotted by US President Donald Trump.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesman said South Africa did not expect other G20 nations to boycott the US presidency or lobby for its inclusion.