JOHANNESBURG - A country cannot, unilaterally, alter the configuration of the G20.
International Relations expert Dr Kingsley Makhubela says this could start a precedent which would lead to the organisation's demise.
US President Donald Trump posted on social media on Wednesday that South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 G20 Summit in Miami.
Trump says South Africa has proven not to be a worthy country of membership anywhere.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has hit back, saying South Africa will not be insulted.
ATTENTION: ALL NEWSROOMS AND EDITORS
WEDNESDAY 26, NOVEMBER 2025
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA NOTES US STATEMENT ON SOUTH AFRICA’S G20 PARTICIPATION*
President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the regrettable statement by President Donald Trump on South Africa’s participation in the 2026 G20… https://t.co/faGCVppPII— Chrispin Phiri 🇿🇦 (@Chrispin_JPhiri) November 26, 2025
He reminded Trump that the country is a full member of the G20 at the behest of all other members.
READ: Ramaphosa stands firm as Trump rants over SA's place at 2026 G20
Ramaphosa says South Africa will continue as a full, active and constructive member of the group.
DIRCO Head of Diplomacy, Clayson Monyela responded to Trump's post saying that due to South Africa's status, it does not get invited to the G20 Summit.
"The US's information is based on misinformation," says Makhubela.
#SouthAfrica🇿🇦 is a founding member of the G20. We don't get invited to G20 meetings & leaders summit. Those are gatherings of members. If other members allow this, then the G20 will die. SA🇿🇦 is a G20 Troika member (outgone, current & incoming Presidency). https://t.co/zf63oUSNK9
— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) November 26, 2025
"The misinformation is peddled by some in the US and in the country," he adds.
France is the only country at the G20 who made a public pronouncement of there being no genocide in South Africa. Makhubela says that could be to their own interest.
With South Africa, the US and the UK in a Troika leadership, the pressure is now on Prime Minister Keir Stammer to broker peace between the two.