Speaking to reporters from his Washington hotel, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sought to downplay the tense moments during his White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ramaphosa was put on the spot in the Oval Office when Trump confronted him with videos alleging the persecution of white South Africans — a claim that has been widely debunked.
Despite the uncomfortable exchange, Ramaphosa described the subsequent lunch with Trump and his team as productive and cordial, noting they had a “robust engagement” and a “rather pleasant lunch” where topics such as golf, trade, and investment were discussed.
“I was quite pleased that we reached a firm agreement to keep the dialogue going,” Ramaphosa told South African journalists after the meeting.
He called the visit a “great success” and added, with a hint of humor, that while some in the South African media might have hoped for more drama, “I’m sorry we disappointed you somewhat.”
Ramaphosa also mentioned that he expects President Trump to attend the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg later this year.
The much-anticipated meeting between the two leaders was, at times, as heated as expected. Trump pressed Ramaphosa with video footage referencing discredited claims of white genocide in South Africa.
Yet, the atmosphere wasn’t entirely confrontational. The conversation included lighter moments, such as golf talk — Ramaphosa even presented Trump with a 14-kilogram golf book, and South African golfer Ernie Els, also present, remarked, “two wrongs don’t make a right.”
Though clearly caught off guard by the videos, Ramaphosa remained composed, clarifying that the chants like “shoot the Boer” featured in the footage do not reflect official government policy.
Upon leaving the White House, Ramaphosa told reporters the meeting went “very well.”
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