The atmosphere in South Africa was tense ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa's meeting with US counterpart Donald Trump, worrying that its leader might face public humiliation similar to what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy experienced. Even a local newspaper captured the mood with the headline "Into the mouth of Trump hell".
Despite Trump presenting unfounded claims about widespread killings of white farmers and showing a video of a marginal South African politician's inflammatory chants, Ramaphosa maintained his composure. The meeting proved less contentious than anticipated.
"You wanted to see drama and something big happening," Ramaphosa told reporters afterwards. "I'm sorry that we disappointed you somewhat."
In South Africa, Ramaphosa is known for his composed demeanour and level-headed approach to politics. His significant political achievement includes serving as the African National Congress party's primary negotiator during the early 1990s talks that dismantled apartheid's racial segregation system.
Although initially considered a potential successor to Nelson Mandela, he stepped away from politics before returning and assuming the presidency in 2018.
The meeting's purpose was to address US misrepresentations of South Africa and establish new trade agreements. However, many South Africans opposed the visit, given the U.S. administration's serious false allegations about their nation.
"I honestly don't understand why Ramaphosa is actually in the United States when Trump has made it very clear how he feels about South Africa," said college student Dumisani Mnisi in Johannesburg.
Ramaphosa's office described the public confrontation as “an orchestrated show for the cameras,” and the real business was the closed-door meeting afterwards, suggesting the subsequent private meeting was more productive. The South African president cited several positive outcomes, including potential progress in changing Trump's perspective on South Africa and initiating trade discussions.
The visit concluded with an exchange of books and White House souvenirs, which Ramaphosa viewed positively, stating, "So that was good."
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