WATCH: Ramaphosa meets Trump at the White House

South Africans send well wishes to their leader ahead of much-anticipated diplomatic engagement

US President Donald Trump meets President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, the US, May 21 2025. Picture: REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE
US President Donald Trump meets President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, the US, May 21 2025. Picture: REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE

With President Cyril Ramaphosa meeting US President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, South Africans have been sending well wishes to their leader before the much-anticipated diplomatic engagement.

The meeting included a working lunch, bilateral meeting and interaction with the media.

The SA delegation comprised cabinet ministers, members of business and eminent South Africans:

  • Ronald Lamola, minister of international relations & co-operation.
  • Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, minister in the presidency.
  • Parks Tau, minister of trade, industry & competition. 
  • John Steenhuisen, minister of agriculture.
  • Johann Rupert, founder of Richemont and chairperson of Remgro.
  • Ernie Els, professional golfer.
  • Retief Goosen, professional golfer. 

Also in Washington to provide strategic support to Ramaphosa and the SA delegation were:

  •  Zingiswa Losi, president of the Congress of SA Trade Unions.
  • Adrian Gore, vice-president of Business Unity SA.

The American delegation with Trump were:

  • Vice-president JD Vance.
  • Pete Hegseth, secretary of defence.
  • Howard Lutnick, secretary of commerce.
  • Christopher Landau, deputy secretary of state.
  • Susie Wiles, assistant to the president and chief of staff.
  • Elon Musk, special government employee at the department of government efficiency (Doge).
  • Massad Boulos, senior adviser for Africa and senior adviser to the president on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.

TimesLIVE

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