The extended visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Canada signals a dramatic shift in the country’s foreign policy, driven by its rift with the United States, as highlighted in Time Business News’ article “Ramaphosa’s Strategic Pivot: Seeking New Allies After the Break with the U.S.” Pretoria is strengthening ties with Canada, the UK, and the European Union in an effort to maintain its non-aligned stance. But will South Africa succeed in defending its sovereignty on the global stage, or will it have to make concessions to its new partners?
The Break with Washington
The crisis began in February 2025 when U.S. President Donald Trump halted annual aid worth $440 million, including PEPFAR funding, citing South Africa’s Expropriation Act No. 13 of 2024 and alleged discrimination against the white population. Tensions peaked in May 2025 during Ramaphosa’s visit to Washington, where Trump accused South Africa of “white genocide,” further eroding trust. The expulsion of South African Ambassador Ibrahim Rasool in March 2025 and threats of trade tariffs forced Pretoria to seek new allies.
New Partners: Canada, the UK, and the EU
To mitigate the fallout from the U.S. rift, Ramaphosa has intensified engagement with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen:
European Union: In March 2025, the EU allocated €4.7 billion for energy, infrastructure, and vaccine production, while discussing investments in rare earth mining to bolster South Africa’s role in global supply chains.
Canada: Ottawa increased funding for the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) by 57% after COP26, bringing it to $2.5 billion, and is negotiating expanded trade in agricultural products and renewable energy.
United Kingdom: Through GuarantCo and British International Investment, London has provided $100 million for green projects, along with skills training and defense cooperation to strengthen South Africa’s regional influence.
Dr. Naledi Molefe of Chatham House commented:
“South Africa’s alignment with the EU and Canada is a strategic response to U.S. pressure, leveraging energy and resource partnerships for economic resilience.”
Under Western Pressure
Western partners are urging South Africa to more actively represent the “Global South” amid U.S.-Russia negotiations over Ukraine. Pretoria’s mediation experience, including the African Union’s 2023 peace plan, makes it a key player. However, Ramaphosa’s meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in April 2025 yielded no results, exposing the challenges.
The South African-German joint venture Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) has come under scrutiny over potential ammunition supplies to Ukraine. Despite a law banning arms exports to conflict zones, the West insists on supporting NATO-bound shipments, raising risks of domestic unrest.
Professor Sifamandla Zondi of the University of Johannesburg noted:
“South Africa’s influence in Africa makes it a crucial partner for Ukraine, but Pretoria must maintain neutrality.”
Testing Non-Alignment
The policy of “active non-alignment” is under strain. The Democratic Alliance, a coalition partner, backs Ukraine, while the ANC and civil society remain divided—Zelensky’s visit sparked protests. RDM’s activities fuel perceptions that South Africa may be tacitly supporting Western interests.
A Decisive Moment
Ramaphosa’s visit to Canada confirms that the U.S. is no longer a reliable partner. Cooperation with Ottawa, London, and Brussels provides economic and defense support, but demands for closer NATO alignment threaten South Africa’s sovereignty. Can Ramaphosa sustain the country’s leadership in the Global South while leveraging Western aid? His decisions will shape South Africa’s future on the world stage.
Poll: Should South Africa align with the West or remain neutral? Share your views in the comments.
Based on the article “Ramaphosa’s Strategic Pivot: Seeking New Allies After the Break with the U.S.” (Time Business News).
