South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is gearing up for a high-profile state visit to the United States, where all eyes will be on his upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

But this trip isn’t just about diplomatic handshakes and photo ops—it comes at a time when the relationship between the two countries is feeling a bit tense.

White South African “Refugees” Spark Backlash Before Visit

Ramaphosa’s visit kicks off just a week after the U.S. made headlines by welcoming 59 white South African individuals referred to as “refugees.”

The move has stirred political chatter and reignited debates around South Africa’s internal policies on land reform and race relations—issues Trump himself has criticized.

Ramaphosa Pushes Back on Genocide Claims

President Trump has recently accused the South African government of discriminating against minorities—particularly Afrikaners.

He’s even gone as far as to suggest there’s a form of “white genocide” happening in South Africa, a claim that has drawn strong criticism from global observers and South African leaders alike.

Ramaphosa didn’t mince words when responding. “There’s no genocide in South Africa.

That is a fact supported by real evidence,” he stated firmly, dismissing Trump’s claims as baseless.

Focus on Trade, Not Drama

Despite the underlying political tensions, Ramaphosa made it clear that his focus for this visit is squarely on trade and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

He downplayed any suggestion of personal or political conflict, saying, “We’re going there to talk trade and our partnership.

It’s a country-to-country relationship—we do business together, and we need to engage.”

The meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump is expected to take place at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, although the exact timing remains under wraps.

Acting President Appointed Back Home

While Ramaphosa is away, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe has been appointed Acting President until May 22.

That ensures the business of governance continues smoothly at home while Ramaphosa focuses on international diplomacy.

Will Ramaphosa Hold His Own?

As the political world watches closely, some wonder how the meeting will play out, especially given Trump’s unpredictable style.

Will Ramaphosa manage to assert South Africa’s stance confidently on the global stage—or will the conversation take a more confrontational turn?

One thing’s for sure: the stakes are high, and the world will be watching what happens next in Washington.