G20 summit: No lobbying for boycotts, says Ramaphosa

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa will not lobby any nation to boycott next year's G20 Leaders' Summit in Miami, despite reports that the United States plans to exclude the country from the gathering.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

"The United States has said that South Africa will not be invited. We have not seen that in writing yet. We've only seen media reports. We are yet to receive anything formally, and we will deal with that when it comes," Ramaphosa said.

He was speaking with the media on the sidelines of Cosatu's Golf Day, at Johannesburg Golf Club, yesterday.

He stressed that South Africa remained a fully fledged member of the G20.

"We have held a very successful G20. And this is not only being said by us — it is said by many other people around the world. They are saying South Africa's presidency of the G20 was a very successful process. The declaration that was adopted is a forward-looking declaration that will help drive many of the changes we identified.

"As South Africans, we can say confidently that we held a successful G20. What happens going forward is something we will deal with."

Asked by members of the media on whether US president Donald Trump's stance caused him sleepless nights, Ramaphosa said it did not.