South Africa scrambles to stave off US sanctions as Lamola visits Washington - IOL

South Africa faces renewed diplomatic tensions over Washington’s latest visa restrictions.

South Africa is seeking to manage rising diplomatic tensions with Washington while maintaining crucial trade ties under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

International Relations and Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola is in the United States for bilateral meetings ahead of the high-level United Nations General Assembly debate, which runs from September 22 to 28.

The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) said Lamola’s engagements would cover economic diplomacy, South Africa’s relationship with the US and other international relations matters.

His visit comes days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced targeted visa restrictions against foreign nationals whom Washington says are responsible for, or complicit in, policies involving uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination or the incitement of violence against minority groups in South Africa.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with the US following the recent US visa restrictions targeting South African officials.

No individuals were named when the restrictions were announced. Rubio said existing visas could be revoked and future applications rejected, with certain family members potentially also covered by the restrictions.

The US administration has repeatedly raised concerns about South Africa’s land reform and affirmative action policies, as well as allegations of violence against Afrikaners. The South African government rejects the characterisation of its policies and has disputed claims that white South Africans are being systematically persecuted.

Lamola said the latest US action was based on a “mischaracterisation” of South Africa’s domestic policies and aligned with narratives promoted by groups that falsely claim to represent minorities and Afrikaners.

He said South Africa had a sovereign right to enact laws addressing the effects of centuries of racial inequality.

Despite the diplomatic tensions, the US has extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) until December 2028.

The extension maintains preferential access to the US market for eligible South African products, with the South African government saying it provides greater certainty for local producers and exporters.

The continuation of AGOA is significant because it keeps a major channel of preferential trade between the two countries open while political disagreements continue.

Public policy expert Dr Sean Muller said the continued operation of AGOA showed that the rhetoric surrounding the relationship should be distinguished from the practical ties between the two countries.

“Previously, many so-called experts and commentators confidently predicted that South Africa would be expelled from AGOA's special trade provisions on the basis of similar rhetoric - that did not happen.”

Muller said he believed the rhetoric surrounding the relationship was driven by several factors, including political tensions in both countries and the use of trade and diplomatic pressure as a negotiating tool.

Political analyst Professor Theo Neethling said the visa restrictions should be viewed as a targeted measure against individuals rather than a blanket restriction on South Africans.

He said government officials, senior civil servants and possibly political leaders could be affected if they were deemed personally responsible for policies covered by the US restrictions, but cautioned against assuming that all ANC or government representatives were automatically targeted.

Neethling also pointed to wider differences between Pretoria and Washington, including South Africa’s support for Palestine and its legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

International relations expert Professor Andre Thomashausen similarly said the visa policy was not a country-wide sanction.

However, he argued that continued disagreement over South Africa’s affirmative action and employment equity policies could contribute to further pressure from Washington.

The latest measures follow a series of disputes between the two countries, including the US imposing a 30% tariff on South African exports and cutting funding for South Africa’s HIV treatment programmes.

The Trump administration has also previously introduced a refugee programme for Afrikaners and pursued measures affecting South Africa’s diplomatic relationship with Washington.

For now, the two countries remain engaged through diplomatic channels, while the extension of AGOA provides a continuing trade framework despite the growing political disagreements.