PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Friday that his country will symbolically hand over the G20 presidency to an empty chair during the upcoming summit in Johannesburg, as the United States declines to attend.

The gesture highlights what many interpret as a diplomatic gaffe and a strain in relations between Pretoria and Washington at a time when South Africa seeks to assert its role on the global stage.

Ramaphosa, speaking from Soweto while overseeing preparations for the summit, said: “I have said in the past I don’t want to hand over to an empty chair, but the empty chair will be there. I will probably symbolically hand over to that empty chair and then talk to President Trump…”

The remark was prompted by the announcement from the U.S. that no government officials would attend the 22–23 November summit in South Africa.

The absence of U.S. leadership at the summit marks a rare low point for the G20 — an institution built on the cooperation of the world’s major economies.

The United States cited alleged human-rights abuses in South Africa, particularly claims of violence against white South Africans, as grounds for the boycott. These claims have been widely rejected by South African officials.

For South Africa, the presidency of the G20 is a major diplomatic milestone — the first time an African country holds the rotating leadership of the bloc.

The handover to the U.S., traditionally a powerhouse in global governance, was expected to go smoothly and symbolically.

Instead, the “empty chair” moment signals tension, distrust, and a rerouting of global power dynamics.

Ramaphosa’s reference to handing over to an empty chair carries significant symbolism.

On one hand, it reflects South Africa’s willingness to proceed with leadership and agenda-setting even when one of the bloc’s most influential members opts out.

On the other hand, it may be seen as a diplomatic rebuke — a message that the U.S. absence will not halt the G20’s function, but that the void will be visible.

Despite the tension, Ramaphosa made clear that trade and cooperation with the United States remain priorities for South Africa.

“We export products to that country that in the end don’t end up in the White House. They end up in the hands of consumers in the United States,” Ramaphosa noted.

He added that while some might argue for disengagement, South Africa must sometimes engage with countries that are not friendly to safeguard the interests of its people.

The upcoming summit in Johannesburg is expected to focus on issues high on the agenda of the Global South: climate resilience, debt relief, and inclusive development.

South Africa’s theme for the presidency, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” reflects this shift in priorities.

With the U.S. absence looming, the onus falls on other leaders and emerging economies to fill the vacuum.

Critics argue that without robust U.S. participation, the G20’s influence could diminish.

The United States has historically played a central role in shaping global economic and financial governance. Its absence may reduce the summit’s capacity to enact major agreements.

Supporters of South Africa’s approach, however, view the moment as an opportunity: the Global South can step forward, diversify leadership, and reduce reliance on traditional powers.

Ramaphosa’s “empty chair” gesture may thus serve dual purposes: a provocation and an invitation. It warns that global diplomacy cannot simply rely on one dominant player, and invites others to engage more fully.

For the Johannesburg summit, it may encourage African, Asian, and Latin American leaders to press their agenda, potentially with greater autonomy.

How the U.S. responds if invited to the hand-over remains uncertain.

Whether it sends even a low-level representative or stays completely away could send even stronger signals about its role in global governance.

For South Africa, the practical implications are serious: hosting a summit of this scale demands security, infrastructure, and resources.

The eyes of the world will be on Johannesburg next week.

In the end, the “empty chair” might become a powerful reminder: that in a changing world, leadership vacuums speak as loudly as fulfilled seats.

How the G20 adapts will reveal whether it remains relevant or becomes a relic of a shifting geopolitical order.

The Maravi Post