South Africans are expected to tune in tonight as President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver a national address, following a week marked by high-level diplomacy, an unconventional handover ceremony, and fresh tensions involving the United States.
The presidency confirmed that Ramaphosa will speak publicly after South Africa's term as G20 chair came to an end this week.
The announcement comes after several developments that drew global attention, including a last-minute absence by US President Donald Trump and his attempts to discourage other leaders from supporting the summit's declaration.
South Africa hosted leaders from some of the world's most influential economies in Johannesburg last week.
Reporting from EWN noted that government officials considered the summit a strong success, a sentiment echoed by a number of international delegates.
However, one moment stood out. Rather than attending or participating in the handover tradition, President Trump appointed a lower-ranking embassy representative to accept the G20 presidency on behalf of the US, a break from established diplomatic practice.
Matters escalated further when Trump signaled he might push to remove South Africa from the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a key trade arrangement that gives eligible African countries preferential access to US markets.
As EWN indicated, the decision now rests with the US Senate, but the threat alone has added a layer of uncertainty.
Ramaphosa's upcoming remarks are expected to provide clarity on South Africa's position following the transition of G20 leadership to the United States, and how the government intends to navigate the trade concerns recently raised by Washington.
Officials have not shared the full scope of tonight's agenda, but the presidency has hinted that the address will reflect on the outcomes of the summit and outline how South Africa plans to engage with global partners during this period of shifting geopolitical dynamics.
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