https://en.sputniknews.africa/20260417/was-south-africa-uninvited-from-the-g7-conference-1085147034.html
Was South Africa Uninvited from the G7 Conference?
Was South Africa Uninvited from the G7 Conference?
Sputnik Africa
On 26 March, reports claimed South Africa’s G7 invitation was withdrawn due to US pressure. Later, this was denied, with officials calling the absence routine... 17.04.2026, Sputnik Africa
2026-04-17T18:32+0200
2026-04-17T18:32+0200
2026-04-17T18:32+0200
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Was South Africa Uninvited from the G7 Conference?
Sputnik Africa
On 26 March, reports claimed South Africa’s G7 invitation was withdrawn due to US pressure. Later, this was denied, with officials calling the absence routine. In this episode of the Nnete Fela Show, we unpack this strange diplomatic episode with SA politician Themba Godi.
When South Africa hosted the G20 summit in late 2025, it was reported that French President Emmanuel Macron had personally invited his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the G7 summit in June of 2026. This is what made it puzzling when presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told media that South Africa would no longer be attending because her invitation was rescinded. He suggested that the American administration threatened to boycott the event if Ramaphosa was allowed to attend. This apparent diplomatic row between the US and South Africa grew even stranger when the South African president claimed that he was not aware of any pressure that was applied to France. Effectively suggesting that there was “nothing to see here,” Ramaphosa said that South Africa’s exclusion should not be considered a snub, it is expected as South Africa is not a G7 member. France has also denied wilting to any US pressure, saying that they simply decided to invite another nation.On this episode we are joined by former parliamentarian and South African politician Themba Godi, who provides his perspective on the matter. He begins by qualifying his thoughts on the G7 generally and emphasizes that the key question pertains to the matter of the invitation; if it was given and it was rescinded, we must ask why.He continues This story has changed dramatically, and it all happened within less than two days. What is the truth here, was South Africa uninvited from the G7 conference or is SA’s absence just “business as usual.”To confront this question, listen to this edition of the Nnete Fela Show.► Listen to all episodes of the Nnete Fela Show.
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cyril ramaphosa, emmanuel macron, south africa, united states (us), france, g7, podcasts, аудио
cyril ramaphosa, emmanuel macron, south africa, united states (us), france, g7, podcasts, аудио
Was South Africa Uninvited from the G7 Conference?
On 26 March, reports claimed South Africa’s G7 invitation was withdrawn due to US pressure. Later, this was denied, with officials calling the absence routine. In this episode of the Nnete Fela Show, we unpack this strange diplomatic episode with SA politician Themba Godi.
When South Africa hosted the G20 summit in late 2025, it was reported that French President Emmanuel Macron had personally invited his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the G7 summit in June of 2026. This is what made it puzzling when presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told media that South Africa would no longer be attending because her invitation was rescinded. He suggested that the American administration threatened to boycott the event if Ramaphosa was allowed to attend. This apparent diplomatic row between the US and South Africa grew even stranger when the South African president claimed that he was not aware of any pressure that was applied to France. Effectively suggesting that there was “nothing to see here,” Ramaphosa said that South Africa’s exclusion should not be considered a snub, it is expected as South Africa is not a G7 member. France has also denied wilting to any US pressure, saying that they simply decided to invite another nation.
On this episode we are joined by former parliamentarian and South African politician Themba Godi, who provides his perspective on the matter. He begins by qualifying his thoughts on the G7 generally and emphasizes that the key question pertains to the matter of the invitation; if it was given and it was rescinded, we must ask why.
"I don't think the G7 is more important than the G20, and the countries that constitute the G7 are more of a political club than an economic club. Because in economic terms, you can't have a G7 that does not include China, for instance, you can't have a G7 that does not include Russia," Godi explains. "That's the issue, because it says why, where did the pressure come from? Is it America? If it is, then what it says and what it tells us is that there is a full-blown diplomatic offensive against South Africa by the Americans."
He continues This story has changed dramatically, and it all happened within less than two days. What is the truth here, was South Africa uninvited from the G7 conference or is SA’s absence just “business as usual.”
To confront this question, listen to this edition of the Nnete Fela Show.
► Listen to all episodes of the Nnete Fela Show. 
