Protocol and times: What you need to know about Ramaphosa and Trump's White House meeting
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet with Trump, where he must defend South Africa's sovereignty against aggressive US policies.
Image: IOL Graphics
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House later on Wednesday.
According to the Presidency, the purpose of the visit is to reset and revitalise bilateral relations between the countries.
"In this regard, the visit will focus specifically on reframing bilateral, economic and commercial relations," the Presidency added.
What you need to know
The South African presidency confirmed that Ramaphosa met with Trump at 11:30 am EDT (5:30pm SAST) at the White House in Washington, DC
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya outlined the schedule as follows:
11:30 am (5:30 pm SAST): President Trump will receive President Ramaphosa
11:35 am (5:35 pm SAST): Ramaphosa will sign the visitors’ book
11:45 am (5:45 pm SAST): Working lunch with President Trump
12:45 pm (6:45 pm SAST): Bilateral meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump
1:30 pm (7:30 pm SAST): Ramaphosa departs the White House
Magwenya confirmed that the program includes media interaction.
SA delegation
- Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola
- Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
- Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau
- Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen
- Professional golfer Ernie Els
- Richemont founder and Remgro chairman Johann Rupert
- Professional golfer Retief Goosen
To support trade diplomacy, Business Unity South Africa Vice President Adrian Gore and Congress of South African Trade Unions President Zingiswa Losi are also in Washington to provide strategic backing.
US delegation
- Vice President JD Vance
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
- Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau
- Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles
- Elon Musk, South African-born millionaire and special government employee in the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)- Dr. Massad Boulos, senior adviser for Africa and senior adviser to the president on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs
IOL