Lamola in US amid diplomatic tensions over new visa restrictions
WASHINGTON, DC: South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has arrived in Washington, DC, for a working visit as diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington continue to grow.
Lamola arrived in the US capital on Thursday, 17 September 2026, ahead of a series of engagements with US policymakers before travelling to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
His visit comes days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new visa restrictions targeting foreign nationals whom Washington says are responsible for or complicit in policies involving race-based discrimination, incitement of imminent violence against racial or ethnic minorities, or enabling expropriation without compensation in South Africa.
The United States has not publicly identified specific individuals who will be affected by the latest restrictions.
Lamola has rejected the US characterisation of South Africa’s domestic policies, arguing that the country has a sovereign right to adopt legislation aimed at addressing the legacy of racial inequality.
In a statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Lamola said South Africa remained committed to addressing historical injustices while upholding democratic values, social justice and human rights.
During his stay in Washington, Lamola is expected to attend a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation event, participate in a roundtable discussion and hold courtesy and bilateral meetings with members of the US Congress and other stakeholders.
South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Roelf Meyer, welcomed Lamola to Washington. The minister also received briefings from DIRCO Director-General Zane Dangor and other diplomatic officials.
The Washington visit comes against the backdrop of increasingly strained relations between South Africa and the United States, including disagreements over South Africa’s transformation policies and land reform.
After completing his engagements in Washington, Lamola is expected to travel to New York, where he will represent South Africa at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The UN General Assembly is scheduled to take place from 22 to 28 September, with more than 100 heads of state and government expected to attend. South Africa is expected to advance its positions on multilateralism and reform of global institutions during the gathering.
Lamola’s US visit therefore places him at the centre of diplomatic engagements between Pretoria and Washington at a time when the two countries are dealing with significant disagreements over domestic policy, sovereignty and bilateral relations.
