Elon Musk WILL be part of ‘Team Trump’ in meeting with Cyril Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday - and Elon Musk WILL be present.

May 21, 2025 - 22:00
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Elon Musk WILL be part of ‘Team Trump’ in meeting with Cyril Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday at 17:30 (SA time) at the Oval Office, as both leaders seek to mend strained ties between the two countries.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of:

  • US aid cuts impacting HIV/AIDS programmes in South Africa,
  • Trade uncertainty over the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA),
  • Controversial resettlements of white Afrikaners granted asylum in the US

Official schedule (SA times):

  • 17:30: Trump welcomes Ramaphosa at the White House
  • 17:35: Signing of the visitors’ book
  • 17:45: Working lunch begins
  • 18:45: Bilateral meeting with media access
  • 19:30: Ramaphosa departs the White House

South Africa delegation

  • Ministers: Ronald Lamola (International Relations), Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (Presidency), Ebrahim Patel (Trade & Industry), John Steenhuisen (Agriculture)
  • Business & Civil Society:
    • Johann Rupert – Richemont & Remgro Chair
    • Adrian Gore – BUSA Vice President
    • Zingiswa Losi – COSATU President
  • Additional guests: Golf legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen (invited to appeal to Trump’s well-known love for golf)

US delegation

  • VP JD Vance
  • Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth
  • Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
  • Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau
  • Chief of Staff Susie Wiles
  • Special Government Employee Elon Musk
  • Dr. Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor on Africa & Middle East

Background

The meeting is aimed at repairing diplomatic relations and securing continued trade benefits under AGOA.

Discussions may also touch on:

  • South Africa’s ties with Hamas and Iran
  • Starlink negotiations with Elon Musk
  • Economic cooperation and potential US investments

Meanwhile, Cyril Ramaphosa joined the 2025 Budget Speech virtually earlier on Wednesday before continuing with the historic diplomatic visit.

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