By 
The African National Congress (ANC) has taken a strong firm stance on its foreign policy, making it clear that they will not be bullied into submission to misinformation but will defend South Africa’s sovereignty.
Addressing the media on Sunday, 30 March 2025, following its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the ANC affirmed that they stand by their international relations policy and will not compromise, though the party values relations with other countries, it says its policies must benefit its domestic economy and citizens.
Nomvula Mokonyane, the Deputy Secretary of the ANC, told the media that the ANC remains committed to defending the sovereignty of South Africa, transforming the global order, and ensuring that its foreign policy serves peace, justice, and development.
She said the ANC’s International Relations programme for 2025 will continue to pursue these priorities with clarity and determination.
“South Africa’s international outlook must always serve the domestic goal of transforming the lives of its people. It must attract investment, grow exports, drive skills development, and create jobs—especially for youth, women, and the historically marginalised.
We will not retreat in the face of pressure. We will not bend to misinformation. We will stand for peace, dignity, and a better world—because that is the ANC’s historic mission,” said Mokonyane.
“The African National Congress (ANC) reaffirms its steadfast commitment to a foreign policy that serves the people of South Africa and advances a more just, peaceful, equitable and inclusive world. As the governing party, the ANC views international relations as a strategic lever to advance the national democratic revolution, stimulate inclusive economic development, deepen solidarity with oppressed people, and build a better Africa and a better world,” said the Nomvula Mokonyane.
Mokonyane said the NEC discussed foreign policy on the first day of its three days meeting, giving priority to the global changing landscape in politics with clashing ideas with the ANC. The ANC is facing challenges of solidarity groups like AfriForum calling on the United States to intervene in the land expropriation matter which they claim that there are land grabs targeting Afrikaner farmers.
As such, the United States based on this information has withdrawn its financial aid towards South Africa and the AGOA treaty weighs in the balance.
“The ANC condemns in the strongest terms the on-going campaign of misinformation by local right-wing elements, who seek to distort reality, incite racial tensions, and falsely claim a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa. This dangerous and racially charged rhetoric not only undermines our democracy but seeks to reverse the hard-won gains of a free, united, and non-racial society.
We reject their divisive politics and call on them instead to join hands with the rest of the country to build a better South Africa—one where the economic exclusion of the black majority is decisively addressed, and all who live in it work together to shape a shared, inclusive, united non-racial and non-sexist prosperous future,” said Mokonyane.
“Guided by Our Values, Anchored in the Freedom Charter the ANC’s international relations are not transactional—they are transformational. Since its formation in 1912, the ANC has advanced a values-based foreign policy. These values were reaffirmed in the Freedom Charter, which boldly declared: “There shall be Peace and Friendship!”. This continues to guide our work to this day,” she continued.
Mokonyane further affirmed that in the midst of pressure, the ANC will not abandon its support for Palestine.
“The ANC supports the South African Government’s efforts to advocate for the Palestinian people including the case at ICJ against Israel’s genocidal activities in Gaza whose victims are mainly women and children, calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian corridors for aid. The ANC further calls for the unity of Palestine which will be a good foundation for a lasting peaceful solution,” she said.
