PRETORIA – The South African Presidency has officially confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will undertake a working visit to South Africa on 24 April. This marks the first official visit by the Ukrainian leader to the African continent since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
While the specific agenda for the visit has not been made public, sources close to the Presidency indicate that President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Zelensky are expected to engage in high-level discussions focused primarily on the ongoing conflict and South Africa’s potential role in mediating a peaceful resolution.
President Ramaphosa has been at the forefront of diplomatic efforts through the African Peace Initiative — a collective led by several African heads of state aiming to mediate between Ukraine and Russia. His leadership in the initiative has drawn international attention, positioning South Africa as a potential bridge-builder between the warring nations.
However, Zelensky’s upcoming visit has sparked a wave of criticism within South Africa’s political landscape. Both the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the South African Communist Party (SACP) have condemned the government’s decision to host the Ukrainian president. In separate statements, the parties accused the Ramaphosa administration of undermining South Africa’s official stance of neutrality in the conflict.
“The visit by President Zelensky contradicts the non-aligned principles that South Africa claims to uphold,” said a spokesperson for the MK Party. “It sends a biased message and aligns us with NATO-aligned interests.”
The SACP echoed similar sentiments, warning that the visit could damage South Africa’s historical alliances and international reputation. “We must not allow ourselves to be used as pawns in global power plays,” the party stated.
Despite the criticism, government officials maintain that the visit aligns with South Africa’s commitment to global peace and open dialogue. A senior government source noted that engaging both sides of the conflict is essential if the African Peace Initiative is to succeed.
President Zelensky’s visit comes at a time when Kyiv is seeking broader international support, particularly from the Global South, where many nations have adopted cautious or non-aligned positions regarding the war. Analysts suggest the visit is also aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties with African countries and building momentum for a global peace dialogue.
President Zelensky is expected to hold bilateral talks, address the media jointly with President Ramaphosa, and possibly engage with members of South Africa’s diplomatic and academic communities.
More details on the visit are expected to be released in the coming days.
About The Author
