Ramaphosa pledges engagement despite US visa restrictions

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that his country would continue engaging with the United States without "bowing our heads," days after Washington announced targeted visa restrictions against unnamed South Africans over alleged race-based discrimination, uncompensated land seizures and incitement against minority groups. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the restrictions last week. No individuals were named when the policy was unveiled. One source placed the announcement on September 15, 2026. Ramaphosa was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the ANC Veterans League fundraising golf day at the Johannesburg Country Club in Woodmead. He said the government had taken note of the restrictions but remained prepared to engage with Washington. "Where there are challenges, we will go in with our dignity, with our sovereignty to engage with those countries without bowing our heads and treating those nations respectfully and expecting them to treat us also respectfully," Ramaphosa said.