Mbalula Warns Against the US Isolation of South Africa from Africa

African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has warned against allowing the United States, under President Donald Trump, to isolate South Africa from the rest of the African continent, calling instead for collective resistance and stronger intra-African cooperation, according to News24.

Addressing delegates on the final day of the 27th ANC Youth League (ANCYL) national congress at the University of Limpopo, Mbalula urged African countries to stand with South Africa rather than leaving it to confront geopolitical pressure alone.

“South Africa must not fight alone. It must fight with the rest of the African continent. It must never accept to be isolated from the rest of the African continent,” Mbalula said.

He added:

“We must not allow Donald Trump to isolate us from the African continent. We must fight as the African continent for our own African Renaissance.”

Mbalula emphasised that the African Renaissance remains a central political task, particularly for young leaders, and said it is inseparable from the expansion of intra-African trade. He called on African states to strengthen economic ties among themselves and reduce dependence on external powers.

“African countries must trade among themselves. Africa must stop being beggars of others,” he said. “If we are so powerful, we will not be a walkover [for] the United States.”

According to News24, Mbalula also praised the ANCYL for successfully organising a peaceful and self-managed congress without direct assistance from the ANC, despite scepticism about its ability to do so. He said the congress demonstrated the league’s organisational maturity.

He further commended the uncontested election of the youth league’s leadership, suggesting it offered lessons for the broader ANC as it works to overcome internal divisions.

“Comrades, we wish you well, and we're very happy about this congress. It was a peaceful congress, not characterised by pettiness or factionalism, as we walk the path of renewal,” Mbalula said.