The room was powerful, some moments uncomfortable: Unpacking the Oval Office meeting between Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump in a constructive manner.
Global (22 May 2025) – We know many of our readers have given up on mainstream media. The world feels heavy, headlines feel divisive and it’s easy to feel disheartened by global politics. Good Things Guy has always been a space for hope, a platform dedicated to sharing the good things that bring us together.
But every now and then, a story comes along that, while rooted in serious global matters, needs to be told not with fear or fury but with constructive journalism. That’s what this article is. We’ve removed emotion and opinion. This is what happened in the Oval Office yesterday.
And yes, even here, we found (some) hope.
A Diplomatic Moment That Became More Than a Courtesy Call
On the 21st of May 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa walked into the Oval Office for his first face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump during Trump’s second term in office. The goal was clear: to reaffirm trade ties, open doors for South African innovation and lay the groundwork for the G20 Summit set to take place in Johannesburg later this year.
What followed, however, wasn’t your standard diplomatic chit-chat.
Within minutes, the conversation took a turn when President Trump raised the long-standing, controversial topic of land reform in South Africa, presenting a video showing the mistreatment of farmers. There was also a video showing the EFF leader singing a song that has caused mass contention in our country. And then a monument was shown that our President seemed not to know anything about.
It was a moment filled with tension. Uncomfortable. Unexpected. And deeply personal for many watching from home.
But this is where it gets important.
Instead of reacting emotionally or defensively, Ramaphosa responded with clarity and calm. He acknowledged the pain and complexity of the past and then reminded Trump, and the world, that South Africa is working towards a better, more inclusive future. No shouting. No slamming of hands. Just dignity and poise.
You can watch the full meeting below.
What Else Was on the Table: Trade, Technology and a Shared Future
While the viral moment stole the headlines, it wasn’t the full story. Behind the scenes, the meeting also touched on tangible opportunities for South Africa:
Trade & Jobs: South Africa made its case for the continuation and expansion of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a programme that allows duty-free exports into the U.S. Protecting AGOA is vital for South African farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses, and Ramaphosa used the moment to stress how these agreements impact real livelihoods.
Green Energy & Tech: The South African delegation also raised opportunities around electric vehicles and green energy infrastructure, with Elon Musk’s Tesla and Starlink mentioned as potential partners for building a more connected, sustainable future.
The G20 Summit Invitation: Ramaphosa personally invited Trump to attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg this November, a significant diplomatic gesture that signals openness, despite the tension in the room. If accepted, it could bring enormous global attention and economic activity to South Africa.
Finding the Good in a Tricky Room
Let’s be honest: the room was tricky. But sometimes, leadership isn’t about how easy the room is. It’s about how you hold yourself in it.
We saw a South African team of delegates (including golfers and a billionaire) walk into one of the most powerful rooms in the world, absorb the pressure and respond with principle.
We saw uncomfortable topics addressed, yes, but also important topics: trade, growth, connectivity, agriculture and our place in the global economy. While there may be differing views between the U.S. and South Africa (and even differing views within South Africa), dialogue is better than silence. Respect is better than rhetoric. And diplomacy, with all its discomforts, is the only path to progress.
And maybe that’s the biggest good thing of all.
Not that everything went smoothly. But that even when it didn’t, we found a way to stay steady. To represent our country with pride. And to keep the door open.
Because if you ask us, that’s how change begins… with open doors… and open conversations.
by 