Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to arrive in South Africa on Thursday, April 24, marking his first-ever visit to the country. His working trip will include high-level talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria, with discussions expected to cover a wide range of bilateral matters.
But political observers believe that a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is likely to dominate the agenda. “I’m absolutely certain it will be part of the agenda,” said Dr. Oscar van Heerden, a research associate at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Diplomacy and Leadership.
“I think the South African government doesn’t want to raise expectations…and certainly doesn’t want to outline their true intentions.”
Dr. Oscar van Heerden
In June 2023, President Ramaphosa led a delegation of African leaders on a peace mission to Ukraine and Russia, engaging in dialogue with both President Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although the mission yielded no immediate breakthroughs, it laid the groundwork for further diplomatic engagement.
Since then, Kyiv has taken steps to build stronger ties with the African continent, pledging to open 10 new embassies across Africa and share military and technological expertise with partner nations.
“So there is some interest, and I’m certain at some point during the working visit, Ramaphosa and Zelenskyy are going to find time to reflect on that.”
Dr. Oscar van Heerden
Zelenskyy’s upcoming visit also underscores the potential diplomatic influence South Africa holds as a member of BRICS — a coalition of emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. With its established links to Moscow, Pretoria is uniquely positioned to play a role in advancing peace talks between the warring nations.
Pretoria’s Ties With Moscow Raise Questions
President Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) party shares a long-standing relationship with Russia, dating back to the anti-apartheid struggle. These historical bonds have continued into the present, with Ramaphosa facing criticism from opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) over what they view as an overly cozy relationship with President Putin.
“Because South Africa is part of an alliance structure like BRICS, and because South Africa has friendly relations with the Russian Federation, it is better for President Ramaphosa to take matters directly to President Putin and say, ‘This is what Zelensky is putting on the table.’”
Dr. Oscar van Heerden
In recent months, President Zelenskyy has also engaged in dialogue with the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations, pushing for a ceasefire agreement that would bring an end to the devastating war. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has resulted in the deaths of at least 12,654 civilians, according to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Yet Dzvinka Kachur, honorary president of the Ukrainian Association of South Africa (UAZA), remains cautious about the prospects for peace. “Long-lasting peace in Ukraine can only come if Russia stops being an empire and seeking [to have] Ukraine as its colony,” she said.
Kachur acknowledged that South Africa alone cannot broker peace but believes the country can still play a critical role through humanitarian initiatives. “There is the humanitarian aspect that South Africa can play a more important role in,” she explained.
She highlighted the return of deported Ukrainian children, preventing abuses at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility, and aiding the release of prisoners of war and journalists as specific areas for South Africa’s involvement.
Beyond immediate conflict resolution, Kachur expressed frustration with the current structure of international institutions.
“We can see that this international system is not working, and this is something that African countries have been saying for a while. Russia invaded Ukraine while presiding over the UN Security Council, and the council was completely blocked.”
Dzvinka Kachur
As Zelenskyy prepares to meet South African officials and members of the Ukrainian community in Pretoria, his visit symbolizes a diplomatic effort that may not only reshape Ukraine-Africa relations but also contribute to broader conversations about global governance.
