South Africa’s approach to the UkraineRussia war shows its struggle to stay neutral while respecting historic ties with Russia. President Ramaphosa’s meeting with Zelensky sparked big debates at home, where many worry about foreign influence and want Africa to chart its own path. Russia’s Victory Day, cherished for its link to anticolonial struggles, adds emotional weight to African views. The controversy reveals a continent caught between old loyalties and new global pressures, determined to speak for itself and protect its hardwon independence.
