The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, today congratulated his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for re-election “for a fourth-term historic”, classifying the result as a “victory for the global south”.
© Reuters
26/10/2026
by
Lusa
O President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, today congratulated his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on his re-election “for a fourth term of office”, classifying the result as a “victory for the global south”.
“ This victory will resonate beyond the coast of Brazil. It is a victory for the global south and for progressive forces around the world,” said Ramaphosa, in a statement released by the South African Presidency.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, I congratulate my dear brother and friend, President Lula, and the people of Brazil,” he added.
Ramaphosa highlighted the “close bilateral and strategic relationship” maintained between South Africa and Brazil, based on South-South cooperation and joint participation in international forums such as BRICS.
“ We reaffirm our commitment to continue to strengthen bilateral relations between our two countries and to work closely in all multilateral forums to build a fair and better world order, sustained by solidarity and respect for international law,” the South African President said.
In March, Ramaphosa made a state visit to Brazil at Lula da Silva's invitation. On that occasion, the two leaders agreed to strengthen their political and trade relations.
The Brazilian President, in turn, visited South Africa in 2023 to participate in the summit of the BRICS emerging economies group and returned to the country in 2025 at the G20 summit [group of developed and emerging economies].
Lula da Silva won a fourth presidential term on Sunday in the second round of elections, defeating, against the predictions, Flávio Bolsonaro, son and political heir of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
The leader of the Workers' Party (PT-center left) obtained 51.79% of the votes, compared to the 48,21% achieved by the Liberal Party candidate (PL – far right).
Flávio Bolsonaro announced, after the disclosure of the results, that he will ask the court to cancel the ballot and refused to recognize Lula's victory.