President Ramaphosa, during this week’s media engagement with President Donald Trump in the White House’s Oval Office, displayed the quiet strength that defines Ubuntu Stoicism.
Introducing Ubuntu Stoicism is the title of my book and a concept I coined—one that now appears to have evolved into a genre of its own, inspiring books, articles, YouTube videos, and philosophical quotes from others.
Confronted with Trump’s remarks, which blended extreme inaccuracies with some truthful elements about South Africa, Ramaphosa stayed calm.
He did not meet distortion with outrage. Instead, he responded with humility (Ubuntu) and measured resolve (Stoicism).
Context
Since taking office, President Trump has claimed white South Africans face genocide—a false assertion many, including myself, believe was influenced by Elon Musk. In reality, there’s no genocide. South Africa has high crime rates that affect all races. Farm attacks, for instance, harm both white farmers and black workers. Trump shared misleading visuals, including an image from Congo. While EFF leader Julius Malema has sung “Kill the Boer,” the song is outdated and has no place in Democratic South Africa. I’ve condemned it before.
This context is important.
Let’s continue: Ramaphosa’s Ubuntu Stoicism
Many in President Ramaphosa’s position might have reacted with visible frustration. He did not. He chose humility over defensiveness.
As the African proverb wisely puts it: “No matter how hot your anger is, it cannot cook yams.”
In other words, anger—no matter how justified—does not nourish. It cannot transform. Like yams or sweet potatoes, real progress requires more than heat; it requires substance, patience, and true fire.
The Stoic philosopher Seneca once said: “Anger, if not restrained, is frequently more hurtful to us than the injury that provokes it.”
And Epictetus later reminded us: “No man is free who is not master of himself.”
President Ramaphosa’s restraint was not weakness. It was strength—tempered, intentional, and grounded in something deeper.
Lastly, Nelson Mandela said, “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
Fear of embarrassment often drives us to overtalk, to dominate rather than listen. But Ubuntu Stoicism teaches restraint and dignity. President Ramaphosa’s calm composure in the Oval Office was a powerful reflection of hope.
May South Africa and her children draw strength from this example of Ubuntu Stoicism, and commit themselves to building a nation worthy of her promise.
Best wishes to America also!!
All these reminded me of what I wrote in “Introducing Ubuntu Stoicism: Gain Joy, Resilience, Productivity, and Defuse Anxiety.”