G20 hoists SA up world-class league

For an African country, South Africa has always punched above its weight to claim a spot among the elite global league of nations.

- By Don Makatile

The country today is a far cry from the pariah state it used to be in the dark days of Apartheid.

The world now looks up to us for a commendable number of reasons ranging from our moral stance against the genocidal acts of Israel in Gaza to our sporting excellence.

We are the current rugby and cricket world champions!

We've had the world eating out of the palm of our hand before and experiencing our unique brand of sunny South African hospitality, principally when we hosted the soccer and rugby World Cups in 1995 and 1996.

The two events, it would seem, were merely a scene setter. This weekend, as world leaders descend on our shores once again, this time for the 20th international G20 Summit, we stand, as a country, on the cusp of cementing our title as international host par excellence.

The G20 takes place in Johannesburg, aptly touted by the city fathers as 'a world-class African city'.

This is no idle boast. Johannesburg is world class; South Africa is neck-and-neck with the world's so-called Alpha cities. We are no Banana Republic, as even our detractors will attest.

In true South African spirit, Johannesburg is spruced up, ready to welcome our esteemed guests.

The less said about the drama-filled absence of US President Donald Trump, the better. With or without him, the show goes on, President Cyril Ramaphosa assured us all.

Leading business mind Professor Bonang Mohale gave us food for thought in a Newzroom Afrika interview on Wednesday night: American business will attend the G20 meeting.