G20 Summit in South Africa: A success for MSMEs despite the absence President Donald Trump

SOUTH Africa has officially done the unthinkable: pulled off the first-ever G20 Summit on African soil, smoothly, stylishly, and with enough gravitas to make global leaders nod thoughtfully while sipping rooibos tea.

- Bongani Ntombela

THE G20 Summit on African soil proved a success, says the author.

(SUPPLIED)

Under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” Africa didn’t just host the summit. It owned it.

And yes, while Donald Trump's on-again, off-again relationship with attendance (“I’m coming. I’m not coming. Actually, where is South Africa again?”) gave international journalists enough drama to last the week, the real winners quietly stepped into the spotlight, the African MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). Besides the political ping-pong caused by the US, the summit ended on a high note.

The G20 declaration noted that never-ending wars, terrorism threats, and ongoing attacks on civilians are the real enemies of economic growth and prosperity. We applaud the G20 for condemning the whole blood menu that is served to African communities by war mongers.

For MSMEs, this is excellent news as it results in fewer disruptions, meaning more time focusing on keeping the tills ringing instead of checking if the local junta power struggle has reached the business district. If the UN Charter gets taken seriously this time, small businesses may finally enjoy the one thing no money can buy, peace, long enough to finish a business plan without a gun on our heads instead.

We also note that floods, droughts, cyclones, and the occasional desert storms result in MSMEs operating in a survival mode also got attention. The G20 has committed to strengthening early warning systems and disaster response.