G20 a chance for SA to redefine global leadership

AS SOUTH Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit in just a few months, it steps onto the world stage during some of the most turbulent and unpredictable periods in recent history, marked by global conflicts, economic instabilities, and shifting power dynamics.

- NALEDI RAMONTJA

At home, South Africa is also facing serious challenges: high unemployment, poor service delivery, high levels of corruption, sluggish economic growth, and ongoing political uncertainties.

Yet despite these pressures, there is a sense of cautious optimism. South Africa follows in the footsteps of recent G20 presidencies, Brazil in 2024, India in 2023, and Indonesia in 2022. All of these are countries of the Global South that have successfully used their leadership to shape the agenda, elevate new voices, and signal a changing world order.

For South Africa, taking on the G20 presidency is not just about hosting another global event; it’s about leading through uncertainty. It’s about stepping up at a time when clear leadership, inclusive dialogue, and courageous diplomacy are more needed than ever. Since taking over the G20 presidency in December, the country has already hosted several important events. In February, finance ministers and central bankers met in Cape Town to discuss climate finance, debt relief, and the risks of protectionism, though major countries like the US and China were absent.