G20 Leaders' Summit: Celebrating Africa's Moment on the Global Stage

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup – the first one held on African soil – the infectious and powerful slogan, “Feel it … It is here” played a key role in rallying support for the tournament among South Africa’s citizens as well as visitors from around the world.

The marketing slogan helped foster a positive feeling of pride and underlined the importance of that moment of history.

With the G20 Leaders’ Summit finally here, it seems that many South Africans are not exactly feeling it – the G20, that is. And for many of those who are feeling something, it is not positive.

Some would have been caught in traffic jams, roadblocks and suchlike, as more and more delegates and, finally, the G20 world leaders descended on our once-glorious City of Gold. It has been tough for the long-suffering local residents who have over the years been suffering the consequences of crumbling infrastructure, unemployment, and corruption. Many cannot understand the need for the time and resources devoted to the G20 since the beginning of the year.

However, if they were to put aside the frustrations borne from a misfiring economy and its attendant social problems, they would realise how important this “Africa’s G20” moment is for Johannesburg, South Africa and the whole continent.

To me it almost feels like back in 2010 when we hosted the FIFA World Cup, except instead of superstars like Spain’s Andres Iniesta, Brazil’s Kaká and Thiago Silva, and Uruguayan Luis Suarez, this time South Africa is hosting heads of leading economies. As it was 15 years prior, all eyes are on South Africa and we have an incredible opportunity to take our country and continent forward by leaps and bounds. South Africa is well positioned to set the global economic agenda for the next couple of years for the greater good of all.

Again, unfortunately, as it was with the World Cup, the country also has no shortage of naysayers who have tried their best to spoil the party throughout this year of South Africa’s presidency.

But South Africa has many friends too who are applauding this beautiful moment. It is indeed another great day worth celebrating. Locals and friends can be forgiven for once again singing that infectious World Cup song, 'Waka Waka – This time for Africa'. And, watch this space, South Africa will score some important goals on the global economic field as the national team, Bafana Bafana, did in that historic tournament, scoring the opening goal.

But there is a vitally important aspect that needs highlighting about this “African G20”. Coming as it does after a series of Global South G20 presidencies, it is bigger than Africa. It is a Global South G20, a crucial opportunity to ensure the continuation of the agenda set by this section of the globe that is at the forefront of a quiet, just and peaceful global revolution.

The Global South voice has been getting louder as the G20 baton passed from Indonesia to India,  Brazil and South Africa, balancing out the dominant voice of the Global North, particularly the United States.

Pivotal moments

In moments like these it is important to look back and reflect on the incredible progress the Global South's stature and influence have grown within the G20. One of the pivotal moments was when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed that the African Union (AU) be granted a permanent seat. Previously the bloc representing 55 African countries with a 1.4 billion total population was only allowed into the tent at the behest of the permanent members as one of the invited guests. Now it has the same status in the G20 as its European counterpart, the European Union (EU).

The G20 grew during that historic Indian presidency effectively to a G20+1 and Africa's voice was amplified. Previously comprising of 19 leading economies plus the EU, the G20 bloc now has 21 permanent members.

The inclusion of the AU, which happened in New Delhi in September 2023, was not just a mere act of “giving a voice to the voiceless” but was accompanied by some tangible steps taken during India’s presidency to advance some key elements of the Global South agenda.

With the AU firmly in the G20 camp, Africa’s blueprint for socioeconomic transformation over a 50-year period from 2013 to 2063, known as Agenda 2063, was given more impetus. And South Africa’s presidency three years later could only benefit from this gift by India.

It is important to note also that all the original members of the BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – bloc were already well ensconced inside the G20.

“Since India assumed the presidency of the G20, we have worked with the motto “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. It has been our priority to bring the concerns, priorities and aspirations of the Global South, including the countries of Africa, to the forefront of the G20 agenda.

“We believe that we need to hear the voices who are affected the most by the decisions that are taken in the G20.”

This was how Modi explained his vision while speaking in South Africa during the 2023 BRICS Summit.

It is a beautiful, peaceful vision – of world leaders standing together to tackle the challenges facing our globe united in their diversity. The calls for debt sustainability for low-income countries, finance for just energy transition, strengthening disaster resilience are now firmly entrenched as common global objectives. 

Mazwi Xaba is the Editor of the Pretoria News, part of the Independent Media stable.