SHEINA KIYARA | Right place, right time? South Africa’s G20 moment

New year, new GNU.

For the first time, an African nation, South Africa, leads the G20. This is the country's chance to reclaim its geopolitical standing, spearhead meaningful change and defy stereotypes about African leadership.

A symbolic change in South African politics is the GNU, which has been called “the beginning of a new era”. Reminiscent of the GNU of 1994, a catalyst for the restoration of human rights across the globe, the country is poised to remind the world of its indispensability in advocating for the marginalised, and prove why it is a valuable partner for rapid Global South transformation.

African countries deserve better, more transparent international relations and equal participation; this should be its focus.

Brics in the wall

During India’s G20 moment in 2023, it reflected its political maturity by manoeuvring geopolitical landmines, capturing the momentum to transform itself into a soft power engine and a geostrategic interlocutor between the Global North and Global South.

Its biggest feat was securing the African Union (AU) a permanent seat at the G20 high table while simultaneously upping the ante on negotiations for stronger Global South presence among the global elites.

India’s G20 presidency changed the game in contemporary international relations and delivered a masterclass on how to win friends and influence people.

In 2024, Brazil’s G20 presidency was overshadowed by the rude awakening of Trump 2.0, and the resetting of the geopolitical chessboard.

World leaders were bearish in their approach to major discussions, avoiding any geostrategic faux pas and treading lightly around the ticking “Trump-bomb”.

World leaders were bearish in their approach to major discussions, avoiding any geostrategic faux pas and treading lightly around the ticking “Trump-bomb”.

Now more than ever, this year’s G20 summit will be crucial for filtering the noise and revealing which countries will revert to their default settings and which countries are sincere about change.

Cut-throat politics worsened in 2024, and international platforms may take a back seat if countries become more isolationist and renege on their commitments to the United Nations SDGs, and institutional reforms.

Trump's presidency and stance on security risks in Europe and the South China Sea has shifted the priorities of world leaders. America and company have largely ignored Africa in their 2025 geostrategy, a worrying sign for the continent's future.

What about Africa? The responsibility of leading this question now rests with South Africa. The decline in co-operation at the G20, Conference of the Parties (COP), and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was observable long before the Covid-19 pandemic exposed the true colours of the West; nevertheless, now is no time give up.

South Africa's reception of the G20 baton from Brics predecessors and partners will determine the G20's rhythm for the decade ahead. South Africa must do more than just add another BRIC to the wall. Its G20 presidency requires it to set a precedent and press for answers to the most important geopolitical questions of our time — on global security, economic justice for Global South countries, artificial intelligence and climate action.

Empty vessels make the most noise

Since its landmark debut in 2008, the G20 was intended to facilitate swift action to restore financial stability during the global financial crisis.

Ironically, this also sparked contention between high- and low-income countries. It has since become a vessel to amplify the influence of Global South countries in international affairs. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, the US together with the EU and the AU are permanent members that comprise 85% of the global economy and 80% of the world’s population.

Its value proposition is a comprehensive and structured union of power. To date, it has had some success in cushioning the blow of the 2008 financial crisis, relative peacekeeping, facilitating the rollout of humanitarian aid, amplifying the voice of emerging powers and advocating for egalitarian global governance.

However, in its current state, the G20 risks becoming a talk shop with little action. Still, even if that’s all that it is, the political discourse that emerges from G20 discussions are crucial for making a noise about critical issues affecting humanity.

For the host country, the G20 is a smart power tool.

Solidarity, equality and sustainability

For the host country, the G20 is a smart power tool. As South Africa forges its new persona to usher in its own economic growth and prosperity, it must seize the moment not only to contribute to 2025’s geopolitics, but also to level up its influence and restore its image.

It can start by improving public awareness and active public engagement in this year’s vision of solidarity, equality and sustainability. Moving the needle of African consciousness requires increased education on how platforms such as the G20 can teach the public about global issues affecting their quality of life, motivating them to join the movement of change.

The apathy of wealthy nations towards climate change, extreme poverty and war's effects on vulnerable populations demands a more powerful civilian movement for reform. Active dialogue with civil society is crucial for collaborative efforts to address inequality.

Second, South Africa must strategically balance delicate geopolitics while remaining committed to the principles of democracy.

Its remarkable and historic action on the Palestine issue showcased its strong diplomacy skill set, but its department of international relations & co-operation (Dirco) must have the courage d’esprit to stand up to bullies and act for Africa.

Dirco must also get creative in reimagining South Africa’s foreign policy strategy to improve bilateral relations with strong partners and reignite confidence in the African economy.

Africa's main trade, investment, and foreign aid partners (Europe, China and the US) are shifting resources to mitigate the risks of today’s geopolitics. Protectionist trade policies such as the US CHIPS and Science Act and Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAM) contradict the G20’s agenda of solidarity, equality and sustainability. In a dangerously polarised world, Africa’s Agenda 2063 is at risk if the West and Asia shift trade focus, and foreign investment and aid decline.

South Africa has the imperative of using the G20 to mobilise funding for food security, climate action and improved health systems, as well as addressing insurgency and war not only in Europe and the Middle East, but in Africa too.

More than 40-million Africans are displaced by more than 35 armed conflicts, a crisis receiving insufficient global attention.

Lastly, shifting alliances between Global North and Global South will give rise to new tensions in global governance where the threat of retreat from the global agenda by the US will tempt other countries to abandon the new world order. A carefully planned geostrategy might allow South Africa to pacify Trump's attacks on multilateralism, and forge a stronghold in the G20.

Right place, right time

Building on India’s feat of making the AU a permanent member of the G20, and being Africa’s major beacon of hope, it is an important time for South Africa to elevate its potential, and fight for a more inclusive world. Despite its shortcomings, South Africa is still a symbol of African excellence.

It would be unjust to discount its contributions to humanity, and significance in the new world order. This is its opportunity to preserve the achievements made by South African stalwarts, and to move the continent forward, increasing African participation in global governance — for justice and retribution. South Africa must remember who it is, and stand up for Africa. It is in the right place, at the right time.

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