South Africa to Host Successful G20 Summit Despite US Boycott, Says Mashatile

Johannesburg, May 5, 2025 – South Africa is gearing up to host the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on November 22-23, 2025, a historic event marking the first time an African nation has led the prestigious economic forum.

Amid rising tensions with the United States, Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to delivering a successful summit, stating that the country will proceed “whether the US likes it or not.”

A Milestone for Africa and the Global South

South Africa assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2024, following a series of Global South-led presidencies, including Indonesia (2022), India (2023), and Brazil (2024). The 2025 summit, themed “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” aims to address critical global challenges, including poverty, unemployment, inequality, and climate change.

Mashatile has emphasized that South Africa’s presidency will prioritize the needs of developing nations, particularly in Africa, in collaboration with the African Union, which gained permanent G20 membership in 2023.

“This is a unique opportunity to bring to the fore the needs, aspirations, and ambitions of developing countries,” Mashatile said during an address at SOAS University of London on October 2, 2024 (SOAS Address). He stressed that the presidency will be “action-oriented,” focusing on tangible outcomes rather than mere discussions.

The summit, expected to cost the South African government R691 million, will be held in Johannesburg, with additional events planned across the country to ensure broad national impact. South Africa’s leadership comes at a critical time, with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda deadline approaching, heightening expectations for a progressive, people-centered presidency.

Tensions with the United States

South Africa’s G20 preparations have been overshadowed by diplomatic friction with the United States. On January 31, 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced via an X post that the US would boycott the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, citing disagreements over South Africa’s foreign and domestic policies (Modern Diplomacy).

The decision reflects tensions over South Africa’s support for legal actions against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ), including an ICC arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and an ICJ case alleging genocide in Gaza.

Additionally, the US has criticized South Africa’s land reform policies, with some US officials and figures like Elon Musk accusing the government of “land grabbing” from white farmers.

The boycott has been accompanied by a reduction in US financial aid to South Africa, prompting concerns about Pretoria’s potential shift toward closer ties with China, Russia, and other BRICS nations (Modern Diplomacy).

The US boycott has raised questions about the cohesion of the G20, a forum representing 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population. South Africa, however, has found support from other partners, notably the European Union, which is deepening ties to foster multilateralism in the face of US actions (EU Institute).

Mashatile’s Defiant Stance

While Mashatile has not been directly quoted saying “whether the US likes it or not,” his public statements reflect a resolute commitment to South Africa’s G20 agenda.

In a keynote address at the T20 Africa High-Level Dialogue in Pretoria on April 29, 2025, he called on G20 nations to discourage the erosion of multilateralism, warning that it threatens global growth and stability (T20 Dialogue).

“We should take a dim view of actions that undermine a fair, transparent, equitable, and inclusive international order,” he said, a statement interpreted by some as a response to the US boycott.

Mashatile’s remarks underscore South Africa’s determination to host a summit that prioritizes African agency and Global South interests. “Our G20 presidency is about empowering African states and ensuring that global governance reflects the realities of the 21st century,” he told attendees at the Pretoria dialogue.

He highlighted the African Union’s permanent G20 membership as a “transformational moment” and called for reforms to global financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank to better serve developing economies.

Priorities and Challenges

South Africa’s G20 presidency is guided by four strategic pillars: national interests, the African Agenda, South-South cooperation, and multilateralism. Key priorities include:

• Economic Growth and Inequality: Addressing poverty, unemployment, and inequality through inclusive economic policies and job creation.

• Climate Financing: Advocating for increased green finance for the Global South, which currently receives less than 4% of global green funding.

• Debt Sustainability: Pushing for debt relief and fair credit ratings for low-income countries.

• Global Governance Reforms: Reforming multilateral institutions to ensure equitable representation and decision-making.

These priorities align with the broader goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks to drive sustainable development across the continent. However, South Africa faces challenges, including geopolitical instability, rising nationalism, and trade tensions that increase living costs, particularly for manufactured goods in Africa (SAnews).

Broader Implications

The US boycott has sparked debate about the future of multilateralism and the G20’s role as a forum for global economic cooperation. South Africa’s response, led by Mashatile, signals a shift toward greater African agency and alignment with Global South nations.

The deepening of ties with the EU and other partners suggests that South Africa is seeking to counterbalance US influence while maintaining its commitment to inclusive global governance (EU Institute).

As the November summit approaches, South Africa is intensifying preparations through dialogues like the T20 Africa High-Level Dialogue and engagements with non-governmental stakeholders, including Business20, Civil20, and Youth20 groups (G20 Presidency). These efforts aim to ensure that the summit delivers concrete outcomes and strengthens the G20’s legitimacy as a democratic platform.

Looking Ahead

With the G20 Leaders’ Summit just months away, South Africa stands at a crossroads. The country’s ability to navigate diplomatic tensions, particularly with the US, while advancing its ambitious agenda will shape its legacy as a G20 host.

Mashatile’s leadership, characterized by a blend of defiance and diplomacy, reflects South Africa’s resolve to assert its place on the global stage.

“We will not be deterred by external pressures,” Mashatile declared in Pretoria. “South Africa will host a G20 summit that delivers for Africa and the Global South, setting a new standard for global cooperation.”

As the world watches, the Johannesburg summit promises to be a defining moment for South Africa, Africa, and the future of multilateralism.

Kyle Thomas

This is Kyle Thomas, a professional writer, and a news editor. I started my career as a blogger who writes on various topics and then I decided that I should join a NEWS agency where I can work as a NEWS reporter. So, I joined a renowned agency in the town as an internet and after getting 2 years of experience, now I am working as a senior NEWS reporter for The Daily NEWS Times.

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