By Thabi Shomolekae and Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday celebrated the success of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, saying while “some” sought to create division and polarisation between nations, governments have reinforced their shared humanity.
Last week, South Africa hosted leaders from around the world for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, with US President Donald Trump choosing to boycott the Summit, claiming that South Africa’s white minority were victims of large-scale killings and land grabs.
Ramaphosa said the country leaders that attended the Summit fostered collaboration and goodwill.
“Above all, we have affirmed that our shared goals outweigh our differences. We have prioritised issues that are important for advancing more rapid and inclusive growth in our own country. We reached agreements that will benefit every South African,” he said.
Despite the US’s boycott, the leaders adopted a declaration addressing climate change, disaster and a new approach to critical minerals.
Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that a clear commitment from the international community to address the high levels of debt on infrastructure, health and education was secured.
“We placed this issue firmly on the agenda to increase investment on the continent and seize the unique opportunity that Africa presents,” he stated.
The G20 leaders also agreed on the need for increased global investment for climate action.
Ramaphosa said this would be crucial for South Africa as it undertook a just energy transition to a low carbon economy in a way that protected workers, businesses and communities.
“As the G20, we have agreed on the need for scaled up disaster prevention and post-disaster reconstruction to address the rising impact of extreme heat, floods, droughts and wildfires. We raised this issue because a few areas in our country, particularly the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, frequently experience disasters,” he highlighted.
Ramaphosa said government secured international agreement on a new approach to critical minerals, making them a source of prosperity and sustainable development in the countries that produced them.
“This supports our own ambition to use our extensive endowment of minerals to become a leading global player, while ensuring that beneficiation takes place in South Africa and creates jobs in mining areas, “he explained.
Ramaphosa said the G20 Summit had given new prominence to engagement groups from across global society, bringing together sectors such as business, labour, parliaments, scientists, think tanks, women, young people, start-ups, civil society, mayors and the media.
“We can be proud of what South Africa has achieved in hosting a successful G20 Presidency and guiding countries towards agreement on complex and important issues. This has been the historic effort to which all South Africans have contributed,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the success of the G20 Leader’s Summit, and South Africa’s improving performance in the economy and “growing confidence” in reform programmes, showed that South Africa was “a country on the rise”.
South Africa has been widely praised by world leaders, diplomats, and international observers for its exceptional management of the summit.
Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, praised Ramaphosa for hosting a successful summit.
“Congratulations to President Cyril Ramaphosa on a successful summit, the first on African soil. We launched talks on an investment protection agreement to boost business between our nations and create more opportunities for Canadians and South Africans together.”
British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson, described the summit as historic, reflecting both substance and significance.
He noted that the themes championed by South Africa, solidarity, equality, and sustainability, were integral to the summit’s outcomes, including climate change, energy transition, global health, and debt sustainability.
He added that the G20 declaration, though a political document, would be implemented through global institutions such as the IMF, World Bank, WTO, and WHO, and that preparations were already underway for the next G20 hosted by the United States in 2026 and the United Kingdom in 2027.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva expressed gratitude to Ramaphosa for his chairmanship and South Africa’s hospitality.
Dick Schoof, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, thanked President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African people, saying: “Many thanks to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African people for hosting this first G20 summit on the African continent. It was a successful summit, concluding with a meaningful and important final declaration.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also commended South Africa for its long-standing commitment to human rights and its support for Palestine, calling the recent ceasefire in Gaza “crucial for global stability.”
President of France Emmanuel Macron said, “The first G20 on the African continent can be proud. Africa has to be valued and recognised in the G20, and now thanks to South Africa, this is the first one to be organised on this continent. So for me, by itself, this is a game changer.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the summit would contribute to a prosperous and sustainable planet and expressed gratitude to the South African government and people for their hospitality, noting that his meetings with other world leaders were “very fruitful” and would strengthen India’s bilateral relations.