By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Brazil president Lula Da Silva and United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer are the latest world leaders to arrive in South Africa for this weekend’s G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.
The summit brings together the 20 biggest economies, although Donald Trump has decided not to attend over widely discredited claims that white people are being persecuted in the country.
Trump will skip the summit, after declaring it a “total disgrace” in a post on social media, and repeating his claim that white Afrikaners are being persecuted in South Africa.
White South Africans have been offered refugee status in the US by the Trump administration, and currently have priority over ethnic groups.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the absence of the US at G20 was “their loss” and added that “boycott politics doesn’t work”.
Trump will send Marc Dillard, who became deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Pretoria in August, as the official to attend a ceremony marking the handover of the G20 presidency.
But the South Africa denies this request, saying the Americans need to propose someone of suitable seniority.
The decision to send an embassy official rather than a cabinet member reflects the tension between Trump’s administration and South Africa.
Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping will also be absent from the summit.
While South Africa and Russia maintain close ties, Putin is wanted by the international criminal court, to which South Africa is a signatory. Xi has skipped many international gatherings this year, delegating attendance at the Brics and Asean summits to China’s premier, Li Qiang.
Starmer landed at the OR Tambo International Airport on Friday to join other world leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who touched down on Thursday.
He was received by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes.
Asked about Trump, Starmer said: “Obviously President Trump set out his position. I think it’s really important to be there and talk to other partners and allies so we can get on with the discussions around global issues that have to be addressed.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to land later on Friday. This will be Modi’s 12th G20 Summit since he became prime minister, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim landed at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria on Thursday night, and the Deputy Defence Minister, Bantu Holomisa, welcomed him.
The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, received the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chính, also on Friday, ahead of the Southeast Asian country’s participation in strategic G20 engagements.
South Africa has used its presidency of the G20 to push for action to address the challenges of poor nations — such as securing financing to help countries facing the devastating effects of climate change, something independent experts estimate would require about $1 trillion a year by 2030.
Meanwhile South African Tourism (SAT) extended a heartfelt welcome to all G20 delegates arriving in the country for this landmark gathering.
Darryl Erasmus, Acting CEO at South African Tourism, highlighted that, “South Africa is proud to host the G20 and looks forward to offering delegates an exceptional stay that blends business excellence with unforgettable discovery. We wish all delegates meaningful deliberations that will be both productive and memorable. And that in every moment, they will find their joy in our beautiful country.”