Category: Africa

The G20@20 Review Final Report is published under the responsibility of South Africa’s 2025 G20 Presidency. 

This review was undertaken following the G20 Leaders’ agreement in the 2024 Rio de Janeiro Declaration, to assess the first full cycle of G20 Presidencies since 2008, and to provide recommendations for the second cycle. 

Executive Summary

1. In 2025, the G20 completes its first full cycle of Presidencies since its elevation to a Leaders’ level forum in 2008. At the 2024 Rio de Janeiro Summit, Leaders asked Sherpas to evaluate the G20 since 2008 and provide recommendations for its second cycle, beginning under the leadership of the United States in 2026. In response, South Africa’s 2025 G20 Presidency has undertaken the G20@20 Review, drawing on an electronic survey, Sherpa-level discussions and written contributions, and input from an Advisory Panel to capture the diverse perspectives of participating Members and Guest countries.
2. The G20 begins its second cycle in an increasingly challenging and fragmented global context. Global growth remains below pre-2008 levels, public debt has reached historic highs, and geopolitical tensions have deepened, narrowing the space for consensus and ambitious joint action. In this environment, a well-functioning G20 may be needed more than ever. This Review aims to support Members in ensuring that the G20’s second cycle of Presidencies is fit-for-purpose and calibrated to deliver effective, coordinated action on shared priorities.

3. This Review confirms that the G20 matters. Across all components of the Review, Members underscore the G20’s role in strengthening multilateralism and international co-operation. By bringing together the Leaders of the world’s major economies, the G20 has facilitated joint action on issues of shared concern – in times of crisis, on longer-term global challenges, and in strengthening resilience to emerging threats.

4. As reaffirmed throughout this Review, the G20 should remain the world’s premier forum for international economic co-operation. Members agree that the Leaders’ vision from the 2009 Pittsburgh Summit remains relevant, including the mandate to provide the foundation for Strong, Sustainable, Balanced, and Inclusive Growth, and should continue guiding the G20’s work going forward.

5. The G20’s Leader-led character lies at the heart of its agility and credibility. The Rio de Janeiro Declaration reiterates that the G20 is a Leader-led and informal group and should remain so. This Review confirms that Members are committed to this Leader-led approach, together with the G20’s informality – defined as the absence of a charter, treaty, or permanent secretariat – and consensus-based decision-making on an equal footing. Members also agree that Leaders’ Summits are the most valuable elements of the G20 process, providing a unique forum for informal exchanges among Leaders that foster trust and enable frank discussion.

6. The G20 has been most effective in times of crisis. Swift G20 action prevented the 2008-09 Global Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic from becoming deeper global downturns. Milestones such as coordinated fiscal stimulus packages, the establishment of the Financial Stability Board (FSB), the launch of the Pandemic Fund, and the creation of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) and Common Framework for Debt Treatments provided timely support, helping stabilise the global economy and mitigate the immediate impact of these crises.

You can read and download the report on the following link: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202512/g20-final-report.pdf

–SAnews.gov.za

Government’s efforts to unlock economic growth and remove long-standing obstacles are gaining momentum, with early green shoots emerging in the energy sector and South Africa securing its first credit rating upgrade in 20 years, coupled by a stronger rand.

“Phase 2 of Operation Vulindlela is gaining traction. The results of this initiative led by President Cyril Ramaphosa to unlock growth and remove obstacles in areas that impedes on growth are starting to filter through. The President said the immediate task was to grow our economy so that we can create jobs, reduce poverty and improve the lives of all South Africans,” Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said on Monday in Pretoria.

He was briefing the media on the snapshot of government’s successes for 2025, which is being measured against the State of the Nation Address (SoNA), delivered by the President in February 2025.

In his address, President Ramaphosa, announced that the Government of National Unity (GNU) had adopted the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) for the period 2024-2029.

The MTDP sets out three key priorities of government: to drive inclusive growth and job creation; to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living; and to build a capable, ethical and developmental state.

“The green shoots for an economy recovery are visible. Some key indicators are: The rand holding its own against major currencies and has breached the level of R17 to the US dollar.

“Gross Domestic Product grew by 0.5% in the third quarter meaning that the economy is expanding. Much remains in the pipeline to achieve a higher growth rate given its centrality to attaining the country’s developmental aspirations,” Magwenya said.

He noted the Statistics South Africa’s report on unemployment for quarter 3 showed that unemployment was down by 1.3 percentage points to 31.9% with the construction sector the major contributor with 130 000 new jobs out of the total of 248 000 new jobs.

Government will spend R1 trillion over the next three years on infrastructure projects.

“Stability of energy supply is central to this turn around and we should be building on the successes thus far to the next level This year the Youth Employment Service reached the milestone of 200 000 young South Africans funded and placed into quality first-job experiences.

“SA achieved its first rating upgrade in 20 years when the ratings agency, Standard and Poor upgraded the country’s foreign currency long-term sovereign credit rating to BB from BB-. In addition, the local currency long-term sovereign credit rating to BB+ from BB,” Magwenya said.

In addition, the International Monetary Fund lifted its growth forecast for the country to 1.3% in 2025 and 1.4% in 2026 from 1.1% and 1.2% respectively.

“Tourism is on an upward trajectory and the number of foreign visitors increased by 18% year-on-year from 2024. SA Tourism reported that most visitors were from the US (331 378), followed by the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and France.

“The South African Revenue Service has collected a net revenue of R924,7-bilion by 30 September of this year. This is a year-on-year growth of R78,6-billion and an overall surplus of R18 billion against its printed estimates,” he said.

Confronting challenges

Magwenya acknowledged government’s challenges while emphasising that government is not afraid to confront them.

“Local government remains a challenge and President Ramaphosa and the Cabinet have met with seven of the nine provincial executives to address key issues in this sphere.

“Accusations of corruption in the criminal justice system are before the Madlanga Commission. The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster is continuously looking at measures to fight crime and keep citizens safe,” the Presidency spokesperson said.

He stressed that the GNU priorities to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living. 

“In this regard, we are particularly seized with intervention on assisting households cope with food price volatility, as well as the measures to make public transport affordable. Rising cost of living has become a challenge in many parts of the world, as we have learnt from the Group Twenty (G20) engagements.

“In conclusion, this is not a review of government, but it is a high-level glance of successes and issues challenges since 6 February 2025.

“Furthermore, the measures introduced by the 6th Administration in 2019 are beginning to bear fruit. The focus is for the GNU to accelerate this process and ensure that the green shoots of the economic upswing gain momentum and touch the lives of all South Africans for the remainder of this MTDP period,” Magwenya said. –SAnews.gov.za

Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has assured the public that the final report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will be made public.

This comes after revelations that the Commission’s interim report will be submitted to the President on Wednesday and will not be released publicly.

“The final report will be made available to the public. The Commission will advise the President on areas that are of national security sensitivity and how those areas will need to be managed. The report is incomplete and the President needs time to study it as he has not had the luxury of time to follow the proceedings of the Commission everyday,” Magwenya said on Monday in Pretoria.

President Cyril Ramaphosa established the Commission after South African Police Service (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, held a media briefing at which he made serious allegations that the Minister of Police and other individuals had colluded to interfere with police investigations.

The Commission is investigating allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates.

“Some of the witnesses that have come before the Commission are going to be called back again to continue with their evidence. Some had evidence located in certain specific areas but not as broad as it was meant to be. So those witnesses are still going to be given a chance to return to the Commission and give that evidence.

“It will not be helpful for the witnesses, the Commission itself, and all of us to start getting ourselves into knots over something that has not been completed. The President has undertaken to release the final report publicly when the Commission has concluded its work, ” he said.

Magwenya was speaking during a media briefing to update journalists on the President’s programme and other topical issues of public interest.

Protection of whistle-blowers

Earlier this month, Marius van der Merwe, a Brakpan-based security industry member and former Ekhurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official, who recently testified before the Madlanga Commission was shot multiple times in full view of his family outside their Brakpan home.

According to Magwenya, there has been extensive engagements in government on protecting witnesses before the commission or those who are to appear at the commission.

“The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development in this regard has also undertaken to engage the leadership of the media to look at ways in which witnesses can be protected and not be unreasonably and unfairly exposed to those who may seek to harm them. 

“Then there’s another aspect to this, which is the protection of whistleblowers. We have a process that’s already underway with the Protected Disclosure Bill that is currently in consultation at a technical level in government before it proceeds to cabinet,” he said.

Government is reviewing the Protected Disclosures Act (PDA) and related laws to create a Comprehensive Whistleblower Protection Framework.

This reform process aims to broaden the definition of “whistleblower” to include contractors, consultants, and members of the public; establish clear procedures for confidential disclosures; strengthen remedies for occupational detriment and clarify the obligations of employers to act on disclosures.

On whether the President will consider extending the timeframe of the work of the Commission, considering that testimonies can be a lengthy process that can last up to  two or three days, Magwenya said the Presidency is open to a discussion on the matter.

“The government and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development have been paying particular attention on the cost aspects of this exercise. The President will then have to be advised on both the merits for an extension as well as what will be the cost implications,” Magwenya said. – SAnews.gov.za

Government’s newly approved national strategy aimed at accelerating action for children is one tool aimed at improving the circumstances of the country’s most vulnerable.

In his address to the nation through the weekly newsletter on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned that despite the gains made since the advent of democracy, nearly half of South Africa’s children still live in poverty and face high levels of abuse, neglect and poor health outcomes.

Earlier this month, Cabinet approved the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC), a wide-ranging framework designed to improve the health, safety and development of children and adolescents. The strategy will be implemented through the 5th National Plan of Action for Children (2025–2030) and seeks to mobilise government, business, labour and civil society around a shared agenda for children.

“The best way to secure our country’s future is to invest in the health and well-being of its children,” President Ramaphosa said, noting that while progress has been made in reducing child poverty and mortality since 1994, significant challenges remain.

According to a recent Statistics South Africa report, child poverty declined from 69% in 2006 to 49% in 2023. However, children remain the most affected group, with nearly half living in poverty – the highest rate of any age group.

The newly approved strategy identifies 10 national priorities aligned to key stages in a child’s life, with particular focus on adolescents and children with disabilities. It follows extensive consultations with government departments, the children’s sector and children themselves, and is intended to strengthen coordination across all sectors of society.

President Ramaphosa highlighted early-life disadvantages as a critical concern, pointing to maternal undernutrition and its impact on birth outcomes, breastfeeding and child immunity. Poor nutrition in early childhood, the President said, continues to undermine children’s health, education and long-term prospects.

“This domino effect must be broken,” he said, stressing the need for early interventions to prevent children from falling behind before they even start school.

Crimes against children were also flagged as a major national crisis. During Child Protection Month in May, authorities reported more than 26 000 cases of child abuse and neglect in the 2024/2025 financial year, with the majority involving sexual abuse.

“The experience of children today will determine our nation’s social and economic wellbeing over the next twenty years,” President Ramaphosa said, warning that failure to act decisively would have long-term consequences for communities and the economy.

As part of the new strategy, government has announced the launch of a national “Hold My Hand” campaign, calling on every South African to take practical action to improve the lives of children.

The campaign urges citizens to imagine the impact if every child had “enough love, enough food, safety and brainpower”, arguing that such collective action could fundamentally change the country’s future.

Business and organised labour were singled out as key partners in the effort. 

President Ramaphosa said the private sector’s resources and logistics networks could help support under-resourced early learning programmes, while trade unions have a role to play in advocating for time and support for working parents.

The President also paid tribute to civil society organisations, health workers, teachers, social workers, child and youth care workers, as well as parents and grandparents, for their longstanding role in protecting and nurturing children.

“For the sake of our shared future, we must work together to ensure that our nation’s children and young people grow, thrive and are happy,” he said, calling for renewed commitment as the country heads into the new year. – SAnews.gov.za