South Africa is forging ahead with plans to host a successful G20 Summit in Johannesburg this November, regardless of whether the United States chooses to attend. That’s the firm stance of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who addressed the matter during a business breakfast in Pretoria on Monday.
“We are looking forward to a very successful G20 meeting this year, even though the United States said they may not come,” Mashatile told the audience, adding, “We are proceeding, and we are going to make sure that it’s a success.”
The summit is set to begin on 22 November 2025, with South Africa assuming the G20 Presidency in December last year, taking over from Brazil.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile said South Africa will host a “successful G20” meeting whether the United States decides to attend or not. #G20 #PaulMashatile #US @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/Qn2K3XBEp2
— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) May 5, 2025
US Signals Boycott Over Policy Disputes
Tensions between South Africa and the United States have escalated in recent months. In February, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly announced via X (formerly Twitter) that he would not attend the G20 Summit, citing South Africa’s land expropriation policies and perceived promotion of “anti-Americanism.”
Rubio criticized the country’s legislative direction, particularly a land seizure bill and references to themes such as diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and climate change, saying, “My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism.”
Despite the US stance, Mashatile made it clear that preparations for the summit are well underway. Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Trade have already met, and a series of business forums are in progress.
Transformation Fund: R20 Billion to Drive Inclusive Growth
In his remarks, Mashatile also touched on the launch of the Transformation Fund, a R20 billion-per-year initiative over five years aimed at supporting black-owned and managed enterprises.
The fund, which falls under the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act, will provide grants, loans, equity support, technical assistance, and access to markets.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau emphasized the fund’s potential to unlock economic opportunities and drive transformation. However, opposition parties such as the DA have raised concerns, arguing that funding should be based on merit and business potential alone.
Crackdown on Corruption
Mashatile acknowledged that corruption remains a serious obstacle to inclusive economic growth in South Africa. He warned that corrupt practices—both in government and the private sector—undermine small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and distort market access.
“To promote an inclusive economy, we must commit to addressing corruption by strengthening our institutions, fostering transparency and accountability, and promoting citizen engagement,” he said.
The Deputy President noted that government efforts include specialised investigative units, strengthened anti-fraud legislation, and improved enforcement capacity within the criminal justice system.
Looking Ahead
As November approaches, all eyes will be on South Africa’s ability to pull off a successful G20 summit amid geopolitical tensions and domestic economic challenges. For Mashatile and the South African government, the message is clear: global cooperation will go on — with or without the participation of Washington.
{Source: The Citizen}
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