A Presidency of Possibilities: Analysing South Africa's Role as G20's New Chair

The G20 Presidency was handed over to South Africa on 1 December 2024, a historic day that highlights the growing influence of emerging developing nations on the global stage. For the first time, South Africa is hosting global leaders under the G20 summit, providing an opportunity and platform to shape responses on digital infrastructure, global governance, climate and energy transition, with the Global South being at the core of the discussion.

Illustration by The Geostrata

At the launch of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the theme: ‘SOLIDARITY, EQUALITY, SUSTAINABILITY’- signalling a stronger voice for the Global South and a shift in global governance, addressing entrenched economic inequalities, and linking development and sustainability. 

With South Africa presiding over the first-ever G20 Summit on its land, it brings opportunities and attention not only to South Africa but also a possible shift in global dynamics, putting the limelight on the Global South as South Africa has positioned its presidency around equity, development financing, and representation, leading to a more inclusive policy-making. While climate has been central to many previous presidencies, what changes is the perspective with which South Africa looks at the issue- it links it to historical emissions and not just future commitments.  

SOUTH AFRICA AND G20 MEMBERS: A SHARED VOICE

While South Africa brings in discussions on sustainability, clean energy, transmissions, and inclusion, the ambit of the summit depends upon what other member states bring to the table and how they respond to these discussions. Whether the 2025 presidency turns out to be fruitful will depend on the interests, alliances, and strategic path of these member nations. 

The 2023 G20 was presided over by India, which gave momentum to South Africa, and the strength of this relationship lies with India being a digital and developmental innovator, pushing models like Digital Public Infrastructure and affordable technology solutions and South Africa representing equitable climate financing, and historical structural disadvantages embedded in the global economic system.

Other nations like China bring a different kind of potential by aiding South Africa’s discussions on development financing models and fairer lending terms, and infrastructure investment. China also depends highly on South Africa for its natural resources. Brazil’s cooperation with South Africa through BRICS aids their similar views on climate, agricultural trade reform, and developmental sovereignty. 

US BOYCOTTS G20

Among other nations joining in the summit to change the global narrative towards developing nations and the Global South, what remains a striking question is why the United States decided to boycott the Summit? On 7 November 2025, President Donald Trump stated that no US official would attend the G20 Summit in South Africa and alleged that South Africa was abusing and killing Afrikaners and confiscating their land and farms illegally.

Later, while addressing a press conference, Karoline Leavitt said,  “The US is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa. I saw the South African president running his mouth a little bit against the United States and the president of the United States earlier today, and that language is not appreciated by the president or his team.” 

Although South Africa has declined the claims made by US over racial discrimination, the United States seems adamant about the boycott- this comes after the strained relationship between the two nations not only over US allegations but also disagreements over land reform laws in South Africa, South Africa’s foreign policy stances (on Palestine/Israel), and South Africa’s increasing alignment with the Global South and BRICS-style groupings.

The absence of the US represents its disapproval of the changing strategic and geopolitical environment in the world right now; it also weakens the purview of the summit, being one of the major architects of the G20 forum and the world’s largest economy.

Although South Africa stands its ground and sees this absenteeism as an opportunity to assert that the G20 can proceed and reach agreements without the US as well. This shift of power dynamics highlights the growing friction between emerging nations and the West. 

RELEVANCE AND TRAJECTORIES

Despite the US's absence and regular contestation over the G20’s relevance, the platform remains relevant in today's world with increasing multipolarity and shifting strategic spectrum towards the Global South. A platform created with a backdrop of financial instability and crisis management is now navigating a world of multipolarity and shifting strategic alliances.

The recent expansion of the G20 with the inclusion of the African Union symbolises the growing scope of the forum, indicating a reinvention and inclusion of voices from all parts of the globe.

It represents both traditional and emerging powers, with no other forum having such a dynamic demographic representation. Even when the world remains divided over conflicts like Russia-Ukraine, the G20 provides a platform that is neutral and open to dialogue between countries not in consensus over other strategic issues. Critics may debate how the G20’s role is evolving in the era of power shift, yet the essential conclusion is unchanged: it is becoming ever more crucial in bringing major world powers to the table.

As the dust settles in Johannesburg, the 2025 G20 Summit concludes with a symbolic strategic shift from the West towards a rising Global South that roars in today's multipolar world, that exposes the hypocrisy of the US and the world's widening fractures in geopolitical relationships, that demonstrates the Global South’s ability to steer the world with power, priority, and influence and conveys that global south is no longer a policy recipient but a policy shaper!

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BY VASUDHA TIWARI

TEAM GEOSTRATA

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