By Johnathan Paoli
Gauteng agriculture and rural development MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa has praised the province’s preparedness to host the G20 Summit in less than nine months, stressing the necessity of ensuring that the upcoming summit delivers tangible benefits for the people of South Africa.
“The perspective of the province is that besides just hosting this wonderful occasion, we also need to walk the talk. We need to be able to demonstrate what a province, what a country that is truly grounded on the principle of human rights looks like,” she said.
Ramokgopa was speaking at the G20 provincial launch and dialogue at the University of Johannesburg. The summit, which is scheduled for November, will be the first of its kind on African soil following South Africa assuming the G20 presidency in December last year, under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.
She said the theme reflected the nation’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth, addressing food security, combating climate change and navigating the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
The MEC emphasised the inseparable nature of social, economic and spatial justice, highlighting the pressing issue of food insecurity in Gauteng.
Despite being the third-largest economy on the continent, nearly 25% of households in the province faced food insecurity, lacking assurance of even one meal per day.
Ramokgopa called for systemic change, criticising the paradox of significant food waste by commercial agriculture while many went hungry.
Hosting the G20 Summit was a monumental opportunity for Gauteng, expected to attract thousands of international delegates and spotlight Johannesburg on the global stage.
She expressed enthusiasm about the Cabinet’s decision to host the summit in the province, noting its potential to boost business tourism and align with Gauteng’s economic growth plans.
The tourism sector alone was projected to generate over R120 billion from international arrivals and create over 10,000 jobs in the coming years.
However, the path to a successful summit was not without challenges.
Ramokgopa recognised that the global geopolitical landscape was increasingly polarised, with significant tensions among major economies.
Despite these challenges, she said South Africa remained steadfast in its commitment to lead a progressive, people-centred G20 presidency, with a focus on translating high-level discussions into meaningful progress, fostering inclusive economic growth and creating opportunities for marginalised communities.
Ramokgopa stated that it remained imperative that the G20 served as a forum delivering tangible impacts for those who mattered most.
In preparation for the summit, Gauteng is also set to host the Gauteng Investment Conference in April, aiming to showcase investment opportunities, foster collaboration and demonstrate the ease of doing business within the Gauteng City Region.
The conference will emphasise climate sustainability, transformation and inclusive industrialisation, aligning with the broader goals of the G20 presidency.
As the country moved forward, Ramokgopa said it was crucial that all sectors of society engaged in these discussions, ensuring that the outcomes of the G20 Summit resonated with the needs and aspirations of people.
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