South Africa’s G20 Moment: A Presidency That Shifted Global Perceptions

When South Africa took on the G20 presidency, few expected the country, the smallest economy in the group, to emerge as one of the most influential voices. But as global leaders descend on Johannesburg this week for the final round of meetings, experts say the nation’s role in shaping global priorities has earned it a new level of respect on the world stage.

And it didn’t happen by accident.

According to international relations analyst Jan Venter from North-West University, South Africa’s global standing rose noticeably thanks to a mix of strategic diplomacy and a shifting geopolitical landscape, including a bold refusal to bow to pressure from the United States.

“South Africa stood up to Donald Trump,” Venter notes. “Not many countries can say that.”

Quiet Diplomacy, Loud Impact

While the US president’s boycott of the summit made international headlines, many Western nations quietly chose a different path.

Instead of following Washington’s lead, these countries continued to work with Pretoria, signalling both confidence and respect in South Africa’s approach to the G20, an unexpected boost for a country navigating its own domestic challenges.

This support grew alongside a rising global appetite for multilateralism. Nations are once again recognising that complex global crises, climate change, debt distress, energy transitions, cannot be solved in isolation.

And South Africa, Venter says, emerged as a steady voice in this moment of global recalibration.

A Presidency Built on Four Big Priorities

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola revealed that out of the 133 G20 meetings scheduled, 130 have already taken place, setting the stage for the sherpa talks, the social summit, and the leaders’ summit in Johannesburg.

South Africa’s presidency centred on four priorities that speak directly to the world’s biggest anxieties:

• Strengthening disaster response and resilience

• Ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries

• Mobilising finance for a just energy transition

• Harnessing critical minerals for inclusive, sustainable growth

These are issues deeply relevant not just to the G20, but to the Global South the region South Africa often speaks for, even if cautiously.

The World Is Changing And South Africa Fits Into the New Map

The broader geopolitical context is key. Venter argues that a subtle but significant shift is underway:

• Europe is increasingly charting a more independent path.

• The US–Europe relationship has cooled under Trump.

• China’s rise is reshaping global power dynamics.

In this evolving world order, the Global South’s voice is becoming harder to ignore and South Africa is emerging as one of its most moderate, pragmatic contributors.

“Despite Trump’s rhetoric, the world is more connected than ever,” Venter says. “This is not a moment for isolation. And the G20 proves that.”

But Back Home, the Cracks Show

Globally, South Africa’s voice rings louder.
Locally, its problems loom even larger.

While the country’s diplomatic clout has grown, its economic strength has not. Weak GDP growth, deteriorating infrastructure, and a diminished defence force limit how much influence SA can project.

South Africans on social media have been quick to point out this contradiction:

• “Global leaders praise us, but Eskom can’t keep the lights on,” wrote one X user.

• “Respect abroad is great, but what’s the plan for home?” another posted.

The contrast is not lost on analysts either. South Africa may be leading conversations at the G20 table, but its domestic foundation remains fragile.

Trump’s No-Show: Political Drama Meets Global Diplomacy

Saturday’s summit will open under a cloud of political tension.
The US absence is more than symbolic it’s personal.

Independent analyst Sandile Swana suggests Trump’s last-minute withdrawal was deliberate:

• A protest

• A pressure tactic

• A political jab at Pretoria for refusing to “toe the American line”

But Venter brushes this off:

“For me, it’s an empty vessel making the loudest noise,” he says. “The summit is moving ahead. Countries want to talk about climate change and investment in the Global South.”

And they’re showing up, with or without Washington.

A Summit That Stands for Something Bigger

In the end, the G20 is not just about meetings and communiqués.
It’s about whether countries believe in the idea of global cooperation and whether forums like this still matter in an increasingly polarised world.

For Venter, the answer is clear:

“People in government understand we are dealing with global problems that demand global solutions. The G20 provides exactly that space.”

And this year, that space has been shaped, confidently and unexpectedly, by South Africa.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com