The Johannesburg G20 Summit Gambit: Ubuntu’s Challenge to a Fragmenting World Order

TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 24 Nov 2025

Prof Hoosen Vawda – TRANSCEND Media Service

This publication is suitable for general readership Parental guidance is recommended for minors who may use this research paper as a resource material, for projects.

 **************************

“Where is the world heading?” The seemingly disparate global conflicts and belligerence are manifestations of a single, recurring pattern, the use of orthodoxy as a tool for political control.” [1]

Where once inquisitors wielded fire to silence dissent, now adversaries deploy digital flames to distort reality.[2]

Prologue:

The 2025 G20 Johannesburg Summit, scheduled for November 22-23 in South Africa, represents a pivotal moment in global governance . As the first African nation to hold the G20 presidency, South Africa aims to reorient the global economic agenda toward the priorities of the Global South at a time of unprecedented geopolitical fragmentation . This analysis examines the provocative contours of South Africa’s ambitious presidency under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” the conspicuous absences that threaten to undermine the forum’s credibility, and the complex interplay of geopolitical forces that will determine whether the Johannesburg Summit becomes a transformative moment for inclusive multilateralism or merely a footnote in the G20’s decline. With the United States implementing a diplomatic boycott and other significant leaders potentially absent, the very relevance of the G20 as the “premier forum for international economic cooperation” hangs in the balance.

The summit, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, will mark the culmination of South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

20 Leaders’ Summit: 42 nations and organizations confirmed attendance in South Africa

South Africa says it is ready to welcome world leaders to Johannesburg next weekend, with 42 countries and organisations confirmed to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit \, the first-ever hosted on African soil.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola delivered the update during a media briefing at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec on Monday, where he was joined by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. The presence of provincial and economic leadership underscored the scale of preparations for what will be one of the largest international events the country has hosted in years.

The summit, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, will mark the culmination of South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

 Introduction: The African Moment; Acknowledging The New Force in Global South

South Africa assumes the G20 Presidency from December 2024 through November 2025, approximately five years before the deadline of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This timing places South Africa at the centre of global efforts to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with UN Secretary-General António Guterres having noted that only 12% of SDG targets are currently on track, while approximately 50% need more substantial progress and over 30% have either stalled or reversed. South Africa’s presidency occurs against a backdrop of what it describes as “overlapping and mutually reinforcing crises,” including climate change, underdevelopment, inequality, poverty, hunger, unemployment, technological changes, and geopolitical instability. The Johannesburg Summit thus becomes a critical test case for whether the G20 can still function as an effective mechanism for global problem-solving in an increasingly polarized international landscape.

Historical Context: The G20’s Evolution and Global South Ascendance[3]

The G20 was founded in 1999 in the wake of the Asian financial crisis, initially operating as a technical forum for finance ministers and central bank governors. Its transformative moment came during the 2008 global financial crisis, when it elevated to a leaders’ summit and demonstrated remarkable capacity for coordinated action, arguably helping to prevent a deeper global depression . This historical precedent lends significance to South Africa’s presidency—the G20 has proven its ability to respond effectively to global crises when political will exists.

The Johannesburg Summit continues a recent sequence of Global South presidencies—Indonesia (2022), India (2023), and Brazil (2024) signalling a strategic reorientation of the forum’s priorities . A landmark development during this period was the African Union’s accession as a permanent member at the 2023 New Delhi Summit, finally giving the continent of 1.4 billion people a formal seat at the table . South Africa’s presidency thus represents what many are calling an “African Moment” in global governance, with the potential to address historical imbalances in international economic architecture.

The Summit Agenda: Ambition Versus Political Realities

Official Theme and Priorities

South Africa has embraced the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” for its G20 Presidency, positioning these principles at the core of the G20’s original mandate of promoting “Strong, Sustainable, Balanced and Inclusive Growth” . This thematic framework is underpinned by the African philosophy of Ubuntu, translated as “I am because we are” or “I am because you are,” emphasizing interconnectedness and communal responsibility . The official priorities are organized into three time-bound Task Forces that will bring together role players across the Sherpa and Finance Tracks:

Task Force		Focus Areas	Strategic Objectives
Task Force 1		Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialization, Employment & Reduced Inequality	Address wealth disparities between and within nations; situate inequalities at the heart of economic policymaking
Task Force 2		Food Security	Ensure stable food systems amid climate disruptions and geopolitical conflicts
Task Force 3		Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance & Innovation for Sustainable Development	Harness technological advances while ensuring they don’t exacerbate existing inequalities

Table: South Africa’s G20 Priority Task Forces.2 Key Deliverables and Controversial Proposals

Beyond these task forces, South Africa has outlined several specific initiatives that directly challenge existing global economic orthodoxies:

• Disaster Resilience and Response: Calling for the global community, including international financial institutions and development banks, to scale up post-disaster reconstruction, particularly for climate-vulnerable nations that “cannot afford the costs of recovery and rebuilding” .
• Debt Sustainability and Cost of Capital Reform: Highlighting the “crippling sovereign debt levels” that force many developing countries to “sacrifice their developmental obligations to service unmanageable debts” . South Africa proposes establishing a Cost of Capital Commissionto deliver a comprehensive expert review on issues impacting borrowing costs for developing economies .
• Critical Minerals for Development: Championing the use of Africa’s mineral resources—including 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, 40% of gold, and up to 90% of chromium and platinum—as “an engine for growth and development in Africa” rather than merely as raw material exports .
• Just Energy Transition Finance: Seeking to secure agreement on increasing the quality and quantity of climate finance flows to developing countries, including strengthening multilateral development banks and enhancing support for country platforms like the Just Energy Transition Partnership.

Geopolitical Landscape: Intrigues and Absenteeism

The American Boycott and Its Implications

The most diplomatically provocative development has been the announcement that United States President Donald Trump will not attend the summit, with the U.S. implementing a full boycott . President Trump cited disproved claims of Afrikaner persecution in South Africa and called the hosting of the summit there “a total disgrace”. This decision represents a significant escalation of tensions that had been building since Trump’s election, particularly over South Africa’s referral of Israel to the International Court of Justice and disagreements over the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) . The U.S. boycott has raised fundamental questions about the G20’s future, particularly with Washington scheduled to assume the G20 presidency in 2026 . As one European analysis noted: “If the US does not attend, the G20 may be forced to reassess whether the US can uphold its leadership in 2026”.

Other Notable Absences and Representations

The attendance list reveals other significant geopolitical fractures:

• Argentina’s President Javier Mileihas withdrawn from the summit to support Trump’s boycott, designating Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno as his substitute .
• Russian President Vladimir Putin’sattendance remains uncertain due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him, with South Africa being a member of the court . This echoes the situation during the 2023 BRICS summit, where Russia sent a representative instead .
• Most other major powers—including the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and European Union leaders—have confirmed their attendance, potentially isolating the U.S. position.

New Alliance Formations

In response to the U.S. boycott, South Africa has notably strengthened its diplomatic and economic ties with other partners:

• European Union Collaboration: Despite historical differences over Russia’s war against Ukraine, South Africa and the EU have found common ground on diplomacy, multilateralism, and specific policy initiatives . In November 2024, President Ramaphosa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen launched the global campaign ‘Scaling up Renewables in Africa’ . The upcoming EU-South Africa summit in March 2025 will further deepen this cooperation.
• Strategic Mining Partnerships: At the recent Mining Indaba Conference, the EU renewed its support for sustainable mining partnerships, as both parties seek to cooperate in developing critical raw material value chains . This aligns with South Africa’s priority of harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth.
• African Continental Unity: South Africa is using its presidency to advocate for the inclusion of more African members in the G20, notably Nigeria, while simultaneously advancing implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Critical Analysis: Prospects and Pitfalls

The Solidarity Paradigm: Moral Authority or Strategic Overreach?

South Africa’s Ubuntu-inspired approach represents a fundamental challenge to the individualistic underpinnings of contemporary global capitalism. By situating inequalities at the heart of economic policymaking and framing disparities in wealth and development as “both unjust and unsustainable,” South Africa is attempting to introduce a radical ethical framework into the technocratic environment of international economic governance . This positions South Africa with significant moral authority but may prove strategically overambitious given the current geopolitical fragmentation. The concept faces its most immediate test in addressing what South Africa identifies as “polarised ownership patterns of critical resources for development” —a direct challenge to existing global resource extraction models.

The Geopolitical Tightrope: Navigating Between Powers

South Africa’s presidency requires navigating a complex diplomatic labyrinth. The country faces pressure from multiple fronts: maintaining its BRICS affiliations while engaging Western powers; advocating for Palestinian rights while managing the fallout with the U.S.; and advancing the African agenda without alienating traditional partners. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration—”We will not be bullied!”—in response to U.S. pressure signals a defiant stance . However, this position comes with significant risks, including potential economic repercussions and further marginalization of the G20 as a forum if major powers disengage. The Johannesburg Summit may ultimately reveal whether middle powers can maintain agency in an increasingly bipolar world order.

The Implementation Gap: From Ambition to Action

The most substantial critique of South Africa’s agenda concerns the historical implementation gap between G20 ambitions and concrete outcomes. While the focus on debt sustainability, cost of capital, and climate finance responds to genuine needs of developing economies, the G20’s track record on delivering meaningful reform in these areas is mixed at best. Previous initiatives like the G20’s Debt Service Suspension Initiative during COVID-19 provided temporary relief but failed to address structural issues . Similarly, the Just Energy Transition Partnership that South Africa champions has faced challenges in moving from pledge to implementation . The success of the Johannesburg Summit will ultimately be measured not by the ambition of its declarations but by the implementation of its commitments.

Demographic Imperatives: The Youth Dividend or Time Bomb?

Beneath the formal agenda lies what may be the most compelling provocation: Africa’s demographic transformation as a pivotal factor in the global future. With UN projections indicating Africa will be home to a quarter of the world’s population by 2050 and as much as 40% by 2100, the continent’s development trajectory will increasingly determine global stability and economic growth . As venture capitalist Brian Aoaeh notes in his commentary: “Africa will account for 85% of the increase in the world’s working age population between 2024 and 2050” . This demographic reality lends urgency to South Africa’s focus on employment, industrialization, and AI governance. The alternative—a youthful population without economic opportunities—represents a significant global risk.

Conclusion: The Johannesburg Legacy

The 2025 G20 Johannesburg Summit represents a critical inflection point for global governance. South Africa’s agenda offers a provocative vision for a more inclusive multilateralism centred on the principles of solidarity, equality, and sustainability. However, the conspicuous absences of key leaders and the broader geopolitical fragmentation threaten to undermine the forum’s credibility and effectiveness. The success or failure of the Johannesburg Summit will reverberate far beyond South Africa, potentially determining whether the G20 can adapt to a rapidly changing global order or will gradually cede relevance to alternative governance frameworks.

As the first African nation to hold the G20 presidency, South Africa has positioned the summit as what one commentator called an opportunity for “Opening the Doors to Africa’s Century” . The ultimate provocation of the Johannesburg Summit may be its implicit challenge to the global community: either embrace a more equitable and inclusive form of multilateralism that addresses the legitimate aspirations of the Global South, or accept the continued fragmentation and diminishing relevance of international cooperation mechanisms. In this sense, the Johannesburg Gambit is not merely South Africa’s alone, t is a test for the entire international community.

South Africa is deliberately positioning its G20 presidency under the theme of “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” which it explicitly links to the core of the African philosophy of Ubuntu. This is not merely a symbolic gesture but an effort to infuse global governance with a specific ethical framework.

Understanding Ubuntu and Its Global Application[4]

Ubuntu, encapsulated in the phrase “I am because you are” or “a person is a person through other persons,” is a philosophy that emphasizes interconnectedness, community, and mutual responsibility. South Africa is actively translating this ethic from a abstract concept into a global practice.

The table below illustrates how Ubuntu is being operationalized in key G20 policy areas:

Policy Area	Ubuntu Principle in Action
Food Security	Framing hunger as a shared moral scandal; advocating for systems that leave no one behind, support smallholder farmers, and ensure dignified access to food.
Global Health & Crisis Response	Advocating for a “global health village” approach, where duties transcend national borders during health crises like pandemics, emphasizing relational solidarity.
Economic & Debt Justice	Challenging the high cost of capital for developing nations and pushing for debt sustainability, framed as issues of relational justice and fairness.
Climate & Energy Transition	Championing a “just” energy transition and climate resilience, ensuring the burdens and benefits of climate action are shared equitably, not borne by the most vulnerable.

Clash of Philosophies at the Interface

Critiques often ask how the Global North might receive this Ubuntu-centred agenda. The interface is indeed a meeting point of different philosophical underpinnings.

• Ubuntu’s Communal Focus vs. Western Individualism: The philosophy of Ubuntu is fundamentally communitarian and relational. It posits that our humanity is dependent on our recognition of humanity in others. This can contrast with philosophies more prominent in the Global North that often prioritize individual rights, autonomy, and national interests. The Ubuntu-driven call for policies based on collective well-being and interstate responsibility may challenge these established paradigms.
• Shifting the Moral and Power Dynamics: The very act of an African nation setting the thematic and ethical tone for a major forum like the G20 is a significant shift. For centuries, global economic and political norms have been predominantly shaped by Western thought. South Africa’s presidency, by championing Ubuntu, is an act of asserting the value of African knowledge systems and challenging what Archbishop Thabo Makgoba critiqued as a global priority system “bent on your own personal needs”. This can be unsettling to established power structures.

The Question often raised historically and even presently, by racists: “Can Anything Good Come Out of Africa?”

This intuition about a certain condescension is historically grounded., in antiquity. The sentiment referencing, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”, is a biblical quote from the Gospel of John (1:46). It was uttered by Nathanael upon hearing Philip speak of Jesus, reflecting a widespread prejudice against the town of Nazareth.

This phrase has been historically repurposed and applied pejoratively to various people and places deemed backward or insignificant, including the African continent. It encapsulates a deep-seated bias that dismisses the potential for innovation, wisdom, or moral leadership to originate from Africa.

However, the proceedings of the G20 under South Africa’s leadership are a direct rebuttal to this very notion. They assert that a “good” and powerful idea, a blueprint for more humane and inclusive global cooperation, is indeed coming out of Africa. The challenge for the Global North is not whether Ubuntu is “good,” but whether it is willing to engage with a different, and perhaps more collaborative, model of global interaction.

The success of this interface will not necessarily be measured by unanimous agreement, but by whether the principles of Ubuntu manage to shift the conversation and inject a stronger ethic of solidarity and relational justice into the final G20 outcomes. The author provides a deeper exploration of the philosophical currents at play. The Ubuntu approach is specifically being applied to the governance of Artificial Intelligence, another key topic at the Summit? The key question is “Can South Africa set a high moral value to the agenda at G20, using Ubuntu as a fundamental pillar of its thrust as the fundamental agenda at this first Summit for AFRICA? The author provides a deeper exploration of the philosophical currents at play. One of the main principles of approach is how the Ubuntu approach is specifically being applied to the governance of Artificial Intelligence, another key topic at the Summit? Another question which has being raised  is can South Africa set a high moral value to the agenda at G20, using Ubuntu as a fundamental pillar of it thrust, as the foundational agenda at this first Summit for AFRICA?

The answer, is an unequivocal Yes! South Africa is explicitly using its G20 presidency to set a high moral value for the agenda, with the African philosophy of Ubuntu as a fundamental pillar of its thrust. The government is framing its entire presidency around the principles of “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” which it directly links to the core tenets of Ubuntu.

The table below shows how the abstract concept of Ubuntu is being translated into concrete policy priorities for the G20:

Ubuntu Principle	Manifestation in G20 Agenda and Priorities
Interconnectedness and Shared Humanity	Advocacy for global financial system reform, debt relief for low-income nations, and a focus on international economic cooperation to reduce inequality .
“I am because we are”	The theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, and the insistence that “no one is safe until all are safe”, framing global challenges as shared responsibilities .
Community and Collective Solutions	Championing people-centred policy, climate justice, and protecting civic space to ensure civil society can participate in global governance .
Leaving No One Behind	Integrating the slogan of the UN’s Agenda 2030 with Ubuntu, and focusing on inclusive growth that benefits the African continent and the Global South .

Ubuntu as a Diplomatic and Moral Framework

South Africa is actively positioning Ubuntu not just as a cultural concept, but as a necessary ethical compass for global governance.

• A Deliberate Leadership Choice: Deputy Minister Alvin Botes has stated that Ubuntu is “at the core”of South Africa’s G20 theme. This is a deliberate effort to infuse the technocratic discussions of the G20 with a moral framework centred on justice and shared humanity.
• Translating Philosophy into Action: This is moving beyond rhetoric. South Africa has spearheaded the creation of the “Ubuntu Approaches on Food Security and Nutrition, and Excessive Food Price Volatility”. This marks a tangible effort to embed this philosophy into official G20 outcomes, aiming to address systemic issues like hunger and market speculation.
• A Challenge to the Status Quo: By highlighting Ubuntu, South Africa is challenging the existing global order. As one commentary noted, this act asserts the value of African Indigenous Knowledge Systemsand presents a different, more collaborative model of global interaction compared to individualistic or transactional approaches .

The Impact and Challenge of a Moral Agenda

While the philosophical foundation is strong, its ultimate success in swaying all G20 nations is a complex diplomatic challenge.

• Moral Authority vs. Political Realities: The agenda has garnered support from various quarters, including civil society and other Global South nations, who see it as a “blueprint for transformative change”. However, the G20 is a forum of diverse and often competing interests. The notable absence of the United States from the summit highlights the geopolitical hurdles in achieving consensus on this value-driven agenda .
• A Counter to Cynicism: Some perspectives, particularly from labour unions, question whether such moral themes can survive “the heavy hand of Western interests” or if they risk becoming hollow rhetoric without transformative action . South Africa’s task is to prove that Ubuntu can bridge divides and lead to concrete outcomes on finance, debt, and climate justice.

In conclusion, South Africa is not merely participating in the G20; it is attempting to reorient its very dialogue. By placing Ubuntu at the heart of its presidency, it is making a bold claim for a more ethical, inclusive, and compassionate form of global cooperation. The success of this approach will be measured by its ability to translate this powerful African philosophy into actionable policies that resonate across all G20 nations.

acutely interested in exploring how the “Ubuntu Approaches” specifically aim to reform the global food system, with Africa being the epicentre of poverty, malnutrition, Infections, Communicable diseases as well as increase iin Non communicable ailments and lifestyle diseases? Thank you

The “Ubuntu Approaches” adopted under South Africa’s G20 Presidency aim to reform the global food system by placing the principles of interdependence, dignity, and solidarity at the centre of the response to food insecurity, with a sharp focus on the challenges faced by Africa .

The table below outlines the core objectives of these approaches and how they translate into concrete actions.

Ubuntu Principle	Strategic Objective	Practical Application & Action Areas
Interconnectedness & Shared Humanity	Tackle food price volatility & inflation	Stabilize markets with tools from the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS); address economic pressures & debt that hinder food access .
“I am because you are” / Solidarity	Ensure access to adequate, safe, & nutritious food	Invest in climate-smart agriculture (drought-tolerant seeds, efficient irrigation); support social protection like school feeding schemes .
Dignity & Agency	Promote inclusive & fair food systems	Strengthen smallholder farmers’ access to finance, inputs, and markets; empower local producers and vulnerable communities .
Collective Responsibility & Sustainability	Build resilient, sustainable, & inclusive agriculture	Promote sustainable resource use & diverse diets (e.g., fisheries, pulses); align with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement & Kunming-Montreal Framework .

The Roadmap: Integrating Ubuntu into Global and Continental Policy

The “Ubuntu Approaches” are not conceived in isolation but are designed to work in tandem with broader African and global development frameworks.

• Synergy with the African Union’s CAADP: The G20 declaration explicitly acknowledges the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)as a key vehicle for advancing food security . The Ubuntu approach supports CAADP’s ambitious goals, such as reducing post-harvest losses by 50% and tripling intra-African trade in agri-food products by 2035 .
• A Broader Framework for Global Action: The approaches are positioned as a contribution to existing multilateral efforts, reinforcing the central role of United Nations mechanisms and WTO rules in creating a coordinated, rules-based global response to food insecurity .

This detailed exploration shows how the “Ubuntu Approaches” seek to create a more humane, equitable, and effective global food system. Should you wish to delve into the specific economic or trade reforms proposed within these approaches, I am ready to assist further.

Based on the strategic positioning, agenda, and geopolitical context we have discussed, here is a projection of potential positive and negative outcomes from the Johannesburg G20 Summit for the global community, framed as a balance sheet until the next convening.

Potential Positive Outcomes (The Aspirational “Wins”)

1. The Institutionalization of an African Agenda:The most significant outcome would be the formal adoption of key African priorities into the G20’s core work streams. This could include:
   • The “Cost of Capital Commission”:A formal mandate to investigate why developing nations pay exponentially more to borrow money, with concrete recommendations for reform from multilateral development banks.
   • Debt Architecture Reform:Moving beyond temporary debt service suspensions towards a permanent, equitable sovereign debt restructuring mechanism.
   • Legitimizing the “Just Transition”:Embedding the principle that the shift to green energy must be funded and implemented in a way that does not cripple developing economies, making it a non-negotiable pillar of all future climate finance.
2. Ubuntu as a Legitimate Diplomatic Framework:The summit could succeed in moving Ubuntu from a philosophical concept to a recognized diplomatic vocabulary. If the final Leaders’ Declaration includes phrases like “relational solidarity” or “shared humanity” in the context of food security or debt, it would mark a profound shift, providing a new moral and rhetorical tool for the Global South in future negotiations.
3. Operationalizing the African Union’s Seat:The summit could move the African Union (AU) from being a symbolic member to an operational one. This would be evidenced by the AU leading on specific task forces, such as implementing the “Ubuntu Approaches on Food Security,” thereby setting a precedent for its future role.
4. A Demonstration of Middle Power Agency:A successful summit, even in the face of a U.S. boycott, would be a powerful testament to the ability of middle powers and Global South nations to set the global agenda and build consensus without the direct leadership—or despite the obstruction—of a traditional superpower.

Potential Negative Outcomes (The Cynical “Realities”)

1. The Hollowed-Out Declaration:The most likely negative outcome is a final communiqué that is long on ambition but short on binding commitments. The provocative language of Ubuntu and reform could be watered down into vague statements of “noting concerns” and “encouraging further work,” with the concrete, transformative proposals like the Cost of Capital Commission being relegated to further “study.” This would prove the cynics right.
2. The Solidarity Fracture:The U.S. boycott could embolden other nations to disengage or form obstructive blocs. Instead of showcasing Global South unity, the summit could expose its fractures, with different nations aligning with competing geopolitical poles (U.S., China, Russia) on contentious issues, thereby paralyzing the G20’s decision-making capacity.
3. The “Photograph Opportunity” Critique:The summit could be dismissed as a performative event where leaders simply gathered for a photograph under the banner of Ubuntu, with no tangible change in policy or resource flows afterwards. If the billions required for climate adaptation and food security do not materialize, the entire exercise would be branded a failure, damaging the credibility of both South Africa and the G20 format.
4. Reinforcement of Existing Biases:If the summit fails to produce substantive outcomes, it could inadvertently reinforce the very prejudice you alluded to earlier—the old, cynical adage that “nothing good comes out of Africa.” It would be used as evidence that an African-led, value-driven agenda is incapable of steering the complex machinery of global governance.

The Verdict: A Gathering of What Force?

The author aptly calls the G20 Summit, as a gathering of the “FORCE.” The fundamental question is which force will prevail:

• Will it be the force of fragmentation, driven by resurgent nationalism and great-power rivalry, leading to a weakened, irrelevant G20?
• Or will it be the force of reconstitution, driven by the moral imperative of Ubuntu and the strategic weight of the Global South, leading to a more inclusive, albeit messier, form of multilateralism?

The Johannesburg Summit’s legacy will not be determined by its immediate, headline-grabbing outcomes, but by whether the seeds it plants—the frameworks, the commissions, the philosophical challenges—are nurtured in the months that follow, or whether they are left to wither by the next gathering of this force.

What is the “INSIDE STORY” for the conspicuous non-attendance at this meeting of the TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, noting the misinformation about the “white Afrikaner, Minority GENOCIDE”, repeatedly highlighted by Trump. This question cuts directly to the most significant geopolitical tension surrounding the upcoming G20 summit. The “inside story” for the Trump administration’s conspicuous non-attendance is a deliberate diplomatic boycott, officially justified by what are widely discredited claims of a “genocide” against white South Africans.

The table below breaks down the core reasons and the responses to them.

Aspect	The Trump Administration’s Position	The South African Response & Fact-Checks
Official Reason	Boycott over alleged persecution and “genocide” of white Afrikaner farmers.	Calls the decision “regrettable” and asserts the summit’s success does not “rest on one member state”.
“White Genocide” Claims	Claims Afrikaners are “being killed and slaughtered” and their land “illegally confiscated”.	Dismissed as “clearly imagined” by a South African court; no major local parties, including white-led ones, support the claim.
Land Confiscation Claims	Alleges farms and land are being illegally seized from white farmers. South Africa’s Expropriation Act,	A new law allows for land expropriation for public purpose with compensation; no evidence of systematic confiscations.
Broader Political Context	Criticism of South Africa’s affirmative action laws and its Case against Israel at the UN’s top court.	Policies aim to redress apartheid-era inequalities; the US boycott is seen as “their loss”.

The Bigger Picture: A Strained Bilateral Relationship

The boycott over the genocide narrative is not an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of significantly deteriorated relations between the U.S. and South Africa.

• Addressing Historical Injustice: The South African government frames its land reform and economic empowerment policies as essential tools to correct the profound racial and economic disparities created by decades of apartheid rule. From this perspective, these are measures to build equality, not to persecute a minority.
• Geopolitical Frictions: The Trump administration has also been critical of South Africa’s foreign policy, particularly its decision to bring a case against Israel for alleged genocide in Gaza at the International Court of Justice. This, combined with the rhetorical clashes, has led to what reports describe as the lowest point in U.S.-South Africa relations since the end of apartheid.

I hope this detailed breakdown provides the clarity you were seeking on this complex diplomatic situation. Should you wish to explore the specific agenda South Africa has planned for its G20 presidency, I am ready to assist further.

Another haunting question for US nonattendance: is it possible that the disdain reverts to SA lodging a case against Israel at the ICJ, about which Trump was most unhappy?

The Trump administration’s decision to boycott the G20 summit is widely seen as part of a broader strategy to punish South Africa for its independent foreign policy, with its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) being a central point of contention .

The table below summarizes the key factors behind the US boycott:

 

Reason	Description	Source Context
ICJ Case Against Israel	South Africa accused Israel of genocide in Gaza; US condemned case as “meritless” & “anti-American”.	Major foreign policy rift; used to justify aid cuts & diplomatic snubs.
Claims of “White Afrikaner Genocide”	Trump cited “mistreatment of white farmers” & “land confiscation”; SA gov’t & courts dismissed claims as “false” & “imagined” .	Public reason given for G20 boycott; part of long-standing narrative since 2018 .
Perceived “Anti-Americanism”	US officials criticized summit’s focus (diversity, climate) & SA’s broader geopolitical alignments, including BRICS membership .	Framed as not wanting to “coddle anti-Americanism” or “waste taxpayer money” .

The ICJ Case as a Core Issue

South Africa’s decision to bring a case against Israel at the ICJ was a significant foreign policy move that directly challenged a key U.S. ally.

• An “Aggressive Position”: In February 2025, President Trump issued an executive order cutting financial aid to South Africa, which specifically cited the country’s genocide case at the ICJ as one of the “egregious actions” that undermined U.S. foreign policy.
• A Firm Stance: South Africa has remained resolute in its position. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola stated there was “no chance” South Africa would withdraw the case, acknowledging that “standing by our principles sometimes has consequences” .
• Broader Hostility: The U.S. response was not isolated to the Trump administration; complex geopolitical dynamics at play the State Department under the previous Biden administration had also immediately rejected the case as “meritless” when it was filed in early 2024 .

The future relations between RSA and US following the G20 snub, by TRUMP?

The US boycott of the G20 summit in South Africa is a multi-faceted diplomatic punishment, While the official reason focused on unsubstantiated claims of alleged white Afrikaner farmer persecution, occupation of their land and genocide the South African government’s independent stance on the world stage, particularly its case against Israel at the ICJ, was a major and likely more substantive factor in the Trump administration’s decision. Based on the analysis of recent events, the future relations between South Africa and the United States are poised to remain strained and could potentially deteriorate further. The G20 snub is not an isolated incident but a symptom of deeper diplomatic tensions.

The table below summarizes the key factors contributing to the current rift and their potential future implications.

Factor	Current Status	Potential Future Impact
Official G20 Boycott	Full US boycott of Johannesburg summit; no officials attending.	Immediate diplomatic freeze; questions over US commitment to G20 & Africa.
Stated Reason (Land Reform)	US cites “expropriation,” “persecution” of white farmers; SA calls claims “baseless,” “imagined”.	Persistent ideological clash over SA’s domestic policies to redress apartheid-era inequalities.
Underlying Reason (Geopolitics)	US anger over SA’s ICJ case against Israel (US ally) & SA’s BRICS membership.	Major, long-term strategic divergence; US may view SA as adversarial partner.
Diplomatic & Economic Pressure	US expelled SA ambassador (Mar 2025); high US tariffs on SA goods.	SA potentially excluded from certain G20 meetings under US 2026 presidency; trade relations strained.

A Wider Geopolitical Shift

The friction with the US is accelerating a pre-existing trend in South Africa’s foreign policy.

• Strengthening Alternative Alliances: This diplomatic snub is likely to push South Africa to deepen its ties with other global powers. Experts suggest this will solidify Pretoria’s alignment with China, Russia, and other BRICS nations. This reflects a larger shift in global power dynamics, where nations in the Global South are seeking to counterbalance Western influence.
• A Blow to US Influence: By boycotting the first G20 summit hosted in Africa, the US is seen as ceding ground strategically. This move “only aids China’s influence” in a continent where the US has been trying to counter Beijing’s growing role through initiatives like the Lobito Corridor infrastructure project. The absence is viewed as a missed opportunity for Washington to engage with a rapidly growing region.

What to Expect Going Forward

The situation is dynamic, but the current trajectory points towards a more challenging and complex relationship.

• A Cool and Practical Relationship: While a complete breakdown is unlikely, the “special relationship” between the US and South Africa may be over. Relations are expected to be cooler and more transactional. South Africa may be systematically excluded from certain G20 side meetings and working groups when the US takes over the presidency.
• South Africa’s Resilient Stance: The South African government has responded with defiance, calling the US boycott “their loss”. Officials have expressed confidence that the G20 can still produce substantive outcomes without the US and that the work done during South Africa’s presidency will remain part of the G20’s legacy. The door for US engagement remains open, but South Africa will not be bullied into changing its independent foreign policy.

In essence, the G20 snub has deepened a pre-existing rift, moving the US-South Africa relationship into a more confrontational phase. The future points towards a more distant relationship, with South Africa strengthening its ties within the BRICS bloc and the Global South, while the US may resort to using its economic, the eternal threat of sanctions and institutional power hegemonic intentions to pressure Pretoria.

President Trump’s administration did influence the non-attendance of at least one other major economy at the G20 meetings in South Africa. The available information suggests this was part of a broader diplomatic stance, though a direct, public threat of sanctions specifically for G20 attendance is not explicitly detailed in these reports. South Africa responded firmly and confidently to the U.S. boycott of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg:

Key Points of South Africa’s Response

1. Dismissed the Boycott as Ineffective
   President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that “boycott politics does not work” and emphasized that the summit would proceed as planned, with critical decisions taken by attending leaders. [abcnews.go.com], [aljazeera.com]
2. Framed U.S. Absence as “Their Loss”

Ramaphosa said the United States was “giving up the very important role that they should be playing as the biggest economy in the world,” stressing that its absence would not diminish the summit’s significance. [abcnews.go.com], [africa.bus…nsider.com]

3. Reaffirmed Summit Priorities

South Africa reiterated its commitment to themes of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability, and confirmed that decisions on global issues—such as climate resilience, debt reform, and inclusive growth—would move forward without U.S. participation. [joburgetc.com]

4. Rejected U.S. Allegations

The government categorically denied claims of “white genocide” and land confiscation, calling them baseless and rooted in misinformation. [africa.bus…nsider.com]

5. Projected Confidence and Legacy

Officials highlighted that hosting the first G20 summit on African soil is historic and will amplify Africa’s voice in global governance, regardless of Washington’s stance. [joburgetc.com]

The U.S. Boycott and ” The Grand Trumpean Signal”

The U.S. absence was not an isolated incident but a coordinated boycott ordered by the Trump administration.

• A Formal Ban: The White House issued an order for all U.S. government agencies to stop all work related to the South Africa-hosted G20 summit. This move was described as “ceding the floor to China” and a significant departure from the traditional U.S. role in the forum .
• Stated Reasons: The boycott was officially justified by President Trump’s claims about South Africa’s land reform policies, which he falsely characterized as a “genocide” against white farmers—a claim strongly denied by the South African government and many white South Africans themselves .
• Broader Diplomatic Stance: The administration’s skepticism was not limited to South Africa. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously criticized the G20 forum for what he claimed was “catering to anti-American sentiments,” indicating a broader discontent with the platform .

How other countries reacted to the U.S. boycott of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg:

1. Argentina

• Action: President Javier Milei announced he will skip the summit, sending Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno instead.
• Reason: Seen as a gesture of solidarity with Donald Trump and alignment with Washington’s hardline stance.
• Implication: Highlights growing ideological polarization within the G20. [joburgetc.com]

2. European Union & Major Economies

• Reaction: EU leaders and countries like Germany, France, and the UK reaffirmed their attendance and commitment to multilateralism.
• Tone: Emphasized that the summit will proceed and deliver outcomes despite U.S. absence, framing the boycott as a missed opportunity for Washington. [evrimagaci.org]

3. BRICS Nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China)

• Response: Viewed the boycott as a sign of shifting global power dynamics toward the Global South and BRICS-led multilateralism.
• Commentary: Analysts noted this could accelerate realignment away from Western dominance in global governance. [evrimagaci.org]

4. African Union & Developing Nations

• Position: Strong support for South Africa’s leadership and summit agenda focused on solidarity, equality, and sustainability.
• Message: Boycott politics “does not work” and Africa’s voice will be amplified regardless of U.S. participation. [aljazeera.com]

5. Diplomatic Analysts

• Observation: While symbolic, the absence of the U.S. may have long-term consequences for global finance and climate initiatives, given America’s role as a major sponsor of multilateral programs. [deccanherald.com]

Influence on Other Nations: The Case of Japan

The U.S. stance appears to have directly influenced other nations. Public reports confirm that Japan joined the U.S. in skipping the G20 finance ministers’ meeting held earlier in the year .

While the search results do not mention an explicit “threat of sanction” from Trump to other leaders about the summit, analysts and reports link Japan’s absence to the pressure it was under from the Trump administration on other economic issues, particularly the threat of new tariffs on key Japanese exports like automobiles and steel . Facing this pressure, Japan’s decision to be absent from the G20 was seen as a diplomatic response to avoid further aggravating the U.S.

The African Union (AU) strongly supported South Africa’s hosting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in several ways:

1. Public Endorsement

• The AU praised South Africa for making history as the first African country to host a G20 Leaders’ Summit, calling it a milestone for Africa’s global representation.
• AU Chairperson emphasized that this summit amplifies Africa’s voice in shaping global governance and economic reform.

2. Strategic Participation

• The AU ensured continental representation by coordinating six regional blocs (including ECOWAS, SADC, and EAC) to attend the summit.
• This was framed as a collective African effort to influence decisions on climate resilience, debt relief, and fair trade.

3. Rebuttal to U.S. Boycott

• The AU dismissed the U.S. boycott as “regrettable but inconsequential,” stressing that Africa’s agenda for solidarity, equality, and sustainability would proceed without disruption.
• It reaffirmed that multilateralism cannot be undermined by unilateral actions.

4. Policy Alignment

• The AU backed South Africa’s summit themes:
  • Inclusive growth
  • Global resilience
  • Fair and just future (critical minerals, decent work, AI governance)
• It also supported the adoption of the Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration as a framework for Africa’s development priorities.

The Bigger Picture

This pattern of attendance suggests that the Trump administration’s “America First” approach and its use of trade threats created a climate that discouraged full participation from some allies in a forum it was actively boycotting.

This clarifies the interconnected nature of these diplomatic absences. What would be  exploring the potential consequences of this U.S. and allied boycott, particularly in terms of the influence it may have ceded to other global powers at the summit?

Likely outcomes for each stakeholder group:

Based on the analysis of the summit agenda, geopolitical context, and reactions, here are the outcomes

South Africa

• Enhanced Global Standing: Hosting the first G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil positions South Africa as a diplomatic leader and voice for the Global South.
• Economic Confidence Boost: The summit coincides with signs of economic recovery, improved energy stability, and logistics reforms—likely attracting investment and partnerships.
• Legacy of Ubuntu Diplomacy: South Africa will champion inclusive growth and fairness, reinforcing its soft power through the Ubuntu philosophy.
• Infrastructure & Service Gains: Preparations for the summit have already improved Johannesburg’s mobility and service delivery, leaving a tangible local legacy.

2. BRICS

• Strengthened Multilateral Influence: With the U.S. absent, BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) will dominate discussions, shaping narratives on critical minerals, AI governance, and climate resilience.
• Global South Solidarity: BRICS will leverage this moment to push for reforms in global financial architecture and fairer trade systems.
• Strategic Realignment: The boycott accelerates the perception of a shift from Western-centric governance toward multipolarity led by BRICS and allied nations.

3. The Global North

• Missed Opportunity for the U.S.: Washington’s absence weakens its influence on key issues like AI regulation, debt relief, and climate finance.
• EU and Allies Step Up: Europe and Japan will likely fill the gap, reaffirming commitment to multilateralism and forging stronger ties with Africa.
• Potential Fractures: Divergent approaches between Western powers (boycott vs. engagement) may deepen geopolitical polarization.

4. Africa as a Whole

• Amplified Continental Voice: The AU and regional blocs will secure commitments on debt sustainability, infrastructure investment, and renewable energy.
• Conflict Hotspots & Stability: While the summit won’t resolve conflicts immediately, Africa’s inclusion in global decision-making could lead to greater support for peacebuilding and resilience programs.
• Economic Leverage: Africa’s critical minerals and renewable energy potential will be central to global supply chains, giving the continent bargaining power.
• Symbolic Victory: Hosting the summit signals Africa’s transition from a policy recipient to a policy shaper in global governance.

What are the reasons the Summit is called G20.

• Why “G20”: The name stands for the “Group of Twenty”. It is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 sovereign countries, the European Union (EU), and the African Union (AU) . The name reflects its composition as a group of systemically important economies.

The non-American attendance is compelling but somewhat polarized view of international relations. A more nuanced examination, supported by the search results, suggests that while Ubuntu offers a valuable ethical framework, the realities of global politics are more complex than a simple dichotomy between South African virtue and Northern connivance.

The table below contrasts the philosophical ideals you’ve outlined with the complicating realities discussed in the search results.

Dimension	The Ubuntu Ideal (The Aspiration)	Complicating Realities (The Practice)
Governing Ethos	Compassion, shared humanity, community (“umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” – a person is a person through other persons) .	Political misuse; can be invoked to shield corrupt officials from criticism, creating a “mass hypocrisy” where the ethos is preached but not practiced by leadership .
International Posture	User-friendliness, respect for diversity, solidarity with the Global South .	Geopolitical necessity; actions like the ICJ case against Israel demonstrate a willingness to take confrontational stances against powerful nations, challenging the notion of a uniformly “friendly” posture.
Historical Legacy	A conscious turn to a “home-grown philosophy” to move forward from the damage of apartheid and colonialism .	Historical complexity; Ubuntu itself was forged in response to the profound injustices of the colonial and apartheid eras, the legacy of which continues to shape RSA’s position .

The “Constraining” Nature of Ubuntu[5], [6]

The author observes that Ubuntu might be “constraining” is astute. As a philosophy, Ubuntu emphasizes the group over the individual, harmony over conflict, and mutual responsibility over unilateral action . In the hard-nosed arena of international diplomacy, where national self-interest is often paramount, this can indeed create strategic dilemmas.

However, it is more accurate to view Ubuntu not as a shackle, but as a different strategic asset. It provides South Africa with a unique moral voice and a powerful platform to advocate for a more equitable global order, rallying other Global South nations around principles of solidarity and justice . This is not a weakness, but a different kind of power.

Analysing the Global North and “Neo-Imperialism”[7]

The author’s characterization of the Global North’s historical actions is largely supported by the historical record. The search results confirm the following:

• Historical Imperialism: The period of “New Imperialism” in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was indeed characterized by European powers, the US, and Japan engaging in an unprecedented “scramble” for colonies, particularly in Africa and Asia . This was driven by economic rivalry, resource extraction, and a “civilizing mission” ethos.
• The Herero-Nama Genocide:[8] In German South-West Africa (now Namibia), a 1904-1908 rebellion led to a deliberate campaign of annihilation by German forces, resulting in the deaths of approximately 80% of the Herero and 50% of the Nama populations—a crime later recognized as the 20th century’s first genocide .
• Structural Inequalities: The current Global North/South divide is a direct legacy of these colonial structures. The North continues to wield disproportionate political and economic power in institutions like the UN, IMF, and World Bank, often shaping policies that benefit them .

The term “neo-imperialism” or “neocolonialism” is used to describe the continued exercise of economic and political dominance by powerful states after the end of direct colonial rule, often through debt, unequal trade agreements, and economic pressure .

A Debateble Verdict

In summary, while the author’s analysis correctly identifies a fundamental clash of philosophies, a conclusive judgment is complex.

• South Africais genuinely attempting to operationalize Ubuntu as a foreign policy principle, championing a more compassionate and just world order. However, it is not immune to the pragmatic demands of governance and geopolitics, and its application of Ubuntu can be inconsistent.
• The Global North’shistorical and ongoing actions are indeed often characterized by power politics and economic self-interest that perpetuate global inequality. However, it is also a diverse bloc with internal variations and is not a monolithic entity solely defined by acrimony.

Therefore, the international arena is not a simple moral play between a virtuous South Africa and a conniving Global North. It is a complex space where South Africa’s Ubuntu-inspired agenda represents a powerful, corrective and aspirational force against the lingering, often damaging, dynamics of a neo-imperial world order.

Confirmed Key Speakers

• Cyril Ramaphosa – President of South Africa and Chair of the G20 Summit (will deliver the opening and keynote address). [ewn.co.za]
• Narendra Modi – Prime Minister of India (representing a major Global South economy and expected to speak on inclusive growth and AI governance). [economicti…atimes.com]
• Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva – President of Brazil (focus on climate action and Global South priorities). [economicti…atimes.com]
• Olaf Scholz – Chancellor of Germany (expected to address economic recovery and resilience). [voyeglobal.com]
• Fumio Kishida – Prime Minister of Japan (likely to speak on technology and AI governance). [voyeglobal.com]
• Rishi Sunak – Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (focus on fair trade and global financial stability). [voyeglobal.com]
• Mohammed bin Salman – Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia (energy transition and critical minerals). [voyeglobal.com]

Will U.S. Vice President JD Vance Attend the G20 Summit?

• JD Vance will NOT attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
  Multiple credible sources confirm that President Donald Trump announced a full boycott of the summit, stating that no U.S. government official will participate due to his claims of human rights abuses against South Africa’s white minority farmers (claims widely dismissed as unfounded). [kenyans.co.ke], [swisherpost.co.za]
• Initially, Trump had said Vance would represent the U.S., but this was reversed on November 7, when Trump posted on Truth Social:
  “No U.S. Government Official will attend as long as these Human Rights abuses continue.”. [usatoday.com]

Any U.S. Diplomatic Presence?

• The White House clarified that the U.S. will not join G20 discussions.
  However, a low-level diplomatic presence (likely the chargé d’affaires from the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria) will attend only the ceremonial handover of the G20 presidency to the U.S. for 2026. This is a formality, not participation in negotiations. [foxnews.com]
• There were rumors of a last-minute reversal, but the White House strongly denied any change:
  “This is fake news. The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa.”. [foxnews.com]

Bottom Line

• JD Vance will not attend.
• No senior U.S. diplomat will participate in summit talks.
• Only a symbolic presence for the presidency handover is expected.

Other Influential Voices

• Anil Sooklal – South Africa’s G20 Sherpa and High Commissioner, will moderate key sessions and side events. [economicti…atimes.com]
• Kenneth Nobrega – Brazil’s Ambassador (expected to speak at side events on Global South cooperation). [economicti…atimes.com]
• IBSA Leaders – India, Brazil, and South Africa will hold a dedicated trilateral meeting during the summit.

Epilogue

The Next G20 Summit

The next G20 Summit after South Africa’s 2025 presidency will be hosted by the United States in 2026. The main Leaders’ Summit will be held at the Trump National Doral golf club in Miami, Florida.

G20 Summit 2026 Overview

The table below summarizes the key details for the upcoming summit:

Detail	Information
Host Country	United States
Presidency Period	December 1, 2025 – November 30, 2026
Leaders’ Summit Location	Trump National Doral, Miami, Florida
Leaders’ Summit Dates	The main summit is scheduled for November 2026.

How This Information Was Determined

The G20 presidency rotates annually among its members. South Africa holds the presidency in 2025, and the United States will assume the presidency afterward. The U.S. Department of State initiated a process for cities to submit proposals to host the various G20 meetings throughout 2026. However, President Trump unilaterally announced that the culminating Leaders’ Summit would be held at his Doral property.

This decision has attracted attention as the White House stated the property would host the summit “at-cost, and will receive no profit”, though similar past proposals have faced ethical criticisms.

Main Points

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola delivered the update during a media briefing at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec on 17^th November 2025,

Most leaders attending, with only four represented below the head-of-state level

Lamola said nearly all G20 member states will be represented at the head-of-state or head-of-government level, with only a small number opting to send ministers or sherpas instead.

“At this stage, we have confirmation that only four countries will not be represented at the head-of-state level,” he said.

“Preparations for the summit are on track with numerous heads of state and government from G20 member countries and invited guest countries confirmed for participation. In total, 42 countries are confirmed for participation at various levels. This includes twenty G20 members (excluding the United States), 16 guest countries and six countries representing regional economic communities in Africa, the Caribbean and East Asia,” said Lamola.

Premier Lesufi [9]also added that the province had intensified safety, mobility and service-delivery plans for the duration of the summit.

Minister Godongwana [10]emphasised that hosting the world’s biggest economies comes at a time when South Africa is beginning to show signs of economic recovery.

A historic summit at a symbolic venue

Lamola described the Nasrec precinct as a fitting setting for the historic gathering[11]. The venue not only connected racially segregated parts of Johannesburg during apartheid but also hosted major democratic milestones, including the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. “It is against this powerful backdrop that we gather today as South Africa proudly leads the G20 Presidency,” Lamola said. He noted that South Africa has already hosted 130 of the 133 official G20 meetings this year, with the Leaders’ Summit serving as the conclusion of what he described as a transformative period of diplomacy, reform and global engagement.

Johannesburg was chosen for the G20 Leaders’ Summit for symbolic and practical reasons:

1. Historical Significance

• The Nasrec precinct in Johannesburg played a key role in South Africa’s democratic journey, bridging racially segregated areas during apartheid.
• It hosted major milestones like the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, making it a venue associated with unity and global events.

2. Infrastructure & Capacity

• Johannesburg offers world-class facilities, transport networks, and security infrastructure capable of handling one of the largest international gatherings South Africa has hosted in years.

3. Economic Hub

• As South Africa’s financial and commercial center, Johannesburg reflects the country’s economic leadership and readiness to engage with the world’s biggest economies.

4. Symbolic Message

• Hosting the first G20 summit on African soil in Johannesburg underscores Africa’s rising role in global governance and South Africa’s commitment to Ubuntu diplomacy “I am because we are.”

The legacy of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg will be both symbolic and strategic:

1. Africa’s Global Voice

• For the first time, Africa hosted the G20 Leaders’ Summit, marking a historic shift toward inclusive global governance.
• This sets a precedent for African representation in shaping global economic and social policies, not just as a recipient but as a policy shaper.

2. South Africa’s Diplomatic Elevation

• South Africa emerges as a bridge-builder between the Global North and South, reinforcing its leadership role in multilateral forums.
• The Ubuntu philosophy, “I am because we are”, becomes a diplomatic brand for South Africa.

3. Structural Reforms

• The summit will likely catalyse commitments on debt sustainability, climate resilience, and fair trade, benefiting developing nations.
• Africa’s critical minerals and renewable energy potential gain global recognition, strengthening its bargaining power.

4. Geopolitical Realignment

• The U.S. boycott highlights growing polarization, accelerating a shift toward multipolarity led by BRICS and emerging economies.
• This summit may become a reference point for Global South solidarity in future negotiations.

5. Local Impact

• Infrastructure upgrades, service improvements, and security enhancements in Johannesburg leave a tangible legacy for South Africa.
• The event boosts confidence in South Africa’s ability to host large-scale global gatherings.

The Existential Terror Threat to Delegates at G20 Summit

What Security Measures are implemented: Inside South Africa’s ‘Hard Lockdown’ for G20 Summit

The highly anticipated G20 Leaders’ Summit, the first of its kind on African soil, is set to proceed on 22 and 23 November 2025 at the Nasrec Expo Centre [12]in Johannesburg, demanding extraordinary security measures as world leaders gather.[13] Gauteng authorities, under the coordination of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints),[14] have expressed confidence in their preparations, drawing on successful policing experiences from 130 preparatory meetings held throughout the year, according to Sandile Nene[15] – acting deputy director-general at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS). As the author prepares this publication, there is a huge security operation, including ‘testing” the layout with mystery agents is under way around the precincts of the venue, covering ground and air operations, with an extraordinarily large security personnel deployment.  South Africa is not new to this level of security precautions, as it has extensive experience in security operation, during the 2010 FIFA World Cup[16] and managing other big events. Undoubtedly, the security scenario has changed tremendously over the past 15 years, but the security forces, together with undercover intelligence are well prepared for any contingence, which are bound to occur, with nefarious elements within the country, as well as external third force government agencies who dislike South Africa for its lodging og case at ICJ against Israel.  It is noted that agents from certain countries are observed as potential disruptors of Peace during the G20 Summit are already documented and monitored to obviate the threat of terror attacks at the G20 Summit from these disruptive forces,  It has also emerged that Trump, elected not to attend the G20 summit in view of such potential threats which the US Secret service has acknowledged and the risk management composites are too heavy to allow the President of US to take the risk of being assassinated.  The other factors mentioned for his non-attendance are just a security cover.

Months of planning, meetings and possible strategies used by terrorist and with total cooperation from Johannesburg Mero Police Department, The South African Police Services, The South African Defence Force and the deployment of all personnel of the National Security Services, agents on the ground and communities to identify potential threats. An energy plan has been activated to guarantee uninterrupted power supply throughout the summit, including installing emergency generators, protecting cables, and using high mast solar lighting.

On Tuesday, 18^th November, Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili[17] , chair of NatJoints urged all protesting groups planning to seize the G20 moment, “to do so within the confines of the law”.

“We will therefore not allow any disruptions, lawlessness and no damaging and defacing of G20 infrastructure including posters,” Mosikili said.

Why ICJ Referral and Hosting Palestinians Could Be Seen as a Trigger

• ICJ Referral Against Israel:[18],[19],[20],[21],[22],[23],[24]

South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice has positioned the country as a leading voice in the Global South against Western-aligned powers. This makes it symbolically significant for extremist actors who either:

• Support Israel and view South Africa’s stance as hostile.
• Oppose Israel but want to destabilize South Africa to discredit its leadership role.

• Reception of 153 Palestinians:[25]

While humanitarian in intent, this move has been politicized. Critics argue it could:

• Be framed as South Africa harbouring individuals linked to militant networks (even if untrue).
• Provide a pretext for adversaries to claim “security lapses” and justify covert operations.

Could Mossad, CIA, or any foreign governmental agency  Orchestrate Such Attacks at G20 Summit?

• Historically, state-sponsored covert operations [26]have been used to:
  • Undermine governments perceived as adversarial.
  • Create instability to influence foreign policy or global narratives.
• In theory, if South Africa’s stance threatens strategic interests, false-flag operations could be considered by intelligence agencies to:
  • Damage South Africa’s credibility.
  • Shift global opinion away from its ICJ advocacy.

However:

• There is no verified evidence of Mossad or CIA planning such actions for the G20 Summit.
• These claims often circulate in political discourse but remain speculative without hard intelligence.

Why Would Extremist Groups Exploit This Context?

• Propaganda Value: A successful attack during the first African-hosted G20 would dominate global headlines.
• Ideological Messaging: Groups like ISIS or Al-Qaeda affiliates could frame South Africa as a “legitimate target” for siding with Palestine and opposing Western powers.
• Operational Opportunity: Large-scale events with global leaders are prime targets for actors seeking maximum impact.

The Security Risk Management Bottom Line:

The ICJ referral and Palestinian resettlement amplify South Africa’s geopolitical visibility, making it a symbolic target for both non-state extremist actors and potential covert adversaries. While Mossad/CIA involvement is speculative, the rationale for such operations, if they occurred, would be to discredit South Africa’s moral leadership and fracture its international alliances.  Furthermore, if U.S. submarines were deployed for G20 security, such movements would likely remain classified for operational security reasons. It is necessary to track any official maritime advisories or NOTAMs for South African waters during the G20 period? Or perhaps check for NATO or U.S. Navy press releases on US-African maritime posture?

Five crucial elements of the G20 Summit security measures

1. Deployment and Lockdown during G20 commencing on Friday 21^st until Monday 24^th November, 2025.
2. Personnel Surge
3. No-fly zone over G20 Summit venue. The possibility of attacks by remote drones launched from US submarines, probably already deployed in the Indian Ocean, off the coasts of South Africa, [27]both in the Atlantic as well as the Indian Oceans are a frighteningly real possibilities, noting the track record of random bombings of foreign countries under the pretext of ensuring the safety of US.  Furthermore, since deploying the nuclear bombs in Japan[28],[29],[30]and tons of bombs in Cambodia[31], Operation Menu, Korea[32], Vietnam[33], the US operation “Barrel Roll”, Afghanistan[34], Iran[35], Iraq[36], Syria, [37] Yemen[38] and Palestinian proxy bombing,[39] are impressive “neccolades”[40] of achievement in the aggressive ethos of the mechanism of “Making America Great Again”[41].
4. Convoy Movement and Road Closures
5. Protest Management and resilience

Final Word, pre G20 Summit from the President of United States

The United States has warned South Africa not to issue a joint leaders’ declaration at the G20 summit taking place in Johannesburg this weekend, saying it will block any outcome presented as a consensus position.[42]  In a diplomatic communication delivered to Pretoria on November 15, Washington said it would not take part in preparatory meetings before the summit or in the gathering of world leaders. According to Bloomberg News[43] an international financial and political news organisation based in New York that reviewed a copy of the document, the United States told South Africa that it would not support any declaration described as a consensus position of the G20. The note reportedly said Pretoria’s priorities for the summit were at odds with Washington’s policy positions.

“The US opposes issuance of any G20 summit outcome document under the premise of a consensus G20 position, without US agreement,” the communication stated.

“If a deliverable is issued under your presidency, it will be framed solely as a chair’s statement to accurately reflect the absence of consensus.”[44],[45] Despite Washington’s opposition, South Africa is continuing efforts to secure a joint declaration when the two-day summit ends on Sunday. Securing a declaration is a top priority for Pretoria, which has sought to build on the agenda advanced by recent G20 hosts from the Global South, Indonesia, India and Brazil.

The Bottom Line of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg

This summit is historic and transformative for global governance:

• Africa’s Moment: For the first time, the G20 meets on African soil, signaling a shift toward inclusive multilateralism and amplifying Africa’s voice in shaping global economic and social agendas.
• South Africa’s Legacy: Positions itself as a confident leader of the Global South, championing Ubuntu diplomacy and themes of fairness, resilience, and sustainability.
• Geopolitical Realignment: The U.S. boycott underscores growing polarization, while BRICS and other emerging economies seize the opportunity to strengthen influence and push for reforms in global financial systems.
• Core Outcomes Expected:
  • Commitments on inclusive growth, climate resilience, and AI governance.
  • Greater focus on critical minerals, renewable energy, and debt sustainability for developing nations.
• Symbolic and Strategic Impact: Beyond declarations, this summit marks Africa’s transition from a policy recipient to a policy shaper, with implications for peacebuilding and economic leverage across conflict-prone regions.

The Johannesburg G20 Summit is not just a meeting, it is a powerful affirmation of Africa’s rising role in global decision-making and a turning point for multipolar cooperation, for Africa’s integration, and a platform for shaping a fairer, more resilient new world order. “Something good has finally come Out of Africa.”,[46] giving the continent the respect, it deserves as the cradle of human kind in the evolution[47] of Homo sapiens, sapiens[48], after being plundered by Belgium. Portugal, Holland, Germany and the Britain, of its riches, capturing its people, into eternal, subjugative slavery, committing genocide in Namaqualand[49] of the Hereros[50] and the Nama people. and Kenya [51]and disenfranchising indigenous people, in their own land as In South Africa, India[52],[53],[54],[55],Australia, Chagossians[56]and New Zealand [57].  These colonialists also stole their cultural heritage and artefacts to be displayed in their museums, in the global north, as they did in the flourishing Kingdom of Benin[58], with great pride.  Attempts at repatriation of these heritage relics by the so-called civilised nations, have thus far, been consistently unsuccessful.

 Comments and discussion are invited by e-mail: vawda@ukzn.ac.za

Global: + 27 82 291 4546

 References:

[1] Personal Quote by author, October 2025

 

[2] Personal Quote by author, November 2025

 

[3] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=4ce8b088cabecaa9856fbf91042182978dd60c9388049bdae0740b3f1dde6230JmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=Historical+Context%3a+The+G20%27s+Evolution+and+Global+South+Ascendance&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9hZnJpY2EudGltZS5jb20vZzIwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXRoZS1nMjAtZnJvbS0xOTk5LXRvLXRoZS1qb2hhbm5lc2J1cmctc3VtbWl0LTIwMjUv

 

[4] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=efcc7917f834a81ce28fc00b6acee1c3d2181ef11805e73fd428c618b2c8a4bcJmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=Understanding+Ubuntu+and+Its+Global+Application&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGFuZGZvbmxpbmUuY29tL2RvaS9mdWxsLzEwLjEwODAvMDI2MTU0NzkuMjAyMy4yMTY4NjM4

 

[5] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=d33a829dabd1e9b345f0509136bb1753cb63222597215e499250a249c5aa0fa2JmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=The+%22Constraining%22+Nature+of+Ubuntu&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9hY2FkZW1pY2ZyZWVkb20uY29kZXNyaWEub3JnL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDI1LzA0L0FkYWxiZXJ0dXMtS2FtYW56aS1EZWVwLURlY29sb25pYWxpdHktYW5kLXRoZS1VYnVudHUtSW1wZXJhdGl2ZS1EZXRocm9uaW5nLUNvbG9uaWFsaXRpZXMtd2l0aGluLWFuZC1iZXlvbmQtQWZyaWNhLnBkZg

 

[6] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=99dc7a46040a86a4d780274d1a2b3f8f8d1ae6413fabfa6e6b83f397924d2aeeJmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=The+%22Constraining%22+Nature+of+Ubuntu&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmVzZWFyY2hnYXRlLm5ldC9wdWJsaWNhdGlvbi8yNjMzMTUzMjNfRWxkZXJzX0RlY3J5X3RoZV9Mb3NzX29mX1VidW50dQ

 

[7] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2025/04/peace-disruption-the-forgotten-chagossians-and-deprivation-of-human-rights-by-imperial-britannia/

 

[8] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=c137b58dfc7f884d569a188f7143c2c673f95f3b628119c85106adcdd62271ddJmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=%e2%80%a2%09The+Herero-Nama+Genocide%3a&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvSGVyZXJvX2FuZF9OYW1hX2dlbm9jaWRl

 

[9] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=c7a254ae1a270e3364c321461127b66948f37fb91dbd709c541fde62fd023d09JmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=gauteng+premier+panyaza+lesufi&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvUGFueWF6YV9MZXN1Zmk

 

[10] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=39022f57743f50305d6b7a0a8a98b643c11b1ccc328983186eb41b1c1ba10bc9JmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=minister+godongwana+2025+budget+speech&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY25iY2FmcmljYS5jb20vbWVkaWEvZnZOaGQzSEdtY00vZmluYW5jZS1taW5pc3Rlci1lbm9jaC1nb2Rvbmd3YW5hLWRlbGl2ZXJzLXRoZS0yMDI1LW1lZGl1bS10ZXJtLWJ1ZGdldC1zcGVlY2g

 

[11]https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=9713e2da047e0c9ab898be5d799d60ec044925eadcdff9c487e9c5bd6862ca6dJmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=Lamola+described+the+Nasrec+precinct+as+a+fitting+setting+for+the+historic+gathering&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9kaXJjby5nb3YuemEvbWVkaWEtc3RhdGVtZW50LWJ5LW1pbmlzdGVyLXJvbmFsZC1vLWxhbW9sYS1vbi1wcmVwYXJhdGlvbnMtZm9yLXRoZS1nMjAtbGVhZGVycy1zdW1taXQtMTctbm92ZW1iZXItMjAyNS8

 

[12]

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=5e34c17e95ae01cb2a53323f3dae31d5be846f296fb688734cff31750dd090efJmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=nasrec+expo+centre+johannesburg&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9qb2J1cmcub3JnLnphL3dvcmtfL2tleXNlY3RvcnMvUGFnZXMvSm9oYW5uZXNidXJnLUV4cG8tQ2VudHJlLC1OYXNyZWMuYXNweA

 

[13] https://www.sapeople.com/news/inside-south-africas-hard-lockdown-for-g20-summit-security/

 

[14] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=444dcd8fcf4cbd067bfb3a1c3afdab6ca2866245a96eca56aa8cfdec93fe0d94JmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=National+Joint+Operational+and+Intelligence+Structure+(NatJoints)%2c&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ292LnphL25ld3MvbWVkaWEtc3RhdGVtZW50cy9uYXRqb2ludHMtc2FmZXR5LWFuZC1zZWN1cml0eS1yZWxhdGVkLWFzcGVjdHMtc3RhdGUtbmF0aW9uLWFkZHJlc3MtMjAyNC0wNw

 

[15] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=0606628a11b1e92ef93159e0e37d550238c7bb3018110476eb398dd3a0f8ad3cJmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=Sandile+Nene&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly96YS5saW5rZWRpbi5jb20vaW4vc2FuZGlsZS1uZW5lLTAzNDNiNTE5MA

 

[16] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=add6c2ef2a2c39fb5287c9978cd341dd8e49b5610d03181f2ea0d8797284a2d7JmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=2010+fifa+world+cup&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvMjAxMF9GSUZBX1dvcmxkX0N1cA

 

[17] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=a540b21a418cb4ba04c43ae45dbfd168d5ff4b3fe94793e2b56af2121ffecd93JmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=Lieutenant-General+Tebello+Mosikili&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW9sLmNvLnphL25ld3Mvc291dGgtYWZyaWNhL21lZXQtdGhlLWNvdW50cnlzLWZpcnN0LXdvbWFuLWRlcHV0eS1uYXRpb25hbC1wb2xpY2UtY29tbWlzc2lvbmVyLWxpZXV0ZW5hbnQtZ2VuZXJhbC10ZWJlbGxvLW1vc2lraWxpLWI0ZjA1ODY5LTI4ZWQtNGJmYS05YTkyLWVkNDVmYTZmMjFkOS8

 

[18] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2024/03/collective-israeli-tyranny-and-peace-disruption-in-the-occupied-territories/

 

[19] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2024/02/reflections-on-the-holocaust-and-the-parallels-between-nazi-brutality-and-israeli-atrocities/

 

[20] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2023/11/the-7-oct-2023-hamas-invasion-of-israel-an-alternative-viewpoint-on-the-palestinian-genocide/

 

[21] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2024/04/global-human-rights-institutions-a-veneer-of-peace-propagation-by-toothless-alligators-part-2/

 

[22] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2024/02/global-evils-today-part-1-media-mis-reporting-bias-generates-peace-disruption/

 

[23] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2024/01/the-pathogenesis-of-a-genocide/

 

[24] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2023/11/the-geopolitics-of-defining-genocides-massacres-targeted-extrajudicial-state-sponsored-murders-and-ethnophobia/

[25]

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=5542e276e164a6f028a7c786f0b046686a6f022d14d3fa89fb888679cb6113bcJmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&u=a1L25ld3Mvc2VhcmNoP3E9JWUyJTgwJWEyK1JlY2VwdGlvbitPZisxNTMrUGFsZXN0aW5pYW5zK0J5K1NBJnFwdnQ9JWUyJTgwJWEyJTA5UmVjZXB0aW9uK29mKzE1MytQYWxlc3RpbmlhbnMrYnkrc2EmRk9STT1FV1JF

 

[26] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=adc76bf181c0eca4948792aa7e5cfec2bca1a05353f78043fb6c9e4b7d1489a8JmltdHM9MTc2MzY4MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=US%2c+CIA%2c+Mossad%2c+state-sponsored+covert+operations+in+South+Africa+during+G29&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucGhpbGlwcm9zc2VuLmNvbS90aGUtY2lhcy1zZWNyZXQtb3BlcmF0aW9uLWluLXNvdXRoLWFmcmljYQ

 

[27] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=a4a9e2bac3ee2aef39caf5376cce8d7e990891d80b4631e18b4e8cd74ea2c272JmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=US+submarines%2c+probably+already+deployed+in+the+Indian+Ocean%2c+off+the+coasts+of+South+Africa%2c+&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmR0di5jb20vd29ybGQtbmV3cy91cy1udWNsZWFyLXN1Ym1hcmluZS1wcm9ncmFtbWUtZmFjdHMtaW1wYWN0LWFuZC1hbGwteW91LW5lZWQtdG8ta25vdy05MDA0NjMz

 

[28] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2023/04/global-symbols-of-peace-part-2-the-peace-flame-in-hiroshima/

 

[29] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2023/02/apocalypse-the-end-of-the-current-humanoid-civilisation-on-earth-armageddon-guaranteed/

 

[30] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2021/08/global-industrial-fires-explosions-environmental-pollution-and-human-suffering/

 

[31] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=fd7f3ed2df0c664a1114d565430cc603ebc2088b9c83e4add98f54624e1c320dJmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=us+bombing+cambodia&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvT3BlcmF0aW9uX01lbnU

 

[32] Bombing of North Korea – Wikipedia

 

[33] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=7ffe1f77f0e80f365127ba18991bd7510d76d44fec6451191818d8830ac6a153JmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=laos+bombing+us+vietnam+war&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvT3BlcmF0aW9uX0JhcnJlbF9Sb2xs

 

[34] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=9396a585c026231b78cb1c36cb840ad2441e1314c333883c634c3fa13aa70fc2JmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=us+bombing+in+afghanistan&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvVW5pdGVkX1N0YXRlc19pbnZhc2lvbl9vZl9BZmdoYW5pc3Rhbg

 

[35]https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=7be82211169c2541e8d35f3cbb68e060996d0c76058467f6a733cb5088990f5dJmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=us+bombing+in+Iran&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N2ZzlyNHE5OWc0bw

 

[36] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=91f9ed04afcbeb290858c7cc574a4585c93d378e092aeb6a7e75c64f19996dc3JmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=us+bombing+in+Iraq&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvTGlzdF9vZl9ib21iaW5nc19kdXJpbmdfdGhlX0lyYXFfV2Fy

 

[37] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=80349b1143c55a63c502b59a0690016a9c2751ee6686f61b20a65b5ac658b067JmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=us+bombing+in+Syria&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXNuLmNvbS9lbi11cy9uZXdzL3dvcmxkL3RoZS11cy1pcy1zdHJpa2luZy10YXJnZXRzLWFjcm9zcy1zeXJpYS1hbmQtaXQtaXNudC10aGUtb25seS1vbmUtZHJvcHBpbmctYm9tYnMtaW4tdGhpcy11bmNlcnRhaW4tbW9tZW50L2FyLUFBMXZDR0d3

 

[38] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=133f72f3600edd01b83d60a815d9e4b87a5544b8182a54f03b5491b569e61c57JmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=us+proxy+bombing+in+yemen&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvTWFyY2glRTIlODAlOTNNYXlfMjAyNV9Vbml0ZWRfU3RhdGVzX2F0dGFja3NfaW5fWWVtZW4

 

[39] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=1576f6111a18b3b3e3e7019c47692b237c0db98d66d724892c7774a6547ed085JmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=us+proxy+bombing+in+palestine+&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYWxqYXplZXJhLmNvbS9uZXdzLzIwMjUvOC83L3VzLW1hZGUtYm9tYnMtdXNlZC1pbi1kZWFkbHktaXNyYWVsaS1zdHJpa2VzLW9uLWdhemEtc2Nob29scy1ocnctc2F5cw

 

[40] Author’s personal neologism: “necolades”  meaning negative praise as opposed to “accolades”

 

[41] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=133f72f3600edd01b83d60a815d9e4b87a5544b8182a54f03b5491b569e61c57JmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=us+proxy+bombing+in+yemen&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvTWFyY2glRTIlODAlOTNNYXlfMjAyNV9Vbml0ZWRfU3RhdGVzX2F0dGFja3NfaW5fWWVtZW4

 

[42] Escalation: United States warns South Africa against issuing a joint declaration at G20 summit

 

[43] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=313d6a5fdf8efa5f45a9e9d42659c20b55f1cd8caa890a62765f4081e9d9dbdeJmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&u=a1L25ld3Mvc2VhcmNoP3E9Qmxvb21iZXJnK05ld3MrVHJ1bXArQ29uc2Vuc3VzK0cyK1N1bW1pdCZxcHZ0PUJsb29tYmVyZytOZXdzK3RydW1wK2NvbnNlbnN1cytnMitzdW1taXQmRk9STT1FV1JF

 

[44] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=2c94a701b9f068ab02ae191471fb7cdf60201aadd741f60a9526afe0fd65605aJmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=%e2%80%9cIf+a+deliverable+is+issued+under+your+presidency%2c+it+will+be+framed+solely+as+a+chair%e2%80%99s+statement+to+accurately+reflect+the+absence+of+consensus.%e2%80%9d+&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVtZXJjdXJ5LmNvLnphL25ld3MvcG9saXRpY3MvMjAyNS0xMS0yMC1yYW1hcGhvc2EtdG8tdXMtd2Utd29udC1iZS1idWxsaWVkLWFzLWcyMC1kZWNsYXJhdGlvbi1wdXNoZXMtYWhlYWQv

 

[45] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=798a4d5f4e966652ab950d481404650adac7c85f0bd6ad33d80f246d378c0c20JmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=%e2%80%9cIf+a+deliverable+is+issued+under+your+presidency%2c+it+will+be+framed+solely+as+a+chair%e2%80%99s+statement+to+accurately+reflect+the+absence+of+consensus.%e2%80%9d+&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuam9idXJnZXRjLmNvbS9uZXdzL3VzLWcyMC1ib3ljb3R0LXNvdXRoLWFmcmljYS8

 

[46] Author’s original quote November 2025 on the occasion of G20 Summit

[47] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=710630752f31e479a92892d5295b3ec4bc2b2c5de0043e68e3dc0de91621d025JmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=information+about+the+cradle+of+humankind&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2FoaXN0b3J5Lm9yZy56YS9hcnRpY2xlL2NyYWRsZS1odW1hbmtpbmQ

 

[48] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=7f3c660e50c93c14d9cd048f63071d76b6e0e88e2f6f824cba0af1704ec7507fJmltdHM9MTc2MzU5NjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=37940f5c-820f-62a2-14ab-19c283916323&psq=Homo+sapiens%2c+sapiens&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYnJpdGFubmljYS5jb20vdG9waWMvSG9tby1zYXBpZW5zLXNhcGllbnM

 

[49] Namaqualand – Wikipedia

 

[50] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2021/12/the-lot-of-the-exploited-discriminated-and-oppressed-part-2/

 

[51] mau mau rebellion summary – Search

 

[52] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2022/01/the-partition-of-india-by-the-british-raj-destruction-of-peace-national-cohesion-and-love/

 

[53] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2022/06/the-targeted-death-and-extinction-of-muslin-by-british-imperialism/

 

[54] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2022/03/imperial-colonial-thieves-the-long-odysseys-of-goddess-annapurna-and-treasures-of-india-part-2/

 

[55] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2022/02/imperial-colonial-thieves-the-looting-of-wealth-and-plundering-of-cultural-and-religious-treasures-of-india-part-1/

 

[56] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2025/04/peace-disruption-the-forgotten-chagossians-and-deprivation-of-human-rights-by-imperial-britannia/

 

[57] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2021/12/the-lot-of-the-exploited-discriminated-and-oppressed-part-3/

 

[58] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2022/03/imperial-colonial-thieves-the-annihilation-of-the-kingdom-of-benin-and-pillaging-of-the-royal-palace-by-british-soldiers-part-3/

______________________________________________

Professor G. Hoosen M. Vawda (Bsc; MBChB; PhD.Wits) is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment.
Director: Glastonbury Medical Research Centre; Community Health and Indigent Programme Services; Body Donor Foundation SA.
Principal Investigator: Multinational Clinical Trials
Consultant: Medical and General Research Ethics; Internal Medicine and Clinical Psychiatry:UKZN, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine
Executive Member: Inter Religious Council KZN SA
Public Liaison: Medical Misadventures
Activism: Justice for All
Email: vawda@ukzn.ac.za

Tags: African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS), Benin, G20 Summit, Hereros, Johannesburg, Necolades, South Africa, Trump, Ubuntu

This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 24 Nov 2025.

Anticopyright: Editorials and articles originated on TMS may be freely reprinted, disseminated, translated and used as background material, provided an acknowledgement and link to the source, TMS: The Johannesburg G20 Summit Gambit: Ubuntu’s Challenge to a Fragmenting World Order, is included. Thank you.

If you enjoyed this article, please donate to TMS to join the growing list of TMS Supporters.

Share this article: email mastodon facebook 🔗 copy link

This work is licensed under a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.

There are no comments so far.