Cape Town – Deputy President Paul Mashatile has affirmed that South Africa will host a successful G20 summit in Johannesburg this November, regardless of whether the United States attends.
This follows US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement that he will boycott the summit, citing objections to South Africa’s land reform policies and its stance on global issues like climate change and equality.
Mashatile made these remarks at a business breakfast in Pretoria, noting that several G20 meetings have already taken place and preparations are well underway.
“I know that a number of meetings are already taking place. Ministers of Finance have met, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and some of the business meetings have also taken place, with the meeting for heads of state taking place in November this year,” he said.
[WATCH]
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is hosting a Business Breakfast Programme in Pretoria. The event is centered around the Transformation Fund, a proposed R100 billion initiative to support black-owned SMMEs and cooperatives in promoting inclusive economic growth. pic.twitter.com/rbdpuMxHF4— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 5, 2025
“We are looking forward to a very successful G20 meeting this year, even though the United States said they may not come, but we are proceeding, and we are going to make sure that it’s a success.”
He also emphasised the country’s commitment to economic transformation through the R20 billion-per-year Transformation Fund, aimed at empowering black-owned businesses under the B-BBEE Act.
Addressing corruption, Mashatile stressed that South Africa cannot achieve inclusive growth without eliminating corruption in both public and private sectors.
He highlighted the government’s plans to combat this through stronger institutions, improved transparency, and robust anti-corruption frameworks.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@PMashatile
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
