JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 23 (Xinhua/GNA) — South Africa’s historic role as the first African nation to chair the Group of 20 (G20), presents a significant opportunity to prioritize the developmental challenges of Africa and the Global South, South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile has said.
Mashatile made the remarks on Tuesday at the annual National Economic Development and Labor Council Organized Labor School in Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital. He emphasized that the upcoming G20 Summit, which will be held under the theme of “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” will focus on addressing pressing global challenges such as inequality. “We must address income inequality and improve the quality of life for our workforce. By doing so, we are not merely fostering economic growth, but building a South Africa where every worker feels valued and empowered,” Mashatile noted.
Unathi Henama, a lecturer at Walter Sisulu University, noted that hosting the G20 Summit positions South Africa as a prominent player on the global stage. “This would be an opportunity to sell South Africa generally and specifically the continent as a tourism destination. Collaboration amongst African countries is important to ensure that Africa can present its tourism routes for transactions that would be long-term in nature,” he told Xinhua.
Some G20-related meetings, including those involving foreign ministers, are scheduled to take place in Johannesburg next month.
GNA