Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read | 24 November 2025 | 15:45 CAT

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the opening session of the G20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu,Pool)

South Africa’s successful hosting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit has been met with widespread acclaim from political analysts, who say the country demonstrated firm diplomatic leadership despite escalating tensions with the United States. The summit, which concluded with a strong multilateral declaration, showcased the continent’s growing influence in global affairs.

Political analyst Khanyi Magubane said South Africa displayed “great political maturity” after the US abruptly withdrew its senior delegation and attempted to downgrade its participation by sending only a chargé d’affaires. Magubane described the move as “a miscalculated decision” by the Trump administration, adding that “South Africa and the rest of the G20 refused to lower the standards” of the ceremonial handover.

She noted that the US had initially planned to send Deputy President J.D. Vance before retreating from the commitment: “Only later did the penny drop for America that there was still a very important ceremonial handover to take place.” She said the episode ultimately signalled a shift in global power, stating: “The nexus of power is moving away from the traditional north and the west… there can be a world without America at the centre of geopolitics.”

Political scientist Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast echoed this view, saying President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered one of his strongest performances to date. “He managed to pull this one through under very difficult circumstances,” he said. “The African agenda was dominating the discourses for the first time.” Breakfast rated the president’s leadership “between eight and nine out of ten” and noted that the summit elevated the continent’s global standing.

Central to the G20’s declaration were commitments to sustainable debt relief, beneficiation of Africa’s mineral resources, and stronger cooperation with institutions such as the IMF and World Bank. Magubane emphasised that “unsustainable debt repayment is what has kept the continent poor for decades,” while Breakfast warned of a persistent gap between “declaration and implementation” that African nations must continue to address.

In the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Magubane cautioned against reading too deeply into it, saying China sent “the appropriate level officials” and remained active throughout the summit.

Looking ahead to next year’s G20 in the US, Breakfast predicted continued friction: “The foreign policy of any country revolves around the personality of the head of state the bilateral tension between us and the US is going to continue until the term of office of Trump is over.”

Both analysts concluded that despite geopolitical pressure, the Johannesburg summit affirmed Africa’s rising influence and South Africa’s steady hand at a pivotal global moment.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Junaid Kharsany, Political analyst Khanyi Magubane and Political scientist Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast.