PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has praised South Africans for uniting to help the country host one of the largest global events ever held on African soil, the G20 Leaders' Summit.
Speaking during his national address on Sunday, 30 November, the President said the world didn't just see South Africa's leadership, they felt the warmth and power of our people.
Ramaphosa said hosting the G20 was a "People's G20," not just a meeting of world leaders. And the world noticed! Delegates from Germany, Japan, France and many others couldn't stop talking about the friendliness, Ubuntu and energy they experienced in Joburg.
One delegate even said: "Your people are extraordinary."
Another added: "This is not soft power, this is real power."
The summit, held in Joburg a week ago, was the first-ever G20 hosted in Africa. Over the past year, South Africa hosted more than 130 G20 meetings nationwide, welcoming tens of thousands of international visitors.
Ramaphosa thanked ordinary South Africans for showing patience through road closures, traffic disruptions and tight security. He also thanked police, security personnel, businesses, civil society, Parliament, ministers and workers who made the event possible.
He said the world was left with a clear picture of South Africa's character: resilient, welcoming and proudly united.
ALSO READ | Helderberg Tragedy: Mzansi remembers its lost heroesOpens in new window
Ramaphosa said the summit achieved major wins for Africa, including:
- Support for relief on crippling debt faced by developing nations.
- More funding for climate action and just energy transitions.
- Support for countries like South Africa to beneficiate and process their own minerals.
- A strong recommitment to tackling global inequality.
He also addressed international tensions following the United States' absence from the summit and its false claims about South Africa.
Ramaphosa slammed the "baseless allegations," saying Mzansi remains a proud founding member of the G20.
He said South Africa will continue to work with the US as partners, despite misinformation campaigns aimed at dividing the nations.
Ramaphosa ended on a powerful note, reminding the country that South Africans rise together.
"We know who we are. We work together, laugh together, mourn together and triumph together. And as our sports stars have shown, we are Stronger Together."
