Parliamentary Fight Ensures Key Role for Provinces, Municipalities in SA’s G20 Plans

Dear Editor

Provinces will host business, economic, and public engagement events.

Following a sustained fight, the Democratic Alliance (DA) cautiously welcomes the confirmation by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Ronald Lamola that all nine provinces will now be actively involved in hosting and contributing to the G20 activities as part of South Africa’s 2025 G20 Presidency and this will not only be restricted to Gauteng and City of Johannesburg.

This follows parliamentary questions submitted by the DA in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

In response (see attached), the Minister confirmed that over 130 G20 meetings are scheduled to take place across the country’s provinces. Provincial and Municipal leaders, including Premiers, MECs and Mayors, are participating in official programmes for the G20 Working Group meetings, and the City of Johannesburg has been designated as the official host city for the main G20 Summit.

Significantly, the Minister revealed that:

• Dedicated platforms are being created for provinces to engage G20 delegates on economic sectors, showcasing their innovation, tourism, culture, and commercial potential.
• Economic site visits and business engagement opportunities will form part of the official G20 programmes in the provinces.
  Public engagement activities will be decentralised through Provincial Outreach Programmes, including engagements with communities, universities, civil society, and the private sector.
• Support mechanisms such as protocol training and communication materials have already been distributed to provincial and municipal focal points to ensure cohesive planning.

This is a victory for provinces, municipalities and cooperative governance. South Africa’s G20 Presidency must be a platform to uplift all provinces and municipalities with potential, not just showcase the national government. The DA will continue to monitor how effectively this commitment is implemented, especially in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal where economic recovery, investment attraction, and youth employment must be prioritised.

The DA calls for full transparency in the G20 planning process and urges the government to ensure that all provinces and municipalities with potential, particularly those outside Gauteng, receive equitable opportunities to benefit from this global event.

Regards

Mzamo Billy MP
DA Member of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP)