South Africa recently hosted the historic G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, marking the first time the African continent has held this prestigious gathering. The summit, which kicked off on Saturday, November 22, 2025, was overshadowed by significant diplomatic tensions, primarily concerning the United States' partial participation and the subsequent handover of the G20 presidency.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola announced that South Africa would officially hand over the G20 presidency to the United States, but at an “appropriate” and “equivalent” level. This stance emerged after the US initially proposed the handover be conducted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to a junior US official, specifically a chargé d’affaires. Lamola emphasized that such a high-level event required a handover between officials of the same rank, preferably at the head of state level or by a minister properly delegated by the US President. Consequently, South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) would conduct the handover with an equivalent US official at Dirco offices, anytime from Monday, November 24, 2025, to ensure diplomatic parity.

These tensions were further highlighted by the absence of US President Donald Trump, whose administration had clashed with Pretoria over policy differences throughout the year. French President Emmanuel Macron, arriving in South Africa on November 21, 2025, did not hide his disappointment regarding Trump's absence, stressing the necessity of unity and cooperation among major economies to address global challenges such as climate change, the global economy, poverty, and geopolitics. Macron also used the opportunity to acknowledge Africa’s growing influence and its rising demographic and economic potential.

Despite the US boycott and earlier threats, the G20 summit saw the successful adoption of the Johannesburg Declaration, a significant achievement for South Africa's presidency. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that the leaders agreed to adopt the declaration at the start of the summit, a departure from custom, reflecting a year’s worth of investment by member states. Countries were resolute that a “bilateral diplomatic spat with South Africa” should not undermine the G20's work. The declaration was hailed as a step toward multilateralism and building a bridge between the Global North and the Global South, with Africa being mentioned close to 52 times, a record level of prominence for the continent.

The declaration's four overarching mandates include strengthening disaster resilience and response, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilizing finance for a just energy transition, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development. Lamola specifically noted progressive resolutions on climate change, financing, and a framework for critical minerals and value addition at source, which he believes will significantly boost the Global South and particularly the African continent. South Africa's existing agreement with the European Union on critical mineral beneficiation serves as a practical example, with the declaration now extending this commitment across the entire African continent through the recently concluded compact with Africa.

Amidst the high-stakes diplomacy, Johannesburg experienced heightened security measures. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) deployed thousands of officers from SAPS, metro police departments, intelligence units, and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to secure key routes and venues. This robust security was tested on Friday evening, November 21, when a suspected carjacker attempted to seize a vehicle allocated to the G20 security detail, transporting elite SAPS National Intervention Unit (NIU) officers. One officer shot and wounded the suspect, who was later found to be using an imitation firearm, reinforcing NATJOINTS' warning of swift action against criminal activity.

The summit venue also became a focal point for public expression. Operation Dudula organized a march near the Nasrec Expo Centre, protesting illegal immigration and calling on world leaders to address its impact on jobs, crime, and access to services. President Zandile Dabula stated their aim was to attract the attention of global leaders without disrupting summit proceedings. Simultaneously, over a hundred civil society groups staged a larger protest outside the venue, demanding wealth taxes, debt relief, and an end to fossil fuel use, reflecting broader economic and environmental concerns.

Beyond the diplomatic and security narratives, the G20 Summit highlighted robust India-South Africa ties. Indian Prime Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Johannesburg on November 21, 2025, and was welcomed with a vibrant cultural celebration at the Sandton Sun, where he engaged warmly with members of the Indian diaspora. This affection, Modi noted, reflected the enduring bond between the two nations, rooted in the 165-year history since the arrival of the first Indian indentured labourers in South Africa. Modi's packed diplomatic agenda included bilateral discussions with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, meetings with business leaders, Indian High Commission officers, community organizations, and tech entrepreneurs. He actively participated in all three G20 sessions focusing on sustainable economic growth, climate resilience, global food systems, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals, and also attended the 6th IBSA Summit with Brazil and South Africa.

Looking ahead, South Africa, as part of the G20 troika (comprising the current, previous, and subsequent presidencies), will engage intensely with the US to ensure that the priorities set out in the Johannesburg Declaration are sustained and not sidelined. Magwenya emphasized that initiatives on inequality and debt sustainability have already been “future-proofed” through the involvement of various societal sectors, ensuring their continued implementation beyond South Africa’s immediate presidency.