By Noko Mashilo
Mabalane Mfundisi, the Sherpa representing C20 2025 South Africa, has reached out to civil society organizations (CSOs) from across Africa and the globe, encouraging their participation in what he describes as a transformative journey.
Mfundisi delivered a compelling call to action at the GFAN Africa 2025 strategy meeting, which was hosted by Waci Health and led by Rosemary Mburu, known as Madam. This significant gathering took place at the Southern Sun Rosebank in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 15 and 16, 2025.
Mfundisi emphasized that the obligation associated with C20 extends beyond their own individual roles: “We need our brothers and sisters from the rest of Africa continent and international civil societies. We have leadership led by Thulani Tshefuta who has two co-chairpersons from the traditional sector and the disability sector.”
He mentioned that they are nearing the conclusion of the process to appoint a leader from the disability sector as the co-chairperson.
“We also have a Sherpa and that is me. We also have two co-Sherpa, one from a civil movement in South Africa and the other one from the LGBTQI plus community,” said Mfundisi.
Mfundisi highlighted that there are 14 active working groups aligned with the G20 focus areas, with Nombasa Gxuluwe serving as the Facilitator for the C20 Equitable Health for All Working Group.
“Gxuluwe was involved in the process of C20 Brazil. She has brought us all together in the journey she has travelled last year,” explained Mfundisi.
Mfundisi has urged civil society organisations to actively participate in the working groups. He emphasized the importance of their involvement, stating that these groups will include facilitators from South Africa, various African nations, and international representatives. The focus of the working groups will be on:
⁕ Women and Gender Equity
⁕ People to people interaction and Solidarity
⁕ Poverty Alleviation and Food Sustainability
⁕ Democratic governance, Civic Space, Anti-Corruption and Access to Justice
⁕ Cultural Diversity Recognition and Embracement
⁕ Trade and Sustainable Development
⁕ Digital and Inclusive Economies
⁕ Sustainable and Resilient Communities and Disaster Risk Reduction
⁕ Quality Education for future sustainability
⁕ Employment opportunities and retention
⁕ Just Energy Transition, Environment and Climate Sustainability
⁕ Equitable Health for All
⁕ Science, Research and Innovation Investment
⁕ Tourism
He stated that the conclusions drawn from these working groups will be assembled into a C20 Policy Pack, which will accompany the C20 Final Declaration.
Mfundisi announced that a hybrid meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, accommodating both in-person and virtual attendees. This event will function as the pre-inception meeting for the C20.
“We have already worked on the concept document and this meeting will serve as a guide to what we are working on. We want to make sure that by the end of March 2025, all administrative matters are resolved, and we focus on working groups to develop the content for the Policy Pack so that we have a Draft to present to the G20 in June 2025.
“After June, we want the Policy Pack to be socialised and engaged in all 9 provinces of South Africa, in all other African countries and internationally so that the final Policy Pack is truly a global civil society document that would have left no one behind.
“We call on all civil society activists to participate in all these processes of C20.”
As the curtains fell on the second day of the GFAN (Global Fund Advocates Network) Strategy Meeting, Peter Sands, the Executive Director of the Global Fund, delivered impactful closing remarks that emphasized the urgent need for global health financing and advocacy.
Speaking to a room filled with health leaders, activists, parliamentarians, and policymakers, Sands reflected on the progress made, the challenges that lie ahead, and the collective responsibility to ensure continued funding for life-saving interventions.
His speech served as both a rallying call and a moment of reflection, urging stakeholders to remain committed to the fight against infectious diseases and to strengthen healthcare systems worldwide.
Sands said the mood in Africa has shifted due to the event that happened last week. Africa has to accelerate the pathway of reducing the penalty of funding.
“It is a pathway, not a switch, and we cannot turn off the global fund. They need the global fund because they want to reduce the type of partners receiving money from the global fund,” said Sands.
He further said that civil society’s interaction with the government must find a different mood that is important to mobilise the voices of African leaders: “The mood of the world and politics right now is not what we expected as civil society. Civil society can get leaders to speak to each other very effectively.”
Sands, who is worried about some donors, thanked the civil society for pushing and driving things all the time: “I appreciate what you are doing. In replenishment, we need double energy because it will be a very tough replenishment for us.”
He appealed to everyone to work together to diversify what is the most effective strategy for which donors would like to see.