President Cyril Ramaphosa, along with a cadre of starry-eyed dreamers, insists that South Africa’s G20 presidency will somehow elevate the African cause. He seems to believe, or at least wants us to believe, that this is the golden opportunity to thrust the development priorities of the African Continent and the Global South into the spotlight of the G20 as if we have never been subjected to a barrage of such drivel before.
By Themba Khumalo
In a rather comical spectacle of self-aggrandizement, President Cyril Ramaphosa, backed by a gaggle of gullible optimists, has brazenly declared that South Africa’s G20 presidency will, against all rational thought, champion the African cause, heralding a golden age of unparalleled growth and peace.
He appears to be under the impression—or at least wants us to believe—that this is the mythical moment to catapult the development goals of the African Continent and the Global South into the blazing gaze of the G20. Those not trapped in this fantasy might question whether we have never been subjected to such an unending stream of vacuous nonsense, echoing through the halls of power like a long-forgotten joke that has completely lost its charm.
As the jaded relics of society, like yours truly, observed with a mix of disdain and amusement, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola quaked with enthusiasm as he rolled out what he proclaimed to be a revolutionary and transformative strategy for South Africa’s G20 Presidency. This event unfolded during the inaugural session of the Sherpa G20 South Africa meeting, with Sandton’s extravagant backdrop serving as a fittingly absurd stage.
A hodgepodge of diplomats from G20 nations gathered, all dutifully acknowledging South Africa’s newfound authority, as it embarks on a year-long journey of high-stakes negotiations and bombastic rhetoric that promises to be as empty as the promises themselves.
Lamola unveiled priorities for Africa, a veritable smorgasbord of lofty ideals:
Inclusive economic growth—because nothing says “we care” like a token nod to the masses while the rich continue to hoard wealth.
Industrialisation: a buzzword that conjures images of smokestacks and exploitation, all in the name of progress.
Employment: just a fancy way of saying, “We’ll keep you busy while we figure out how to automate your job.”
Reduced inequality—an aspiration that sounds great on paper but often gets lost in the fine print.
Food security: a noble cause, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the profits of agribusiness.
Finally, we have the pièce de resistance, the dazzling allure of artificial intelligence and data governance, the latest panacea for sustainable development, as if a few algorithms can solve the continent’s deep-rooted issues.
Africa’s potential
Africa finds itself perched precariously at a dramatic crossroads, where the sparkling promise of opportunity collides with the heavy weight of reality. With its bountiful resources, the continent has the potential to ride the socio-economic revolution and invest in the very backbone of its society and infrastructure.
Yet, this grand vision of sustainable development is not a solitary endeavour; it requires a chorus of collaboration from governments, the private sector, civil society, and international allies. It calls for fearless leadership, inventive solutions, and an unwavering dedication to development that ensures no one is left in the dust.
As we traverse the tangled labyrinth of the 21st century, let us grasp this moment to reimagine Africa’s trajectory, crafting a continent that is not only prosperous but also resilient and sustainable for the generations that will inherit it.
The leadership Africa yearns for
Africa stands at the precipice of a leadership debacle, a veritable circus of incompetence and disillusionment. Yet, amidst this cacophony of chaos, there lies a glimmer of hope—a blueprint for nurturing leaders who are not just effective, but also empathetic and accountable.
The truth is inescapable: the leadership vacuum in our political, academic, business, and civil spheres is a collective burden we all bear. It demands not just a casual glance in the mirror, but a full-blown existential reckoning.
Disappointment, betrayal, hopelessness, anger, and fear swirl like a tempest in the hearts of Africans yearning to unlock their true potential.
In this bleak winter of discontent, we desperately need leaders—those rare gems who are self-aware, unshackled by the chains of ego, willing to own their blunders, and committed to serving the very people who elevate them.
But where pray tell, do we unearth such paragons of virtue when Africa’s history and present are a relentless saga of trauma, stifling the self-reflection and vulnerability necessary for true leadership?