South Africa is now a melting pot of culture, language and life, showcasing sovereignty and history alongside continuity and change. As the cradle of humankind, South Africa has remained strategically important. Even after the new world emerged after the end of the Cold War, the birth of a new South Africa symbolised a future of hope, peace, and possibility.
Thirty years into our precious democracy, on the precipice of another great change in the world order, the country has come of age to continue to make a significant contribution as a responsible and proud member of the global community of nations. Our nation has passed its democratic test with resounding success. The will of the people is expressed without fear or favour by their publicly elected representatives, who represent a diverse range of political voices.
Today, we can unequivocally claim that our commitment to democracy is unquestionable. Globally, 2024 is the year of elections with 2-billion people across the world expressing their democratic will. Traversing the landscapes of Africa and landing in the heart of our beautiful continent, 19 nations gather like shining gems on a celestial map.
Voting becomes a sacred ritual in these nations, with ballot boxes serving as altars and ink-stained fingers bearing witness to a sacred covenant. In the casting of their ballots is the promise of a better life for themselves and future generations — decent housing, education, and health care. Safe shelter. Meaningful work. Protection from violence. For the myriad riches in the depths of the earth of our continent to be used for the benefit of the majority of citizens instead of a small minority of insiders and many outsiders.
Within our own borders, the kaleidoscope of representatives in the government of national unity (GNU) must now give meaning to the people’s interest, the national interest of our republic. Our national interest does not end at our borders. The southern African region and the continent of Africa remain central to our interests. The interests of our own people and of our continent are symbiotic.
How we relate and interact with our neighbours, our continent and the world is not an abstract matter. The need to restore and reclaim African agency has never been more urgent. The AU initiative, “Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want”, enjoins us to work for “an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law”. This is why South Africa places our responsibility to Africa at the centre of our foreign policy to ensure the continent’s peace, development and security.
Agenda 2063 in turn resonates with Agenda 2030 on the sustainable development goals, especially SDG 16 which focuses on “peace, justice and strengthening institutions”. The synergies between our policies at home, continentally and abroad are aligned. Our African agenda is aimed at enhancing Africa’s ability to define and set the rules of participation in the international system and to challenge the neocolonialism and neoimperialism that dictate the terms of African engagement with the world.
By 2030, African youth will make up more than 40% of the world’s youth. Africa is the continent of the future.
Our presidency of the G20 in 2025 presents an opportunity to advance Africa’s leadership in the reform of global governance. These are not abstract endeavours; they are about common humanity and shared aspirations.
Inside our GNU, nationally, continentally and globally, we will continue to reclaim our voice in shaping more equitable rules and practices of global trade, investment and market access. We will continue building on our relationships with countries around the world to strengthen our voice in shaping global economic policy.
As Africans, we must strengthen our unity and agency in the world. Outside powers and partners cannot do it for us. Societies worldwide are grappling with existential challenges including climate change, disruptive AI technology, geopolitical fragmentation, migration, the cost of living, inequality, social cohesion and security. These issues have far-reaching impacts, affecting labour forces, economies and social stability across borders. These are challenges that no one state or grouping of states can solve on its own. United action and solidarity is called for.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has significantly increased consumer prices, particularly food and energy. According to the World Bank, there has been a substantial spike in median annual inflation. This underscores the critical need for immediate global co-operation and an end to conflicts to address the economic impact, highlighting the interconnectedness of global peace and security with our financial wellbeing.
This is in the context of a world that is profoundly changing. The world order is being remade and there is a push for more inclusiveness. As Africa’s voice increases with the AU as a permanent member of the G20, the calls for a transformed global order must be amplified. Politically, Africa must agitate for UN reform, including a permanent seat for the continent in the Security Council; and in the economic sphere, it must leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area to increase trade and investment among African countries and beyond our shores so we become more self-reliant.
Human rights are intertwined with economic growth. Economic prosperity can only thrive where there is peace and respect for the rule of law. There can be no peace where there are oppressed people. To borrow from Chief Albert Luthuli when accepting his Noble Peace Prize: “Making peace, no less than war, is the concern of every man and woman on Earth, whether they be in Goma or Darfur, in Kyiv, or the shattered towns of Gaza.”
Our shared responsibility is to redouble our efforts towards peace and friendship within the framework of multilateralism and the interstate institutions we have fashioned. Our presidency of the G20 in 2025 presents an opportunity to advance Africa’s leadership in the reform of global governance. These are not abstract endeavours; they are about common humanity and shared aspirations. These are at the heart of the belief in our philosophy and worldview of progressive internationalism. We are progressive abroad because our postcolonial society demands it.
* Lamola is minister of international relations and co-operation
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