All systems go for G20 Social Summit in Ekurhuleni

It is all systems go for the G20 Social Summit where Deputy President, Paul Mashatile is set to give a keynote address later today. The three-day summit which precedes the G20 Leaders’ Summit will be hosted at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni from 18 to 20 November 2025.

With the eyes of the world firmly focused on South Africa, attention now turns to the historic first ever G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil, taking place Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November 2025, in Nasrec in Johannesburg.

This comes as South Africa has begun welcoming a number of world leaders and other dignitaries for this landmark gathering. On Monday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Tshavheni visited the host venue ahead of the summit.

According to Ntshavheni, there are several meetings expected to wrap up before the leaders' summit. This she said includes the G20 sherpa meeting, which is already underway, and the social summit, which kicks off on Tuesday.

"You've got leaders of the most influential countries, those who run the economies of the world congregating and it’s important that civil society movement, the social partners come and say what is their voice because it’s not just governments that decide the future, it's also ordinary citizens that must contribute to what governments do," she said on Monday.

On Monday, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola revealed that the country has successfully hosted over 130 preparatory meetings, including ministerial gatherings and central bank governors’ meetings without incident.  Some of these meetings include the Y20 Summit which was hosted in Ekurhuleni from 18 to 22 August 2025. 

With the eyes of the world firmly focused on South Africa, attention now turns to the historic first ever G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil. On 22 and 23 November 2025, Nasrec in Johannesburg will welcome a number of world leaders and other dignitaries for this landmark gathering.

Lamola announced that 42 countries have confirmed their participation for the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. This includes 20 member states (excluding the USA), 16 guest countries, and six countries representing regional economic communities in Africa, the Caribbean and East Asia.

Ntshavheni said the preparations for the social summit were going smoothly after the venue was handed over to the organisers on Friday.

“The venue was handed over to us on Friday. It is all systems go and we have checked the registration and the numbers. We are ready as we want South Africans to feel comfortable that their country is going to lead this G20,” she added.