South Africa Prepares Historic G20 Summit Amid Trump Attendance Uncertainty

South Africa is preparing to host the historic 2025 G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, marking the first time the event will take place on African soil. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed that the summit will proceed in November regardless of whether U.S. President Donald Trump attends, noting that South Africa is committed to making the summit a success with or without him. Trump has hinted he might skip the event due to disagreements over South African policies and allegations of genocide, which Lamola strongly denies, citing rural crime statistics to refute claims of targeted violence. South Africa has conducted extensive preparatory work, including numerous ministerial and finance track meetings, focusing on issues such as inclusive economic growth, food security, and artificial intelligence for sustainable development. The country is also engaging diplomatically to address a 30% U.S. tariff on its exports, aiming to reduce trade barriers while diversifying markets towards the East and other open economies. The summit's agenda will be framed by Ubuntu-inspired values and the African Union's Agenda 2063, emphasizing international cooperation amid a complex global economic landscape.