South Africa’s G20 presidency tests global unity as US opts out

South Africa’s presidency of the G20 marks a defining moment – not just for the country, but for the entire continent.

The 2025 G20 Johannesburg summit, taking place on 22 and 23 November, will mark the 20th gathering of the heads of state and government.

It's the first time the summit is hosted in Africa, but not all 20 heads of state will be in attendance.

US President Donald Trump will not attend citing his "problems with South Africa", including his perception of a genocide of white Afrikaners.

Many say Washington has been on a mission to delegitimise the event.

So how do you push for global cooperation, with so much resistance from the United States?

Former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said that part of the challenge was a lack of rationality coming out of Washington.

"The US was in, and then not in, and then out again and so on."

Such a stance threatens the very essence of an institution like the G20, said Manuel, who added that trust should form the foundationof such a grouping.

That trust is jeopordised if there are heads on state who opt in and out the in the way US President Donald Trump has done, he said.

To listen to Trevor Manuel in conversation with 702's Clement Manyathela, click audio below: