South Africa Showcases What’s Gone Right as G20 Spotlight Lands on GNU

The G20 summit that was hosted in Johannesburg over the weekend placed global attention on a nation that, just 18 months ago, managed its second peaceful democratic transition in 30 years as the Government of National Unity (GNU) replaced the African National Congress (ANC) in governing South Africa.

The summit arrived at the end of a markedly positive month for the country. The mini-budget reinforced a commitment to greater fiscal discipline, helping to restore credibility to the public finances. This was followed by South Africa’s first credit rating upgrade in two decades, an important signal that the country is beginning to rebuild the confidence lost over many years. Together these developments strengthened the case that the GNU’s early co-operation is already stabilising key institutions.

Over the past week this newspaper has published new polling data showing that South Africans are broadly united behind the GNU and confident that it may succeed. The findings reflect a public mood that is calmer, more optimistic, and more inclined to give the new political settlement the space it needs to deliver results.

The G20 also gave the world an opportunity to see the potential in South Africa and to draw global support for the country to realise that potential. It signalled a nation that is ready to turn the page and demonstrate what a stable and reform-driven government can achieve when it commands both domestic trust and international attention.

South Africa obviously still has a long way to go, and the democratic transition of 2024, the GNU, its early reforms, and global interest still need to move to where they can materially improve the basic living standards of people. Only two or three years ago it was unclear how South Africa might even gain the footing to begin to do that. Now, however, it stands in a position where that goal is within reach.