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Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says there is a wealth of opportunities for the Global South countries. He was delivering the valedictory speech at the end of the two-day annual Cape Town Conversations, a conference hosted by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the Observer Research Foundation.
The event, taking place at Somerset West near Cape Town, is in its second year.
Its aim is to serve as a meeting place for voices and stakeholders of the Global South. This takes place as the country takes over the presidency of the G20 grouping next week.
Mashatile says the Global South has a myriad of opportunities and potential in store.
“There are so many opportunities. We believe global south remains ray of hope, encapsulates regions where economic growth has remained steady, populations are receptive to new ideas and transformative policies and the political will for change remains very strong. We can agree global south countries have immense potential for growth and development,” says Mashatile.
And, South Africa will be a bridge between the Global South and the international community.
“As a member of international organisations, like the UN, AU, BRICS … SA advocates for policies encouraging economic development, poverty eradication, social fairness and sustainability in developing countries,” says Mashatile.
Mashatile, who emphasised the effects of war and insecurity on low and middle income nations, called for the active pursuance of global peace.
“Since when war and conflicts, access to key resources becomes a big challenge affecting economies? But more importantly, development. As countries of global south, (we) must firmly ground multilateral cooperation in the synergy between peace and development,” says Mashatile.
South Africa assumes the presidency of the G20 under the theme of, Solidarity, Equality and Sustainable development. It follows in the footsteps of other Global South countries like India and Brazil who have led the grouping for the one year rotational term.
