South Africa’s civil 20 society unites: Draft policy unveiled

In a significant stride towards integrating grassroots voices into global policymaking, the Civil 20 (C20) South Africa, representing the nation’s civil society, today unveiled its Initial Policy Draft as South Africa hosts the G20 this year. The draft, which is a collaborative effort involving nearly 2,000 organizations spanning across South Africa, Africa, and globally, addresses pivotal areas such as financial governance, food security, education, health, and climate sustainability.

Speaking at CNBC Africa’s ‘Power Lunch’, Thulani Chifuta, chairperson of C20 South Africa, shed light on the organization’s goals and the intrinsic role it plays within the G20 structure. Chifuta expounded on how the C20 serves as a conduit for civil society organizations to interface with G20 governments, offering a platform to influence policy and bring the voices of diverse societal segments to the fore. ‘The C20, formally known as Civil Society 20, is an official engagement group under the G20 structures and processes, representing organizations from across the activism spectrum,’ Chifuta explained. He highlighted that the C20 encompasses various sectors, including youth, women, persons with disabilities, faith-based organizations, gender advocacy groups, and social movements, stressing its inclusive approach.

Chifuta was keen to emphasize the unique Pan-African perspective woven into the policy draft, yet maintaining alignment with a broader pro-development world agenda. This symbiosis underscores the collaborative ethos of C20’s recommendations for the G20 leaders, presenting focused dialogues on central human development indicators that include education, health, and economic growth.

A key highlight of the draft is its critique and call for a reformation of the global financial architecture. Chifuta articulated a pressing demand for restructuring financial institutions to favor developing nations, moving away from the existing norm that often places these countries at a disadvantage. ‘We suggest in our policy proposals that it cannot be business as usual,’ Chifuta asserted, urging a shift from day-to-day poverty management towards a definitive strategy to eradicate intergenerational poverty.

Education and skills development, with a direct impact on employment and economic vibrancy, emerged as critical focal points. The draft advocates for robust coordination between these sectors to drive results that prioritize people at the core of economic progress. Further, the policy recommendations champion ‘people-to-people diplomacy,’ aiming to foster citizen-driven interactions that resonate with the current G20 theme under South Africa’s presidency.

Chifuta concluded with a rallying call for nations to embrace these principles and transform dialogue into actionable commitments at the forthcoming G20 summit under the banner of South Africa. His insights offered a glimpse into a broader movement where civil society aspirations meet global strategy.

As South Africa continues to host the G20, the C20’s draft provides a nuanced yet comprehensive blueprint aimed at guiding leaders towards globally inclusive, equitable, and sustainable futures.

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