South Africa's Y20 Presidency: A Historic Moment for Youth Leadership on African Soil
South Africa's assumption of the G20-Y20 presidency marks a watershed moment in the history of global youth engagement. This is the first time that the Y20 summit is being held on African soil. The Y20 South Africa, officially themed on “Building Bridges: Uniting for Solidarity, Championing Equality, Driving Sustainability”, aims to position young African voices at the forefront of global policy discourse while addressing the continent's unique challenges and aspirations.
Divya Padigapati
8/22/20252 min read
South Africa's assumption of the G20-Y20 presidency marks a watershed moment in the history of global youth engagement. This is the first time that the Y20 summit is being held on African soil. The Y20 South Africa, officially themed on “Building Bridges: Uniting for Solidarity, Championing Equality, Driving Sustainability”, aims to position young African voices at the forefront of global policy discourse while addressing the continent's unique challenges and aspirations.
Y20's organizational structure includes certain core leadership positions - the Chair leads overall vision and strategy, supported by a Co-Chair, Sherpa (chief negotiator), Sous-Sherpa, and Head of Secretariat. Levi Singh, the former Secretary General of AfriYAN, is currently serving as the Sherpa for Y20 South Africa. Raymond Matlala, a PhD candidate in Business Administration, is the incumbent Chair for this presidency. He has extensive experience in Y20, C20, and T20 enagagements since 2012. Matlala previously also served as Head of Delegation for South Africa at the Y20 Argentina Summit in 2018.
G20 South Africa‘s official youth engagement group has laid out 5 thematic areas that align with the African Union's Agenda 2063 :-
Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
Inclusive Economic Growth and Employment
AI, Digital Innovation, Skills Development & the Future of Work
Meaningful Youth Engagement & Reforming Multilateralism for a Just Future
Inclusive Social Development & Fighting Inequality
Y20 South Africa 2025 proposes some new & innovative elements to enhance long-term impact :-
Y20 Sherpas Council/International Advisory Council: A proposed permanent body consisting of experienced youth leaders, policymakers, and experts from the G20 nations to oversee implementation of recommendations and provide ongoing strategic advice.
Y20 Alumni Association: A network designed to strengthen the Y20 community, fostering long-term connections and sustained collaboration among past and present delegates.
The Summit will culminate in a comprehensive communiqué presenting youth priorities and policy recommendations to G20 leaders. This document will provide direct insights into the aspirations, concerns, and recommendations of continental and global youth, particularly emphasizing African perspectives.
The communiqué will be presented at the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025, ensuring youth voices directly influence high-level policy discussions.
South Africa's Y20 presidency represents a pivotal moment for youth leadership in global governance. The summit's emphasis on intergenerational partnerships, digital transformation, economic inclusion, climate resilience, and social justice reflects the complex challenges faced by today's youth while providing actionable pathways toward solutions. Through this historic presidency, South Africa is establishing a lasting legacy for youth engagement in global governance that extends far beyond the August 2025 summit.
Revolutionising Youth Media.