Online Reporter
George Maponga in MIDRAND, South Africa
PAN African Parliament (PAP) president Chief Fortune Charumbira has exhorted Africa to take advantage of South Africa’s position in the G20 international forum to advance the aspirations of citizens on the continent.
Officially opening a P20 symposium organised by PAP and the South African parliament in Midrand, Johannesburg this morning ahead of the 11th G20 parliamentary speakers’ summit, Chief Charumbira challenged South Africa to carry a continental mandate in the G20.
South Africa holds the rotating G20 presidency, which is an international forum of the world’s 20 largest economies.
For the first time ever, this year the G20 Summit will be held in South Africa in November, marking the first time such a meeting will be held in Africa.
The PAP president stressed the important role the continental legislature must play in making sure South Africa’s mandate in the G20 advances the aspirations of African citizens.
“Through its advisory legislative and oversight mandate, PAP can ensure that Africa is not merely represented at the G20 but is respected, heard and influential in the areas of trade justice, climate resilience and adaptation and ethical resource governance,” he said.
“As the voice of African citizens, PAP can enrich South Africa’s contribution in the G20 by giving a voice to African smallholder farmers who produce most of the continent’s food requirements.”
Chief Charumbira zeroed in on the need for equitable global economic reform, mobilisation of investment in infrastructure and innovation and promotion of African solutions to African problems as some of the key issues that should loom large at this year’s G20 summit.
Attending to challenges impinging on youths and women in Africa and making sure they actively participate in the economic mainstream should also guide Africa’s journey towards achieving Agenda 2063 goals.
House Chairperson of Committees in the Parliament of South Africa, Mr Cedric Frolick, in his address at the symposium, weighed in, calling on Africa to take advantage of the historic hosting of the G20 summit by South Africa to help the continent take the great leap forward in transformative development.
Present at the meeting symposium are senior PAP and South African parliament officials, including chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtshwwni-Tsipane and others.
