By Busi Kheswa.

• ⁠The G20 Social Summit places Gauteng and the Gauteng Department of Social Development at the centre of global conversations on equality, inclusion and social protection, giving the province an important platform to showcase its work and share lessons from the frontline.
• The Summit provides valuable opportunities for new partnerships and collaborations with international organisations and G20 member countries, creating pathways for additional resources, innovative practices and strengthened capacity within the provincial social sector.
• ⁠Gauteng’s involvement ensures that the lived experiences of communities, especially vulnerable groups such as youth, older persons, families and persons with disabilities, are represented in global discussions, reinforcing the department’s commitment to inclusive development and leaving no one behind.

As South Africa assumes the prestigious role of hosting the 2025 G20 Social Summit, Gauteng takes centre stage, not only as the meeting place for global leaders and social-development stakeholders, but as the heartbeat of national conversations on equality, inclusion, and community wellbeing. For the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), this moment represents far more than an international event unfolding on home ground. It is an opportunity to position the province’s social-development work within a global context, build new partnerships, and shine a spotlight on the issues that matter most to vulnerable communities.

The G20 Social Summit convenes representatives from governments, civil society, youth, persons with disabilities, labor formations, the private sector, and grassroots organisations to shape a unified agenda for advancing social justice. By hosting the Summit in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng becomes a key platform where global social-policy ideas are exchanged and transformed into actionable strategies.

This places GDSD in a unique position to amplify its programmes and share insights from the province’s frontline experiences.

For the Department, the G20 presents a chance to highlight the advances Gauteng has made in social protection, child rights, substance-abuse prevention, poverty alleviation, and community development. It also allows the province to align its priorities with global best practices from strengthening safety nets to promoting inclusive development and expanding opportunities for youth and women.

Beyond policy alignment, the Summit opens doors for new partnerships and collaborations. Engagement with international organisations, development agencies, and other G20 member countries could help unlock resources, introduce innovative approaches, and strengthen capacity within the provincial social sector. These networks have the potential to support sustainable change long after the Summit concludes.

Importantly, Gauteng’s participation ensures that voices from communities across the province are heard on the world stage. The G20 Social Summit encourages meaningful engagement from civil society, creating space for the Department to bring forward the lived realities of families, young people, older persons, and persons with disabilities.

For the Gauteng Department of Social Development, the G20 is not just a global event, it is a catalyst for stronger programmes, empowered communities, and renewed commitment to leaving no one behind. As the world gathers in Gauteng, the province stands ready to showcase its work, learn from global partners, and drive transformative social-change initiatives that will benefit generations to come.