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News24 | ‘As your president, I say thank you’: Ramaphosa thanks nation for a successful G20 summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday following the end of South Africa's G20 presidency. GCIS/Supplied President Cyril Ramaphosa used his address to the nation on Sunday evening to thank South Africans for showing up and standing by their country, “no matter the difficulties”.Ramaphosa addressed the nation following a “successful” G20 Leaders’ Summit last weekend. In what appeared to be a report back to the country about the G20 summit, held at Nasrec Expo Centre last weekend, Ramaphosa not only thanked ordinary South Africans but also civilians, business people who participated in the G20, MPs, the judiciary, academics, and everyone else who was involved in ensuring that South Africa’s presidency of the G20 was successful. The media also received a shoutout, with Ramaphosa thanking the fourth estate “for keeping our people informed” about the G20 proceedings. South Africa officially hands the G20 presidency over to the US tomorrow (Monday). Ramaphosa used the first part of his speech to share the views of other world leaders and delegates on South Africa’s role as host. Among the accolades, the delegates and heads of state sang praises about the warmth and hospitality of South Africans.“A French delegate shared something profound: ‘We came to discuss economic frameworks. But what we’ll remember is how your people made us feel’. That’s not soft power – that’s real power,” shared Ramaphosa. He proceeded to say that it is how South Africans made the global leaders and their delegates feel that compelled him to thank them for showing the world ubuntu.Ramaphosa said:This is what I would like to thank the people of South Africa for: For showing up for your country. For standing by your country. For showing, time and again, that no matter what difficulties we may face, when it comes down to it, you remain proudly South African. And once again, as your president, I say thank you.The president said he was not oblivious to the fact that the influx of visitors to South Africa might have been a source of inconvenience to others and their daily routines. He, however, apologised for the difficulties that road closures and other inconveniences might have caused, and also thanked citizens for their patience. “We thank the many people from across the country who welcomed visitors to our cities, towns, airports, hotels, conference centres, restaurants and tourist sites,” he said. READ | Relief and applause: How Ramaphosa delivered a milestone G20 momentRamaphosa also thanked mayors, councillors and municipal workers for ensuring the host cities, particularly Johannesburg, which hosted the leaders’ summit, were of a good standard. “These cities showed what can be done when a concerted and coordinated effort is made to fix potholes and streetlights, to clean up our streets, and maintain our infrastructure.“This must continue past the G20 and must be expanded to areas of our towns and cities that have been neglected,” said Ramaphosa.PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA TO ADDRESS THE NATIONPresident Cyril Ramaphosa will tonight, Sunday, 30 November 2025, address the nation following the country’s Presidency of the G20 and successful hosting of the Leaders' summit in Johannesburg. ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC… pic.twitter.com/abMCIyBheM— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) November 30, 2025 Months before the global leaders descended on Joburg, Ramaphosa had lashed out at Mayor Dada Morero, stating that the City of Johannesburg was filthy. Morero’s administration faced backlash for only addressing infrastructure issues, including broken streetlights, traffic lights, and potholes, ahead of the G20.However, speaking to News24 on Sunday, Morero assured the residents of Johannesburg that the work of looking after the City will continue beyond the G20 summit. In his list of people he thanked, Ramaphosa also showed appreciation to his deputy, Paul Mashatile, his executive, as well as G20 Sherpas and government officials “who guided the deliberations with wisdom and purpose”. “Most importantly, I wish to thank each and every South African for contributing to this success and for showing the world the strength of our values, the generosity of our people, and the power of what we can achieve when we work together,” said Ramaphosa.

admin November 30, 2025 3 min read

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday following the end of South Africa’s G20 presidency.

GCIS/Supplied

President Cyril Ramaphosa used his address to the nation on Sunday evening to thank South Africans for showing up and standing by their country, “no matter the difficulties”.

Ramaphosa addressed the nation following a “successful” G20 Leaders’ Summit last weekend.

In what appeared to be a report back to the country about the G20 summit, held at Nasrec Expo Centre last weekend, Ramaphosa not only thanked ordinary South Africans but also civilians, business people who participated in the G20, MPs, the judiciary, academics, and everyone else who was involved in ensuring that South Africa’s presidency of the G20 was successful.

The media also received a shoutout, with Ramaphosa thanking the fourth estate “for keeping our people informed” about the G20 proceedings.

South Africa officially hands the G20 presidency over to the US tomorrow (Monday).

Ramaphosa used the first part of his speech to share the views of other world leaders and delegates on South Africa’s role as host.

Among the accolades, the delegates and heads of state sang praises about the warmth and hospitality of South Africans.

“A French delegate shared something profound: ‘We came to discuss economic frameworks. But what we’ll remember is how your people made us feel’. That’s not soft power – that’s real power,” shared Ramaphosa.

He proceeded to say that it is how South Africans made the global leaders and their delegates feel that compelled him to thank them for showing the world ubuntu.

Ramaphosa said:

This is what I would like to thank the people of South Africa for: For showing up for your country. For standing by your country. For showing, time and again, that no matter what difficulties we may face, when it comes down to it, you remain proudly South African. And once again, as your president, I say thank you.

The president said he was not oblivious to the fact that the influx of visitors to South Africa might have been a source of inconvenience to others and their daily routines. He, however, apologised for the difficulties that road closures and other inconveniences might have caused, and also thanked citizens for their patience.

“We thank the many people from across the country who welcomed visitors to our cities, towns, airports, hotels, conference centres, restaurants and tourist sites,” he said.

READ | Relief and applause: How Ramaphosa delivered a milestone G20 moment

Ramaphosa also thanked mayors, councillors and municipal workers for ensuring the host cities, particularly Johannesburg, which hosted the leaders’ summit, were of a good standard.

“These cities showed what can be done when a concerted and coordinated effort is made to fix potholes and streetlights, to clean up our streets, and maintain our infrastructure.

“This must continue past the G20 and must be expanded to areas of our towns and cities that have been neglected,” said Ramaphosa.

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA TO ADDRESS THE NATION

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tonight, Sunday, 30 November 2025, address the nation following the country’s Presidency of the G20 and successful hosting of the Leaders’ summit in Johannesburg.

ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC… pic.twitter.com/abMCIyBheM

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) November 30, 2025

Months before the global leaders descended on Joburg, Ramaphosa had lashed out at Mayor Dada Morero, stating that the City of Johannesburg was filthy.

Morero’s administration faced backlash for only addressing infrastructure issues, including broken streetlights, traffic lights, and potholes, ahead of the G20.

However, speaking to News24 on Sunday, Morero assured the residents of Johannesburg that the work of looking after the City will continue beyond the G20 summit.

In his list of people he thanked, Ramaphosa also showed appreciation to his deputy, Paul Mashatile, his executive, as well as G20 Sherpas and government officials “who guided the deliberations with wisdom and purpose”.

“Most importantly, I wish to thank each and every South African for contributing to this success and for showing the world the strength of our values, the generosity of our people, and the power of what we can achieve when we work together,” said Ramaphosa.