An address by Deputy President Paul Mashatile on South Africa's Presidency of the G20

SOAS University of London is honoured to welcome alumnus and current student Deputy President Paul Mashatile back to campus to give an address on South Africa’s Presidency of the G20. The event will be hosted by SOAS President Zeinab Badawi with an Introduction by the South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola. After the address, there will be an audience Q&A session moderated by Ms Badawi, offering alumni and guests a unique opportunity to engage with the Deputy President. This promises to be a highly engaging event, reflecting on South Africa’s vision for the G20 and its impact on the global stage.

Image credit: Ludovico di Giorgi via Unsplash

Zeinab Badawi is an award-winning broadcaster, journalist and SOAS alumna. She is one of the best-known broadcast journalists working in the field today and has interviewed some of the world’s most notable personalities and politicians on BBC Hardtalk. She is also the founder of the production company, Kush Communications. In 2024, she published 'An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence, on Africa’s spectacular history – from the very origins of our species, through ancient civilisations and medieval empires with remarkable queens and kings, to the miseries of conquest and the elation of independence.

Mr Paul Shipokosa Mashatile was appointed as the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa on 6 March 2023. Mr Mashatile was Chairperson of Appropriation Committee in Parliament 2014 – 2016 and Minister of Arts and Culture between 2010 and 2014. Before that, he was Premier of Gauteng from 2008 to 2009.

Minister Ronald Ozzy Lamola has served as a member of the National Assembly since 22 May 2019. His political career includes holding the position of Minister of Justice and Correctional Services from May 2019 to June 2024, after which he took on the role of Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.