By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

Ahead of the G20 leaders summit in November this year, the 3rd annual Sherpa meeting is underway in South Africa from the 25th-27th of June in Sun City Resort, North West Province

This meeting is led by the Director General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Zane Dangor as well as the personal representatives of G20 leaders as they oversee negotiations as well as discuss the points that form part of the summit’s agenda and coordinate most of the work. The Sherpa is supported by two sous-Sherpas, Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo and Advocate Nokukhanya Jele.

The Sherpas are an ethnic group from the mountains of Nepal, which means “people from the East” in the language of Tibet. They are the ones that guided climbers who aim to reach the summit of Mount Everest.In the context of G20 the sherpas are the leaders of each country who take the discussions and agreements to the final summit with heads of state as well as government. The Sherpa consists of 15 working groups such as:

• Agriculture
• Anti-Corruption
• Culture
• Development
• Digital Economy
• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Education
• Employment
• Empowerment of Women
• Energy Transitions
• Environment and Climate Sustainability
• Health
• Research and Innovation
• Tourism
• Trade and Investment

In the context of the North West province there is currently a challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality, as they will aim to use the guidance of G20 themes in order to combat these issues.

“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, as South Africa’s presidency of the G20 will be held under the theme: Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability, a theme that seeks to harness global will and capabilities to confront enormous challenges the world is facing. Our challenges as the North-West province, are mainly unemployment, poverty and inequality.” said Mr Zane Dangor in his opening remarks at the Sherpa.

The North West Province aims to use this year’s G20 to establish substantial progress and local impact. The aim is also for the province to strengthen their resilience in managing finance for a just energy transition as well as being disaster resilient and harnessing critical minerals in order to foster clear growth and development.

Another talking point included is Tourism Development; “ The tourism sector is labour intensive and allows for relative ease of entry into the market, with limited barriers. Policy makers have identified tourism development as a solution to employ large numbers of employed youth, women and lowly skilled people.” added Dr Zan Dangor in his speech at the Sherpa Track.

Tourism, mining and agriculture sectors are seen as backbone of North-West province’s economy and will ensure that the benefits of the G20 will seek to support the development of the province and grow its economy in order to ensure that this growth transpires throughout the country and the continent.

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola was also in attendance of the Sherpa meeting in Sun City where he delivered a speech on the aims of this meeting and G20 leaders summit which will be held at the end of the year. In his speech he took the opportunity to commemorate how far South Africa has come since the implementation of Apartheid 70 years ago.