Kubayi- As global leaders and parliamentary presiding officers gather in Kleinmond, Western Cape, to strengthen international cooperation, South Africa’s Minister of Justice, Mmamaloko Kubayi, has issued a clear warning about the growing threats to global unity. Delivering a keynote address on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Kubayi emphasized that rising populism, nationalism, and xenophobia are posing significant risks to the solidarity the G20 is working hard to build.
The meeting in Kleinmond brought together legislative leaders under the P20 parliamentary forum, a platform that aims to promote cooperation and alignment between G20 countries and their legislative bodies. The gathering is focused on finding inclusive, people-centred solutions to pressing global challenges, from economic inequality and social unrest to climate change and digital transformation.
In her address, Kubayi noted that while global platforms like the G20 have made important strides, much more needs to be done at the legislative level to bridge the gap between policy-making and the real-world struggles of ordinary citizens.
“It is therefore incumbent upon us as parliaments to bring our institutions closer to the people,” said Kubayi, “to restore the bonds of trust and to make all citizens part of the effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The Minister stressed that many citizens around the world view concepts like global solidarity and multilateral cooperation as distant from their daily concerns—particularly in communities grappling with poverty, unemployment, and limited access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“Global solidarity is meaningless if it does not address the realities of access to a decent quality of life,” Kubayi added.
Kubayi Calls for Stronger Parliamentary Action in Global Cooperation
The meeting in Kleinmond, which includes speakers from various G20 countries’ parliaments, reflects a growing recognition that legislative bodies play a vital role in shaping the global agenda.
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza reinforced this message during her own address at the summit, saying: “Legislators are not only the guardians of democracy, but also the architects of inclusive development.”
Didiza emphasized that parliaments must go beyond law-making to actively facilitate collaboration and innovation across borders, especially as the world faces a multitude of interconnected challenges—from global health threats to the impact of AI and digital technology.
According to Didiza, the P20 forum offers a space for legislators to explore solutions that are not only nationally relevant but also globally informed.
In a time marked by increasing political polarization in many parts of the world, Kubayi’s speech served as a stark reminder of the fragility of global unity. She warned that the rise of populist rhetoric, nationalist ideologies, and anti-immigrant sentiment is undermining years of progress toward collaborative governance.
“These ideologies fuel division and weaken our collective ability to tackle global issues that require unified action,” said Kubayi.
Her remarks were particularly poignant in the context of current geopolitical tensions and the growing influence of populist leaders in several G20 countries. She called on fellow lawmakers to use their legislative power to promote inclusivity, uphold democratic principles, and create space for marginalized voices in global conversations.
Kubayi also drew attention to the pivotal role parliaments must play in delivering on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She argued that without legislative commitment to inclusive policies and accountability, the SDGs would remain aspirational rather than actionable.
“Legislatures must be agile, responsive, and rooted in the needs of the people,” she said. “They must serve as bridges between international policy and community-level action.”
She further urged fellow presiding officers to rethink how their parliaments function—not just as law-making bodies, but as drivers of social justice and global integration.
As the P20 summit continues, Kubayi’s powerful remarks are likely to resonate beyond the walls of the Kleinmond venue. Her message underscores a central truth: meaningful global cooperation begins at home, in the corridors of national parliaments and through the voices of elected representatives.
By highlighting both the challenges and the opportunities facing today’s legislators, Mmamaloko Kubayi has reminded the world that building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future is a shared responsibility—and that parliaments must rise to that challenge with courage and purpose.
In her keynote at the P20 parliamentary forum, Kubayi made it clear that the world’s lawmakers cannot afford to be complacent. Rising nationalism and xenophobia threaten the very spirit of cooperation that the G20 seeks to uphold. As the meeting in Kleinmond continues, her call to action challenges parliaments to not only pass laws but to lead the way toward a more unified and people-focused global future.
Source- EWN
