Ballito: In a rousing call to action, Electricity and Energy Minister, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has called for G20 countries to ensure that the Energy Transitions Working Group and Ministerial meetings serve as a beacon of hope for those living on the margins of society. The Minister delivered the opening address at the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting held in Ballito, north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister urged the gathering to focus on unity, compassion, and collective resolve. He emphasized that the meeting should not be defined by contests of economic power or political will but by a shared duty to serve the people. Ramokgopa implored the attendees to consider the plight of those they represent, highlighting the need to address the real, lived experiences of people striving to make ends meet.
The Minister stressed the importance of not turning away from those who lack basic necessities like electricity, clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. He drew attention to millions of children growing up in deprivation, without education and opportunity, urging that their reality should be central to the meeting’s discussions. Ramokgopa called upon the leaders to prioritize people over profit and to work towards a just, equitable, and humane world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
He further reflected on South Africa’s leadership of the G20 over the past year, expressing pride in steering the process not only for the country but also for Africa and the global south. Ramokgopa concluded by urging that the meeting in Durban be remembered for reaffirming a shared commitment to secure affordable, reliable, and accessible energy, and to balance just and sovereign energy transitions with industrialization and sustainability.