South Africa occupies a unique diplomatic and economic position that allows it to act as a bridge between developed economies and the Global South, something it is leveraging during its G20 presidency to drive its vision of a fairer and more equal world.
The country has a dual identity as a developing African state that is regarded as an emerging market but is also a participant in global forums dominated by advanced economies, including the G20.
Analysts say this enables a credible "two-way translation" that enables it to communicate Africa's development concerns within Western-led institutions and advocate pragmatic cooperation with states that are part of the Global North.