Dr Nasiphi Moya city of Tshwane executive mayor photo supplied
By Dr Nasiphi Moya
Tshwane Executive Mayor
Good morning colleagues, distinguished guests, and fellow city leaders.
I was so honoured that, together with the co-host city of Johannesburg, we had the privilege of travelling to Rio de Janeiro last year to receive this all-important baton.
While I am the Co-Chair of this Summit, representing Tshwane, it is not lost on me that I also stand alongside African mayors who bring with them the voices of their cities.
In June this year Tshwane hosted the Sherpa Meeting and the African Mayors’ Assembly, where more than 40 African mayors spoke with one voice.
Together, we made it clear that Africa is not a bystander.
Africa is a driver of solutions.
Our task is to ensure that the African voice is sharpened and heard clearly when we take our collective contributions to the G20 in November this year.
We will continue to do this with great pride because, for the first time, the U20 and G20 are being hosted on African soil.
This is a milestone that reflects confidence in the global south and trust in Africa’s capacity to play a meaningful role in global governance.
We cannot afford to waste this opportunity.
We are determined to use this platform to ensure that Africa is not spoken about but spoken with.
Our people know the challenges of urbanisation, of climate resilience, of growing economies and creating jobs, and of addressing inequality.
But they also know the solutions that cities can create when given the chance.
The U20 is our opportunity to make sure that the lived realities of African cities form part of the global agenda.
In Tshwane we are showing what can be achieved when cities take bold action.
On Wednesday we hosted an investment summit that secured R86 billion in investment pledges.
This achievement is born out of the Tshwane Economic Revitalisation Strategy, which was adopted by our Council in April this year.
The strategy reflects our belief that cities must take responsibility for finding new and innovative
ways of raising capital to drive infrastructure development.
Our focus is on building the infrastructure that our people need to live with dignity, to travel safely,
and to grow our local economy.
Too often municipalities have the will and the vision but lack the financial resources to match those ambitions.
We cannot continue to allow this to limit progress.
This is why we are working to find new and innovative ways of bringing investors to the table to invest in institutions like our City.
This is not investment for investment’s sake but cultivating resources to direct infrastructure projects that benefit our communities.
These are lessons that we are proud to share with our peers here today, just as we are eager to learn from their experiences.
The U20 is a platform of exchange, and in this space we bring together the collective wisdom of our cities.
This is how we make sure that our discussions in Africa connect directly to the global conversation in the G20.
Our cities are at the coalface of service delivery and for that reason cities must be at the centre of
this conversation.
They are where the majority of people live, where the greatest share of the global economy is created, and where the consequences of global challenges are most directly felt.
In Tshwane and across Africa, our cities are the frontlines of these challenges.
When we talk about climate change, we are talking about the storms and floods that affect our neighbourhoods.
When we talk about economic recovery, we are talking about whether our young entrepreneurs in townships and informal settlements can find opportunities to build livelihoods.
When we talk about inequality, we are talking about the daily experiences of communities without proper housing, water, or reliable transport.
This is why the success of U20 is not optional.
It is essential to the global governance agenda.
The success of the G20 depends on whether the voice of cities is heard and acted upon.
As African mayors, we bring an important perspective.
Our cities are growing at a rapid pace, yet they carry the legacy of underinvestment and historical neglect.
We know that without decisive action, the gap between what our cities need and what they can deliver will grow wider.
At the same time, we also know that our cities are places of extraordinary resilience, innovation, and potential.
We are committed to demonstrating that the future of global growth and stability is tied to the success of African cities.
As we begin this Summit, I want to emphasise that we do not come empty-handed.
We come with concrete actions already underway.
The investment pledges we secured yesterday are a tangible demonstration of what can be achieved when local leadership takes initiative.
It shows that investors are ready to partner with cities that have a clear vision and credible plans.
It proves that we can create momentum for development if we take ourselves seriously as cities and act with purpose.
Our task now is to make sure that this example is not an isolated case but part of a growing movement across Africa and the global south.
We must use this platform to explore models of financing, innovation, and governance that are scalable and practical.
We must create networks that allow us to share our successes and learn from our setbacks.
Most importantly, we must ensure that the voices of our residents guide our agenda.
The communiqué calls for a reformed global financial system that unlocks capital for the Global South.
Without this, our people remain trapped by promises that cannot be delivered.
With it, we can turn resilience, jobs and equity into realities that people can touch and feel in their lives.
I believe that this gathering will show that Africa is not only a participant but a leader in shaping the future of cities.