South Africa gears up to host the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit, placing the nation firmly on the global stage. The G20 is an international forum that brings together the world’s major economies to discuss and coordinate global economic and financial priorities. The forum consists of 19 countries and two regional bodies—the European Union and the African Union—collectively representing approximately 85% of global gross domestic product (GDP), over 75% of global trade, and around two-thirds of the world’s population. Each year, the G20 hosts a summit where heads of state, ministers, and senior officials convene to address key global challenges and develop collaborative solutions that support global economic stability and growth. Johannesburg has been selected as the host city for the G20 Summit in 2025, scheduled for 22–23 November. This high-profile international event is expected to attract thousands of delegates, placing Johannesburg—and South Africa as a whole—on the global stage. The influx of visitors and activities linked to the summit is expected to boost the local economy through increased spending in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, transportation and event services. In addition, hosting such a major event may attract future investment as global business leaders and investors might see South Africa as a stable and influential destination.
This edition of Mbalo Brief is the final issue for the year; the next edition will be published in February 2026. Our feature article is based on the Domestic tourism survey (Statistical release P0352.1) published by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on 30 October 2025. Also, do not miss our monthly crossword puzzle and the October 2025 solutions. Articles in this issue draw on the results of industry surveys conducted for August and September 2025.
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Download  Mbalo Brief – November 2025 here