Values20 South Africa is mounting an ambitious campaign this year to embed ubuntu and other key values into the G20’s policy framework, as the continent prepares to host the global economic forum for only the second time.
V20 will present its policy recommendations at its Summit in Cape Town on 16-17 October 2025, (coinciding with World Values Day) bringing together global business leaders, policymakers, and social activists ahead of the main G20 Leaders’ Summit later this year. The V20 Summit will be held both in person and online.
Dr Preeya Daya, chair of V20 South Africa, has outlined five core aspirational values that the group believes should underpin international cooperation: dignity, ubuntu, agency and accountability, integrity and ethical governance, all anchored by values-based leadership. These principles, she argues, provide both “a moral compass for our society and a practical framework for action”.
The initiative represents a significant departure from traditional economic-focused G20 engagement, instead advocating for what Dr Daya describes as an African values lens in global discourse. South Africa has adopted the overarching G20 theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, and V20 South Africa positions its work as enabling these broader objectives through conscious value integration.
V20 South Africa’s strategy extends well beyond the 2025 presidency. The organisation has mapped out a four-year trajectory: creating values awareness in 2025, fostering collective responsibility in 2026, embedding values into policies and institutions in 2027, and achieving sustainable institutionalisation by 2028.
Central to this long-term vision is the development of a National Values Charter, designed in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Centre for Social Justice. This charter aims to anchor values within South African legislation and civic life, potentially serving as a model for other nations.
V20’s research teams are developing innovative measurement tools, including a “VCorp Scorecard” to assess how effectively organisations integrate values, and an “Aspirational Values Scorecard” to track progress from low values awareness to high values consciousness.
Please register for the V20 Summit here , whether you want to attend it in person or online.
V20 SOUTH AFRICA PROGRAMME FOR DAY ONE: 16TH OCTOBER
Venue: Nedbank Clocktower V&A Waterfront and Online
PRESENTATION OF THE VALUES 20 POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE G20
Please note: all times below are in BST (UTC/GMT+1)
08.00 Introduce V20 & Welcome: Purpose of V20 and the Communique: Dr Preeya Daya
Message of support by Brand South Africa: Lefentse Nokaneng
08.30 The Importance of Values: Prof. Bonang Mohale
Panel introductions: Dr Tabea Tshesane
09.00 Communique Solidarity Recommandations: Dr Njeri Mwagiru
09.15 Enabling ‘Living Values’ through Solidarity – Panel Discussion: Dr. Dumisani Magadlela
11.00 Communique Equality Recommendations: Dr Ruwayne Kock
11.15 Enabling ‘Living Values’ through Equality – Panel Discussion: Monde Ndlovu, Nyeleti, Magadze, Senamile Zungu
12.30 LUNCH
13.45 Communique Sustainability Recommendations: Dr. Shamim Bodhanya
14.00 Enabling ‘Living Values’ through Sustainability – Panel Discussion: Thabani Mlilo, Alex Motshwanetsi Mathole, Charles Perry
15.00 Keynote: Communique key contributions: Prof. Camaran Peter
15.45 Beyond 2025, The journey continues… Dr Preeya Daya
