South Africa’s 2025 was a year marked by historic milestones, simmering diplomatic disputes, and a political landscape as dynamic as ever. From the global stage of the G20 to the gritty realities of land reform and the fight against organized crime, the nation navigated triumphs and turbulence in equal measure.
Johannesburg made history this year by hosting the G20 Summit—the first time the prestigious gathering took place on African soil. The summit’s conclusion, the so-called "Johannesburg Declaration," set the tone for economic cooperation, climate action, and a renewed focus on Africa’s infrastructure needs. Yet, the sense of achievement was tempered by controversy. According to Nova News, the United States, under President Donald Trump, boycotted the summit, citing concerns over land confiscation and opposition to diversity initiatives—accusations that South African officials dismissed as unfounded. The U.S. decision not only cast a shadow over the summit but also signaled a deeper rift in diplomatic relations, culminating in South Africa’s exclusion from G20-related activities organized by the U.S. in 2026.
This diplomatic chill was further aggravated by ongoing disputes over the International Criminal Court (ICC). On December 20, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) issued a scathing rebuke of the U.S. government’s extension of sanctions against ICC judges. As reported by IOL Politics, these sanctions—first imposed by the Trump administration—now target eight judges and at least three prosecutors who upheld the ICC’s investigation into alleged war crimes in Gaza. The EFF described the U.S. move as “a brazen attack on judicial independence and an attempt by a non-state party to the Rome Statute to interfere with an international institution tasked with ending impunity for atrocity crimes.”
The EFF’s statement went further: “Sanctioning judges for upholding international criminal law is more than an attack on the ICC, it is an assault on justice itself.” The party accused the United States of shielding Israel from accountability, especially after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defence Minister. The EFF pointed out that the U.S., not being a signatory to the Rome Statute, “has no moral or legal basis to undermine institutions that do act within those frameworks.” The broader context, as the EFF noted, is the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the decades-long occupation of Palestine—issues that have galvanized South Africa’s own government to pursue a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Against this international backdrop, South Africa’s internal debates over land reform took on renewed urgency. Deputy President Paul Mashatile, speaking at a gala dinner hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, emphasized the moral, constitutional, and economic imperatives driving land reform. “We acknowledge the painful history of land dispossession and the ongoing struggles many South Africans face,” Mashatile said, according to Xinhua. He reminded the audience that colonial and apartheid-era laws had dispossessed black South Africans of nearly 87 percent of the land, a legacy that continues to shape economic disparities today.
Since the end of apartheid in 1994, about 19.3 million hectares have been redistributed or restored, but white South Africans still own approximately 72 percent of private farmland, as per the 2017 Land Audit. Legal disputes and resistance to expropriation without compensation have slowed progress, Mashatile explained, but he insisted that land reform remains central to economic transformation and poverty reduction. “This is a process of opportunity, dignity and responsibility,” he said, calling for sustained efforts to ensure beneficiaries use the land productively and generate lasting economic value.
The land question has not only domestic implications. It has become a flashpoint in South Africa’s relations with the United States, especially as lobbying groups like AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement traveled to Washington to argue that land reform policies unfairly target minority communities, particularly white farmers. The South African government has rejected these claims outright. Tensions over land reform, coupled with South Africa’s legal action against Israel, have contributed to the diplomatic freeze that saw the U.S. boycott the G20 summit and exclude South Africa from future G20 activities.
Yet, 2025 was not solely defined by political friction. There were moments of national pride and progress that captured the public’s imagination. South Africa’s national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026—their first appearance since 2002. The achievement provided a much-needed morale boost, as Nova News reported, uniting a country often divided by politics and economics.
On the economic front, the country weathered significant turbulence. The coalition government, led by the African National Congress (ANC) and its largest partner, the Democratic Alliance (DA), found itself embroiled in a protracted budget battle. Disputes over a proposed VAT increase led to multiple revisions and delays, with the final budget legislation only passed in July. The wrangling underscored the challenges of coalition governance in a rapidly changing political environment.
Crime and corruption remained persistent challenges. South Africa ranked second in the 2025 Africa Organised Crime Index, with criminal networks active in human trafficking, cybercrime, drug routes, and wildlife poaching. Gauteng province emerged as a primary hub for these activities. The year also saw Police Minister Senzo Mchunu placed on leave amid allegations of links to organized crime, prompting the appointment of a judicial commission to investigate claims of interference and corruption within law enforcement agencies.
Despite these hurdles, there were signs of progress. State power utility Eskom reported a remarkable R16 billion profit after years of losses, signaling a financial turnaround. The government approved the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2025), outlining a R2.23 trillion investment to achieve Net Zero electricity by 2050. For the first time in years, South Africans enjoyed an extended period without the rolling blackouts known as load shedding—a development that brought relief to households and businesses alike.
South Africa also launched its Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy, aiming to leverage the country’s abundant mineral resources for inclusive growth and to position itself as a key player in the global transition to clean energy. In the fight against corruption, the government announced the recovery of over R10 billion in state capture-related cases and established a permanent Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, complete with a world-class digital forensics lab.
On the international stage, South Africa played a prominent role in BRICS activities, advocating for reforms in multilateral institutions like the WTO and UN to better represent developing economies. The country positioned itself as a leader in the Global South, pushing for a more multipolar world order amid rising geopolitical tensions.
As 2025 draws to a close, South Africa stands at a crossroads—celebrating progress, confronting old demons, and navigating a world where alliances and adversaries shift with the tides of history. The year’s events have left an indelible mark on the nation’s political and social fabric, setting the stage for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
