President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised South Africans for their unity and warmth after the country successfully hosted the G20 Leaders’ Summit and more than 130 related meetings. This was the first time the gathering was held on African soil.

In an address to the nation, he expressed profound gratitude to the public for supporting South Africa’s G20 Presidency and helping the country showcase the spirit of ubuntu to world leaders. Ramaphosa said global leaders praised South Africa’s “People’s G20” approach and said the summit demonstrated the power of collective action, urging that the improvements seen in host cities continue beyond the event.

Ramaphosa also dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to exclude Pretoria from next year’s G20 summit, reaffirming South Africa’s status as a founding member of the group.