Media Reaction: Oxfam South Africa Welcomes President Ramaphosa’s Call for Debt Reform and Equity at UNGA 80.
Attention: Editors
Date: 23 September 2025
Oxfam South Africa Welcomes President Ramaphosa’s Call for Debt Reform and Equity at UNGA 80: A Moment to #TaxTheSuperRich and Advance Justice for All.
Oxfam South Africa (OZA) welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in which he underscored the urgency of tackling debt injustice, advancing multilateral reform, and placing solidarity and sustainability at the heart of global cooperation which is part of a greater battle against global inequality.
The President’s clear acknowledgment that African countries and much of the Global South are spending more on debt servicing than on health and education resonates deeply with Oxfam’s call for systemic change. We echo his insistence that reforming international financial institutions and establishing fairer lending rules are critical steps towards delivering justice and dignity for the world’s most marginalised communities.
This is the leadership moment for South Africa as host of the 2025 G20. We urge President Ramaphosa to be our champion, not only for South Africans but for all peoples of the Global South, by advancing bold commitments on debt reform, climate justice, and fairer trade systems that centre human rights and equity.
We particularly welcome his reference to the Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Wealth Inequality, chaired by Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, established under South Africa’s G20 Presidency. This initiative provides a unique platform to spotlight the devastating consequences of unchecked wealth concentration. We encourage the President to use this process to ensure that the G20 paves the way for global agreements to #TaxTheSuperRich – a measure long advocated by civil society and supported by leaders such as President Lula of Brazil. Such a step would mobilise urgently needed resources for education, healthcare, climate adaptation, and the care economy, while addressing historic injustices that continue to harm women and marginalised communities across Africa.
South Africa’s G20 Presidency theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability has the potential to move beyond rhetoric. If matched with concrete action, it can position South Africa as a true global voice for equity, women’s rights, and social justice.
As Oxfam South Africa, we stand ready to work alongside government, civil society, and global partners to ensure that this moment of international leadership delivers tangible outcomes for people in South Africa, Africa, and across the Global South.
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Bongani Maseko | Communications & Innovation Lead | Oxfam South Africa | E: agile@oxfam.org.za | +27 61 545 9425
Amir Bagherioromi | Media and Campaigns Officer – G20 | Oxfam South Africa
E: amir.bagherioromi@oxfam.org.za
