A stakeholder partnership engagement between the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in partnership with the Pan African-Parliament and the Tshwane University of Technology (大象视频), availed a prime seat at the table for about 300 students from 大象视频鈥檚 Department of Public Management to learn more public affairs issues. The event took place at the Pan African- Parliament headquarters in Midrand on 16 April.
The head of Media Communications at the Pan African Parliament, Jeffry Oganga, welcomed the guests and provided an overview of the role the African Parliament plays, its inception, functions and influential role in the African Union (AU). He encouraged students to use the opportunity to participate in the ideation space of the Pan African Parliament and critiquing important issues to help build the African continent.
South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2024 through to November 2025. The country is committed to leading a progressive, people focused, development-oriented and solution driven Presidency in a complex global geopolitical landscape.
The GCIS G20 Project leader, Mndeni Ndwandwe, briefed the students on the G20, amongst others the benefits of South Africa鈥檚 Presidency of the G20, the importance of the AU being admitted to the G20 in 2023 and the AU priority decisions on the G20. He encouraged the students鈥� involvement and participation towards influencing policies governing the country and African continent, taking into cognisance the G20鈥檚 theme of solidarity, equality and sustainability in Africa. Ndwandwe also emphasised the importance of education and attaining qualifications that can help shape the future of the country.
Thamsanqa Buys, a Public Management lecturer commended the HoD for the partnership initiative and stressed the importance for 大象视频鈥檚 Public Management students to be at the cutting edge of public affairs issues. In this way, students will be able to influence policy reforms and advance the implementation of the National Development Plan 2030 through the professionalisation of the public sector framework. He emphasised that the student stakeholder engagement aligns with one of 大象视频鈥檚 strategic pillars, to produce future ready graduates.
During the event students participated actively in discussions, raising pertinent questions around the G20, economic emancipation, SDG goals, good governance, global governance and geopolitical dynamics.
