Feel it, it is here - Africa's G20

Some of us may not be feeling it, but it is here - the G20, that is, the first to be held on African soil.

Those of us who have been caught in traffic jams, roadblocks and suchlike, have really been feeling it – the arrival of world leaders in our once-glorious City of Gold. It's been annoying for the local residents to see attention and public spending devoted to this G20 this whole long year.

But, fellow South Africans, Africans and friends, put aside the emotions and you'll realise how important the moment culminating in the next couple of days really is for Joburg, South Africa and the whole continent.

To me, it almost feels like it did back in 2010 when we hosted the FIFA World Cup, except instead of superstars like Andres Iniesta and Luis Suarez we are hosting heads of leading economies. As it was 15 years prior, all eyes are on South Africa and we have an incredible opportunity to take our country and continent forward. We are well positioned to set the global economic agenda for the next couple of years. Again, as it was with the World Cup, we also have some haters who want to spoil our G20 party.

Let's all sing that lovely song again, 'Waka waka - This time for Africa'. And, watch this space, we will score some important goals - like the one netted by Bafana Bafana legend Siphiwe Tshabalala to open that glorious African World Cup.

Unfortunately, as it happened with our football - especially at grassroots level - there may not be many immediate tangible gains or improvement on the economic front flowing directly from our G20 presidency that's coming to an end. But this G20 comes after and is an important wrap-up of a series of Global South presidencies, a crucial opportunity to ensure the continuation of the agenda set by this half of the globe that is at the forefront of a quiet and peaceful global revolution.

Obviously, desperate leaders like US President Donald Trump would find such revolutionary talk unacceptable and accuse our country of “behaving badly”.

When Trump behaves like he has been this week, it's tempting to conclude that the lights are on but there's no one home in the White House. But there's a cunning, ruthless and devilish method in his madness.

We shouldn't have been surprised. It's very much like Trump to try and do anything to detract attention from his troubles or curry favour with his base back home using fake news and disinformation. It's typical of him to flip flop and somersault clumsily like a sumo wrestler on real issues that require truth, honesty and principle.

But Trump won't win this battle. On this one he will fare the same way as he and his anointed candidates have been during recent elections, including the one for the New York City mayorship. It's going to be a hard pill to swallow for him, but Africa's G20 will continue without him and will be a historic success.

Since he has decided to boycott our summit, perhaps he can use the weekend to strategise on how to deal with the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal hot potato and other growing challenges back home.