Sindisiwe Chikunga Recovering After Health Scare at Y20 Summit

The incident occurred while the Minister was delivering her keynote address at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg, where she was quickly assisted off stage by aides.

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, is recovering after experiencing a health scare during the opening of the Y20 South Africa Summit 2025 on Monday.

The incident occurred while the Minister was delivering her keynote address at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg, where she was quickly assisted off stage by aides.

According to a statement from her department, Minister Chikunga has been advised to take time off her official schedule to rest and recuperate. Officials confirmed that her condition is stable and that she remains committed to her ministerial responsibilities.

Minister’s Commitment to Inclusion

In reassuring the public of her dedication, departmental spokesperson Selala highlighted that Minister Chikunga continues to prioritise the economic empowerment, social justice, and inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

“The Minister remains committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by women, youth, and persons with disabilities, through advocacy, mainstreaming, monitoring, and evaluation. The department continues to work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all,” Selala said.

Y20 Summit: A Landmark Gathering in Africa

The health scare unfolded at a significant moment—the official opening of the first-ever Y20 Summit hosted on African soil. The event, taking place from 18–22 August 2025, carries the theme: “Youth for Global Progress: Uniting for Solidarity, Championing Equality, Driving Sustainability.”

The Y20 Summit serves as the official youth engagement platform of the G20, providing young leaders from across the globe with an opportunity to influence international policy and ensure youth perspectives are represented in global decision-making.

This year’s summit is especially significant for Africa, with South Africa holding the G20 Presidency under the overarching theme: “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.”

Thematic Focus of the Summit

The discussions at Y20 South Africa 2025 are framed around five thematic areas that reflect both South Africa’s national priorities and wider international development goals. These areas are aligned with:

• South Africa’s national development priorities

• African Union’s Agenda 2063

• United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Core issues include social and economic development, climate action, equality, and sustainability, with youth voices playing a central role in shaping policy recommendations.

Youth Leadership and Global Dialogue

Youth delegates from G20 member nations, regional representatives, and additional invited countries are participating in the summit. The platform fosters collaboration among young leaders to champion equality, strengthen solidarity, and explore pathways to a sustainable future.

Before being escorted off stage, Minister Chikunga urged delegates to think boldly and challenge existing paradigms. She encouraged them to “consider pathways to a fairer and more connected world, while dismantling old ones.”

Looking Ahead

Despite the Minister’s health scare, the summit proceedings have continued as planned, with an emphasis on ensuring Africa’s youth voices are amplified in the global arena. The event is expected to produce a Y20 communiqué, outlining recommendations to be presented to G20 leaders.

As the summit unfolds, South Africa’s leadership aims to leave a lasting imprint on how global youth issues are addressed, reinforcing the principle that young people must be central players in shaping the future of international policy and sustainable development.