This is a seminal year for South Africa and the continent as the country takes on the presidency of the G20 and hosts its annual summit, writes Zaid Moola.

Tensions were also on display between European participants and Russia's Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov days ahead of the third anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the discord head on in his opening speech, saying the world was under threat from rising intolerance and wars.