V20 South Africa Takes Centre Stage at “Spaces for Dignity” Whitepaper Launch at GIBS

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Johannesburg, South Africa – Wednesday the 21^st of May, the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Centre for Business Ethics played host to a landmark event: the launch of the Spaces for Dignity whitepaper, a bold initiative exploring how African businesses and academic institutions can drive regenerative practices that create abundance, inclusivity, and lasting impact. The evening spotlighted V20 South Africa – the values-driven platform spearheading a new era of ethical leadership and sustainable development across the continent.

With a robust turnout of policy leaders, academics, corporate changemakers, and social entrepreneurs, the event marked more than the launch of a whitepaper- it was a collective call to action. Anchored by the overarching theme of Living Values: Enabling Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainable Development, V20 South Africa emerged as the central voice, offering a transformative framework for aligning economic progress with deeply rooted African values such as Ubuntu and dignity.

V20 (Values 20) South Africa is leading global discourse around how values-based policies can shape inclusive economies. As part of the G20 engagement group, V20 places human dignity at the core of sustainable growth, encouraging a cross-sectoral shift toward systems that are not only efficient but empathetic and ethical.

“At V20 South Africa, our policy choices and actions are guided by a values- and evidence-based approach, grounded in Ubuntu, dignity, and ethical leadership. We are committed to building human-centred systems that embrace conscious capitalism,” said Alex Motshwanetsi Mathole, Sustainable Development Stream Lead for V20 South Africa. “The V20 model is cross-sectoral, anchored in advocacy and deeply held values. We are bringing a bold message of ethical leadership, dignity, and Ubuntu under the theme: Living Values: Enabling Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainable Development.”

The Spaces for Dignity whitepaper, authored by V20 Knowledge partner, Abundance At Work, echoes V20’s mission by offering a roadmap for regenerative business models rooted in African identity and community. It challenges institutions to go beyond corporate social responsibility and embrace ethical imperatives that regenerate people and the planet. “While institutional structures to face grand challenges do exist, our circuitry needs to evolve. This paper is a timely reminder that purpose, profit and care are not in conflict, doing good is good business, and the shift we need is not a trade-off, it is a trade-up.”, said whitepaper author, Dr Roze Phillips.

The evening also featured dynamic panel discussions with leaders from business schools, public institutions, and grassroots organisations. Discussions revolved around practical ways African businesses and business schools can unlock collective abundance, not just financial profit but also social capital, shared knowledge, and equitable opportunity.

With South Africa holding the V20 Presidency in 2025, the launch signals a turning point in continental leadership: one that favours purpose over power, collaboration over competition, and regeneration over-extraction.

To download the whitepaper click here. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://content.gibs.co.za/cmscontent/media/c5hfy0vx/spaces-for-dignity-online.pdf

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KWANELE NGOBESE

I am a media and communications professional with a focus on public relations and digital content. At After 12 Communications, I manage social media platforms and publish articles that inform, engage, and elevate the brand’s voice. Passionate about storytelling and digital engagement, I bring creativity, consistency, and strategy to every project I work on. Follow me on Twitter: @Kwanele_Coms

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