G20
As the G20 Leaders’ Summit approaches, Johannesburg is implementing heightened security measures and an extensive citywide clean‑up. Roads are repaired, public spaces cleared, and multi‑agency policing intensified to ensure a safe, well‑presented city for global delegates.
Johannesburg is in full preparation mode ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, combining strict security measures with a citywide programme of repairs and clean‑up to ensure the metropolis is both safe and presentable for visiting world leaders.
The city’s multi-agency plan involves the South African Police Service, Johannesburg Metro Police, traffic authorities, and disaster-management units coordinating closely to secure key routes, hotels, and the summit venue. Escort systems for delegates and heightened surveillance at major entry points are central to the plan.
Alongside security, municipal crews are tackling roads, repainting markings, repairing traffic lights, cutting overgrown grass, and clearing litter and illegal dumping across strategic areas. The M1 corridor from Sandton to Nasrec, a primary summit route, has received concentrated attention.
Provincial authorities emphasise that these efforts are intended to leave a lasting legacy for residents, not just temporary improvements for international visitors. Premier Panyaza Lesufi said that the upgrades—from repaired streets to operational streetlights—will benefit the city long after the summit concludes.
While the preparations are extensive, some critics caution that underlying issues, such as infrastructure decay and public safety, require more than short-term fixes. Residents are watching closely to see whether the summit’s focus will translate into sustainable improvements.
