By Johnathan Paoli
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi remains confident that Johannesburg will be ready to host the upcoming G20 Summit in November, despite ongoing infrastructural challenges such as malfunctioning traffic lights, potholes, deteriorating buildings, and street crime.
This assurance follows Monday’s meeting of the G20 Gauteng Sub-Committee at Nasrec, hosted by Lesufi, which brought together key stakeholders including Gauteng MECs, executive mayors, heads of departments, and municipal managers.
With just over 100 days remaining, Lesufi led a high-level engagement with provincial and local government leaders to assess progress in preparing the city for the global gathering.
The meeting formed part of the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that Gauteng—particularly Johannesburg—meets the logistical and security demands of hosting leaders from the world’s largest economies.
Speaking to Inside Metros, Lesufi’s spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla, said the engagement formed part of a structured series of high-level coordination meetings aimed at sustaining momentum in the lead-up to the summit.
“It was a high-level standard weekly meeting attended by all mayors and MECs to assess progress on preparations for the upcoming G20 Summit,” said Pamla.
“The meeting received detailed reports on the ongoing work, which encompasses road and transport improvements, infrastructure upgrades, enhanced security integration, and urban revitalisation projects. Emphasis was placed on ensuring seamless coordination between local, provincial, and national governments to guarantee a successful and secure event.”
Pamla also confirmed that the meeting was followed by an inspection tour of key sites in and around Johannesburg where G20-related upgrades are currently underway.
“The collaborative efforts demonstrated a strong commitment to meeting deadlines and delivering world-class infrastructure and services ahead of the Summit. Mayors and MECs reaffirmed their dedication to working together to address any challenges and ensure the event’s success,” Pamla added.
Speaking over the weekend, Lesufi acknowledged the significant work that still lies ahead but reaffirmed the province’s commitment to showcasing its capabilities and hospitality on the global stage.
“We will be ready. We are not underestimating the amount of work that must still be done, but we are taking proactive, hands-on steps to meet every requirement ahead of the Summit,” Lesufi said.
The G20 Summit, scheduled for November, is expected to be one of the most significant diplomatic events ever hosted by South Africa.
As the primary host city, Johannesburg is currently undergoing urgent infrastructure repairs, including the fixing of potholes, malfunctioning traffic signals, and sewerage overflows—issues that have sparked public concern over the city’s preparedness.
In recent weeks, residents have noted a visible increase in roadworks and infrastructure rehabilitation projects across key areas of the city.
These initiatives form part of a broader urban revitalisation campaign led by the Gauteng Provincial Government in partnership with the City of Johannesburg and national departments.
Lesufi confirmed that his office will conduct weekly oversight visits every Tuesday to monitor progress and ensure accountability.
“This is not a once-off engagement. We are now in a phase of weekly site inspections and real-time assessments. Every Tuesday, our team will be on the ground checking that commitments are being implemented without delay,” he added.
Security preparations for the summit are also underway, with the South African Police Service, Johannesburg Metro Police Department and national intelligence agencies coordinating safety and security plans.
Meanwhile, Pamla, said advanced planning is already in motion to secure G20 venues, delegates, and the public during the event.
INSIDE METROS