By Thapelo Molefe
Gauteng is ready to host the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in two weeks, following months of intensive preparations across municipalities and government agencies.
Panyaza Lesufi, the premier of Gauteng, said at a media briefing on Tuesday that the preparations have been guided by a focus on collaboration and integrated governance.
“I’m confident about the work we’ve done over the past four months,” said Lesufi.
“It’s been a difficult period — we had to pull in other municipalities that weren’t ready and reprioritise our budgets to focus on this mandate. We also brought in other agencies so we could work in an integrated way to tackle citizens’ challenges. Today, we’re proud that our municipalities look clean and that major centres are ready to welcome tourists and visitors.”
He highlighted that major infrastructure upgrades have been completed to ensure a seamless experience for visitors.
“Significant infrastructure upgrades designed to be permanent are now nearly complete. Our comprehensive programme is focused on delivering a seamless and positive experience for all delegates and residents alike. Our major roads are ready. The potholes in our major roads have been filled, the street lights are back and street traffic signals are also functional even though we continue to struggle with vandals.”
He added that lessons learned from testing formats had improved communication about road closures.
On water and electricity, Lesufi said the province had secured reliable services.
“Johannesburg Water has given us an assurance regarding the security of the city’s water supply throughout the G20 Summit,” said Lesufi.
“This confidence is grounded in Rand Water’s confirmation of an uninterrupted bank supply for the entire period. Our energy robust plan includes multiple layers of security, high-mass solar lighting and the protection of cables so that we can be in a position to enhance safety and emergency response. We have installed emergency generators so that in case of power failure, these generators can come to our rescue.”
Lesufi said law enforcement and disaster management structures had been fully activated.
“The law enforcement agencies have never been activated the way they have been activated in the last three months. We pledged together, executed our plans together, but most importantly put all the resources that we needed not only to protect visitors, but also to protect South Africans. A coordinated and comprehensive strategy ensures that the province’s main ports of entry… are all operating at an elevated state of readiness.”
Lesufi stressed that improvements would outlast the summit.
“We want to assure our citizens, we want to assure business, we want to assure organised labour and the tech industry that this commitment of collaboration of working together will go beyond the G20,” he said.
“We have worked as one, we have delivered on our commitments, and we are prepared to offer the world a warm and exceptional and unique experience about our province.”
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