Opposition parties, civil society question Gauteng’s G20 readiness, dismiss “cosmetic fixes”

By Thapelo Molefe

With just eight days remaining before Johannesburg hosts global heads of state for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, opposition parties and civic groups have raised doubts about Gauteng’s real state of readiness, warning that the current clean-up efforts are largely superficial and may not translate into lasting improvements for residents.

While Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has repeatedly asserted that Gauteng is “ready to welcome the world,” critics argue that government’s efforts have focused narrowly on high-visibility zones, leaving many communities in neglect.

Speaking to Inside Metros on Thursday, the Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA), a civic coalition advocating for better urban governance, said Johannesburg appears “adequately ready” to host international delegates but warned that the preparations are uneven and skewed toward affluent areas and event routes.

“From our vantage point as a civic coalition focused on accountability, our assessment is that Johannesburg is in a final rush to be