Ramaphosa Defends Johannesburg Clean-Up for G20 Summit, Urges Lasting Change
Natalie Nyathi
President Cyril Ramaphosa is defending the clean-up efforts happening in Johannesburg as the city gets ready for the G20 Leaders’ Summit on November 22-23. He acknowledges that the city has faced many problems with service delivery but believes this clean-up is important to welcome world leaders and can set a standard for future improvements.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. It will gather leaders from the largest economies in the world. South Africa is hosting the G20 this year, with the theme being “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”
In a recent session in Parliament, Ramaphosa responded to concerns from DA MP Ryan Smith, who asked why the government is only focusing on Johannesburg’s issues now, when residents have suffered from poor services for years. Ramaphosa stressed that it’s essential to show a positive image to international visitors while also promising to make lasting improvements.
“We’re going to have visitors and let us all be united in making sure we welcome our visitors. As they leave we must insist what we have done and been seen to have done must continue,” Ramaphosa said.
He also shared his disappointment about the city’s decline, saying, “I have been one of those who have expressed my displeasure, anger and dissatisfaction with the city in which I was born and grew up.” This concern led him to create a presidential working group to help improve Johannesburg.
Ramaphosa compared the current clean-up to the preparations for the 2010 World Cup, which resulted in lasting improvements to the city. He called for everyone in South Africa to help with the clean-up and make the city “look better.”
The G20 Summit in Johannesburg is a chance for Africa to address important global issues and improve its relationship with the world economy. The agenda includes discussions on economic recovery, climate change, food security, and digital transformation. South Africa aims to use its G20 presidency to encourage fair economic growth, reduce inequality, and promote sustainable development.
