Anti-capitalists, climate advocates, women’s rights organisers and anti-migration groups plan demonstrations that highlight South Africa’s struggles with poverty and inequality. Police and army units staged a parade on Wednesday using helicopters, K-9 teams and motorcycle officers to display strength before protests at this weekend’s G20 summit in Johannesburg. Security leaders deployed 3,500 additional police officers and placed the army on standby through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, which unifies police, military and intelligence agencies for major event security. Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili told reporters that authorities expect marches in Johannesburg and other major cities. She said authorities will honour the public’s right to protest under lawful conditions and established guidelines. Police marked specific protest zones close to the summit venue near the country’s largest soccer stadium. Airports Company South Africa created “speakers’ corners” in airports, and security will escort protesters to those spaces if they demonstrate during leaders’ arrivals.
Demonstrators from various groups plan to voice concerns about national inequalities and global economic policies. A trade union representing members of the Afrikaner white minority ignited controversy by placing billboards across Johannesburg that claim the country ranks as “the most RACE-REGULATED” in the world. City officials removed one billboard, prompting Solidarity, the Afrikaner union, to threaten legal action. The billboards refer to affirmative action laws that expand opportunities for Black South Africans and now influence diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the United States. US President Donald Trump will boycott the G20 summit because he claims the Black-led government promotes discriminatory anti-white policies and targets Afrikaners with violence. Many observers dismiss his allegations as unfounded, yet the US decision threatens the success of Africa’s first G20 meeting. Other organisations intend to use the summit spotlight to raise additional issues. Women for Change has called for a national shutdown on Friday and urges women to stay away from work to protest the country’s shockingly high rates of violence and femicide. The group stated that South Africa cannot claim progress while women die every 2.5 hours. An anti-immigration movement will march against unemployment and poverty, citing the nation’s 31% unemployment rate as one of the world’s highest. A coalition of climate and inequality activists arranged an alternative summit in another part of Johannesburg starting Thursday and argues that the G20 meeting serves only wealthy interests.
Urban Repairs and Public Reactions
Officials in Johannesburg launched extensive cleanup and repair work before the summit to address failing infrastructure that affects daily life in the city. President Cyril Ramaphosa joined the effort last week, wearing green overalls and assisting with maintenance in Soweto, located a few miles from the summit site. Many residents view the multimillion-dollar operation for a two-day political gathering with frustration, as they regularly face broken streetlights, damaged roads, and unreliable water and electricity services. Johannesburg resident Lerato Lelusa said the event will not benefit ordinary citizens and described it as a waste of public money.
Anticipated Attendance and Global Focus
The summit will open on Saturday and will draw leaders and senior diplomats from more than 40 countries, along with representatives from major global institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation.
