Anti-capitalists, climate activists, women’s rights advocates, and anti-migrant groups plan demonstrations, highlighting South Africa’s poverty and inequality.
Police and army displayed force on Wednesday with helicopters, K-9 units, and motorcycle officers before weekend G20 protests in Johannesburg.
Authorities deployed 3,500 additional police officers and placed the army on standby under the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure.
This body coordinates police, army, and intelligence agencies to secure major national events.
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili told reporters that officials expect protests in Johannesburg and other major cities.
She said authorities will allow protests but enforce strict legal limits.
Police assigned designated areas near the summit venue, beside South Africa’s largest soccer stadium, for demonstrators to gather.
Airports Company South Africa set up “speakers’ corners” in airports, where security will guide protesters during world leaders’ arrivals.
Anti-capitalists, climate defenders, women’s groups, anti-migrant organisations, and others intend to raise issues of inequality and poverty.
An Afrikaner trade union caused controversy with billboards claiming, “Welcome to the most RACE-REGULATED country in the world.”
City authorities removed one billboard, prompting Solidarity to threaten legal action.
The billboards reference affirmative action laws supporting Black South Africans and have fueled diplomatic tension with the United States.
President Donald Trump will boycott the G20, citing alleged racist policies against Afrikaners by South Africa’s Black-led government.
Experts widely dismiss his claims, but the US boycott may weaken the first G20 summit in Africa.
Other groups use the summit to highlight diverse issues.
Women for Change calls for a national shutdown on Friday, urging women to boycott work in protest of femicide.
The organisation argues South Africa cannot claim progress while a woman dies every 2.5 hours.
An anti-immigration group will protest unemployment and poverty, noting the 31% national jobless rate.
Climate and inequality activists plan an alternative summit starting Thursday, asserting that the G20 serves only the wealthy.
City Prepares for Global Event
Johannesburg authorities launched a major cleanup and repair initiative before the summit to fix broken infrastructure.
President Cyril Ramaphosa joined the effort last week, wearing green overalls to work in Soweto near the summit site.
Many residents view the multi-million-dollar preparations with skepticism after years of broken streetlights, damaged roads, and unreliable services.
Johannesburg resident Lerato Lelusa said hosting the G20 will not benefit ordinary citizens and will waste public funds.
G20 Summit Brings Global Leaders
The two-day summit begins Saturday and will host leaders and senior diplomats from over 40 countries.
International institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organisation will attend.
The summit expects to attract worldwide attention and showcase global economic and political discussions.
