Various anti-capitalist, climate, women’s rights and anti-migrant groups plan demonstrations that highlight South Africa’s poverty and inequality.
Police and army units staged a Wednesday parade with helicopters, K-9 teams and motorcycle officers to display readiness for weekend G20 protests in Johannesburg.
Security leaders deployed 3,500 additional officers and placed army units on standby under the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure.
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili informed reporters that authorities anticipate protests in Johannesburg and other major cities.
She affirmed that authorities will respect the right to protest within lawful guidelines.
Police assigned designated protest zones near the summit venue next to the nation’s largest soccer stadium.
Airports Company South Africa established airport “speakers’ corners” where security will escort demonstrators during leaders’ arrivals.
Several activist groups plan actions addressing issues such as inequality, climate change and social justice.
A trade union representing Afrikaner workers fueled controversy by installing billboards declaring the country “the most RACE-REGULATED in the world.”
City officials removed one billboard, prompting Solidarity to threaten legal action.
The signs reference affirmative action laws that promote opportunities for Black citizens and have sparked diplomatic friction with the United States.
President Donald Trump will boycott the summit while claiming the Black-led government targets white citizens with racist policies.
Officials and analysts widely reject his accusations as unfounded, though the boycott threatens the first African-hosted G20 meeting.
Other groups hope to spotlight issues they believe the summit ignores.
Women for Change urges a national shutdown on Friday before the summit begins.
The group asks women to stay away from work to protest extreme levels of gender-based violence and femicide.
The group argues that leaders cannot claim progress while the country loses a woman every 2.5 hours.
An anti-immigration organisation plans a protest against unemployment and poverty, citing the nation’s severe 31% jobless rate.
A coalition of climate and inequality activists arranged an alternative summit in another Johannesburg district starting Thursday, calling the G20 “a forum for the rich.”
Pressure Builds Across the City
Johannesburg authorities launched major repairs and cleanup projects before the summit to address the city’s failing infrastructure.
President Cyril Ramaphosa joined the effort last week and wore green overalls while assisting workers in Soweto near the summit site.
Residents expressed frustration at the multi-million-dollar operation for a two-day political meeting.
Many citizens experience broken streetlights, damaged roads and weakened services that cause water and power outages.
Local resident Lerato Lelusa said the summit offers little benefit to ordinary people and wastes public funds.
World Leaders Prepare to Gather
The two-day summit begins Saturday and will draw leaders and senior diplomats from more than 40 nations.
Institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation will also send representatives.
