Anti-capitalists, climate activists, women’s rights groups, and anti-migrant organisations plan protests, highlighting poverty and inequality in South Africa.
Police and army held a parade on Wednesday with helicopters, K-9 units, and motorcycles to show force before the G20 summit.
Officials deployed 3,500 extra police officers and placed the army on standby under the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure.
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili told reporters authorities expect protests in Johannesburg and other major cities.
She confirmed that citizens can protest, but only within legal boundaries.
Police designated specific areas near the exhibition centre beside the country’s largest soccer stadium for protesters to gather.
Airports Company South Africa created “speakers’ corners” at international airports, where security will escort protesters if they demonstrate during leaders’ arrivals.
Protests will include anti-capitalist, climate, women’s rights, and anti-migrant groups, all raising South Africa’s social and economic concerns.
Controversy and Political Tensions
Afrikaner trade union Solidarity sparked debate by posting billboards in Johannesburg reading, “Welcome to the most RACE-REGULATED country in the world.”
City authorities removed one billboard, prompting the union to threaten legal action.
The billboards criticize affirmative action laws promoting Black South Africans, causing diplomatic tension with the United States.
US President Donald Trump announced he will boycott the summit, claiming South Africa enforces anti-white policies and persecutes Afrikaners.
Officials and analysts widely reject Trump’s claims, but his boycott could affect the first G20 summit in Africa.
Women for Change called for a national work boycott on Friday to protest gender-based violence and femicide.
The group said South Africa cannot discuss progress while women die every 2.5 hours.
An anti-immigration group will protest unemployment and poverty, citing the country’s 31% jobless rate.
A coalition of climate and wealth inequality activists plans an alternative summit in Johannesburg starting Thursday, criticizing the G20 as serving only the wealthy.
Urban Preparations and Global Attention
Johannesburg authorities launched a major cleanup and repair drive to fix broken infrastructure ahead of the summit.
President Cyril Ramaphosa joined the effort last week in Soweto, helping repair streets and public spaces near the summit venue.
Many residents view the multi-million-dollar effort cynically after years of broken streetlights, potholes, and unreliable water and electricity services.
Resident Lerato Lelusa criticized the summit as wasteful, saying it offers no benefit for ordinary South Africans.
The two-day summit opens on Saturday, attracting leaders and senior diplomats from more than 40 countries.
International institutions like the UN, World Bank, IMF, and WTO will also participate.
