Anti-capitalists, climate groups, women’s rights advocates, and anti-migrant organisations plan demonstrations that highlight South Africa’s struggles with poverty and inequality.
Police and army units staged a Wednesday parade using helicopters, K-9 teams, and motorcycle officers to project strength before the G20 summit protests in Johannesburg this weekend.
Authorities deployed 3,500 additional police officers and placed the army on standby through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, which unifies the country’s security services under one command for major events.
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili informed reporters that officials expect protests in Johannesburg and other major cities.
“We will allow that right to be exercised,” she said. “But we will enforce lawful directives and boundaries.”
Police designated protest zones close to the summit venue, which sits beside South Africa’s largest soccer stadium.
Airports Company South Africa created “speakers’ corners” inside airports, where security will escort protesting travellers when world leaders arrive.
Demonstrators from various ideological groups intend to raise concerns about inequality and poverty.
A trade union representing white Afrikaners sparked controversy by erecting billboards claiming, “Welcome to the most RACE-REGULATED country in the world.”
City authorities removed one billboard, prompting the union Solidarity to threaten legal action.
The billboards reference affirmative action laws designed to expand opportunities for Black South Africans, which have triggered diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the United States.
US President Donald Trump plans to boycott the summit over claims that the Black-led government promotes racist anti-white policies and persecutes the Afrikaner minority.
Many leaders have dismissed Trump’s allegations as unfounded, but the boycott threatens the success of Africa’s first G20 summit.
Other groups aim to spotlight additional urgent issues.
Women for Change has called for a nationwide shutdown on Friday, the day before the summit.
The group urges women to stay away from work to protest South Africa’s extreme levels of gender-based violence and femicide.
“Until South Africa stops burying a woman every 2.5 hours, the G20 cannot discuss growth,” the group stated.
An anti-immigration organisation announced a protest demanding action on unemployment and poverty, noting the country’s 31% jobless rate.
A coalition opposing climate change and wealth inequality has organised an alternative summit in another part of Johannesburg, arguing that the G20 serves only wealthy interests.
Government Efforts Intensify Before the Summit
Officials in Johannesburg have launched large-scale clean-up and repair projects to address infrastructure failures that burden the city.
President Cyril Ramaphosa joined the effort last week by wearing green overalls and assisting with repairs in Soweto, located a few miles from the summit site.
Many residents view the multimillion-dollar operation for a two-day political meeting with scepticism, as the city continues to suffer from broken lights, damaged roads, and frequent service disruptions causing blackouts.
Johannesburg resident Lerato Lelusa said the summit will not benefit ordinary people and called it a waste of money.
Leaders Prepare for a High-Stakes Gathering
The summit begins Saturday and will draw leaders and senior diplomats from over 40 nations as well as major global institutions, including the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organisation.
