Anti-capitalists, climate campaigners, women’s rights groups and anti-migrant organisations plan protests highlighting South Africa’s poverty and inequality.
Police and army displayed force Wednesday using helicopters, K-9 units and motorcycle officers ahead of expected G20 summit protests in Johannesburg.
Authorities deployed 3,500 additional police and put army units on standby under the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure to secure the event.
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili told reporters officials expect protests in Johannesburg and other major cities.
She said authorities will respect the right to protest while enforcing legal limits.
Police assigned specific areas near the summit venue, an exhibition centre beside the country’s largest soccer stadium, for protesters.
Airports Company South Africa installed “speakers’ corners” where security will guide demonstrators if they protest during world leaders’ arrivals.
The protests will include groups raising South Africa’s social and economic issues alongside global concerns.
A trade union representing Afrikaner minority members stirred controversy by posting billboards saying: “Welcome to the most RACE-REGULATED country in the world.”
City authorities removed one billboard, and Solidarity threatened legal action.
The billboards reference affirmative action policies that promote opportunities for Black South Africans, sparking diplomatic tensions with the United States.
President Donald Trump plans to boycott the summit, claiming South Africa’s Black-led government enforces racist, anti-white policies and persecutes Afrikaners.
Observers widely reject his claims as baseless, but the boycott could affect the first G20 summit in Africa.
Other activist groups aim to draw attention to national issues during the summit.
Women for Change calls for a national shutdown Friday, the day before the summit.
The organisation asks women to stay home in protest against extreme gender-based violence and femicide.
They argue that South Africa cannot discuss progress while women die every 2.5 hours.
An anti-immigration group plans protests against unemployment and poverty, highlighting South Africa’s 31% jobless rate.
Climate and wealth inequality groups will hold an alternative summit starting Thursday, calling the G20 meeting a gathering for the wealthy.
City Preparations and Security Measures
Johannesburg authorities launched major cleanup and repair efforts to address the city’s broken infrastructure before the summit.
President Cyril Ramaphosa joined the effort, wearing green overalls to help in Soweto near the summit site.
Residents express skepticism over the multi-million-dollar preparations for a two-day political meeting amid chronic streetlight outages, potholed roads and unreliable services.
Johannesburg resident Lerato Lelusa said the summit will not benefit ordinary citizens and mostly wastes public funds.
Global Leaders Converge
The G20 summit opens Saturday, attracting leaders and top diplomats from over 40 countries.
International institutions including the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organisation will also attend.
Authorities anticipate large crowds and heightened security while activists continue drawing attention to local and global issues.
