Anti-capitalists, climate campaigners, women’s rights advocates, and anti-migrant groups plan protests highlighting poverty and inequality in South Africa.
Police and army paraded helicopters, K-9 units, and motorcycle officers on Wednesday to demonstrate readiness before the G20 summit.
Authorities deployed 3,500 additional officers and put the army on standby through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure.
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said police expect protests in Johannesburg and other major cities.
She stated the government will allow demonstrations, but all must follow legal guidelines.
Police designated areas near the summit venue, an exhibition centre beside South Africa’s largest soccer stadium, for protesters to gather.
Airports Company South Africa installed “speakers’ corners” at international airports to redirect demonstrators during world leaders’ arrivals.
Anti-capitalists, climate activists, women’s rights groups, and anti-migrant movements will use the summit to highlight national inequality and poverty issues.
The Afrikaner minority union Solidarity caused controversy with billboards claiming South Africa is the “most RACE-REGULATED country in the world.”
City authorities removed one billboard, prompting Solidarity to threaten legal action.
The billboards reference affirmative action policies that support Black South Africans and have strained South Africa–United States relations.
President Donald Trump announced he will boycott the summit, claiming South Africa’s government discriminates against whites and Afrikaners.
Observers reject Trump’s claims as unfounded, but the US boycott could weaken the first African G20 summit.
Women for Change called for a national shutdown on Friday, urging women to avoid work to protest high femicide and gender-based violence rates.
The advocacy group said South Africa cannot claim progress while women die every 2.5 hours.
An anti-immigration group plans protests against unemployment and poverty, citing South Africa’s 31% jobless rate.
Climate and inequality groups organised an alternative summit in another Johannesburg area starting Thursday, claiming the G20 favors the wealthy.
Strengthening Security and Urban Preparations
Johannesburg authorities began major cleanup and repair operations to fix broken infrastructure ahead of the summit.
President Cyril Ramaphosa joined workers in Soweto last week, wearing green overalls and helping repair streets and public areas.
Residents view the expensive, short-term preparations with skepticism due to recurring broken streetlights, potholes, and unreliable water and electricity services.
Johannesburg resident Lerato Lelusa criticized the summit, calling it a waste of resources that does not help ordinary citizens.
G20 Summit Attracts Global Leaders
The two-day summit opens Saturday and will host leaders and senior diplomats from over 40 countries.
Global institutions, including the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organisation, will also participate.
Protests, alternative events, and international attention are expected to dominate discussions alongside official summit meetings.
