Johannesburg: Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced that the preparations undertaken by the provincial government and municipalities for the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit will act as a catalyst for improved service delivery across the region. The Premier shared these insights during a media briefing on the readiness for the summit, which is set to take place in Johannesburg later this month.
According to South African Government News Agency, Lesufi emphasized that the service delivery enhancements, which include repaired roads, functional streetlights, improved public spaces, and advanced security measures, are intended to benefit residents, workers, and visitors in the province long after the summit concludes. He dismissed any suggestions that these improvements are merely superficial changes for the international visitors expected at the event.
Lesufi commended the collective efforts of various stakeholders, including MECs, Mayors, MMCS, CEOs, the taxi industry, and labor representatives, in ensuring the province’s preparedness for the summit. He highlighted a coordinated approach, with regular meetings and inspections, as crucial to aligning municipal efforts towards their common objective. The Premier expressed his desire to maintain this cooperative framework as a permanent strategy for the province’s development.
Furthermore, Lesufi stressed the importance of making the summit and its preparations inclusive for ordinary citizens, involving civil society, business, youth, and people with disabilities through outreach programs. He mentioned the implementation of G20 awareness campaigns and public visibility initiatives to engage diverse voices in the global dialogue. Additionally, Lesufi outlined the anticipated economic benefits for Gauteng, such as increased investment, job creation, and growth in tourism and hospitality sectors, aligning with the province’s growth strategy, Growing Gauteng Together 2030.
The Premier also highlighted the positive impact expected on the province’s tourism industry, with the summit drawing a significant number of visitors, including heads of state and delegates. This influx is poised to boost demand for hotels, transportation, and local businesses, thereby promoting Gauteng as a business tourism hub. Lesufi invited visitors to explore the province’s offerings, ensuring a range of accommodation options and specially curated tourism itineraries under the Visit GAUTENG – Zwakala initiative.
Lesufi addressed previous concerns raised by President Cyril Ramaphosa during a Working Visit to Johannesburg in March, regarding issues like infrastructure deterioration, water shortages, and uncollected waste. He assured that these challenges have been resolved, and the province is ready to host the summit without the issues previously highlighted by the President. Lesufi affirmed that the infrastructure investments made for the summit will continue to benefit the residents beyond the event.