{"id":16679,"date":"2025-03-07T10:38:52","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T08:38:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jhb-webdevelopers\/channelafrica\/special-project\/sa-president-calls-for-urgent-action-ahead-of-g20-summit-in-johannesburg\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T14:47:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T12:47:21","slug":"sa-president-calls-for-urgent-action-ahead-of-g20-summit-in-johannesburg","status":"publish","type":"special-project","link":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/special-project\/sa-president-calls-for-urgent-action-ahead-of-g20-summit-in-johannesburg\/","title":{"rendered":"SA President calls for urgent action ahead of G20 summit in Johannesburg"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3833c0d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3833c0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">Ahead of South Africa\u2019s (SA\u2019s) hosting of the G20 summit later this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa has openly criticised the current state of Johannesburg and its surrounding municipalities.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3016c78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-content\" data-id=\"3016c78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-content.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<p>Following two preparatory meetings in the city, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the condition of the region\u2019s infrastructure and housing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSometimes, it\u2019s necessary to be honest and speak plainly,\u201d Ramaphosa remarked. \u201cI have to admit, I was not impressed with what I saw during the G20 preperation meetings. The environment was far from ideal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With global attention set to focus on Johannesburg for the summit, Ramaphosa stressed the need for the city to showcase itself at its best. \u201cEvery aspect of housing and infrastructure must be at its best. This includes not only the buildings but also the environment around them, particularly where the G20 meetings will take place. When we visit other cities around the world for events, we see how well-prepared they are. We must aim for the same.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ramaphosa\u2019s comments come amid growing concerns over the city\u2019s deteriorating infrastructure. Many areas are struggling with poor waste management, potholes, and a lack of basic services such as water and electricity. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi echoed these worries in his recent state-of-the-province address, calling for urgent action.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe must tackle the challenges of crime, corruption, and failing infrastructure head-on. These problems won\u2019t solve themselves,\u201d Lesufi stated.<\/p>\n<p>The President also called for the upcoming G20 meetings to go beyond just discussion. \u201cThis cannot be another talk show with no real impact. We need actionable solutions, with clear timelines, to improve the living conditions for everyone in Gauteng,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Mayors from Johannesburg and other municipalities will present their plans for addressing these issues this Friday, ahead of the summit.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;ChannelAfrica&#8211;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":15178,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"featured-post":[],"class_list":["post-16679","special-project","type-special-project","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"Ramaphosa\u2019s comments come amid growing concerns over the city\u2019s deteriorating infrastructure.","count_down_image":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/special-project\/16679","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/special-project"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/special-project"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"featured-post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured-post?post=16679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}