Facing criticism in Parliament, the President acknowledged the city’s poor state but urged parties to unite for the global summit, suggesting the spruced-up city should become the new normal.
CAPE TOWN – President Cyril Ramaphosa has mounted a robust defence of the extensive clean-up of Johannesburg ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, stating that the effort should not be criticised but rather used as a new “benchmark” for service delivery across the city and the country.
Answering questions in the National Assembly on Thursday, the President was confronted by the Democratic Alliance’s Ryan Smith, who lamented that it took a major international event to prompt the beautification of a city whose residents have endured years of neglect and poor services.
Ramaphosa did not dispute the city’s dire condition, stating plainly, “Our local government situation is not pleasing at all. We must all admit that.” However, he argued that the focus should now be on preparing for the world’s leaders and leveraging the moment for lasting change.
A Spring Clean for the World, a New Standard for Residents
Drawing a parallel to other host nations, Ramaphosa said it was natural to “spruce up” before important visitors, noting that India had done the same for its G20 hosting duties in 2023.
“But rather than navel gaze and pointing fingers, I call on all of us to stand up and do something,” the President urged, calling for a collective effort.
His central argument was that the current clean-up should not be a one-off for a global audience. “We don’t want to fall back and go back to what Johannesburg was, and I do believe that we are going to use this as a benchmark,” he stated, framing the summit as a catalyst for permanent improvement.
The President’s comments follow recent visits to Southeast Asia, where he said he was “impressed by how clean their capital cities were,” implicitly setting a standard he believes South African metros should aspire to.
A Political Divide on Display
The exchange in Parliament highlighted a familiar political divide: the opposition viewing the clean-up as a temporary facade for foreigners, while the governing party presents it as a project that can inspire and solidify lasting urban renewal. The true test, however, will be whether the cleaned-up streets and repaired infrastructure can be maintained long after the last G20 delegation has departed.
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