President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed disappointment with the current state of Johannesburg urged both the City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng provincial government to do their best to make sure it looks better ahead of the G-20 summit in November.
Ramaphosa visited Johannesburg on Monday to assess its general state and service delivery as part of preparations for the summit to be held in South Africa’s most populous city.
The President said his last visit to Johannesburg has been rather disappointing.
“I should say that one or two meetings of the G20 that I attended here were not very pleasing. The environment that one observed was not a pleasing environment. I say this so that we can improve immensely,” said Ramaphosa during an address at the Johannesburg City Council.
Ramaphosa hinted the meeting was going to press both the City of Joburg and the Gauteng provincial government to urgently improve the state of the city.
“There have been issues that have been identified that we’ve been able to take forward, to embark on, to help provinces to execute their ambition for themselves. (1:51) So this is an important day for us. Let us spend time and talk directly on important issues to advance our people’s interests,” said Ramaphosa.
The president said hosting the G-20 summit was a rare opportunity that could among others attract investment to South Africa particularly in areas such as tourism and that there would be dire consequences if the country misrepresented itself.
“There have been issues that have been identified that we’ve been able to take forward, to embark on, to help provinces to execute their ambition for themselves. (1:51) So this is an important day for us. Let us spend time and talk directly on important issues to advance our people’s interests,” he said.