Some Soweto residents accuse govt of only addressing longstanding issues for G20 Summit

JOHANNESBURG - Some Soweto residents attending the G20 Summit awareness programme on Thursday have accused government of only addressing longstanding issues for the upcoming summit and not for the benefit of South Africans.

The Gauteng government is holding an engagement session in Diepkloof, Soweto, about the summit, which will host dignitaries from different countries.

Officials said progress had been made to ensure that delegates find a pristine version of South Africa in November.

Community members gathered at the Diepkloof community hall said they were ready to fully engage with government.

Many have shared some of their frustrations over what they described as a lack of essential services.

Some have even accused the government of caring about fixing the province to present a false image of what Gauteng truly looks like.

Regional chairperson of the South African teachers’ union Thulani Ncobo said: "How is it that we are always cleaning our house when we're getting visitors?  And when no one is visiting us, the government doesn't care. 

"It's business as usual. So, you are actually wanting to paint a false picture to the world that you care about your citizens when you don't."

Community members have also called on government to include communities in the G20 Summit to empower them economically.