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TimesLiveTimesLive18/11/2025
NEGATIVE

G20 glam vs reality: Nasrec shines - DA says it’s all a ‘cosmetic cover-up’

G20 glam vs reality: Nasrec shines - DA says it’s all a ‘cosmetic cover-up’

Executive Summary

South African International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi stated that preparations for the G20 Summit at Johannesburg's Nasrec Expo Centre have accelerated infrastructure improvements, including fixes to street lights, traffic lights, and potholes. They countered public skepticism by comparing it to pre-election doubts about ending load-shedding, which has now persisted for over a year, and highlighted economic boosts like fully booked hotels and vibrant retail activity. While officials view the event as a catalyst for sustained progress, the Democratic Alliance criticized the efforts as cosmetic fixes designed for optics, demanding long-term plans to address residents' ongoing service delivery woes.