G20 Summit | Views of residents, businesses around Nasrec

The article is a transcript of an SABC news segment featuring reporter Lupang Alamu reporting live from Omni, a suburb of Ound (likely Sandton) in Johannesburg, directly opposite the Nazareth Expo Center, where a major international summit—implied to be the G20—is underway. The area is unusually quiet due to ongoing road closures implemented for weeks and months during dry runs to ensure the safety of delegates and diplomats. Local businesses, such as a Spaza shop owner, report hardship from reduced foot traffic, though they acknowledge the necessity. Community members express mixed but largely positive views: minor inconveniences from closures, but advance notifications allowed adjustments, reminiscent of past events like the 2010 World Cup. In an interview, resident Imanulu highlights benefits including job opportunities for locals in cleaning, infrastructure upgrades like road painting and repaired traffic robots (previously non-functional), a cleaner neighborhood, and enhanced safety from heavy police presence, making Johannesburg feel like one of the safest places that weekend. Helicopters and jets provided entertainment and reassurance of presidential protection. Residents hope for sustained improvements in service delivery, economic stability, youth opportunities, and consistent policing post-summit. The reporter notes understanding from business owners about the event's contributions to southern Johannesburg, plans to gather more perspectives, and emphasizes localized impacts of the global event. The anchor praises the on-the-ground context amid summit fatigue, anticipating the president's closing remarks.