Johannesburg: President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the City of Johannesburg to continue its efforts to revamp the city and restore it to its former glory. He made these remarks during the CEO-City Cleanup Partnership Programme held in Kliptown, Johannesburg.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa addressed concerns that the city's restoration efforts were merely a temporary measure for the upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit at Nasrec. He emphasized that many cities worldwide use such events as a catalyst for urban renewal and that Johannesburg's transformation should persist beyond the summit.
President Ramaphosa assured that the ongoing projects in the city would continue after the G20 Leaders' Summit. He mentioned that city-wide revamps are common globally and necessary for Johannesburg's growth and repositioning. He highlighted Johannesburg's significance as the economic center of the continent, underscoring the importance of restoring the city.
In March, President Ramaphosa launched the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group (PJWG) to tackle the city's challenges. However, he acknowledged obstacles, such as a lack of attention from city officials towards the group's initiatives. The President called for collective efforts to elevate Johannesburg and prevent it from declining.
President Ramaphosa confirmed that the venue for the G20 Leaders' Summit is ready, expressing his hope that visitors will remember Johannesburg for its beauty and progress. He emphasized that the city should not only be recognized for the summit's discussions but also as a clean and vibrant urban center.