Lamola denies claims that service delivery in parts of SA sped up due to G20 meetings
Lamola's comments come on the back of claims that calls for better service delivery by frustrated residents in key municipalities have been ignored.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola held a media briefing at the conclusion of the first G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 21 February 2025, alongside South Africa's G20 Sherpa, Zane Dangor (left), and Sous-Sherpa, Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo (right). Picture: @DIRCO_ZA/X
CAPE TOWN - International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola denied claims that service delivery in parts of the country has only been sped up for the arrival of international guests attending G20 meetings.
Lamola's comments come on the back of claims that calls for better service delivery by frustrated residents in key municipalities have been ignored.
This includes calls to fix dysfunctional traffic lights, potholes, and rampant crime.
While this has largely gone unattended, some quick fixes have been done before the arrival of G20 foreign ministers in Johannesburg this week and G20 finance ministers in Cape Town next week.
Speaking on the final day of the first meeting at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Soweto on Friday, Lamola told journalists that issues at local government had always been top of the agenda.
"It’s a reality in our country. We've got issues at local government level and Johannesburg is no exception. It also has its own service delivery challenges, and we believe the city is attending to those throughout the country. There will be meetings of the G20, there will be engagements of the host cities to do their best to ensure that the event and the venues are as hospitable as possible."