By Palesa Matlala
- Women’s groups will march separately in Gauteng calling for gender-based violence to be declared a national disaster.
- Operation Dudula says the G20 means nothing to the poor and will protest rising unemployment and broken services.
Angry South Africans are planning protests across Gauteng as world leaders arrive in Johannesburg for the G20 summit this Friday.
Several groups want to use the global event to shine a spotlight on the country’s biggest problems — violence against women, poverty and unemployment.
The African National Congress Women’s League will march to Constitution Hill. They are demanding the government declare gender-based violence a national disaster.
“There are those working with us who will protest online, but ours is going to be physical because that is what we are good at,” said secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba.
Another group, Women for Change, is planning its own protest on the same day. They are asking supporters to wear black, stay away from work and shopping, and lie down for 15 minutes to show their support. They want to shut down the economy in protest.
“This is such a beautiful moment to highlight the issue. A person’s life can never be compared to the economy,” said spokesperson Cameron Kasambala.
Their campaign has gained huge support online, with millions turning their profile pictures purple and signing a petition.
Operation Dudula will also take to the streets during the summit. The group says poor people are battling joblessness and failing public services.
“We struggle to find work, access quality services and feel safe in our own communities. We want the world to see that,” said leader Zandile Dabula.
She said they do not plan to disrupt the G20 summit but want the world to hear ordinary South Africans.
But African National Congress secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has warned against protesting during the summit. He said the problems should be dealt with “internally”.
Pictured above: G20 leaders summit to be held later this week.
Image source: X
