In just under a fortnight, leaders from some of the world's major economies will gather in South Africa's economic heartland, Johannesburg, for the G20 summit. But just a few kilometres from the spruced-up, highly secure venue is a city centre which the authorities are struggling to improve and keep safe. They face major challenges in cleaning up more than 100 derelict buildings, many plagued by rubbish and open sewage, some of which have been taken over by criminal gangs. 'There's guns, there's drugs, there's prostitutes, there's everything here,' said Nelson Khetani, resident of a building known as MBV1, located in Joubert Park.
Neglect and a lack of maintenance have left vandalised communal kitchens stripped of their fittings, while overflowing human waste covers parts of what used to be the laundry area. The BBC has located and confirmed the existence of 102 derelict or abandoned buildings in the inner city, but other media reports have cited much higher figures. Some of these have been hijacked and are unfit for human habitation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently expressed his disappointment with the city's state, calling it 'filthy' and lamenting the abandoned buildings that have been hijacked and aren't contributing financially to the city. Despite the mayor's assurances that the city was 'ready to host the G20,' the conditions remain a formidable challenge with a tragic fire two years ago still lingering in memory, which killed 76 people and highlighted the urgent need for action.
Residents, lacking proper utilities, rely on portable gas stoves for cooking and face the constant threat of the dilapidated structures in which they live collapsing under neglect. The systemic issues of housing insecurity trace back decades, with many residents still tortured by past and present struggles in what was once a vibrant city core. The dark remnants of Johannesburg's past cast a long shadow as the world watches during the G20 summit.
Neglect and a lack of maintenance have left vandalised communal kitchens stripped of their fittings, while overflowing human waste covers parts of what used to be the laundry area. The BBC has located and confirmed the existence of 102 derelict or abandoned buildings in the inner city, but other media reports have cited much higher figures. Some of these have been hijacked and are unfit for human habitation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently expressed his disappointment with the city's state, calling it 'filthy' and lamenting the abandoned buildings that have been hijacked and aren't contributing financially to the city. Despite the mayor's assurances that the city was 'ready to host the G20,' the conditions remain a formidable challenge with a tragic fire two years ago still lingering in memory, which killed 76 people and highlighted the urgent need for action.
Residents, lacking proper utilities, rely on portable gas stoves for cooking and face the constant threat of the dilapidated structures in which they live collapsing under neglect. The systemic issues of housing insecurity trace back decades, with many residents still tortured by past and present struggles in what was once a vibrant city core. The dark remnants of Johannesburg's past cast a long shadow as the world watches during the G20 summit.
