Gauteng Premier Lesufi Commends Authorities After Solidarity Billboard Taken Down, SA Weigh In

• Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has labelled the minority trade union Solidarity's billboards as racist
• The minority trade union had erected the billboard last week against Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) laws
• South African social media users shared their opinions regarding what Lesufi said about the billboards

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi welcomed the removal of a billboard by Solidarity, calling it “racist,” a move that drew reactions from South Africans.

Lesufi praises City of Joburg

The minority trade union had put up the billboard along the M1 highway last week to protest Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) laws. The bright orange sign read, “Welcome to South Africa, the most race-regulated country in the world,” and was placed on the route to the Nasrec Expo Centre, where the G20 Summit is taking place next weekend, 22 to 23 November 2025.

Read also

DJ Warras reacts to Palestinian refugees being welcomed in South Africa: "This is madness"

Lesufi praised the Johannesburg Metro Police Department for taking down the billboard. He said the government had acted against the “racist” message and thanked local authorities for their swift response.

What did South Africans say?

Social media users shared their thoughts regarding what Lesufi said.

Brenda Lynn Neal said:

"By removing it you got them more exposure than if you had just left it."

Rodney Mattheys said:

"What has happened to the concept of freedom of speech in this country? Is only the ANC allowed this freedom? The CoJ should be sued for the costs incurred with the banner and each member of the executive should personally pay. If not, any payment will just be passed on to the consumers."

Peter Brits said:

"That action reflects guilt if they would run that fast to fix all the potholes."

Charl Klopper said:

"The mere fact that there is so much sensation about the billboard, and the removal of it, probably brings far greater attention to it that was hoped for. Freedom of speech at its best I suppose."

Neale Fortaine said:

Read also

Anele Mdoda drags a man she claims poked fun at the GBVF movement, SA defends him

"The test for Freedom of Speech is when someone says something you don't agree with. Proof that we don't have Freedom of Speech in South Africa."

Kenneth Burns said:

"We did not know anything about it until the council removed it. Now the photo’s of it has been shared nationally. Another own goal by the ANC."

Solidarity puts up another billboard

Solidarity also shared an image of the billboard that was put up, allegedly after the first one was removed. Solidarity's Head of Public Liaison, Jaco Kleynhans, shared an image on his @JacoKleynhans X account and said more billboards are expected to come.

The tension between Solidarity and the Gauteng Provincial government comes in the build-up to the G20 summit, which South Africa will be hosting between 22 and 23 November 2025. South Africa is the first and only African country that hosts the G20 Summit.

Gauteng government condemns G20 vandalism

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the Gauteng Provincial Government slammed destruction and vandalism in Johannesburg ahead of the G20 summit. This was after vandals damaged the property and defaced it.

Read also

Gareth Cliff reacts to Mexican President's decision not to attend G20 Summit: "Dropping like flies"

They defaced the G20 Summit signage near Nasrec and damaged streetlights and traffic lights in the area. Vandals also spray-painted anti-G20 words. The government called the behaviours unacceptable in light of the upcoming Summit.

Source: Briefly News