If you’ve been driving through Johannesburg this week, you’ve probably spotted the signs that something unusual is going on. Flags are flying, weeds have been pulled, flowers have appeared out of nowhere, and the police presence has doubled — possibly tripled. From Sandton’s intersections to the Gillooly’s Interchange, Joburg looks unusually polished. That’s because the G20 Summit has officially landed, bringing global leaders, flashing blue lights, and yes… road closures.

And while the instinct is to groan (loudly) about the traffic, broadcaster Jeremy Maggs offered the HOT 1027 Breakfast team a different way to look at things — three reasons to try not to moan while we navigate the disruption.

Listen to Jeremy’s full chat on HOT 1027 Breakfast below:

1. The world is finally paying attention to us.

For a few rare days, global leaders, investors, and big decision-makers are looking directly at South Africa — and at Africa’s economy as a whole. That spotlight can help spark long-term investment, boost tourism, and put important issues on the international agenda. It won’t fix everything overnight, but it does open doors that are normally closed.

2. We’re pushing for fairer global financial rules.

This is where the real behind-the-scenes work happens. South Africa is using its G20 presidency to argue for more affordable borrowing, better debt relief, and fairer economic structures for developing countries. It might sound technical, but the outcome affects how much money government can channel into everyday essentials — from healthcare to infrastructure to social support.

3. The B20 Summit is all about practical benefits back home.

While the main G20 discussions grab the headlines, the B20 is where the nuts-and-bolts action lives. This is the business-focused stream that looks at the stuff that makes jobs and opportunity possible: quicker project approvals, smoother regional trade routes, better support for small businesses, and a huge push toward digitisation. If South Africa accelerates tech training, cybersecurity skills, and green-economy jobs, young people — especially — could benefit in very real ways.

So yes, the G20 can sound like a very fancy talk shop. But if even some of these ideas turn into action, they can make a meaningful difference.