​Lerato Mailoane
Gauteng is abuzz with anticipation as it takes centre stage for the 15th Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) Summit, commencing at the prestigious Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg today.
The week ahead promises a dynamic convergence of business, tourism, trade, and investment activities as Gauteng welcomes numerous delegates and support teams for this landmark summit.
The Summit, held under the theme: "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism", is expected to last until Thursday.
The Summit brings together Heads of State and Government from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, with at least 30 global Heads of State and Government expected to attend.
The summit's sessions are strategically dispersed across the province's premier economic and business event venues, including Gallagher Convention Centre, Birchwood, and Montecasino.
The hosting of the BRICS summit holds immense value for Gauteng's ongoing economic recovery efforts. The summit comes when the country has shown an impressive 46,5% rise in foreign tourist arrivals for June 2023 compared to last year, reflecting the country's positive trajectory, according to data from Statistics South Africa. A glance at these numbers also shows that business travellers, particularly those from Africa, are extending their stays and contributing significantly to the local economy.
The impending positive impact spans diverse sectors, including accommodation, transportation, food services, security, logistics, and hospitality, with many establishments already reporting full bookings.
Meanwhile, the vibrancy around the Sandton Convention Centre during the Summit may result in localised traffic disruptions throughout the week. Key road closures in proximity to the venue are as follows:
Maude Street: one-way traffic from 5th Street to West Street.
West Street: lanes closest to the convention centre will be closed. The lanes furthest away will be open for traffic.
Alice Lane: lanes closest to the convention centre will be closed. The routes furthest away will be available for traffic.
5th Street: lanes closest to the convention centre will be closed. The roads furthest away will be open for traffic.
On Wednesday, traffic around the Midrand Gallagher Estate will also be affected from about 3 pm.
Those road closures are as follows:
Gallagher Avenue and Richards Drive
Richards Drive traffic circle
Johnnic and Lupton Street
Johnnic and Pretoria Main Road