As South Africa prepares to host world leaders for the G20 Summit in Johannesburg (22–23 November 2025), authorities are urging Gauteng residents, daily commuters, and both local and international travellers to plan ahead. Extensive traffic disruptions and significant road closures are expected across Johannesburg, Pretoria/Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni from 18 to 23 November 2025.
In a joint statement, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP), Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD), Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), and South Africa Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that high-security routes and major transport corridors will experience rolling closures to accommodate official convoys and summit movements. Travellers using these routes should prepare for delays, limited access, and extended travel times throughout the summit period.
Where to expect the most disruptions
Major national and regional highways
Several main highways forming Gauteng's core mobility network will be directly affected:
- N1 (multiple interchanges including Atterbury, Garsfontein, Botha, Samrand, Olifantsfontein, Allandale, Bucculeuch, Winnie Mandela Drive, Maraisburg, and more)
- N3 north and south, including the major flyover
- N12 (Elands, Voortrekker, Reading, Comaro, Kliprivier, Xavier, Diepkloof)
- N14
- R21 southbound (including Atlas and Voortrekker off-ramps)
- R24 west / N12 west junction
These routes are widely used by airport travellers, commuters, buses, taxis, logistics operators, and cross-provincial traffic.
Johannesburg’s M1 and key urban arteries
The M1, a major north–south route, will see intermittent closures between:
- Woodmead · Marlboro · Grayston · Corlett · Glenhove · Oxford · St Andrew · Jan Smuts · Empire · Smit · Carr · M2 Crown · Booysens · Xavier · Golden Highway
Popular commercial districts, residential areas, and business zones will also be affected:
- Sandton
- 5th Street · Maude Street · Daisy Street · Rivonia Road · Grayston Drive · Katherine Street
- Melrose Arch
- Whiteley Road · Melrose Boulevard · Athol Oaklands Road
- Rosebank, Westcliff, Parkview
- Oxford Road · Glenhove Road · Jan Smuts Avenue
- Fourways
- Winnie Mandela Drive
- Roodepoort
- Hendrik Potgieter Road
- Nasrec (Expo Centre Area)
- Rand Show Road · Booysens Reserve Road · Nasrec Road · Golden Highway
Full closures to take note of
- Grayston Drive: Fully closed on 22 November 2025 (04:00–10:00)
- Golden Highway: Closed from 17 November 2025
- Nasrec Road: Closed 22–23 November 2025 between Rand Show Road and Shaft 17 Road
- Rand Show Road: Northern section closed 22–23 November 2025 (N1 to Nasrec Road)
- Booysens Reserve Road: Limited access 22–23 November 2025 , with several intersections blocked
Expect delays and detours, particularly around Sandton, Nasrec, southern Johannesburg, and key G20 activity zones.
G20 Social Summit in Ekurhuleni (18–20 November 2025)
Travellers moving around the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre should expect delays along:
- 1st Road · View Point Road · North Rand Road · Trichardt Road · Northern Road
These will form part of the official security perimeter.
How convoy closures will operate
When VIP convoys are in motion, roads will be completely closed—with restricted access for:
- motorists
- taxis and buses
- cyclists
- pedestrians
Closures may last 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on movement schedules.
Peak Operations for Rolling Closures
- 22 & 23 November 2025:
- Morning: 07:00 – 10:00
- Evening: 17:00 – 20:00
Plan errands, commutes, airport transfers, school runs, and appointments outside these hours where possible.
Useful alternative routes
- Between OR Tambo International Airport & Pretoria/Tshwane
- Use the M57 instead of the R21.
- Between Johannesburg & Ekurhuleni
- Use regional roads via Germiston, Kempton Park, or Bedfordview instead of the R24/N12.
- Roodepoort / West Rand
- Use Beyers Naudé Drive, Ontdekkers Road, or Christiaan De Wet Road.
- Fourways & Northern Suburbs
- Use Main Road, Cedar Road, and Witkoppen Road.
- Sandton / Rosebank / Parktown
- Use parallel routes including Corlett Drive, Sandton Drive, and 11th Avenue.
- Southern Johannesburg & Nasrec Area
- Use Chris Hani Road, Main Reef Road, Crownwood Road, Soweto Highway, N17, and Adcock Ingram Road.
Travel tips for all road users in Gauteng
- Allow extra travel time—delays of 30–90 minutes are likely.
- Use real-time navigation apps such as Google Maps or Waze.
- Check your route before departing, especially for airport transfers or business meetings.
- Expect heightened security around hotels, conference venues, malls, and tourist areas.
- Public transport users should anticipate delays during peak convoy times.
- Avoid unnecessary travel through Sandton, Nasrec, Rosebank, and OR Tambo corridors during restricted hours.
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