Category: Republic of South Africa Government

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director;
Acting Premier of the North West Province, Nono Maloi;
Kgosi Ponatshego Mothibi and other Traditional Leaders;
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo;
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment;
All MECs present;
Mayors present;
Co-Chairperson of SANAC, Ms Steve Letsike;
Members of civil society;
Fellow South Africans;
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning! Dumelang!

Let me begin by recognising Kgosi Ponatshego Mothibi, to whom we paid a courtesy visit this morning. Our visit to Kgosi Mothibi is an indication of our appreciation of the importance of the Institution of Traditional Leadership, and the contribution of this institution to the betterment of the lives of our communities.

I am glad to be present here this morning as we confront the critical issue of service delivery in our communities. This issue is personally significant to me since it concerns human rights.

Additionally, I have been delegated by the President to assist in the roll-out of the District Development Model through effective coordination of the different spheres of government, which will improve the functioning of municipalities and address community concerns.

Indeed, we can’t talk about human rights without addressing the issue of basic service delivery. The Bill of Rights, contained in Chapter 2 of the Constitution, guarantees all South Africans basic human rights and recognises basic services as a human right.

According to Section 7, Sub-section 1, it is unequivocally stated that “The Bill of Rights serves as a fundamental pillar of democracy within the context of South Africa.”

The aforementioned statement serves to codify the fundamental entitlements of individuals and communities within our nation, while simultaneously validating the democratic principles of inherent worth, parity, and human dignity.

Section 10 focuses on human dignity. It specifically states that “everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected”. If this is the case, a Councillor, MEC or Minister who fails to provide services to the people neither respects nor protects the dignity of the people. As such, when that happens, the Constitution is contravened. And this should never be allowed.

In this regard, let me commend Premier Maape and Acting Premier Maloi  for their commitment that the Provincial Government should focus on Job Creation & Accelerated Service Delivery – the Thuntsa Lerole Intervention.

The Thuntsa Lerole Intervention is aligned with the DDM which is designed to address problems with service delivery by allowing all spheres of government, from local municipalities to national government, to work together in a more effective and coordinated way.

The DDM enables all spheres of government to better plan, budget and implement projects and programmes. Communities will undoubtedly benefit from more integrated service delivery as a result of this commitment and collaborations directed by the DDM.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me take you back a little bit, and shed light on the service delivery promises made by the African National Congress (ANC) led government since the year 1994 to the present day.

As a party that has been in power for almost three decades in South Africa, we have made commitments to improve the lives of the people of South Africa and deliver essential services such as housing, education, healthcare, and basic infrastructure are provided to all South Africans.
 
However, it is essential to assess whether these promises have been adequately fulfilled. Let us start by looking at housing. As the ANC government we promised to provide adequate housing to millions of households living in informal settlements across the country.

To achieve this, the ANC government has initiated programs such as the Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing policy. While progress has been made, with over 3 million housing opportunities delivered, a significant number of families still live in substandard conditions, awaiting their turn for decent housing. The backlog in housing delivery remains a challenging issue for the government.

Education has always been our top priority for the government. We pledged to improve the quality of education, and achieve universal access and equal opportunities for all.

Notably, government introduced policies such as no-fee schools, increased access to early childhood development programs, and the provision of school meals. Earlier this morning, we visited Rebone Sediba Intermediate School here in Sekhing, to hand over much-needed items as a contribution to the efforts of improving educational outcomes in our schools.

By embracing the increasing role of digital technology in education, we can provide students with interactive and engaging learning experiences. E-learning platforms and distance education programs can also be utilized to overcome geographical and social barriers, and reach those who are otherwise excluded from educational and skilling opportunities.

Healthcare has also been a critical focus for our government. The promise to provide accessible and quality healthcare to all South Africans led to the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme.

The aim was to ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances, would have access to quality healthcare services. 

However, the introduction of the NHI has been slow, and the healthcare system still grapples with issues such as overburdened public hospitals, a shortage of medical staff, and unequal access to quality care.
 
Moreover, improving infrastructure is a key element in accelerating service delivery. We are happy that today, we had the opportunity to open a world class facility at Ba-Ga Mothibi Community Health Centre. 

The Ba-Ga Mothibi Community Health Centre stands amongst the best in our country, and I would even dare to say, on the African continent.

I am honoured to be part of today’s important gathering in celebrating another milestone in the improvement of service delivery to our people through the official opening of this centre.

As the ANC-led government, we are guided by the principles of “Batho Pele”, putting people first, in our efforts of providing quality services to the citizens of our country.

The people of Ba-Ga Mothibi are truly experiencing the spirit of “Batho Pele” today. In accordance with the principles of “Batho Pele”, the notion of “Access” has been the guiding principle for the establishment of this new clinic in in this area.

This principle demands that all citizens should have equal access to the services of government to which they are legitimately entitled.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the opening of this clinic is a direct response to the call of the people for the construction of a health facility to improve their access to a health facility that will safeguard the well-being of the community.

It is our major priority to improve access and the quality of health care through the primary health care system. The Primary Health Care approach, which emphasises inter-sectoral collaboration, community participation and equity, has been adopted as the model for the delivery of health services to communities.

Now, we have to acknowledge that for the uninterrupted flow of products, services, and information among our communities, it is necessary to have functional road networks, efficient transportation systems, and reliable communication networks. By prioritising and investing in infrastructure development, we can ensure that services reach the most remote areas of our country in a timely and consistent way.
 
The ANC government is investing not millions or billions, but trillions in the revival and maintenance of our country’s critical infrastructure, as a means to boost economic development and the social mobility of our people. We must protect these investments and ensure that they continue no matter what obstacles are thrown our way.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is important to note that we have made significant strides in certain areas of service delivery. Access to clean drinking water, for instance, has improved for many communities, and social grants have provided a safety net for the most vulnerable citizens.

However, the overall delivery and implementation of these promises have sometimes fallen short of expectations, with lingering challenges that need urgent attention. Social grants and economic support to our most vulnerable people is a key pillar of our commitment to the people. 

As we have said before today, government would like to apologise for the recent technical glitch that led to grant beneficiaries not receiving their critical grant support on time.

Last, but certainly not least, public safety should be given utmost priority. Timely response to emergencies, effective disaster management, and robust law enforcement are all vital components of a safe and secure community. By adopting modern technologies and employing well-trained personnel, we can drastically improve response times and minimize the damage caused by emergencies.

It is important to recognize that accelerated service delivery is not just about efficiency and convenience; it is about creating a society where every individual has equal access to basic services, and an equal say in how their community is governed and serviced.

By empowering our communities with faster and more efficient services, we can bridge socioeconomic gaps, reduce inequalities, and ensure a better quality of life for all.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Achieving accelerated service delivery requires collective effort. Governments, private sector organizations, and civil society must work together to identify and address the key challenges in service delivery.
 
Collaboration, innovation, and investment in technology and infrastructure are essential to create a robust ecosystem that supports accelerated service delivery.

In conclusion, accelerated service delivery, like the Thuntsha Lerole Programme of this province, is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is a human right, as enshrined in our Constitution. It is the key to unlocking the full potential of our communities and ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.

In conclusion, accelerated service delivery is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is the key to unlocking the full potential of our communities and ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.

Let us all commit ourselves to this cause and work towards building a society where efficient and timely services are the norm. In the spirit of Thuntsha Lerole! In the spirit of Batho Pele!!!
 
Thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 tomorrow, Saturday 30 September 2023.

Mr Pahad passed away on Wednesday, 27 September 2023, at the age of 82.

President Ramaphosa has extended his deepest condolences to the extended Pahad family who have in short succession lost Mr Aziz Pahad and his brother, former Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad, who passed away in July 2023.

The South African Police Service will provide ceremonial elements during the funeral service for the former Deputy Minister, which will commence at West Park Cemetery in Johannesburg at 10h00 tomorrow.

President Ramaphosa has directed that flags be flown at half-mast around the country until tomorrow evening.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

Your Excellency, Prime Minister Matekane,
Honourable Ministers,
Our respective High Commissioners,
Senior Government Officials,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Your Excellency, 

I am pleased to welcome you and your delegation to South Africa. 

It is indeed a pleasure to co-chair this Inaugural Session of the South Africa–Lesotho Bi-National Commission.

South Africa attaches great importance to its bilateral relations and cooperation with the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Our relationship is anchored in historic bonds of language, culture and heritage.

We recall with gratitude that the Kingdom of Lesotho provided shelter and support to South Africa’s liberation movements during the struggle against apartheid. 

Economic relations between our two countries have grown over the years and continue to mutually benefit our respective peoples. 

South African businesses in Lesotho contribute to job creation while Lesotho’s water resources continue to benefit South Africa. 

It is important for the governments of both countries to work together to resolve challenges faced by businesses and put in place mechanisms to ensure that investments are protected.

The elevation of the Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation between South Africa and Lesotho to a Bi-National Commission is a testament to the unwavering commitment by our two countries to further bolster our relations for mutual benefit.

South Africa highly appreciates the cooperation on water resources between the two countries. In particular, we welcome Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project as a vital development to enhance water security in the Gauteng province and other parts of South Africa. 

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project also contributes to job creation in Lesotho and the construction of new roads, bringing access to previously inaccessible areas of Lesotho. South Africa is ready to cooperate with Lesotho to resolve any challenges that may arise in the implementation of the project. 

South Africa is keen to work with the Kingdom of Lesotho on the four proposed renewable energy projects. 

In the face of the worsening effects of climate change, we need to be making significant investments to ensure water and energy security for our peoples into the future.

Our respective ministers should continue their engagements so that we can see progress on these proposed developments.

We welcome the commitment of the government of Lesotho to cooperate with South Africa to deal with challenges of illegal mining in our country. Such activity carries a great social and economic cost for both our countries.  

We were deeply saddened by the unfortunate loss of the lives of illegal miners in Harmony Gold Mine in Welkom. Our respective governments are working with the mining company on the best methods and plan to retrieve the bodies of the miners without endangering the rescue personnel. 
 
We welcome the commitment made by the Right Honourable the Prime Minister to prioritise the implementation and completion of the comprehensive National Reforms Process. 

We commend the government and people of the Kingdom of Lesotho for finalising the Action Plan to monitor the completion of the reforms process.

Please be assured that South Africa will continue to support the SADC Panel of Elders and Mediation Reference Group initiative in assisting Basotho to complete the National Reform Process.

Thank you once again, Prime Minister, for paying a working visit to South Africa to co-chair this historic Inaugural Session of the Bi-National Commission.  

I wish to thank our respective Ministers and Senior Officials for their hard work and preparation for this meeting.

I look forward to the presentation of the report on the Ministerial Session and to productive deliberations.

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

Your Excellency, Prime Minister Matekane,
Ministers,
High Commissioners,
Colleagues,

We have come to the end of our bilateral discussions, which have been frank and cordial.

We remain forever grateful for the strong ties that exist between our countries and peoples. The work we have just completed is the continuation of our endeavours towards the realisation of our shared aspirations.

This Summit has been an opportunity for us to take stock of our bilateral cooperation in a number of fields. The comprehensive report that was presented by our respective Ministers captures the state of our bilateral cooperation in detail.

We emerge from this Inaugural BNC with renewed energy and vigour for the task of building our economies and developing our nations.

We should use this mechanism to enhance and consolidate the implementation of existing agreements.

We should also work more closely together to promote broader economic integration through the Southern African Customs Union, SADC and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Just as our two countries share common histories, so too do we share a common future. 

Let us work together to build a sustainable, prosperous and secure future for all the people of South Africa and Lesotho. 

Prime Minister Matekane, I wish to conclude by again expressing my sincere appreciation to you and your delegation, and to all involved in the planning and preparation of today’s meeting.

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the passing of former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad.

Mr Pahad passed away on Wednesday, 27 September 2023, at the age of 82.

Mr Pahad, who exercised his anti-apartheid activism in the Transvaal Indian Congress and was in exile between 1964 and 1990, served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2008. Several months after the end of Mr Pahad’s tenure as Deputy Minister, the Department of Foreign Affairs was renamed the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Mr Aziz Pahad’s passing follows that of his brother and former Minister in the Presidency, Essop Pahad, in July 2023.

President Ramaphosa extends his deepest condolences to the extended Pahad family who have in short succession lost two distinguished members who dedicated their lives to serving the nation.

The President said: “Our hearts go out to the Pahad family as they mourn the loss of two brothers and two outstanding servants of our people and our country.

“Aziz Pahad worked for our freedom during his decades in exile in the United Kingdom, Angola and Zambia – a period during which he played a diversity of roles including as a member of the ANC’s Revolutionary Council and the Political Military Committee and being part of the ANC negotiating team that secretly met representatives of the apartheid regime and also with leading members of the Afrikaner community.

“It was fitting that, in acknowledgment of his vast experience in international mobilisation against the apartheid regime, Aziz Pahad was appointed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the dawn of our democracy and our reintegration into the global community.

“Aziz Pahad was a consummate diplomat not only in the service of our country but in support of causes for freedom and justice elsewhere in the world, notably advocating the plight of the Palestinian people.

“Endearing of disposition and fierce of principle, he represented our nation with passion and clarity and played a significant role in educating the nation of our early democracy about international relations and South Africa’s role, place and vision in a world which itself undergoing change at that time.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

Good afternoon

This briefing follows a period of intensive engagement by the President on international platforms where President Ramaphosa advanced our national interest – that of growing our economy and leaving no-one behind as we do so – and stated the case of the Global South for transformation of global governance processes and structures.

Today we are focusing on a number of engagements the President will undertake in the coming weeks.

PROGRESS UPDATE ON GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS COLLABORATION
Yesterday, September 26, 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa met with members of Cabinet and senior business leaders to receive an update on progress made in the collaboration between government and business.

This collaboration was initiated in June 2023 with the aim of growing South Africa’s economy and restoring public and investor confidence through critical interventions to address the key challenges of energy, logistics, and crime and corruption.

Highlighting the meaningful progress made since the start of the initiative, President Ramaphosa said: 
“We have established an effective working relationship between government and business to tackle the most immediate challenges facing our economy.

“While we have identified key milestones and set out the processes to achieve these, the real test of our success will be in the results felt by ordinary citizens. We are confident that by working together and marshalling the significant resources and expertise that exist in our country, we will end load shedding, fix our logistics system, and tackle crime and corruption.”

A DETAILED JOINT STATEMENT HAS BEEN RELEASED BY THE PRESIDENCY AND B4SA ON THE FOCAL AREAS OF COLLABORATION

PRESIDENCY EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO THE MANDELA FAMILY AT THE PASSING OF MS ZOLEKA MANDELA
As the Presidency, we add our sincerest condolences to the sympathies expressed by many individuals and organisations at the passing of Ms Zoleka Mandela.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Ms Mandela who has passed away at an age that has deprived all of us of benefiting from the full potential of her charismatic and creative commitment to a diversity of social causes and campaigns.

We wish the family well in their preparations for remembering and taking leave of Zoleka.

May her soul rest in peace.

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA EXPRESSES HIS SYMPATHIES TO PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE WESTERN CAPE FLOODS AND APPLAUDS RESCUE TEAMS
The President would like to extend his sympathies to all the people who have been affected by the recent floods in the Western Cape. The President also expresses his condolences to those who have lost their loved ones during this disaster. 

President Ramaphosa is grateful for the speedy response and hard work demonstrated by various disaster management teams, law enforcement agencies, NGOS and officials who have continued to rep

PUBLIC PROGRAMME 
INAUGURAL SESSION OF THE SOUTH AFRICA – LESOTHO BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION (BNC)
President Cyril Ramaphosa, will on Thursday, 28 September, host the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, The Right Honorable Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, for the Inaugural Session of the South Africa – Lesotho Bi-National Commission (BNC), in Pretoria.

The Inaugural Session of the BNC follows an agreement signed by our two countries in November 2021 to elevate the structured bilateral mechanism from a Joint Bilateral Commission of Co-operation (JBCC) that is convened Ministerial level, to a BNC that is presided over by the two Heads of State and Government. 
The session will consist of the following Sectoral Committees:

• Strategic Political Cluster co-chaired by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation;
• Security and Stability Cluster co-chaired by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans;
• Economy Cluster co-chaired by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition; 
• Social Cluster co-chaired by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation; 
• Good Governance Cluster co-chaired by Minister of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs. 

This inaugural Session of the BNC provides an opportunity for both countries to take stock and track the implementation of the Joint Bilateral Commission decisions taken during the Council of Ministers Meeting held on 20 November 2020 in Maseru, in the Kingdom of Lesotho. 

The BNC meeting will also provide both President Ramaphosa and The Right Honorable the Prime Minister Matekane with an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations and to share information and exchange views on the latest developments in Lesotho and efforts by SADC to facilitate the finalisation of the reform process in Lesotho. 

SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAM TO VISIT THE UNION BUILDINGS
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on the morning of 3 October 2023, host the Special Olympics Team at the Union Buildings following the team’s success at the Special Olympics World Games that were held in Germany, Berlin between 17 and 25 June 2023.

The team brought back home a total of 49 medals – 22 gold, 20 silver and 7 bronze. 

The interaction with the Special Olympics team is part of President Ramaphosa’s ongoing commitment to encourage and celebrate excellence amongst South Africa’s sports women and men and the President’s recognition of the role of sports to unite our nation and forge social cohesion. 

LETTERS OF CREDENCE FROM HEADS OF MISSION DESIGNATE
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on the afternoon of 3 October 2023, receive Letters of Credence from Heads of Mission-Designate at a Credentials Ceremony in Pretoria.

 Letters of Credence are official diplomatic documents presented to the President by Heads of Mission-designate to mark the beginning of their ambassadorship.

This ceremony is a platform where newly nominated diplomats from our continent and other parts of the globe outline relations between our two countries and their objectives for strengthening partnership.

The event will be held at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House and media pool arrangements will be in place for coverage. 

BORDER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY LAUNCH
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on 05 October 2023, preside over the launch of the Boarder Management Authority (BMA), in Musina, Limpopo Province.

The launch of the BMA follows its formal establishment and assumption of its status as a schedule 3 (A) public entity on 1 April 2023.

The establishment of the BMA means that South Africa now has an integrated border management platform, with a single command and control with which to support the attainment of secure borders, safe travel and trade.

The President will be joined by members of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC) on the BMA and the Border Technical Committee.

The President will also tour the Beit Bridge Border Port of Entry and later address guests during ceremonial parade at the Musina Show grounds.

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ASSENTS TO FOUR IMPORTANT ACTS
President Cyril Ramaphosa has recently assented to the following four Acts: the Land Court Act, the Traditional Courts Act, the South African Postbank Limited Amendment Act and the Repeal of the Transkei Penal Code.

The Land Court Act establishes a specialist and permanent Land Court which will replace the Land Claims Court which was a court with a limited lifespan.

This means permanent judges of the Land Court can now be appointed.

The Land Court will have exclusive jurisdiction and power in respect of a number of aspects which have a bearing on land more specifically on restitution claims arising from the Restitution Act.

It also will deal with matters from the Application of the Land Reform (Labour Tenants) Act and shares jurisdiction with magistrates’ courts in respect of matters arising from the application of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA).

The Land Court will resolve the challenges that were experienced under these Acts such as backlogs in land claims and dispute resolution mechanisms when disputes arise.

It will also contribute immensely to the implementation of the Land Reform Programme.

In addition, the Act makes provision for the administration and judicial functions of the Land Court and for mediation procedures. 

Cabinet approved the Bill for tabling in Parliament in February 2021 and Parliament’s National Assembly passed the Bill and sent it to the NCOP for concurrence in September 2022.

At end of May 2023, the National Council of Provinces amended the Bill and returned it to the National Assembly for concurrence.

This Act is vital in bringing our country one step closer to resolving land and land rights issues in South Africa.

With respect to the Traditional Courts Act, our Constitution recognises traditional leadership as well as customary law. Section 211 of the Constitution obliges the courts to apply customary law when that law is applicable.

Traditional courts exist and it is constitutionally essential that they be aligned with the new constitutional dispensation.  

Chapter 12 of the Constitution recognises the institution, status and role of traditional leadership according to customary law, subject to the Constitution, whilst schedule 6 to the Constitution recognises the existence of traditional courts. 

The purpose of this Act is to provide for a uniform legislative framework for the structure and functioning of traditional courts, in line with constitutional imperatives and values. 

The Act aims to improve access to justice services by enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency and integrity of traditional courts for purposes of resolving disputes, with the view to promoting social cohesion, co-existence, peace and harmony. 

To date Traditional Courts have existed outside of the sanction of the Constitution with respect to their operation and regulation.

Traditional Courts were operating according to either sections 12 and 20 of the repealed Black Administration Act, 1927 and there are other homeland and self-governing states laws which regulate the role and functions of traditional leaders in the administration of justice. 

The Traditional Courts Act will now bring about a single statute, regulating the role of traditional leaders in the administration of justice, which will apply across the country.

The Act repeals the remaining provisions of the Black Administration Act of 1927 and legislation of former homelands still regulating traditional courts and brings the operation and functioning of Traditional Courts in line with the Constitution.

This Act has been in the making for some time and has undergone a through public participation process and incorporated the interests of stakeholders.

In December 2015, former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Minister Michael Masutha, held a national dialogue with Traditional Leaders and civil society which agreed that a Reference Group should be established to develop a new version of Bill.

The Reference Group consisted of representatives of civil society and traditional leaders.

The mandate of the Reference Group was to discuss outstanding matters relating to the Traditional Courts Bill, to assist in the development of a Bill and to pave the way for the introduction of the Bill into Parliament.

The concerns raised in respect of the 2008 and 2012 drafts of the Bill were taken into account and addressed and every effort has been made to address them, most significantly in respect of the role of women and other vulnerable groups. 

In terms of the new Traditional Courts Act, traditional courts must be constituted of women and men, pursuant to the goal of promoting the right of equality as contemplated in section 9 of the Constitution.

Traditional courts must promote and protect the representation of women as parties and members thereof.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development must also put measures in place to promote and protect the participation of women and vulnerable persons – with reference to the elderly, children and youth, the indigent, persons with disabilities and the people of different sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Minister must also report annually to Parliament on the steps and measures so put in place.

The Act states that constitutional values are of paramount importance, for instance the right to dignity, achievement of equality, the promotion of non-racialism and non-sexism, freedom of sexual orientation and identity.

It also highlights restorative justice and reconciliation through mediation. 

When dealing with disputes, the courts must be mindful of the existence of systemic unfair discrimination and inequalities or attitudes which are in conflict with the Constitution or which have the susceptibility of excluding meaningful participation in traditional court proceedings by any person or group of persons, particularly in respect of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, language, marital status and race brought about by colonialism, apartheid and patriarchy. 

A founding value of customary law is that its application is accessible to those persons who voluntarily subject themselves to that set of laws and customs.

The Act provides that proceedings may not be instituted in traditional courts if the dispute is being dealt with at another level in the traditional justice system or if the matter is pending before a court of law or being investigated by the police or has already been dealt with in a court.  

When it comes to the types of disputes a traditional court may deal with, the Bill limits the matters which these courts can hear to less serious disputes which disturb harmonious relationships within communities.

The Act underscores the fact that traditional courts are courts of law and their specific purpose is to promote the equitable and fair resolution of disputes, in a manner that is underpinned by the value system applicable in customary law and custom, and function in terms of the Constitution.  

The Repeal of the Transkeian Penal Code Act: the Transkeian Penal Code was enacted when the area formerly known as the Republic of Transkei became ‘independent’.

The Code codifies criminal law in the former Transkei. Despite the reincorporation of the former Transkei into South Africa more than 20 years ago, the Code remained in full force and effect in the former Transkei, although the former Republic of Transkei had ceased to exist.

In the rest of the Republic of South Africa, a large part of substantive criminal law has not been codified but in the former Republic of Transkei, as a result of the application of the Code, some crimes are codified.

The continued application of the Code thus created an untenable situation, with criminal charges are brought in terms of the Code in the former Transkei but in terms of the common law (and other statutes) in the rest of the Republic.

The new Act repeals this Code. This gives effect to the right to equality before the law – which presumes the uniform application of the criminal law in the Republic, requires the State to ensure that there is a uniform system of criminal law and that there are no parallel laws that regulate the same subject-matter in different parts of the country.

The South African Postbank Limited Amendment Act seeks to amend the South African Postbank Limited Act, 2010, so as to adjust the establishment and the shareholding arrangements for the Postbank through the creation of a new banking controlling company.

The Bill provides for the transfer in shareholding for the Postbank from the South African Post Office SOC Limited to Government and the creation of a bank controlling company for “The Postbank SOC Limited” in terms of the Banks Act, 1990. 

The Amendment Act is necessary to ensure that the Postbank meet the Bank Controlling Companies’ structure requirements. 

DA COURT CHALLENGE OVER THE LADY R PANEL
The Presidency has noted the intention expressed by the official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, to challenge the appointment of Judge Phineas Mojapelo as the head of the investigative panel appointed by President Ramaphosa, to enquire into the circumstances of the docking of the Lady R Cargo vessel in Simons town during December 2022.

The President decided to appoint the independent panel after having carefully considered the delicate balance that is needed between the public’s right to information and the state’s need to secure information, the disclosure of which may jeopardise our national security and/or international relations. 

Hence, the President decided to appoint an independent panel rather than a commission of inquiry as provided for in terms of section 84(2)(f) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,1996.  

The President carefully considered his decision to appoint a judge to head the panel. President Ramaphosa acted within the law in doing so and we are confident that this appointment will withstand scrutiny.

In its politically motivated court action, the DA’s wants to undermine the country’s national interests, failing to appreciate the importance of resolving this matter in a manner that is credible and expeditious. The DA is failing to appreciate the damage this issue has caused into our economy and potentially, to very important diplomatic relations, which are now repaired as a result of the level of credibility attached to the panel and its work, the outcome of the investigation and the intensive amount of diplomatic work that has been conducted to date and is still being managed. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President  –  +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director, Secretary to Parliament, Mr Xolile George;
Your Excellency, Mme Nosiviwe Maphisa Nqakula, Speaker of the National Assembly;
Your Excellency, Ntate Lechesa Tsenoli, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly;
The Chairperson of the NCOP, Ntate Amos Masondo;
The Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, Mme Sylvia Lucas;
Your Excellency, Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe, former President of the Republic of South Africa;
Your Excellency, Mme Baleka Mbete, former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa;
Your Excellency, Mr Sostenes Cavalcante, Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies, Federal Republic of Brazil;
Your Excellency, Mr Harivanash Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Republic of India;
Your Excellency, Mr Peng Qinghua, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, of the Peoples Republic of China;
Your Excellency, Dr Hanafy Ali Gebaly, Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives
Your Excellency, Mr Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, President of Majles Shoraye Eslaimi of the Islamic Republic of Iran;
Your Excellencies, the Speakers and Honourable Peoples tribunes from fellow BRICS member-states;
Ambassadors
Business leaders,
Esteemed Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

I would like to welcome you to the 9th BRICS Parliamentary Forum (PF). It has been a long, challenging and exciting road since the historic inaugural meeting held in the Russian Federation in June 2015. 

Since then, this Forum has grown from strength to strength, reflecting both the hard work of the collective leadership of the BRICS member states and, without doubt, the overwhelming desire amongst the peoples of the world to evolve a just world order which serves not just a few but also and especially the wretched of the earth.

Congratulations to our new partners:  The Argentine Republic, The Arab Republic of Egypt, The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, The Islamic Republic of Iran, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and The United Arab Emirates. We trust that you will invigorate this promising intergovernmental organisation.

From 2015 to date, the BRICS Parliamentary Forum has identified many issues which require continuous discussion, refinement and programmatic plans of action, the better to better serve the wretched of the earth. 

The issues range from:
• the sacrosanct role of the United Nations in international affairs and the consolidation of multilateral structures; the reform of the Security Council; and the fairness of the international legal system;
• the transition to a multipolar world and deepening economic globalisation,
• exploring new trade and investment prospects;
• the promotion of international peace and security, shared economic growth, cooperation and mutually beneficial interaction amongst the peoples of the world, undergirded by a continuous dialogue among and between the world’s cultures and civilisations for the cross-pollination of knowledge and perspectives for the benefit of humanity;
• deepening cooperation in a multiplicity of fields, including the promotion of cooperation in research, education, healthcare, environmental protection and sport, with a focus on the youth;
• coordinating our macroeconomic policies, the reform of the international monetary system and the promotion of growth;
• intensifying South-South and North-South dialogue, to;
• the creation of a permanent contact group within the BRICS Parliamentary Forum which helps, among other things, to identify and guide our association on key evolving issues of international political economy and to develop a long-term strategy for the Forum.

These and many additional matters that have served on the agenda of this Forum since the inaugural session in Moscow are about moving the world towards greater social justice — in short, making sure that the wretched of the earth become, “Somebody!” So goes the as the African American parlance.

We recall that the inaugural BRICS Parliamentary Forum took place to the hour of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the founding of the world’s premier intergovernmental organisation, the United Nations – our United Nations! The solemnity of the occasion was a stark reminder of the importance of history. Some of our colleagues rightly appealed that we draw appropriate lessons from history.

The quest to be Somebody is innate to every people. This is true for the developing South inasmuch as it is the case for the developed North. For the African continent as with parts of the developing world, the quest to be 

Somebody has been an act of resistance and defiance since at least the advent of the Atlantic Slave Trade. 

In addition to the heroic anti-colonial and apartheid struggles, this led to the 1955 Bandung Conference and the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961.

A consistent thread in the NAM’s work has been the promotion  of the political and economic cooperation of developing countries. 

This is how President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania put the matter when he addressed the opening of the preparatory meeting of the NAM in Dar es Salaam on April 13, 1970:
“The fact is that our political independence depends upon the degree of our economic independence, as well as the nature of our economic development depending upon our political independence. These things are interlinked in the modern world; and because of that interdependence, our economic relationships with one another, and individually with the great powers of the world, are matters with which the Non-Aligned conference must be concerned.”

This underscores the importance of BRICS and the cooperation it has sought to promote since its founding.  BRICS is one of the institutions that holds the possibility of taking forward much of the objectives of the NAM and the South Commission which President Nyerere ably led after his voluntary retirement from public office in 1985.

There is no need to regale you with statistics about the global reach of the BRICS in terms of its economy, the combined population of its member states relative to the rest of the world and other interesting information which you know. 

This Forum has the possibility to exert change on a global and unprecedented scale. For starters, BRICS has focused the imagination of the world’s population beyond the citizens of its member states. In and of itself, this is a good thing. 

However, we should not be surprised when this success factor attracts negative responses from some actors in the world despite the fact that BRICS is not opposed to any state parties or groups. 

Instead, we seek a peaceful and just world of equitable resource distribution.

The single most powerful instrument parliamentarians have at their disposal is their command of law-making.  Through coordinated efforts, you can impact positively on more than a quarter of the world’s population by introducing far-reaching progressive legislation and repealing laws that do not improve the lives of the people.

Some lessons from history in this regard might be useful. The 13th-century Egyptian Chief Justice Ibn Khaldun insisted that law should be based on what he called “social solidarity,” which was a statement on the supremacy he placed on social cohesion. Kwame Nkrumah, on the other hand, was adamant that “The teaching of law is totally incomplete if it is not accompanied by a background of economic, social and political science and even politics, science and technology.”

He envisioned a law that is an “expression of the political, economic and social conditions of the people and of their aims for progress,” as opposed to one that is based on “a formalistic yardstick which completely disregards the material content of the law and measures justice or injustice solely by procedural rules.”

As BRICS parliamentarians who seek to change the world for the better, you have the possibility to usher in the social solidarity and development that Chief Justice Khaldun and President Nkrumah strove to achieve.
However, legislative changes alone are neither enough nor sufficient to effect change. You require a capable, civic-minded, and ethical bureaucracy which has the capacity and commitment to drive the existing legislative framework to achieve its ends.

The effervescence of the parliamentary vocation attests to the sociological truism that all societies are heterogeneous theatres in which differently disposed social actors’ battle to shape public affairs in their own image. To the extent that such intercourse will, from time to time, impact upon the institution of BRICS as national, regional and other interests, this Forum should gird its intellectual and political loins for their constructive management and resolution.

Sometimes these may be interests from outside ourselves intent on exhausting us in meaningless but tiresome distractions or otherwise pit us against each other, thus to take us completely off the rails so that we are unable to achieve our strategic objective. 

Fortunately, the collective of BRICS members possess the wisdom to rise above such machinations.

Equally fortunate is that BRICS member states have come together in this rising intergovernmental institution on a shared perspective of development, to which the current global political and economic order continues to respond inadequately.

Whatever difficulties we face in the future, President Nyerere may provide a useful guide. 

“Development,” he said in August 1988, “involves decisions about national and international political priorities and structures. It includes social questions and matters related to education, health human dignity, and security both personal and national. And it means adequate food clothing and shelter for the individual person. 

All these matters are inextricably mixed and are all encompassed in any definition of development which is meaningful to the human beings who are now suffering from lack of it.”

Every country faces these considerations and challenges in its resource allocation and decision-making processes. 

Undoubtedly, this will find expression in your discussions especially as it concerns the four broad thematic areas on your agenda, namely, climate change, energy security and just transition of coal to hydrogen energy, multilateralism, peace and security.

In July 2014, BRICS established the New Development Bank and the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement.  

It is increasingly clear that there are varying levels of capacity for project planning and development among member states. 

As with the executive, parliamentarians are challenged to interrogate how this can be overcome. 

One way of addressing this is by identifying the broad range of skills that are required to address effect development at the scale and the pace required to accelerate the impact of BRICS in all the member states.

This speaks to the technocratic capacity to which I referred earlier, and we should, in this regard and in keeping with the tradition of cooperation amongst us, adopt the slogan of the progressive trade union movement: “An injury to one is an injury to all.” 

One suggestion you may want to ponder over is that we should immediately conduct a skills audit relative to the development imperatives of each member state and bring together institutions of higher learning amongst us to respond to the skills challenge.

I would like to commend the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance and their efforts in organising the BRICS-Africa WBA Trade Conference.

Malibogwe!

Africa is moving towards a single African market. All 54 countries have signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. We are well on our way to creating the world’s largest single-free trade area, with 1.3 billion people and a gross domestic product of $3.4 trillion.

The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area will improve intra-African trade, the continent’s share and participation in global trade, stimulate and improve the economy as well as contribute to lifting millions of people out of poverty.

The continent’s transport networks are largely unsatisfactory. Few roads connect the continent’s five regions, and those that do are often in poor condition and under-maintained.

As a continent, we look forward to engaging with our BRICS partners to realise the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and thus create a win-win solution for all.

Let us seize this opportunity to strengthen the BRICS-Africa partnership and promote a rules-based approach towards a just global order.

Thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa, will on Thursday, 28 September, host The Right Honorable, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mr Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, for the Inaugural Session of the South Africa – Lesotho Bi-National Commission (BNC), in Pretoria.

The Inaugural Session of the BNC follows an agreement signed by the two countries in November 2021 to elevate the structured bilateral mechanism from a Joint Bilateral Commission of Co-operation (JBCC) that is held at a ministerial level, to a BNC that is presided over by the two Heads of State and Government. 

The session will consist of the following Sectoral Committees:
• Strategic Political Cluster co-chaired by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation;
• Security and Stability Cluster co-chaired by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans;
• Economy Cluster co-chaired by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition; 
• Social Cluster co-chaired by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation; 
• Good Governance Cluster co-chaired by Minister of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs. 

This inaugural Session of the BNC would provide an opportunity for both countries to take stock and track the implementation of the JBCC decisions taken during the Council of Ministers Meeting held on 20 November 2020 in Maseru, the Kingdom of Lesotho. 

The BNC meeting will also provide both President Ramaphosa and The Right Honorable the Prime Minister Matekane with an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations and to share information and exchange views on the latest developments in Lesotho and efforts by SADC to facilitate the finalisation of the reform process in Lesotho. 

The Inaugural Session of the BNC will be preceded by Ministerial Sectoral Meetings on 27 September 2023.

Media is invited to cover the Inaugural Session as follows:
Date: 28 September 2023
The Inaugural Session of South Africa-Lesotho Bi-National Commission
Time: 09h00
Venue: The Department of International Relations and Cooperation, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria

Members of the media wishing to cover the session are requested to forward their names to Mtshalip@dirco.gov.za.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director;
Young people of South Africa;
President of the South African Youth Economic Council, Mr Kanakana Mudzanani;
The Executive Chairman of the South African Youth Economic Council, Mr. Bonga Makhanyaa;
Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu;
Captains of industry and leaders of business;

Good Evening,

Let me start by thanking Bonga Makhanya, who has insisted on my need to come and engage with the South African Youth Economic Council.  This has demonstrated that you and your team are focused and determined, which is what the country needs. It needs young people who are patriotic and have a never-die spirit.

I would have been surprised if young people lacked ambition and innovative ideas. I noted two critical ideas and innovations from SAYEC, the Mvelaphanda Centre for Maths, Science and Innovations. I am also aware that through your investment arm, Lotsha Investments, you are working on investing in mining. 

Having been a youth leader myself, I believe in harnessing the energy of the youth because you are the future. Hence, as the ANC-led government, we have put the issue of youth development high on our agenda since 1994.

I am, therefore, grateful for the opportunity to be present tonight as we acknowledge and commend the remarkable work of the exceptional young leaders and reflect upon the theme of “assessing government and private sector policies necessary for mass youth employment and business opportunities in South Africa,” which holds great significance.

However there are few immediate issues that you have asked that I address. The first being the issue of energy availability factor. The Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has assured me that power cuts will be drastically reduced by the end of the year. He told me that by December we will be producing 6,000 megawatts of additional power. He is focusing on maintainance hence from time to time we will be affected by loadshedding. 

You have also raised the issue of investing in the mining sector. We agree with you that this is an important sector that we must teach our young people how to run and manage these industries, as they are the future and next generation of industry leaders.

The current state of the mining industry is not very impressive. We presently export raw materials, and we must create opportunities for youth-led manufacturing and industrial endeavours. 

In addition, mining is a costly endeavour, necessitating the creation of more funding opportunities for youth interested in entering the mining industry. I urged the youth to interact with a variety of investors to provide more capital so that the youth can transform their ideas into reality and become producers and not just consumers.

In order to take advantage of existing opportunities, we should also engage in infrastructure initiatives and engineering-related endeavours. Youth must seize opportunities in infrastructure, energy, or any other field in which they are skilled.

Our traditional universities are among the best in the world; they turn out highly skilled graduates who, compared to their peers, have an easier time finding work.

This is why, through HRDC, which I chair, we prioritise training unskilled youth and expanding the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system to guarantee that no young person is left behind.

In addition to equipping the younger generation with essential skills, it is imperative to provide them with the required support in their entrepreneurial endeavours, enabling them to progress from small-scale operations to larger-scale enterprises.

Our objective is to establish a company’s environmentally and socially sustainable model with the capacity to generate employment opportunities for a larger number of young individuals.

Government and private sector should work together to develop innovative financing mechanisms, such as venture capital funds and microcredit programs, specifically targeting young entrepreneurs.
Providing financial support at affordable interest rates can enable them to start or expand their businesses, creating jobs for themselves and others.

We need a private sector that will be patriotic, one that will support South Africa’s and the government’s efforts to develop the people of South Africa by reinvesting capital and resources into productive assets and new industries.

We must create an enabling policy framework encouraging private sector investment in youth-focused industries. We must identify and promote sectors with potential growth and job creation, such as renewable energy, technology, creative arts, and tourism.

We strongly encourage enterprises, particularly young individuals, to actively participate in collaborating with the government in the generation of power and, more significantly, in supporting the enhancement of transmission capabilities. The current initiative undertaken by the government to involve the private sector presents a favourable prospect for businesses. 

In conclusion, we must prioritise the creation of mass youth employment and business opportunities in South Africa. By implementing policies that foster entrepreneurship, enhance vocational training, improve access to finance, and encourage private-sector investment, we can empower our youth and pave the way for a prosperous future.

This theme serves as a compelling call for both the government and private sector to collaborate to evaluate and deliberate on strategies that can expedite the involvement of young individuals in the critical sectors of the economy.

As government, we value the role that youth and youth bodies, including SAYEC, play in moulding our nation’s future and propelling its development. 

Your energy, creativity, and determination possess the potential to unlock untapped opportunities within our economy.

However, like other countries globally, we face a critical concern whereby the youth are grappling with the challenges of unemployment or underemployment. Furthermore, some challenges are associated with effectively integrating young people into the economy.

It is worth mentioning that there is also a need for further development of the skills necessary to secure formal employment or establish successful business opportunities specifically tailored for youth.

The government has initiated several youth empowerment initiatives, such as the Youth Employment Service Programme in 2018, as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI).

The YES programme continues to experience significant growth and success as the country’s largest social impact programme for job creation, assisting over 100,000 youth to access work experience.

This is a clear example of how much we can achieve through collaboration towards a common goal.

In addition, YES offers a comprehensive solution for businesses that want to create opportunities and improve their B-BBEE scores but cannot provide relevant work or space within their organisation.

In this case, YES’s implementation partners recruit, contract, and manage the youth on behalf of the business for the entire year of work, including training and hosting costs.

These efforts are meant to help young people acquire the occupational skills they need to access income opportunities while shaping them into responsible members of society.

We further have programmes aimed at developing SMMEs, such as the Black Business Supplier Development Programme, which is meant for cost-sharing grants among black-owned small enterprises. This programme has improved the competitiveness and sustainability of small businesses to become part of the mainstream economy and create employment.

As part of supporting the designated groups, such as women, youth, and people with disabilities, we have introduced the National Informal Business Upliftment Strategy.

This strategy advances government priorities of speeding up growth and transforming the economy to create decent work and sustainable livelihoods through inclusive growth, especially for entrepreneurs in the informal economy.

We encourage young people with an aptitude for business to grab entrepreneurial opportunities and start enterprises relevant to their skills.

South Africa has a diverse economy with several promising sectors that entrepreneurs can take advantage of. The most significant economic sectors currently driving the economy are manufacturing, retail, financial services, mining, agriculture, tourism, and the green industry.

The green sector offers a range of possibilities for entrepreneurs interested in sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies and practices.

Some of the opportunities in the sector are in renewable energy, particularly solar, waste management, including recycling, and sustainable packaging. There are also opportunities to meet the growing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient building practices in South Africa.

Ladies and gentlemen, the difficulty does not stem from a deficiency in the availability of programmes or business opportunities. This pertains to our programmes’ efficacy, expeditiousness, and widespread implementation. 

In undertaking this task, it will be necessary also to consider and rectify instances of leakages within the public policy framework as they can lead to inefficiencies, misallocation of resources, and unintended consequences. 

It is both inspiring and reassuring to see young people who are organised and eager for economic opportunities at SAYEC, and we hope that many young people from all corners of the country will be inspired by these initiatives to launch their own in their communities.

As a government, we remain committed to supporting and developing all young people, from SMMEs run by youth to students, professionals, and unemployed youth.

Consequently, we applaud the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, who have launched a R60 million Youth Enterprise Fund to support youth-owned businesses as part of the Integrated Youth Development Strategy that seeks to promote economic transformation, entrepreneurship, and job creation in Gauteng. We hope that other provinces will follow suit.

As the government, we recognise that the burning question of our time is the issue of youth and women’s participation in the economy. As such, we have, over the years, created specific institutions and departments that will focus on young people and women, such as the Department of Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities.

However, more still needs to be done to create an inclusive economy through the participation of young people. We must develop financial institutions that are more accessible to young people, especially those living in peripheral areas.

The Industrial Development Corporation is an excellent example of such an initiative, and it has been one of the key players in the creation of black industrialists in our country.

We can’t discuss funding opportunities and capital spending on youth without discussing skills development. Our Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system and local colleges must adapt to the changing demands of skills as we transition to a more digital world.

We can bridge the gap between education and employment by offering practical skills training in sectors with high worker demand. Apprenticeship opportunities, industry partnerships, and vocational school investments can equip our youth with job-ready skills, making them attractive to potential employers.

To young people, I wish to leave you with these words of Frantz Fanon: “Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfil it, or betray it.”

It is clear that this generation wants to achieve economic freedom, and I believe that together, we will fulfil that mission to realise financial freedom for young people in our lifetime.

Let us work together, government, private sector, and society, to make this vision a reality for South Africa’s youth.

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

Our Esteemed Religious and Inter-Faith Leaders here present;
Ministers;
Members of Executive Councils present;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Morning,
 
It is an honour and a privilege to welcome you to this important engagement between government and inter-faith Leaders, and I am appreciative to witness the strength of inter-faith unity and cooperation.
 
We are gathering here during a month dedicated to celebrating our cultural diversity, in accordance with the democratic values of inclusivity and participation. This is also an opportune time for us as the faith-based sector to reflect on the role we have played in protecting our religious heritage and contributing to shaping the moral compass of our nation.
 
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); recognising the enduring nature of religious and sacred heritage, being able to safeguard its authenticity and integrity, including its unique spiritual importance, and promoting the understanding of our shared history, are the three essential elements for fostering mutual respect and dialogue among communities.

In our South African context, we have seen how the prioritisation of these aspirations as guided by our Constitution has anchored our nation and enabled strategic participation by faith based organisations in efforts to respond to crisis moments such as at the height of the covid-19 pandemic, and in the response to Gender Based Violence and Femicide.
 
Understanding the significance of religion and faith in our nation, it is important for us as inter-faith leaders to come together and discuss the necessary steps to safeguard the significance of religious and sacred sites, as these sites hold immense cultural value, and are crucial to ensuring that our traditions are not eroded over time.

As we all know, our nation thrives in its cultural richness and religious diversity. Our different faiths, beliefs, and traditions are the threads that make up the vibrant tapestry of our society. It is of utmost importance therefore, that we acknowledge, appreciate, and actively encourage the existence and representation of diverse individuals, cultures, and perspectives not just within the confines of our own communities.
 
We also need to work together as one in order to increase our impact on initiatives that promote social cohesion, inter-faith dialogue, and nation-building.
 
Additionally, we must recognize the power of education and inter-faith dialogue in fostering tolerance and understanding. By working hand-in-hand with educational institutions and the government, we can develop comprehensive educational programs that nurture respect and appreciation for religious diversity.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, as inter-faith leaders, I must acknowledge that you have indeed embodied the spirit of our heritage. It is encouraging to witness the fusion of various histories, languages, cultures, and religions in one room. This is why our country is also envied for the peaceful co-existence of various faiths, with none claiming supremacy over the other.
 
Most importantly, we share the same values, which are consistent with the founding values of our Constitution: those of human dignity, of the achievement of equality, of non-racialism and non-sexism; and of the advancement of human rights. You exemplify what it means to unite for a common goal, and as the government, we will continue to work with you to create a society that is both unified and cohesive.

We must continue to strengthen and pave our path of partnership in order to promote social cohesion and contribute to our nation-building project. 
 
Our history demonstrates that, despite the many challenges we face as a nation, we can emerge strong if we embrace our diversity. Today, we enjoy the fruits of our democracy because leaders from diverse backgrounds fought together against the injustices and defended our civil and religious liberties.
 
Who can forget the role played by faith leaders like Beyers Naudé, Desmond Tutu, Peter Storey, Allan Boesak and Dr Martin Luther King Jnr.?

Martin Luther King Jnr. was a towering figure in the American civil rights movement, and his ideas of non-violent resistance to oppression had a great bearing on the liberation struggle here at home. One of the things I remember about him is his seminal speech in 1968, delivered in Memphis, Tennessee, declaring that –
“The nation is sick, trouble is in the land; confusion all around. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough you can see the stars. And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding.” 
 
It is specifically the calibre of religious leadership displayed by Martin Luther King Jnr. that has shaped the Civil Rights Movement and their efforts against a dark time, when black men, women, and children were being brutalised for demanding equal treatment. It is indeed, also the same motivation that shaped the activism of religious leaders in South Africa’s fight against apartheid.

Reflecting on this history and also acknowledging the temporal disparities and distinct challenges of our current era, we must draw from the lessons of the past, and use them as a compass for addressing some of the social challenges that exist in our modern culture. Your presence here today, serves as evidence that you have once again heeded the call to collaborate with government, with the shared objective of fostering reconciliation within our nation.
 
Among the many challenges confronting us as a nation, we must address gender-based violence and femicide, poverty, unemployment, drug and substance abuse, child abuse, crime, corruption, teenage pregnancy, and the high rate of HIV infection among young people.

It is disheartening that the women and girls of our country no longer feel safe in their homes, on the streets, in public transport and at their places of work. Many of our people are abusing alcohol and using drugs, which is causing numerous social problems such as unsafe behaviour on our roads, violence, crime, and truancy.
 
Despite the efforts made by government and other stakeholders to fight the HIV epidemic, many of our young people are still engaging in unsafe sex, leading to high rates of teenage pregnancy and further spread of sexually transmitted diseases. The Department of Health and its stakeholders have particularly throughout this year intensified the campaigns and public education especially as it pertains to the management of the virus and containing its spread through adherence to treatment.
 
It is through these kind of programmatic interventions where the faith based community can partner with government to make tangible contributions to addressing some of the social ills in our country.
 
Not a day goes by that we are not confronted by acts of violence and criminality. Worse yet, these acts are being live-streamed, as social media turns citizens into passive bystanders in the humiliation and degradation of others.
 
This is not the South Africa we fought for.

It is not the South Africa for which many people were jailed and lost their lives. It is certainly not the South Africa we want ourselves and future generations to live in.
 
As a nation, we must be concerned about the deterioration of our social and moral fabric. It is therefore important that our partnership be institutionalised in order to effectively address these issues. 
 
Let us renew our strength and apply the same resilience that we did when battling apartheid in order to construct the South Africa that our forefathers envisioned.

To address these difficulties, a collaborative effort involving not only governmental entities, but also active participation of all segments of society, particularly inter-faith communities, is essential. Inter-faith efforts, like community service, can be used to effect societal change. Now, more than ever, we must join forces to counter what has grown to threaten our communities.
 
As government, we are devoted to addressing social ills and in the past 29 years we have made significant progress in improving the lives of South Africans.

From an oppressive state machinery that had scant regard for the lives and living conditions of millions of our people, we now have a democratic state where all enjoy equal rights and equal protection before the law.
 
Today, more than ever before, the vast majority of South Africans, and in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have access to education, to health care and to basic services. 
 
Today, more than ever before, millions of our citizens are protected from abject poverty through progressive policies of redistribution.
 
Today, our churches, our mosques, our synagogues and our temples are pillars of society, doing valuable work in education, in feeding the poor and the needy, and in being a consistent and powerful voice that speaks out against injustices in our country. 
 
Ladies and gentlemen, as government, we appreciate the role of faith communities in guiding us when we have strayed from our mission to unite and develop our country.
 
As faith leaders, you have an important role to play in the renewal of our society, and in using your positions and influence to restore basic human values in our society.
 
The men and women of the faith community have never faltered in their willingness to do their part. For the betterment of their congregants, yes, but also for the betterment of communities, and for the country as a whole. It is the excellent work you are already doing in our communities that we want to harness and build upon. 
 
Whether it is in providing education and awareness around alcohol and substance abuse, in offering counselling and support to couples and families, or in mobilising people around anti-crime initiatives, you have been our valued partners as we seek to address these social problems.
 
What we want to do here today is to deepen our partnership and to collectively come up with workable solutions on how we can better address the challenges that our country faces.
 
When we conclude our deliberations today we want to have planted the seeds for a new era of collaboration. It is an era that must be characterised not by words, but by deeds.

Today, we should declare that we take responsibility to establish a movement that will create a South Africa we all want to live in.
 
We will work together in advocating for a society rooted in the values enshrined in our Constitution, that affirm the worth and dignity of every human being.
 
Ours is a relatively young democracy. The tree of liberty was planted by our forebears, and has over the past 29 years of democracy, been watered and nurtured by all of us. 
 
We cannot afford to have its roots wither away through intolerance and disrespect – for ourselves, for each other, and for the worth and dignity of every human being. 
 
We must do all we can to ensure that our democracy remains steady and resilient, that those who come after us will continue to be able to rely on it, to take cover under its shade, and to enjoy its benefits and protection.
 
Let us forge ahead in the spirit of partnership and mutual understanding, for we share a common responsibility and a common goal – to realise a better South Africa for ourselves, for our children, and for generations to come.
 
I thank you.