Category: Republic of South Africa Government

Source: President of South Africa –

SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA HAVANA, CUBA 15-16 SEPTEMBER 2023

Following the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and the honour accorded to his funeral a Special Official Funeral-Category 1, President Cyril Ramaphosa has delegated Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation to lead South Africa’s delegation to the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of 77 and China.

The Summit will be hosted in Cuba on 15 and 16 September under the theme, “Current development challenges: The role of science, technology and innovation”

President Ramaphosa, values the importance of the the Group of 77+China as the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations.

This is a platform where countries of the Global South can articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their collective negotiating capacity.

This capacity is brought to bear on global issues that are deliberated within the United Nations system and on the advancement of South-South cooperation for development.

The President welcomes the opportunity for South Africa to contribute to the Group’s debates, analysis and consensus on the main challenges facing the South.
 

PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA TO DELIVER THE EULOGY AT THE SPECIAL OFFICIAL FUNERAL OF THE LATE PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, on Saturday, 16 September, deliver the eulogy at the Special Official Funeral of the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal.

Prince Buthelezi, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the age of 95.

President Ramaphosa has honoured Prince Buthelezi by declaring his funeral a Special Official Funeral-Category 1.

In accordance with the State, Official, and Provincial Official Funeral Policy of the government, a Special Official Funeral, Category 1, is a recognition reserved for individuals of extraordinary distinction as designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa.

The funeral will include elements of military honours.

The President has directed that flags be flown half-mast at flag stations around the country until the evening of Saturday, which is the day of the funeral. 

PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA TO PARTICIPATE IN UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY UNGA78

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead South Africa’s delegation to the General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) which takes place from 18 – 26 September 2023 in New York, United States of America.

The President will deliver the South Africa statement to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, 19 September 2023, at 13h00 US Eastern Time, which will be 19h00 in South Africa. 

The address to the UN General Assembly will be preceded by a number of High Level engagements.

These include summits on Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Sustainable Development Goals, a High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, as well as the Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response and Climate Ambition Summit to be hosted by the United Nations Secretary General.

President Ramaphosa will also lead discussions during the Presidential Roundtable that will hosted by the United States Chamber of Commerce and US-Africa Business Center.

In addition, the President’s programme will also include several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of UNGA.

UNGA78 is convened under the auspices of “rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”.

The theme has been set by the incoming President of the UN General Assembly Ambassador Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago.

South Africa’s participation at the United Nations is directed by its international relations policy objectives of among others:

(i) Mobilising support for South Africa’s domestic objectives, as outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP), including reducing inequality, unemployment, and poverty eradication.

(ii) Support for the African Agenda and promoting Africa’s sustainable development by advocating for Africa’s priorities under the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063.

(iii) Influencing the reform of the global multilateral architecture; and advancing the agenda of the South in the North-South Dialogue platform.

THE UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT AND OTHERS VS MINISTER OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES AND OTHERS CASE NO:2023-005779

The United Democratic Movement and its co-applicants, which include NUMSA and Build One South Africa, took government to court on an urgent basis, on an issue that required government to coordinate numerous department responses in relation to the very complex matter, of load shedding.

This legal challenge questions the lawfulness and constitutionality of the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan.

This process to coordinate government’s response required government to spend a great deal of energy, time and money to respond in detail, as it always does on any matter before the courts.

This process has cost taxpayers money and to some extent taken attention away from the urgent related issues to which government has to attend operationally.

The UDM, Building One SA, NUMSA and others made government spend public funds and time on this gathering of information before suddenly withdrawing the application.

Government always approaches such matters with a view that it is not only responding to the applicants, but it is responding to the public, while attending to the underlying issues in the normal course of the administration.

Therefore, for all these applicants to take up time and taxpayers money to then simply walk away because they finally appreciated the detailed substantive and indisputable response submitted by government is in fact an insult to both the court and the South African public.

In particular, the UDM is well represented in Parliament where government continuously accounts to elected representatives of the people in work in progress and challenges faced.

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, expressed his sadness at two natural disasters that have claimed close to 8 000 lives collectively and displaced tens of thousands of residents in eastern Libya and Morocco.

More than 5 000 people have perished due to floods associated with Storm Daniel in eastern Libya while more than 2 000 people died in an earthquake last weekend in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

President Ramaphosa said: “South Africa shares the pain and loss felt by the people of eastern Libya and Morocco. These disasters highlight once more the frailty of life when confronted with the forces of nature.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in accordance with Section 194(3) (b) of the Constitution, removed Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane from the Office of the Public Protector on the grounds of misconduct and incompetence.
 
The removal of Advocate Mkhwebane follows the National Assembly (NA) debate and vote on the Section 194 committee report, which found Adv. Mkhwebane to have misconducted herself and that she was incompetent.

The National Assembly resolved with the requisite two-thirds majority that Advocate Mkhwebane be removed from the Office of the Public Protector for misconduct and incompetence.

Section 194(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa stipulates that when the National Assembly adopts a resolution for the removal of the Public Protector, the President “must” remove the Public Protector from the office.

Accordingly, President Ramaphosa has informed Advocate Mkhwebane of the action to remove her from the Office of the Public Protector.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa, government ministers and the leaders of organised labour (COSATU, FEDUSA, NACTU and SAFTU) met in a virtual meeting today, 12 September 2023 and agreed to work much more closely to address the immediate challenges that confront South Africa’s economy.

This agreement is critical to accelerate efforts to deliver lasting and sustainable progress in building an inclusive economy, creating jobs and tackling poverty and inequality.

The meeting discussed amongst other issues the immediate measures needed to unblock economic growth and create employment.

Participants agreed that urgent steps must be taken to deal with low growth and the unemployment crisis.

Organised labour committed to working with government to end load shedding and achieve energy security, improve the efficiency of the freight logistics system and reduce violent crime and protect economic infrastructure.

Representatives from organised labour raised several related issues including the current fiscal situation, the structure of the economy, state-owned enterprises, strengthening the public services, tackling crime and corruption, local government and providing economic and social relief, particularly to poor South Africans.

“Given the scale of the challenge, we require support from all social partners to urgently accelerate implementation of government’s plans and drive additional interventions. While there is encouraging progress, the energy shortfall remains the single biggest constraint on economic growth. We need to accelerate and expand our efforts even further, not only to overcome the immediate crisis, but to fundamentally reform our energy sector and ensure that we never face such a shortfall again,” said President Ramaphosa.

“Organised Labour welcomed the engagement and hopes it will be the beginning of further discussions on various measures to grow the economy, create jobs, rebuild the state and tackle crime and corruption.  Labour is deeply concerned about the variety of crises affecting our State Owned Enterprises, municipalities, government, the economy and workers.  They require decisive action to resolve them.  It is critical these interventions are directed towards the fundamental causes of our many challenges and that they uplift the poor and protect the hard won rights of workers.  Measures must capacitate the state to deliver quality public services, unlock economic growth and set the nation on a sustainable path,” said Organised Labour Overall Convenor Gerald Twala.

The meeting agreed that addressing unemployment and poverty was an immediate imperative that will improve social and political stability, creating a virtuous cycle that supports growth.

The Presidency emphasised the opportunity to build on existing interventions with proven track records of success, including the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the Youth Employment Service and the SME Fund.

The Presidency further highlighted the need to expand and scale these initiatives through wider engagement to drive participation and uptake, as well to identify regulatory, policy and other measures to support and grow SMMEs and unlock job creation at scale.

President Ramaphosa and labour leaders agreed that further in-depth engagement is needed to fully address the issues raised. In this regard a follow-up in-person meeting will soon be convened to build on today’s discussion.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

The Presidency notes and welcomes the dismissal of Mr. JG Zuma’s leave to appeal the setting aside of his private prosecution of the President. As we have always maintained from the onset, the private prosecution had no basis in law and constituted an abuse of private prosecution provisions.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral, Category 1, at Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal.

Prince Mangosuthu passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 09 September 2023, at the recently celebrated age of 95.

The Prince of KwaPhindangene served as Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation and was the Founder and President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party.

He also served as the first Minister of Home Affairs of the democratic South Africa.

As preparations unfold for memorial events, President Ramaphosa reiterates his deep condolences to the Royal Household as well as the friends, colleagues – including Members of Parliament – and associates nationally and internationally of the late leader.

The State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy of government accords Special Official Funerals, Category 1, to persons of extraordinary credentials specifically designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa.

The Prince’s funeral will entail elements of military honours.

The President has directed that flags be flown at half-mast at flag stations around the country from today, Tuesday, 12 September 2023, until the evening of the day on which the funeral will take place.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed membership of the African Union (AU) in the G20, the premier forum for global economic, trade and financial dialogue for growth and sustainable development.

President Ramaphosa addressed the G20 Leader’s Summit held under the theme One Earth, One Family and One Future in New Delhi in the Republic of the India.

President Ramaphosa advocated for the AU’s membership of the G20 during the 2022 summit in Bali, Indonesia. The President appreciated India’s Presidency in hosting an inclusive summit and placing the interest of the global south firmly on the agenda. President Ramaphosa also acknowledged G20 member states who supported the AU’s inclusion.

The participation of the AU will strengthen global economic governance and allow African countries to own and influence decisions on key issues.

On the margins of the New Delhi G20 Summit, South Africa participated in the EU-African Leader’s meeting attended by the Presidents of the European Council and Commission; African Heads of State invited to attend the G20 summit; the African Union Commission (AUC); Heads of the IMF and the World Bank. The purpose of the meeting was to amongst others discuss AU’s G20 membership; food security, grain and fertiliser supply and the reform of the global financial architecture.

South Africa used the summit to advocate  for an enhanced and expanded Global Partnership for Sustainable Development to meet climate change commitments.

“South Africa welcomes the Indian Presidency’s efforts to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.  The achievement of the SDGs must remain at the centre of international financing discussions to ensure that finance is mobilised in sufficient quantities and of suitable quality to support development in low- and middle-income countries,” said the President.

President Ramaphosa looks forward to working closely with President Lula as Brazil prepares to take over the Presidency of the G20 in 2024 and to build on the foundation laid by India.  South Africa will assume the G20 Presidency in 2025.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director;

Events Director, Mr. Richard Abbey Jr.;

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma;

Esteemed Guests;

Ladies and gentlemen,

This morning, South Africa and Africa woke up to the sad news of the passing of its native son, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. I want to send a message of condolences to his family and the Royal Household, who allowed us to draw wisdom from this great South African. May his soul rest in peace.

I would also like to express my deepest condolences to the government and people of Morocco following a tragic earthquake incident that claimed the lives of over 600 people and injured over 300.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Distinguished Young People,

Today, we are humbled and honoured to address you at this Forty Under 40 Africa Awards Ceremony under the theme, “The African Century: Unlocking the Demographic Dividend through Investment in Youth Participation”. This theme encapsulates the tremendous potential within our great continent because of the youth dividend.

Moreover, Africa’s human capital is a tremendous asset, with a population exceeding 1.3 billion. The continent’s youth represent a significant workforce that can drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. Consequently, we strongly urge governments to invest in our youth.

As a continent, according to the African Development Bank Group, we are set to outperform the rest of the world in economic growth over the next two years, with real gross domestic product (GDP) averaging around 4% in 2023 and 2024.

However, we must find a way to bridge the demographic gaps between our 54 countries because we are in different stages of growth and have different economic structures.

We need to take advantage of the abundant resources on our continent and strike a balance between the countries that are the poorest and those that are the richest.

Africa is richly blessed with extraordinary natural resources. From oil and gas reserves to mineral deposits such as gold, diamonds, and copper, Africa possesses a wealth of valuable assets that have the potential to drive economic growth and development.

These resources contribute to Africa’s prosperity and play a significant role in the global economy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As young businesspeople, we urge you to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In this regard, South Africa is a significant member of this trade revolution that will shape the continent’s future by stimulating innovation and value-chain growth and boosting industrialisation and job creation across industries.

The AfCFTA has 54 signatories, making it the largest free trade area in terms of the number of member states, second only to the World Trade Organisation.

As part of Agenda 2063, we must dismantle the barriers that hinder youth participation in the economy. We need to break free from the cycle of generational exclusion and embrace an intergenerational approach where the knowledge and experience of our elders are combined with the fresh ideas and perspectives of today’s youth.

This is because by unlocking the demographic dividend, we will spark a wave of growth and progress that will benefit the youth and the entire continent. We need greater collaboration among governments, civil society, the private sector, and international partners to achieve this.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the resilience and adaptability of our people, especially young businesspeople, during these challenging times. Although the economic growth rate has been modest, we are steadily moving in the right direction.

In South Africa, for example, Stats SA reported that the country’s real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.6% in the second quarter of 2023. This comes after a growth rate of 0.4% in the first quarter. Six industries on the supply side of the economy grew in the second quarter, with manufacturing and finance driving much of the upward momentum.

However, it is crucial to highlight that the unemployment rate remains a significant concern. South Africa’s unemployment rate fell slightly to 32.6% in the second quarter (Q2) of this year from 32.9% in Q1. The number of employed people increased by 154,000 to 16.3 million in the quarter and has now almost reached pre-pandemic levels of 16.4 million.

The best that can be said is that at least the trend is going the right way. Our government has implemented necessary economic recovery measures to support the economy, which is why we are seeing an improvement.

These measures include financial support for distressed businesses, infrastructure investment, and job creation initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI), implemented as the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) across all nine provinces.

Between April and June this year, at least 135,000 earning opportunities were secured by young people through the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative’s National Pathway Management Network.

Some 108 061 of these were accessed through the SA Youth platform, with 27 088 opportunities scored through the Department of Employment and Labour’s Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) website. We are adamant that if PYEI can receive more funding, it will reach more young people.

Moreover, our government believes that entrepreneurship is part of the remedy for the massive youth unemployment. We call on young people to take up the opportunities available in digital sectors and others to combat the high youth unemployment rate.

In partnership with the private sector, we have launched several youth business funding opportunities to help youth start and maintain their businesses. This includes the Youth Challenge Fund (YCF), the Youth Pipeline Development Programme, and the Youth Technology Innovation Fund (YTIF).

While these measures have helped stabilise the economy, we must remain vigilant and adaptable to emerging challenges.

Moreover, we have also gained some pace by implementing the structural reforms for the reconstruction and recovery plan, Operation Vulindlela.

Since Operation Vulindlela was launched in October 2020 as part of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, we have implemented 35 priority structural reforms identified for their impact on economic growth and job creation.

We have made progress in energy, our logistics network, digital communications, and the reform of the visa regime to enable businesses to attract the skills they need to grow.

Eleven reforms have been completed, while 14 are on track or progressing well.

Regarding the energy challenge that has remained a top priority in our country, we have amended Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act to remove the licencing requirement for generation projects of any size.

More than 100 projects are at various stages of development, representing over 10,000 megawatts of new generation capacity and over R200 billion in private sector investment.

Additionally, three projects from the risk mitigation programme have been constructed, with five projects expected to reach financial closure this quarter.

We approved the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill in March, which has been tabled in Parliament. This Bill will establish a competitive electricity market, enabling multiple generators to compete on a level playing field.

These are essential to ramping up energy generation in the short and medium term.

In conclusion, let us not forget that investment is about the future, not just the present. It is about leaving behind a legacy for future generations. It is about providing our children and descendants with the opportunities and resources they require to flourish.

For us, investing in young people means redirecting our efforts and resources in a number of critical areas, including the following:

• Skills revolution and education

• Providing quality health care

• Invest in new technologies as part of 4IR and artificial intelligence.

• Investing in infrastructure for ease of business and movement of goods allows entrepreneurs to flourish.

Ladies and gentlemen, investing in youth participation is not just a trendy concept but a necessity for our collective future. It goes beyond just financial resources. It requires a mind-set shift and a collective commitment to nurturing talent and empowering individuals.

To the incredible young individuals to be honoured here tonight, you are the embodiment of the Africa we want.

Your achievements inspire us all and demonstrate the power of young people to drive change.

I urge you to continue your extraordinary work and to be the role models that others can look up to.

Together, we will unlock the demographic dividend and usher in an era where Africa shines brightly on the global stage.

We would also like to thank Mr. Richard Abbey Jr. and the rest of the event’s organisers for their tireless efforts in bringing together the continent’s young, bright minds under the age of 40 from various industries to honour and celebrate their achievements.

Thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

Your Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and President of the G20,

Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,

Representatives of International Organisations,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

South Africa welcomes the Indian Presidency’s efforts to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The achievement of the SDGs must remain at the centre of international financing discussions to ensure that finance is mobilised in sufficient quantities and of suitable quality to support development in low- and middle-income countries.

We continue to face an unsteady global economic recovery. As policy makers, we therefore need to be flexible and respond quickly and appropriately to risk. 

Multilateral cooperation is critical to addressing food and energy insecurity.

As African countries, we support a discussion on policy options to address the effects of volatility in food and energy markets.

Our experience of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic sends a clear message that global health security is paramount. 

There is need to develop robust global one health surveillance systems that promote effective collaboration at national, regional and global level. 

We urgently need a coordination mechanism that supports the sharing of information and resources, research, outbreak investigation and response. 

We must be committed to strengthening the global health architecture for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and support ongoing engagement on how this proposed architecture will be funded.

South Africa welcomes the Indian Presidency’s focus on women’s empowerment as part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. 

South Africa has embarked on a journey of ensuring the empowerment of women. The education of girls must be prioritised. We must act to end gender-based violence and enable women to enter the mainstream of economic activity. 

We are indeed One Family. 

As G20 nations, we must drive the transformation of economies and societies in pursuit of mutual prosperity, inclusive growth and a shared future.

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

Your Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and President of the G20,

Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,

Representatives of International Organisations,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are delighted that the G20 has accepted the African Union as a member of the G20.

Global reconstruction in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies.

Developing economies are bearing the brunt of climate change, despite carrying the least responsibility for this crisis.

As African and other developing economy countries, we face the task of meeting our climate commitments in the midst of significant developmental challenges like poverty, inequality and unemployment.

Climate change, environmental degradation, unsustainable consumption and production and resource scarcity are challenges that can only be addressed collectively and with a great deal of solidarity.

South Africa calls for an enhanced and expanded Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

This must be supported by the concrete policies and actions outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development.

Access to adequate and predictable financial resources from a variety of public and private sources is critical if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Development partners need to both meet their existing commitments and upscale Official Development Assistance. Ordinary people see billions of dollars being spent on the weapons of war instead of addressing development challenges.

In particular, development partners need to meet their commitments to capacity building and infrastructure development in low- and middle-income countries.

No country is spared the effects of climate change. It is therefore vital that we respond collectively, decisively and with urgency to this existential crisis.

It is vital that industrialised countries, which have the means and which carry the greatest responsibility for climate change, support sustainable development in developing economies.

For us to realise the vision of People, Planet and Prosperity, we need to meet our respective commitments and responsibilities. 

In so doing, we will be helping to create a world that is more equitable, more resilient and more sustainable.

I thank you.