Your Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Representatives of BRICS Partner Countries,
Distinguished guests, 
Ladies and gentlemen,

The 20th anniversary of BRICS is a moment to reaffirm our commitment to deeper cooperation and a more ambitious agenda – ranging from science, technology and innovation to sustainable development and economic transformation.

We live in a rapidly changing world that contains both risks and opportunities.

The achievement of inclusive growth requires that we address persistent global challenges such as poverty and inequality, while responding to the devastating effects of climate change and the rapid advances in artificial intelligence.

The increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters threaten to reverse hard-won development gains and deepen inequality. 

Resilience is therefore essential for inclusive growth and human development.

We commend India for prioritising resilience, which links directly to the Disaster Risk Reduction outcomes of South Africa’s G20 Presidency. 

We must integrate disaster risk reduction into macroeconomic policy, climate financing and sustainable infrastructure.

Vulnerable countries must have equitable access to the technologies, finance and capacity to withstand future shocks. 

The global energy transition must prioritise re-skilling, protecting livelihoods and anchoring new industries that generate quality jobs.

It is important that markets for critical minerals and transition technologies are built on transparency, and that value chains are diversified and responsible.

To ensure inclusive growth in Africa and other regions of the world, beneficiation of minerals must take place at source. 

The capabilities of artificial intelligence models are becoming increasingly more powerful and are rapidly reshaping almost every area of economic and social life.

Artificial intelligence and associated technologies have the potential to usher in a new era of productivity and human progress.

If used effectively and responsibly, artificial intelligence can support our efforts to reduce inequality, poverty and underdevelopment.

It is showing that it has the capability to transform medicine, education, scientific discovery, agriculture, productivity and development.

But we must listen carefully to what those who are developing the most powerful AI systems are themselves telling us. 

They are warning about systems capable of advanced cyber operations, assistance in biological weapons development, autonomous action, manipulation, mass surveillance, disruption of employment and, ultimately, systems whose capabilities may become difficult for human beings to control.

We should therefore neither fear AI nor approach it recklessly.

Our responsibility is to ensure that human governance advances as rapidly as artificial intelligence itself.

We agree with those in the industry, such as Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, who are arguing that AI companies should be subject to formal external checks, audits and government authority.

Such oversight is standard practice in other industries whose activities have a significant impact on human safety and well-being, such as aviation, pharmaceuticals, nuclear power and financial institutions.

We must never reach a situation where technological capability has moved beyond our capacity to understand it, supervise it and control it.

South Africa accordingly proposes that BRICS should establish an international mechanism for the independent scientific evaluation of AI.

This should be backed by meaningful human-control principles, mandatory reporting of serious incidents, progressively stronger safeguards as capability increases, and simultaneous investment in sovereign AI capacity for developing economy countries.

We support continued scientific cooperation in initiatives such as the BRICS Intelligent Telescope and Data Network and the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre. 

We must strengthen medical sovereignty, vaccine development, genomic surveillance and diagnostic capabilities for the Global South.

We must work together to transform agriculture through innovation. 

Economic and financial cooperation is at the centre of the resilience we seek. 

South Africa supports a balanced and gradual expansion of the New Development Bank.

We welcome continued discussion of the proposed New Investment Platform and the BRICS Multilateral Guarantees initiative.

BRICS must press ahead with greater use of local currencies, stronger cross-border payment systems and deeper financial interconnectivity. 

As BRICS enters its third decade, it should be more ambitious. 

Our engagement with Partner Countries should spur deeper cooperation, particularly in public health, education, science and technology, finance and trade.

In the 40th anniversary year of the UN Resolution on the Right to Development, we call on BRICS to renew its commitment to the realisation of the inalienable human right to development.

I wish to conclude with a rallying call by Indian poet, activist and leader, Ms Sarojini Naidu, who said:

“We want deeper sincerity of motive, a greater courage in speech and earnestness in action.”

I thank you.

Programme Director;
The leadership of the Witwatersrand Presbytery led by Chairperson Rev. Fisher;
Ministers of the Word and Sacraments, Elders and Deacons of Congregations;
Ministers’ Wives;
The Southern Synod Elders Commission under the Leadership of Elder Segele;
The Leadership of the Northern Theological Seminary, the SRC and Ministry Students;
Youth Brigade Leadership;
Christian Men’s Ministry Southern Synod President: Mr. Peter Mokoto and REC;
Christian Women’s Ministry Southern Synod President: Juff. Mirriam Makhetha & REC;
Christian Women’s League General Synod President: Ms. Florence Makhobonyane & GS;
Christian Women’s League Southern Synod President: Ms. Alice Ndlovu & REC;
Christian Faith Ministry Southern Synod Chairperson: Mr. Ben Malunga & REC;
Christian Youth Ministry Southern Synod Chairperson: Brother Thunthu Masobe & REC;
Government Representatives;
Members of the Community; and
Members of the Congregation of the United Reformed Church in South Africa;
Ladies and gentlemen.

It is with deep reverence that I stand among you today, on behalf of His Excellency the Deputy President of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile.

Although the Deputy President is unable to be with you personally, his delegation which I lead today, reflects the importance that he places on engagement with faith communities and the contribution that churches continue to make towards the development and wellbeing of our nation.

This sacred assembly of the URCSA Southern Synod 2026 is more than a gathering of worshippers; it is a living covenant, a reaffirmation of our shared duty to fashion a society that mirrors the highest ideals of justice, peace, human dignity and a society rooted in prayer.

In my life as a bearer of public office, I have learned that prayer is not only the language of our faith but also the compass of our nation. Prayer is the wellspring from which we draw strength to endure trials, wisdom to guide our leaders, and courage to confront injustice.

It is prayer that binds us together across generations, reminding us that the destiny of South Africa is not written in division but in unity of spirit and purpose.

Yet prayer without faith is like a song without melody. Without faith and the faith of the people, we cannot open the doors of heaven to pour blessings upon us. Faith is the key that unlocks divine favour, the bridge between our petitions and God’s providence.

It is faith that transforms prayer from words into power, from ritual into substance. This is why the book of Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

I sincerely hope that, working together, sharing responsibility between church and government, bridging prayer and action with purpose, we will meet and overcome our nation’s challenges. Together, we are the generation that is called to bring the long-awaited, much-needed change to our communities.

The theme of this gathering, ‘Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set, reminds us that every generation inherits a sacred responsibility. We inherit the sacrifices, struggles, values, and wisdom of those who came before us. And we inherit the duty to ensure that future generations receive a society stronger, more just, more ethical, and more united.

In today’s world, the ‘ancient landmarks’ we must preserve are not stones or boundaries but the living principles that anchor our democracy and humanity. They are the moral compass points that remind us who we are and who we must become.

These landmarks are embodied in human dignity, Ubuntu, justice, compassion, integrity, unity, respect, ethical leadership, and commitment to the common good.

These landmarks are the compass points of our collective journey. To remove them is to lose our way; to preserve them is to secure the path for generations yet to come.

As I have mentioned, South Africa continues to face significant challenges, including poverty, unemployment, inequality, crime and gender-based violence. These are the burdens that weigh upon our people and weaken the fabric of our nation. While we preserve these ancient landmarks, we must strive to remove these afflictions totally from our society.

We cannot overcome these challenges in isolation; they require a unity in purpose.

Our democratic journey bears testimony to what can be achieved when faith leaders, communities and Government work together in pursuit of a common purpose.

One of the most powerful instances is the role that church leaders played in South Africa’s transition to democracy. At a critical moment in our history, churches and faith-based organisations came together with community structures and political leaders to promote reconciliation, peace-building and nation-building.

Their work facilitated conversation, healing and social cohesion at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history.

Even today, the church continues to play a significant role in the struggle against gender-based violence. The church must be resolute in its opposition to gender-based violence (GBV), child abuse, discrimination, and other forms of injustice. It is imperative that you disrupt the culture of silence by providing secure havens for survivors and challenging harmful patriarchal norms from the pulpit.

The Church is not a distant institution; it lives among the people. And because it lives among the people, it carries a vital, multi dimensional responsibility. In the fight against youth substance abuse and teenage pregnancy, the Church must rise as both a protective and corrective force.

It is trusted in our villages and our cities. It draws on moral authority, social networks, and pastoral care to build resilience in our young people. But trust alone is not enough. The Church must use that trust to mentor, guide, create safe spaces, and stand boldly against the forces that threaten the future of our youth.

With millions of young South Africans seeking economic inclusion, faith-based organisations can change that by transforming places of worship into hubs for skills training, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship mentorship; we can offer a lifeline.

Together, we can conquer poverty, restore hope, and defeat the scourge of substance abuse.

Earlier I spoke about prayer, and I return to it now because it is close to my heart. As we move towards the local government elections, I cannot overstate this:

We need your prayer.
I need your prayer.
Our leaders need your prayer.
Our nation needs your prayer.

We must lift up our leaders, asking God to grant them integrity and ethical leadership so that they may serve with conscience and courage.

We must pray for peaceful, free, and safe elections that voters, candidates, and election officials are protected, and that the democratic process is carried out with respect and fairness.

We must pray against the darkness of political killings and violence. These wounds tear at the soul of our democracy. Let us ask God to replace fear with hope, division with unity, and hatred with compassion.

This is not just about politics. It is about the future of our children, the safety of our communities, and the soul of South Africa.

As Government we continue to work closely with faith-based organisations to ensure that the voices of communities are also heard through them. A sustainable relationship between government and faith-based organisations requires uncompromising mutual accountability.

Both Government and faith-based organisations must operate transparently to guarantee that public and social resources are strictly directed to community upliftment and the protection of the vulnerable.

Embracing these high ethical standards is essential to safeguarding public trust and reinforcing the collective moral authority needed to guide our nation forward.

This is a direct call to action for every member of our communities; change does not belong to the government or faith-based organisations alone; it belongs to us all.

True transformation begins when we stop being passive spectators in our development and become active architects of our future. We call on every citizen to look around their neighbourhood and ask, 'How can I serve?'

It could be by blowing the whistle on GBV in your street, supporting local entrepreneurs, and holding your local leaders accountable.

Your faith-based centres and community halls are already open as hubs for change; fill them with your energy, ideas, your skills, and your resolve.

Let us reclaim the spirit of Ubuntu through practical, daily actions. Step forward, get involved, and let us collectively build the safe, proud, and self-reliant communities we want our children to inherit.

The URCSA Southern Synod's commitment to sustainable outreach and poverty alleviation illustrates the principle that faith should be paired with action. The Church's dedication to transforming lives and aiding vulnerable communities significantly enhances South Africa's overall development.

The impactful work of URCSA clearly demonstrates the immense value of a close partnership between the church and government. Today’s service powerfully testifies to the continuous achievements possible when government and faith-based organisations collaborate for the benefit of our communities. To effectively serve our people, the church must maintain this symbiotic relationship with government, consistently working to restore hope and shaping our communities into better places to live.

In closing, may this Synod Day profoundly strengthen our collective commitment to preserve what is good, restore what has been damaged, and build a resilient future for generations to come.

Let us honour the lasting landmarks established by our forebears by ensuring we actively foster communities defined by dignity, unity, hope, and a steadfast commitment to prayer.

May the peace of God rest upon you and your families. May His hand of protection and favour be upon this province, and may His grace extend across our nation. May He guard our communities, heal our divisions, and strengthen our democracy. And may His presence guide us as we walk together into a future of justice, unity, and hope.

I thank you.

Mphathi woHlelo;
Mangibingelele ngibonge kuNobhala we Thulani Temple uBaba uDlamini;
Ngibingelele no Buholi bonke bama Nazaretha obukhona lapha; 
Abafundisi, oMama, Amakhosazana kanye neNtsha yaleliBandla;
Ubuholi besifundazwe KwaZulu-Natal esinabo lapha; 
Convener of the ANC KZN, Cde Mike Mabuyakhulu, Ndiyema!
uMgungundlovu District Mayor, uCouncillor M Zuma;
Deputy District Mayor, Cllr Dlamini-Mabaso;
Chief Whip of Msunduzi Local Municipality, uBaba Sibalukhulu;
Ngibingelele zonke Izihambeli zethu namuhla;

iBandla lamaNazaretha, ngiyanibingelela nonke egameni likaJehova.

Ukuthula makube nani nonke!

Kuyasijabulisa kakhulu ukuba yingxenye yaleNkonzo ebaluleke ngangaka namhlanje ngoSuku lweSabatha.

Sizizwa sibusisekile ukunyathela kuleli Temple elingcwele lase Thulani, eWillowfontein ngaphansi kwe Nazareth Baptist Church yaseBuhleni. 

Ngifisa ukuthi ngikhulume ngolimi lwesiLungu: I have long wanted to attend your Sabbath Church Service, not as a speaker, but as a member of the congregation, listening to the Word of God and the teachings that blend indigenous African values with the Holy Bible. As the Holy Scriptures remind us, there is a time for everything and a season for every purpose under heaven. I therefore believe that it is by the grace and will of God that I stand before you today, representing the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Paul Mashatile.

The Deputy President had very much looked forward to being with you on this occasion. Regrettably, he is unable to do so as he is currently on medical leave. He has, however, conveyed his sincere greetings and best wishes to the leadership and all members of the Nazareth Baptist Church gathered here today.

Deputy President Mashatile has asked me to assure you of his continued support for the church, its leadership, and all its congregants. He also wishes you a blessed Sabbath and a spiritually enriching service. 

Njengoba sibuthene lapha namuhla, ngicela sithandaze sonke kuBaba wethu osezulwini ukuba abeke izandla Zakhe ezipholisayo phezu kwakhe ukuze alulame ngokushesha.

As someone who works closely with the Deputy President, I have developed a deep appreciation of the important role that the Nazareth Baptist Church has and continues to play in building social cohesion, fostering unity, and promoting mutual respect among the people of our country. 

This church was founded in 1910 by Inkosi Isaiah Mloyiswa Mdliwamafa Shembe, uBhombela iStimela samaMpondo, uMqali Wendlela! Since then, the Nazareth Baptist Church has stood as a beacon of faith, cultural preservation, and social solidarity among communities for generations. 

Its establishment was particularly significant, as it coincided with the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, a political arrangement that excluded the majority of Black South Africans from meaningful participation in the administration of their affairs.

Against this backdrop of political marginalisation and colonial dispossession, Inkosi uShembe's movement offered spiritual renewal, dignity, and a sense of identity to African communities. By integrating Christian teachings with elements of Zulu cultural heritage, the Nazareth Baptist Church became one of the most influential African-initiated independent churches in Southern Africa and a powerful vehicle for preserving African traditions in an era of rapid social change.

The church's history is therefore deeply intertwined with the broader history of South Africa. For more than a century, it has accompanied its followers through the challenges of colonialism, segregation, apartheid, and democracy, serving not only as a place of worship but also as a source of social cohesion, cultural affirmation, and collective resilience. For generations, iBandla lamaNazaretha demonstrated that our diversity is not a source of weakness but one of our greatest strength as a nation. 

Through its teachings, fellowship, and community outreach programmes, it has united individuals from diverse backgrounds around shared values of faith, discipline, respect, compassion, and human dignity.

Nanamuhla nje siyabubonga uBuholi beNkosi uShembe, uNyazi lweZulu! 

Igama leNkosi Malibongwe!

The work of the Nazareth Baptist Church led by Unyazi lweZulu resonates strongly with the vision of a democratic South Africa founded on the values of unity, dignity, equality, and social justice. It reminds us that building a prosperous nation is not only the responsibility of Government but also of faith communities, Traditional Leaders, civil society organisations, families, and individuals working together in pursuit of the common good.

Our democratic Government has long recognised that faith-based organisations are indispensable partners in our national development journey. It is for this reason that The Presidency has established the Presidential Interfaith Working Group. This is in recognition of the fact while Government has the constitutional responsibility to provide social services and create an enabling environment for development, we also understand that the work of building caring, resilient and cohesive communities cannot be achieved by Government alone.

It is not a secret that faith communities such as Nazarene Baptist Church occupy a unique position in our society. They are often the first port of call when families experience hardship, when young people lose direction, when communities are confronted by substance abuse, gender-based violence (GBV), poverty, unemployment, or social conflict. Through their daily interaction with communities, faith-based organisations provide not only spiritual nourishment but also practical support, guidance and hope.

Siyayibonga kakhulu imisebenzi yaleliSonto elikhulukazi lika Shembe ekwakheni isizwe, ukuvikela abasifazane, izingane zamantombazane noMama ekuhlukunyezweni nokuphathwa kabi ezweni.

Siyayibonga futhi siyayithakazela inhlonipho nokuziphatha kahle okuyi mfundiso yalapha eBuhleni. 

Igama leNkosi Malibongwe!

Njengoba bese ngike ngasho ukuthi uMongameli Ramaphosa ungiphathise uMnyango ka Zwelonke weZenhlakahle, njengo Hulumeni sisebenza ngokubambisana kakhulu nama Bandla ahlukahlukene kulolonke izwe lethu South Africa.

Siyawazi amagalelo we Nkonzo ka Shembe ekuletheni ukudla komoya kanye nokudla kwenyama emdenini nase Mphakathini wonkana. Engathi ningaqhubeka nibambisane no Hulumeni ekwakheni imindeni eqotho. Ninike imiphakathi yethu ithemba, nokukhulisa izingane ngenhlonipho nokumesaba uJehova.

As the Department of Social Development, we have witnessed the profound impact that faith-based organisations such as the Nazareth Baptist Church have in addressing some of our most pressing social challenges. Whether through feeding schemes, support for older persons, care for orphans and vulnerable children, persons with disabilities, counselling services, youth development programmes, or initiatives aimed at strengthening families, faith communities continue to complement the efforts of Government in meaningful ways.

We also commit Government to assist the church in implementing these programmes of community development. We have already identified several challenges that require our immediate interventions. These include the case of uGogo Mntolo who does not have an identity document and stays with her grandchildren who also do not have birth certificates. 

I have directed that SASSA work around the clock to ensure that uGogo Mntolo and many other families that have similar challenges in this area receive necessary support services without any further delays. I expect a report within a week from the SASSA Regional Manager, working jointly with the Provincial Head of Social Development and many other key partners, including the local municipality and Home Affairs on planned interventions that directly address service delivery issues raised during the community dialogue sessions. 

All children who are eligible for the Child Support Grant or older persons who are eligible for the Old Age Grant must receive it. Our laws are very clear that no eligible child, person with a disability or older person must be denied the right to access a grant because they do not have an identity document or a birth certificate. Abantu bethu bafuna uhulumeni oneminyakazo esheshayo nophendula izidingo zabo. 

As a start, today we have brought the services of the Department and its agencies—the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA) to the people of Willowfontein and surrounding communities to access government services right here where you live. 

So, today is not the first and last time you see us here. As a caring government and as directed by Deputy President Mashatile, we will continue to work with the leadership of the Nazarene Baptist Church to respond to your concerns. 

In the coming days, the NDA must work jointly with the youth and women of this church with the view to assist them to organise themselves into cooperatives that will drive development in this area. 

uSekela Mongameli uBaba uMashatile uthe angisho ukuthi uHulumeni uzosebenza ngokubambisana nani ukuze kuqedelwe ukwakhiwa kwalendlu engcwele!

The Department of Social Development is inviting the Nazarene Baptist Church and other faith formations to partner with us in the implementation of a variety of programmes for the maximum benefit by our communities. For example, through the Department’s Men and Boys Programme, many faith-based organisations have established Men’s Forums in response to various social ills. 

The Department also launched the Families Matter Programme, which is assisting in addressing the challenges of alcohol and substance abuse and foetal alcohol syndrome. We also urge you as the sector leaders to assist in addressing the challenge of the abuse of older persons and ensuring that children are equipped with relevant teachings for better social grounding.

Through our flagship programme—Asikhulume, we are working with faith communities to confront the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide that President Cyril Ramaphosa has classified as a national disaster. 

In closing, I would like to encourage you to continue playing the important role of supporting vulnerable children, youth, adults, families and communities in whatever manner that will be necessary to bring the best out of each one of them. To this end, the Department of Social Development is availing itself to redouble its investments to work in partnership with Nazarene Baptist Church and the broader interfaith sector in our country.

This is because we know that no matter how many laws we pass, no matter how many houses we build, Government alone can never build a moral society, teach compassion, or instil a sense of responsibility in our young people. 

Together, we can build a South Africa in which every person enjoys dignity, every child is protected, every family is strengthened, and every community has hope for a better future. In this regard, we commend the leadership and members of the Nazareth Baptist Church for their constant dedication to serving humanity and contributing to the creation of a united, inclusive and prosperous South Africa.

As November 4 draws near, we ask the leadership of Nazareth Baptist Church and all faith communities across South Africa to pray for far and peaceful Local Government Elections. Let us pray that the Nazareth Baptist Church will lead the way in humility, compassion and love throughout the upcoming elections as it has throughout the history of our nation. 

uShembe uMqali Wendlela anibusise nonke! 

Ngiyabonga.

Your Excellency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
Fellow BRICS Leaders,
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I wish to extend my appreciation to you, Prime Minister Modi, for convening this important discussion. 

Our sincere thanks for your gracious hospitality here in New Delhi. 

We meet at a time of profound challenge and change in global affairs. 

The United Nations has entered its eighty-first year, having endured the Cold War and many other challenges while largely upholding its mandate to maintain global peace and security. 

Over many decades, multilateralism has shown itself to be effective in organising global relations, advancing human rights and promoting development.

Yet, the relevance of the United Nations and the durability of multilateralism are now threatened by overt violations of the UN Charter and the resort to war to settle differences between Member States. 

Multilateral institutions and rules are being ignored and subverted. 

This is what makes BRICS an important organisation. 

The greatness of BRICS lies not in the fact that we are the same, but precisely in the fact that we are different. 

We represent different continents, civilisations, political traditions and stages of development. 

Yet we have discovered that our diversity need not divide us. We can cooperate without surrendering our sovereignty, trade without demanding political conformity and pursue our national interests while advancing the interests of humanity. 

BRICS represents a world in which no nation needs to choose between East and West, North and South. It represents a world with many centres of power, but a common commitment to development, dignity and a more equitable international order.

At the BRICS Summit in Yekaterinburg in 2009, leaders committed to multilateral diplomacy with the United Nations at its centre and to a just multipolar order based on international law and equality. 

It is up to BRICS to defend and strengthen that multilateral order.

South Africa advocates a predictable global system based on international law, with the UN Charter at its centre. 

An order founded on the sovereign equality of states, territorial integrity and political independence benefits all nations, large and small. 

It prohibits intervention in the internal affairs of other states and the use of force not consistent with Article 51 of the UN Charter or authorised by the Security Council. 

It obliges states to settle disputes peacefully and to respect human rights and self-determination.

To give strength to the law, there must be accountability for atrocities: for the ongoing genocide against the Palestinians, for the crimes committed against the people of Sudan and for the illegal war against Iran. 

We must exert pressure and expose violations whenever, and by whomever, they are committed.

International law cannot be applied selectively: the same principles must apply to all states and the same protections must apply to all peoples. 

It is for this reason that South Africa and other Member States have turned to bodies like the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court to seek justice for the people of Palestine.

We cannot allow the United Nations to disappear into irrelevance. 

At the same time, we must acknowledge that the UN and other global institutions do not reflect the realities of today and are ill-equipped for the world of tomorrow. 

Africa accounts for 54 Member States of the United Nations and nearly one-fifth of humanity, yet remains without permanent representation on the Security Council. This is neither just nor sustainable.

South Africa reiterates its call for comprehensive Security Council reform that makes the Council more representative, accountable, transparent and effective. 

South Africa supports strengthening the wider UN system, including through the UN80 Initiative and a renewed United Nations focused on peace and security, human rights and humanitarian affairs, and socio-economic development. 

The challenges the world faces today require more inclusive and more effective multilateralism.

BRICS can contribute in four ways.

First, BRICS must remain a united voice for reform. It must advocate for a UN system that reflects current realities and in which all regions are effectively represented.

Second, BRICS should demonstrate that multilateral cooperation delivers practical results. 

Through the New Development Bank and other areas of cooperation, we can help advance infrastructure development, sustainable growth, food security, health, industrialisation and climate resilience.

Third, BRICS should help shape approaches to global governance that are fairer, more accountable and development-oriented.

Fourth, BRICS is a bridge across geopolitical divides. In a fragmented world, dialogue matters more than confrontation.

We should ensure that countries with developing economies have a meaningful voice in global decision-making and that power remains constrained by law. 

We must strengthen multilateralism through reform and action.

We must uphold international law and allow no one to act with impunity.

And we must ensure that the voices of Africa and the Global South are fully reflected in shaping the future international order.

I thank you.

Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition in South Africa, Mr Zuko Godlimpi,
Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Mr Chandrajit Banerjee,
Business Leaders, 
Members of the Diplomatic Corps, 
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning and a very warm welcome to this engagement that seeks to strengthen economic ties between India and South Africa.

We are meeting at a time when the global economy is undergoing a significant transformation. 

Supply chains are being reconfigured, industrial policies are being reshaped and the energy transition is accelerating. 

Digital technologies are reshaping industries and emerging markets are driving global growth. 

To thrive amidst this rapid change requires partnership and shared ambition.

India is powering ahead and South Africa is open for business.

South Africa is transforming its economy, undertaking far-reaching changes in our energy, telecommunications, logistics and water sectors.

We have emerged from more than a decade of electricity shortages into a new era of investment and competition.

We are reviving our freight rail system and our ports, enabling the participation of new operators and investing in expanding capacity.

These reforms are focused on reducing the cost of doing business and making our economy more competitive.

We have embarked on the largest infrastructure investment programme in our country’s history, building the capacity of our economy while meeting the needs of our people.

Due to the measures we have taken, the country’s credit rating outlook has improved, inflation has been on a downwards trend and we are on the path to stabilising national debt.

Our investment drive continues to gather pace.

That is why we are delighted that more than 150 Indian companies have collectively invested over $10 billion in South Africa, creating employment for over 18,000 South Africans.

At the same time, a number of leading South African companies have invested in India’s growth.

These include companies such as Naspers, FirstRand Bank, Sanlam and Momentum. 

Today, we have an opportunity to build on the relationship through a focus on investment, trade, exports, innovation, industrial development and sustainable growth. 

This forum provides the private sector with an opportunity to transform policy dialogue into commercially viable projects and long term partnerships. 

There are a few areas where collaboration between our countries holds immense promise.

The first of these areas is in energy transition and green industrialisation.

India and South Africa are both navigating ambitious energy transitions. 

Opportunities exist in renewable energy technologies, green hydrogen, critical minerals, battery value chains and sustainable manufacturing. 

Companies like Vedanta have already established a footprint in the country. 

We believe that other large companies can anchor their investments in South Africa and use it as a base to export into Africa and the rest of the world.

The second area is in mining, critical minerals and beneficiation.

South Africa’s mineral wealth and India’s manufacturing capabilities create the basis for cooperation across critical mineral value chains.

We are committed to the beneficiation of minerals where they are extracted.

There is great potential to partner on the production of new energy vehicles, batteries and other products that draw on our respective capabilities. 

The third area of collaboration is infrastructure and connectivity.

Investment in transport, logistics, ports, digital connectivity, smart cities, and industrial corridors is essential to trade and integration on the African continent. 

Enhanced infrastructure enables businesses to access new markets and participate more effectively in regional and global value chains. 

Last month, South Africa hosted the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium, where we reiterated the importance of reliable energy, adequate water, efficient transport systems and digital connectivity.

South Africa has identified 195 strategic integrated projects across priority industries worth more than $100 billion. 

To support this infrastructure drive, we are investing in project preparation to ensure that all these plans translate into roads, rail corridors, renewable energy plants, transmission lines, water treatment plants and hospitals. 

We have produced our third Construction Book, which provides a national overview of funded projects that are expected to be issued for tender in the next 18 months.

We encourage Indian companies to consider partnerships to participate in these.

The fourth area with great potential is agriculture.

Agriculture is fundamental to economic development and social stability. 

There is great opportunity for collaboration in agro-processing, agricultural technology, food innovation and sustainable farming practices.

This would contribute to stronger supply chains, improved productivity and greater food security in both India and South Africa. 

The fifth area of collaboration is in the digital economy and innovation.

The rapid growth of the digital economy presents exciting opportunities for cooperation in fintech, digital trade, artificial intelligence, innovation ecosystems, cybersecurity and digital skills development. 

Working together, we can harness technology to drive inclusive growth and competitiveness. 

We have already seen this in action.

Just a few weeks ago, Atain – a global business services company headquartered in India – opened a new site in Cape Town that will see it increase its local workforce from 1,500 to over 2,000 young South Africans.

The final area of cooperation that we wish to highlight is in human capital and institutional partnerships.

Sustained growth and commercial success depend on investing in people. 

We should strengthen partnerships between universities, research institutions, skills development organisations and businesses.

This will support innovation and knowledge sharing and develop workforces that are ready for the future. 

The strength of the partnership between our countries is not measured by the agreements we sign but by the impact we achieve.

By working together, we can draw on our complementary resources and capabilities to create shared value.

We can empower our youth and uplift our communities.

And we can enable a thriving trade between our countries and across our respective regions.

The outcomes of this forum must be anchored in actionable commitments supported by both government facilitation and private sector leadership.

We are ready for a new era in economic relations between our two countries.

We are ready for an era in which business engagements like this lead to trade and investment, where we move from contact to contracts. 

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished the Jewish community in South Africa and around the world a peaceful, safe, and joyous Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

“As the Jewish community enters the period of the high holy days, we are reminded of the abiding value in faith and family,” President Ramaphosa said.

“In Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah is a time for renewal and reflection, and carries a profound and timeless message about our power to bring about change - not only in our own lives, but in the lives of those around us.”

The President paid tribute to the South African Jewish community as an important part of our national fabric.

“On behalf of all South Africans we wish those who are observing Rosh Hashanah a sweet year full of hope and happiness, and a meaningful Yom Kippur fast,” the President said.

“L’Shana Tova Umetukah.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Fellow Leaders,
Excellencies,
Members of the diplomatic community,
Business leaders,
Esteemed Chairpersons and Members of the BRICS Business Council, 
Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me begin by congratulating the Chairpersons and members of the BRICS Business Council and the Working Groups on the sustained work they undertake throughout the year. 

That work is essential to turning the ambitions of BRICS into meaningful economic cooperation. 

Our shared task is to translate the ideas, recommendations and partnerships developed through the Council into tangible economic growth and development.

The BRICS Business Council was established during South Africa’s first BRICS Presidency in 2013 in recognition that economic cooperation cannot be the responsibility of governments alone. 

Instead, we need a compact: governments create the enabling conditions for trade and investment, and business seeks out the opportunities for production and commerce.

Our economies have confronted profound challenges over the intervening years, yet we have also shown that adversity can create opportunity. 

Resilience is not simply the capacity to withstand disruption. It is the capacity to transform disruption into new capabilities and partnerships.

The question is no longer whether there is potential within BRICS, but whether we have the ambition, the instruments and the partnerships to convert this potential into economic value for our people. 

The Council must serve not simply as a forum for consultation, but as a mechanism for developing commercial relationships and productive partnerships.

As BRICS, we find ourselves at an inflection point.

As the global economy is reshaped, as trade patterns shift, as technological advances accelerate and climate pressures increase, countries and companies are compelled to reconsider where they source, produce and invest. 

For us, this is an opportunity to shape a more resilient, diversified and inclusive economic future for the Global South.

For too long, developing economies have participated in global value chains mainly as suppliers of raw commodities.

Value creation, technology and higher-value manufacturing remained concentrated elsewhere. 

We should not reproduce that pattern within the expanded BRICS. 

Our ambition must extend beyond increasing intra-BRICS trade to deepening the productive relationships between our economies. 

We cannot accept a future where Africa supplies the minerals on which the next generation of industries depends, while value addition and manufacturing take place elsewhere.

If we are to change where value is created, we must also change where investment is directed.

We must direct investment towards manufacturing and beneficiation, industrial technologies, energy systems, infrastructure and logistics. 

Companies must invest not only to access markets but to establish production facilities and develop local capabilities.

As governments and business communities, let us make BRICS a platform through which investment and trade reshape existing economic patterns and thereby transform the destinies of our countries and peoples.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning, 11 September 2026, arrived in New Delhi, in the Republic of India to attend the 18th BRICS Summit.

The BRICS Summit will be held from 12–13 September 2026 at the Bharat Mandapam under India’s Chairship, guided by the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security”.

The Summit brings together leaders of BRICS Member and Partner Countries, as well as Outreach Invitees.

This afternoon, President Ramaphosa will deliver remarks at the BRICS Business Forum, focusing on trade and supply chains, agriculture, women-led development, the digital economy and innovation.

The Forum brings together BRICS leaders, business representatives, including members of the BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, investors, as well as entrepreneurs from BRICS countries and partner economies. It plays an important role in shaping the BRICS economic agenda and strengthening business-to-business cooperation.

On 12 September 2026, the President will address the India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable, with a focus on enhancing bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. The forum also seeks to encourage additional Indian foreign direct investment in key sectors, including pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, critical minerals, and the electric vehicle battery value chain.

President Ramaphosa will later in the day participate in a closed session of BRICS Leaders entitled; “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”. 

The session will consider the need for a more inclusive, representative and responsive global governance architecture, with a focus on reform of the United Nations system, the international financial architecture and the multilateral trading system.

On 13 September 2026, President Ramaphosa will deliver a statement during Summit’s open session for BRICS and Invited Leaders; “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”, which will focus on India’s Chairship priorities.

South Africa will use the Summit to advance its diplomatic and economic priorities, particularly by expanding intra-BRICS trade and investment, promoting industrialisation and value addition, and mobilising investment in African infrastructure aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The President will also join other leaders in visiting the Bharat Innovates & BRICS @20 Exhibition, which will showcase innovation, technology and key achievements of BRICS cooperation, as well as participate in a joint tree-planting ceremony.

He will also hold bilateral meetings with Heads of State and Government, as well as engagements with business leaders and captains of industry.

President Ramaphosa is supported by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola; Minister in The Presidency, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Zuko Godlimpi.

BRICS SUMMIT PROGRAMME

BRICS Business Forum
Date: Friday, 11 September 2026
Time: 17h00 - 18h00 (GMT)

India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable
Date: Saturday, 12 September 2026
Time: 11h15 (GMT)

Open Session on “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”
Date: Sunday, 13 September 2026
Time: 10h15 (GMT)

BRICS Live streaming for select meetings will be accessible on @BRICS2026India and @MEAIndia YouTube channels.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India, attend the 18th BRICS Summit to be held in New Delhi.

The Summit will be held from 12 to 13 September 2026 under India’s Chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security”.

The gathering will focus on strengthening BRICS cooperation through a people-centred development agenda, expanding trade and investment, enhancing financial and institutional cooperation, and advancing reform of the United Nations and international financial institutions.

BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation and geopolitical alliance of major emerging market economies.

Full members of this association are Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

Designated partner states and invited countries will also participate in the New Delhi deliberations.

Leaders will discuss strengthening unity within the expanded and diverse BRICS membership, advancing global governance reform, and the interests of the Global South.

The discussions take place against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as broader major-power competition which continue to undermine economic development and the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

South Africa will use the Summit to advance its diplomacy economic priorities, with a particular focus on expanding intra-BRICS trade and investment, promoting industrialisation and value addition, and mobilising investment in African infrastructure aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President Ramaphosa will also participate in the BRICS Business Forum Leader’s Dialogue, which will bring together BRICS leaders and business representatives for an interactive dialogue that will cover trade and supply chains, agriculture, women-led development, the digital economy and innovation.

The South African chapters of the BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women's Business Alliance will participate in the Forum, supporting efforts to deepen commercial ties and identify opportunities for increased investment and economic cooperation.

The BRICS leaders will also participate in a session entitled “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism".

A session with Invited Leaders will focus on “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”.

The Summit will conclude with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration.

President Ramaphosa will be supported by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola; Minister in The Presidency, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Zuko Godlimpi.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Presidency invites South Africans to nominate – for the honour of National Orders - people from their communities and sectors who have recorded exceptional achievements or made outstanding contributions to communities or the nation at large.

National Orders are the highest awards that our country bestows, through the President, on citizens and eminent foreign nationals.

Nominations for National Orders close on Wednesday, 30 September, 2026.

The President, as the custodian of honour in the country, bestows these Orders and Decorations and is assisted by the Director-General in The Presidency, who is the Chancellor of National Orders and the Advisory Council on National Orders.

The Chancellor of National Orders, Ms Phindile Baleni, calls on citizens to make nominations for National Orders as part of sustaining the integrity, inclusiveness and diversity of this institution of recognition of outstanding personal endeavour, social cohesion, nation-building.

Ms Baleni said: “The National Orders are a platform for the recognition of fellow South Africans and persons globally who, in exceptional ways, have historically made or are currently making important or interesting contributions to all aspects of our national life.

“From politics to popular culture, as well as the recognition of bravery and honouring the nation’s esteemed scientists and innovators, the National Orders give us an opportunity annually to be inspired by and grateful to people who have done outstanding things to shape our past and our future.

“We therefore remind people from all walks of life and backgrounds – including the youth of our country - to identify from their communities and sectors persons who, on the basis of exceptional achievements or contributions, deserve the honour of a National Order.”

The National Orders are:

- The Order of Mapungubwe, awarded to South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement.

- The Order of the Baobab, awarded to South African citizens for distinguished service. The service awarded is well above and beyond the ordinary call of duty. It is an award for exceptional and distinguished contributions in the following categories: business and the economy: science, medicine and technological innovation, and community service.

- The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo, awarded to eminent foreign nationals. It is awarded for friendship shown to South Africa. It is therefore an order of peace, co-operation and active expression of solidarity and support. The Order constitutes an essential pillar of international and multilateral relations.

- The Order of Luthuli, awarded to South Africans who have made a meaningful contribution to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice and peace, and conflict resolution.

- The Order of Ikhamanga, awarded to South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.

- The Order of Mendi for Bravery, awarded to South African citizens who have performed extraordinary acts of bravery that placed their lives in great danger, or who lost their own lives while performing those acts, including in trying to save the life of another person, or by saving property, in or outside the Republic of South Africa.

Nomination forms that outline simple guidelines to nominators can be downloaded at https://shorturl.at/WpLns.

Each filled nomination form must be accompanied by a motivations which should include:

- an introductory paragraph with a summary of the nominee’s achievements
- a list of exceptional milestones reached by the nominee in his/her career and/or international arena, and
- a description of the exceptional, outstanding, dedicated service or act of bravery rendered by the nominee.

The closing date for nominations: 30 September 2026.

Details of the annual National Orders Ceremony will be provided at a later date.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria