Programme Directors, Minister Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi and Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya;
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Honourable Thami Ntuli;
Honourable Minister and Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation;
Members of the Executive Council;
Mayors and Councillors present;
Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, Inkosi Shinga;
Amakhosi and Traditional Leaders;
Religious Leaders;
Community Representatives;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;

Sanibonani.

Let me begin with these words (Ngifisaukuqala ngala mazwi):
"The world remains beset by so much suffering, poverty and deprivation. It is in your hands to make our world a better one for all, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalised."

These words of Tata Nelson Mandela, spoken at his 90th birthday in 2008, remind us of our responsibility to act. Today, as we commemorate Mandela Day, we respond to that call through practical action that uplifts communities.

As we launch the Mandela Day Water Services Project and Acceleration Programme for Unserved Communities, we recommit to ensuring that all South Africans have access to basic services essential for human dignity and health, especially clean and reliable water, honouring Madiba's legacy through our actions.

Amanzi ayimpilo, futhi amanzi aletha isidima.

Water is a fundamental human right enshrined in our Constitution. When a community has no access to clean and reliable water, it is denied more than a basic service; it is denied dignity, opportunity and the full enjoyment of its constitutional rights.

Let me emphasise this, uma umphakathiungenawo amanzi ahlanzekile, uyaphucwaisithunzi namathuba.

We cannot fully claim equality or development as long as vulnerable groups, including women, children, and the elderly, endure significant hardships like long journeys for water due to insufficient infrastructure. Addressing these issues is essential to honouring Nelson Mandela's legacy.

Today, through the Babanango Water Supply Scheme, we are declaring that access to water cannot be a privilege enjoyed by some; it must be a reality for all.

Ngohlelo lwamanzi eBabanango, simemezelaukuthi ukufinyelela amanzi akuyona into yabambalwa kuphela, kodwa ilungelolabantu bonke.

We are saying that no community is too remote, too small or too poor to be affected by development. We bring hope where there has been doubt, dignity where there has been struggle, and opportunity where there have been obstacles. Yes, it has taken longer than we all thought; you have waited far too long to have reliable access to clean drinking water.

The completion of the Babanango Community Water Supply Scheme, however, is a milestone in the Government’s efforts to extend access to basic services and improve the lives of rural communities. The plan will provide the surrounding communities with sustainable access to potable water, bringing the benefit of a more secure and dignified future to thousands of residents.

This project demonstrates the potential of government collaboration with communities and traditional leadership across all spheres. It is a practical expression of the District Development Model (DDM), our Government'sapproach to building a capable, responsive and developmental state.

The DDM stresses that national, provincial, and local governments need to work together to solve challenges in their communities. By adopting a "One Plan" approach, barriers are being dismantled, resources are aligned, and service delivery is expedited, making government more accessible and development more attuned to local needs.

The Babanango Water Supply Scheme is a concrete example of this approach in action. The scheme combines protected spring water sources, a borehole backup system, a water treatment plant, reservoirs, pipelines and distribution infrastructure to provide up to 500 000 litres of treated water per day to surrounding communities.

Lolu hlelo luzoletha amalitha angu-500,000 amanzi ahlanzekile nsuku zonke ezindaweniezibandakanya iNgwebeni, Enkanini, Nkonjane, Nhlengile kanye neNkangala.

Today we also recognise the dedicated efforts of the Department of Water and Sanitation, uMngeni-uThukela Water, the provincial government, local government, contractors, engineers, community structures, workers and all stakeholders who contributed towards making this project a reality.

Compatriots, this event forms part of a much broader national effort. Our country continues to face significant water supply challenges in many parts of the country. Climate variability, ageing infrastructure, population growth, vandalism and underinvestment have all placed increasing pressure on our water systems.

Recognising these challenges, Government has prioritised water security as a national imperative. Under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Government has established interventions to accelerate water infrastructure development and improve service delivery.

These efforts are aligned with the priorities articulated in successive State of the Nation Addresses and are supported by the work of the presidential structures established to address the country's water challenges.

This is being done through the National Water Access Acceleration Programme, which was launched by the Minister of Water and Sanitation, to rapidly expand access to safe and reliable water services to communities that remain unserved or underserved.

Government is accelerating water access through boreholes, spring protection, rainwater harvesting and rehabilitation of schemes.

Uhulumeni uyashesha ekuletheni amanzingokumba imithombo, ukuvikela imithomboyemvelo, ukuqoqa amanzi emvula kanyenokuvuselela izinhlelo ezikhona. 

These interventions are helping us to reach communities more quickly while building long-term resilience and sustainability.

Government has also initiated the Water Services Infrastructure Grant to tackle localised water issues, reduce infrastructure backlogs, and enhance water and sanitation services in rural and underserved areas.

Today, as part of the Mandela Day Programme, we also symbolically launch and hand over 27 decentralised water supply interventions across KwaZulu-Natal.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we honour Madiba’s legacy, we must recommit to creating communities where everyone has access to basic services and rural areas receive equitable service quality.

We must continue to work together, Government, business, civil society, traditional leaders and communities – to protect and maintain the infrastructure we build.

The sustainability of projects such as this one depends on community ownership and active participation. We must protect this infrastructure against vandalism and misuse so that future generations can continue to benefit from these important investments.

To the people of Babanango and the surrounding communities, this project is yours. Protect it. Value it. Use it wisely. Luvikele. Lulonde. Nilusebenzisengobuhlakani.

Government remains committed to ensuring that every South African has access to safe, reliable and sustainable water services. We will continue to accelerate investment in water infrastructure and work tirelessly to improve service delivery in all corners of our country.

To conclude, let us remember the words of Nelson Mandela, who reminded us that 'What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead."

Today, through this project, we restore dignity, deliver freedom, and honour Madiba’s legacy through action. Namuhla, ngalolu hlelo, sibuyisela isithunzi, silethainkululeko, futhi sihlonipha ifa likaMadibangezindlela ezibonakalayo.

Thank you. Ngiyabonga.

Programme Director,
Your Excellency, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah,
Ministers from the Governments of Namibia and South Africa,
High Commissioners,
Captains of Industry,
Business Leaders,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour to welcome our Namibian brothers and sisters to South Africa.

Whenever I am in a room full of businesspeople, I always say that I can smell money.

But what I am really smelling is opportunity; investment; factories being built; businesses expanding and people finding jobs.

That is the kind of money both our countries needs more of.

This Business Forum takes place at an important moment in the relationship between our two countries.

Earlier today, President Nandi-Ndaitwah and I concluded the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Namibia Bi-National Commission.

Our discussions reaffirmed what history has long taught us: that South Africa and Namibia are strongest when we work together.

Our two nations are bound together by geography, by history and by the enduring bonds forged during our common struggle for liberation.

Today, however, we gather not to reflect on the past alone.

We gather to shape our shared future.

That future will not be determined only by governments.

It will be determined by entrepreneurs who identify new opportunities. By investors who take calculated risks. By innovators who solve problems. By workers whose talent and dedication transforms ideas into productive enterprises.

Business has a decisive role to play in translating the political friendship between our countries into lasting economic prosperity.

Political solidarity must become economic partnership.

Shared history must become shared prosperity.

Friendship must become investment.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The global economy is changing rapidly.

Global supply chains are being reconfigured.

Countries are seeking trusted partners.

The transition to cleaner energy is creating entirely new industries.

Digital technologies are reshaping production and trade.

At a time like this, South Africa and Namibia have a remarkable opportunity.

Rather than competing against one another, we should position ourselves as complementary economies capable of serving regional, continental and global markets.

Together, we can become a gateway for investment into Southern Africa.

Together, we can build regional value chains that create jobs across our borders.

Together, we can demonstrate that African countries grow faster when they integrate their economies.

This is precisely the vision that underpins the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The progress we have made is encouraging.

Trade between our two countries has grown substantially in recent years.

South Africa remains Namibia’s largest trading partner.

This demonstrates both the strength of our relationship and the confidence our businesses have in one another.

Yet we should not be satisfied.

Trade has grown, but it remains concentrated in a relatively narrow range of products.

South Africa exports a diversified basket of manufactured goods and services to Namibia.

Namibia’s exports to South Africa remain heavily concentrated in minerals, particularly gold.

Diversification is therefore not simply desirable- it is an economic necessity.

A more diversified trading relationship will make both our economies more resilient, create higher-value industries and generate more sustainable employment.

Investment presents an even greater opportunity.

South African companies have invested significantly in Namibia over many years.

These investments have contributed to Namibia’s industrial development, financial services, mining, retail and telecommunications sectors.

We now wish to see far greater two-way investment.

We encourage Namibian companies to see South Africa not only as a destination for exports, but as a destination for investment, innovation and long-term partnership.

Likewise, we encourage South African companies to deepen their investments in Namibia’s productive economy.

The objective should not simply be to sell more products across our borders.

It should be to manufacture together, innovate together and compete together in regional and international markets.

Governments have a responsibility to make this easier.

We have therefore agreed to continue removing unnecessary obstacles to trade and investment.

Our respective investment promotion agencies should work together to provide practical support for businesses entering each other’s markets.

They should simplify processes, improve information sharing and assist companies—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—to expand across our borders.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) remains one of our greatest strategic assets.

As the world’s oldest customs union, SACU has demonstrated remarkable resilience.

Today it is evolving to meet the demands of a changing global economy.

Our recent Summit agreed that SACU must become an engine of industrialisation, regional value chains and greater competitiveness.

The priority sectors we have identified—including agro-processing, meat and leather, fruit and vegetables, textiles and clothing, cosmetics and essential oils—offer significant opportunities for joint investment.

South Africa’s Special Economic Zones and Namibia’s industrial development initiatives provide an ideal platform for these partnerships.

I encourage businesses gathered here today to move beyond discussions and identify concrete projects that will strengthen these regional value chains.

Perhaps the greatest opportunity before us lies in the industries of the future.

Namibia’s extraordinary renewable energy resources position the country to become a global leader in green hydrogen production.

South Africa contributes advanced industrial capabilities, engineering expertise, research institutions, sophisticated financial markets, world-class ports and an expanding manufacturing base.

Together we can establish Southern Africa as a globally competitive hub for green hydrogen and green industrialisation.

The same applies to critical minerals, renewable energy, logistics, digital infrastructure, data centres, advanced manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, financial services and the blue economy.

These are sectors where our comparative advantages complement one another.

They are sectors that can create thousands of quality jobs for our young people.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Business succeeds where there is confidence.

Confidence grows where governments provide policy certainty, invest in infrastructure, uphold the rule of law and create an environment in which enterprise can flourish.

South Africa is committed to implementing the reforms necessary to improve our investment climate, expand infrastructure, strengthen institutions and unlock faster economic growth.

We invite Namibian investors to become part of that journey.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The generation that came before us secured political freedom.

Our responsibility is to secure economic freedom.

We owe it to our people to build economies that create opportunity rather than exclusion.

We owe it to our young people to create jobs that restore hope and dignity.

And we owe it to future generations to build a Southern African region that is more integrated, more competitive and more prosperous.

Let this Forum not be remembered merely for the speeches we have delivered.

Let it be remembered for the partnerships that were forged, the investments that were announced and the businesses that were created.

Let us leave here determined to transform friendship into enterprise, opportunity into investment, and cooperation into shared prosperity.

As I said earlier, the next chapter in the relationship between Namibia and South Africa should not be written only by governments.

It should be written by the entrepreneurs who build businesses, the workers who create value, the innovators who develop new technologies and the investors who have the confidence to back Africa’s future.

Together, let us build not merely a stronger partnership between our two countries, but a stronger and more prosperous Southern Africa.

I thank you.