Programme Director, Ms Noni Khumalo,
Deputy President of the Republic, Hon. Paul Mashatile
Executive Deputy Chair of the NYDA, Ms Karabo Mohale,
Honourable Minister Thembi Simelane
Our Statistician General, Mr Risenga Maluleka 
Our various government officials from all departments and entities present 
Mayor of Maluti, Councillor  Malekula Julia Melato and her Executive 
Speaker of Matlosana, Councillor Stella Mondlane- Ngwenya   
Esteemed youth leaders, innovators, and partners from civil society, labour, academia, and the private sector,
Friends and colleagues

Good morning.

As we gather at this critical moment in Youth Month, we do so not only to commemorate the legacy of 1976, but also to recommit ourselves to the urgent task of realising the aspirations of today’s youth. 

As the Deputy President so aptly said in his Youth Day address: "This generation demands more than promises; they deserve opportunity."

Since this morning, we have engaged in powerful discussions from building smart cities to unlocking the potential of a youth-led economy, and the transformation of our industrial pathways through innovation and ethical leadership. 

These insights reaffirm one truth: The hour of youth has struck. 

The G20 circle of nations – who now include the African Union – has many examples to relate of the power of young people to transform society and the direction of the development of their nations. 

This transformation is often the outcome of intense and sometimes tragic struggle and resistance because the incumbent generations find it hard to comply with that which does not serve our interests as young people and rightly so. 

This Roundtable therefore my fellow compatriots is an opportunity for us to further shape our future but to however do so, through dialogue.

This consensus among generations is even more vital in a world faced with economic stagnation, inequality, climate shocks, and youth exclusion.

In keeping with our theme today, South Africa’s approach to solidarity is not rhetorical.

Instead, it is real, institutional, programmatic, and intergenerational.

We express it through Presidential Flagships that aim to realign our economy and state around inclusion, dignity, and opportunity.

One of the most transformative interventions in addressing youth unemployment is the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative. 

The PYEI operates through various implementing departments, including Basic Education, Higher Education and Training, Trade, Industry and Competition, Employment and Labour as well as through partnerships with non-governmental organisations and the private sector.

As a coordinated government response, the PYEI has created over 1.7 million work and livelihood opportunities since its inception. 

The initiative is supported through digital platforms such as SAYouth.mobi, which has registered over 4.7 million youth, connecting them to opportunities for learning, training, and employment. 

In Q4 alone of the PYEI which we have just released earlier this month, 76,569 earning opportunities were accessed by young people, including:
• 60,444 opportunities through SA Youth, and
• 16,125 through the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA).

We also saw continued progress through our partnerships:
• The Youth Employment Service (YES) facilitated 15,137 workplace experience placements in the private sector.
• Phase 3 of the Revitalised National Youth Service saw 2,048 youth recruited. 

Let me also highlight the continued momentum of the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund.

By the end of March 2025:
• Over 5,400 young people had been enrolled,
• More than 3,000 had been placed into quality jobs, and
• Over R70 million had been disbursed to 11 implementing partners, including R30 million in this quarter alone.

These jobs are not just temporary placements. They are quality jobs, defined by duration, income level, and growth potential. We are already seeing shifts in employer practices as a result.

Through the PYEI and Jobs Boost, we are not simply providing temporary work, we are laying the foundation for a generation of changemakers. 

Our goal is to support young people to lead and innovate in critical sectors such as agriculture, entertainment, manufacturing, maritime and logistics, and mining. 

These are industries that hold the potential to drive inclusive growth and global competitiveness. Whether it's a young person mastering digital tools on a farm, producing content that redefines African storytelling, or training to revolutionise supply chains and mining practices, the PYEI is about more than numbers, it's about nurturing purpose, potential and leadership. 

With each opportunity created, we move closer to building a youth-powered economy that is ethical, skilled, and future-fit.

The National Youth Development Agency our hosts today continues to play a pivotal role in enabling youth to participate in the economy and society meaningfully. 

Colleagues, 

One of the three priorities for this 7th administration is inclusive growth and job creation. We must grow our economy in order for the multitudes of young people who are currently sitting at home with no hope of a better future to become economically active.
 
Reflecting government’s deep concern to resolve this pressure point, our Basic Education Employment Initiative is a fitting example.

In its fifth phase, this employment stimulus has created close to 200,000 opportunities for young people in more than 20,000 schools across the country.

In the basic education sector, these young people are not only helping in classrooms but are also gaining work experience, digital literacy, and employability skills as reading champions, ICT assistants and care agents.

In the post-schooling landscape, the Department of Higher Education and Training continues to expand access to universities, TVET colleges, and community education centres.

Beyond education, we are investing in youth enterprises. 

Through the Department of Small Business Development, our National Youth Development Agency and the Industrial Development Corporation, we provide finance, mentorship, market access and incubation for youth-owned businesses.

Reforms to public procurement are opening value chains for township and rural youth entrepreneurs.

Together, these initiatives reflect a government that is deeply invested in the future of its young people, not just through rhetoric, but through tangible, impactful action.

In everyday life, these programmatic responses to the profound needs of young people and their families and communities, make the difference between survival and self-actualisation.

These programmes give people choices in what they eat, what they wear, how they support families; what they drive, what professions and industries they choose to exercise their talents and, yes, what music they download and the devices on which they do this.

It opens them up to the world and it opens up the world to what they are able to innovate and contribute.

This is the change we have created and witnessed during 31 years of freedom and democracy.

In the non-governmental sector, including the business sector, countless organisations are similarly committed to the empowerment of young people, even in circumstances where these efforts remain throttled by slow economic growth.

This social solidarity will be sustained and is a critical vehicle for lifting us out of the economic difficulties we face and for ensuring our growth efforts are inclusive and representative of all sectors of our society.

Spurring on our growth efforts is government’s Operation Vulindlela Phase II, a powerful engine for structural reform.

This initiative streamlines and accelerates cross-cutting economic and service delivery reforms. In Phase I, we unlocked renewable energy investment, opened up spectrum licensing, modernised ports, and improved water licensing.

Phase II now targets housing delivery near jobs, municipal service reform, and digital transformation including digital IDs and real-time payment systems. These reforms dismantle systemic barriers and help unlock youth participation in a dynamic economy.

From an emphasis on early childhood development, to initiatives such as the National Youth Service and the promotion of volunteering as part of building individual character and civic involvement, a new generation of differently empowered young people is emerging.

The needs, dreams and searches for opportunity among South Africa’s young people are needs, dreams and searches at play in every country in the world, including in the G20.

Indeed, particularly in the G20, given the large-scale and perilous migration of mainly young people from countries perceived as offering low opportunities, to countries viewed as places where dreams can come true.

In sending and receiving nations alike, solidarity must be our sustainable response.

It is the lens through which we must design policy, measure outcomes, and sustain hope.

Before I take my seat, I want us to remember that the most defining issue for our young people is unemployment. The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey records a youth unemployment rate of 46%, yet there’s ongoing debate about how we measure this.

Recently, Capitec’s CEO suggested that the actual rate might be closer to 10%, pointing to vast informal economic activity that gets overlooked Stats SA’s Statistician General, who follows me, will clarify these figures, reminding us that while measurement merits scrutiny, we must leave the analysis and final deliberation to official experts.

This debate reminds us that stats shape policy, perceptions, and public trust. Whether the official unemployment rate of South Africa is 33% or lower, the reality is that young people are struggling, and government must respond decisively.

But we must do more, faster, and together.

Let every investment, every reform, every appointment be measured by one question: does it unlock opportunity for the next generation?

Let us move from vision to implementation. From talk to transformation.

Let us build a sustainable and secure future for all of us by making and keeping young people the priority of global society.

I am confident this Roundtable will keep us focused on this prize.

Thank you.

Master of Ceremony, Ms Noni Khumalo;

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi;

Minister of Human Settlements, Ms Thembi Simelane;

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Ms Nonceba Mhlauli;

Statistician-General of South Africa, Ms Risenga Maluleke;

NYDA Executive Deputy Chairperson, Karabo Mohale and her entire Executive;

The SAYEC Executive led by Executive Chairperson Bonga Makhanya, and President Kanakana Mudzanani;

Our Youth Led Economy Panel;

All Young People present;

Good Morning,

It is an honour to be here today after I have just returned from a very successful Working Visit to the Russian Federation, where our delegation was warmly welcomed and engaged in an intense programme aimed at deepening bilateral trade and economic ties between South Africa and Russia.  

As you all know, Russia has a longstanding relationship with South Africa, stretching back to the fight against apartheid. Our visit thus allowed us to consolidate those historic ties, while also committing to strengthening political, bilateral, economic, and trade relations today. 

Amongst other engagements, we visited the Saint Petersburg University, established in 1735, which trains a number South Africans and has relationships with nearly all universities in our own country. One of the pleasing aspects about the institution is that it has committed to teaching isiZulu and isiXhosa to improve people-to-people relations and cultural diplomacy between the two countries. 

I also participated in the SPIEF Youth Academy, under the auspices of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025. The SPIEF Youth Academy is a platform designed to inspire and support talented youth, focusing on practical content and formats. It aims to provide opportunities for young leaders to fulfil their potential, support mentorship, and engage them in solving global socio-economic issues.

What fascinated me most, was the level of expertise and knowledge in the use of artificial intelligence and digital technology. This has further strengthened my belief that we too in South Africa, must invest in this area of work because we are living in the knowledge economy, and it is a requirement for us to be globally competitive. 

We must follow the heed of Professor Tshilidzi Marwala by including artificial intelligence, machine learning and computational intelligence  work in the Early Childhood Development curriculum for young people. 

Equally, we must continue to invest in scientific training to remain competitive in nuclear medicine because we need more Professors like Professor Sathekga at the University of Pretoria, Professor Vilakazi at Wits University, and Mathematics Professors such as Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng. 

This is the only way we can be globally competitive, but also importantly, this will ensure that as a nation we can be self-reliant.

We are also gathering today, at a moment when the world is on the brink of war. We in the South uniformly condemn the attacks on the Iranian people. We are optimistic that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran will hold. 

As South Africans, we fully understand the impact of war and instability on ordinary people and continue to make a call for a permanent truce in all conflicts around the world. We therefore urge all young people throughout the world to unite and advocate for peaceful solutions in every platform.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Those who work closely with me will tell you that I always find immense joy and satisfaction in interacting with young people.

When young people participate actively in discussions and decision-making processes, they provide unique perspectives and ideas that assist in shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future.

Youth activism has been a significant force in history, with young people frequently leading social and political movements, even in the chronicles of history.

Young people consistently devised strategies to advocate for change, they led protests and organised themselves, frequently opposing the status quo and striving for a more promising future.

It is impossible for instance to discuss the liberation of South Africa without acknowledging the contributions of youth activists such as Hastings Ndlovu, Hector Pieterson, and Tsietsi Mashinini, who organised the mass demonstration that revolutionised our nation.

Through the scattered blood of these young souls on June 16, 1976, and in remembrance of others who perished for the same cause, such as Stanza Bopape, Solomon Mahlangu, Ashley Kriel, and Steve Biko, today South Africa has attained political freedom.

Indeed, we have achieved political freedom, yet economic freedom remains elusive. Hence the involvement of young people in tackling current issues like unemployment, inequality, and poverty is still as crucial as it was in the apartheid era. The question that confronts us therefore, is how can we further involve young people in addressing these challenges?

First and foremost, as I have said before, we need to create opportunities for their meaningful participation in solutions and decision-making processes. This involves ensuring that individuals have access to education and opportunities that improve their skills, support youth-led initiatives, and promote inclusive economic growth.

We need to turn our attention to youth capabilities and development to empower young people to unleash their untapped potential. When we invest in youth development, we tap into this potential and convert it into a force for positive change and sustainable development.

Today’s topic, “Building Youth Capabilities for a Developmental State: Advancing Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” is an imperative. Investing in the capabilities of young people is essential for achieving meaningful solidarity, enduring equality, and sustainable development.

South Africa stands at a defining moment in its democratic journey.

The G20 provides South Africa with a strategic opportunity to frame global policy discussions around the capabilities of young people as agents of inclusive economic transformation, inclusivity, and sustainability.

This presents an opportunity for the African people to take charge of their own development. It is a call to reshape the global order toward justice, equity, and sustainability through the leadership and capabilities of our youth.

It is necessary for me to acknowledge that youth around the world, including South Africa, is confronted with a complicated terrain of potential and difficulties.

The growth of the Global South and the evolving nature of international cooperation are two examples of the shifts in global power dynamics that have a substantial influence on this generation.
In other words, we are witnessing a multi-polar shift of global power.

The Global South is asserting its voice. Institutions like BRICS, the African Union, and now our Presidency of the G20 reflect a growing consensus: that development must be inclusive, people-centred, and youth-driven.

This presents a collective moment for us to re-frame global discourse. A moment to insist that Africa’s youth are not passive recipients of aid or policy, but agents of innovation, enterprise, and governance.

Our presence here in these multilateral platforms, however, is not without historical weight. South Africa continues to advocate for equitable participation in the Global South.

This is a significant moment for renewal and inclusion, and that means ensuring that we leave no one behind. And the role of young people is crucial in shaping a more inclusive and stable global order.

Compatriots,

The African Union’s Agenda 2063 reminds us that the youth are Africa’s greatest asset’.

Africa is the world's youngest continent, and if we do not leverage this demographic dividend into inclusive growth, we risk wasting our own future potential.

Young people can build the Africa we want.
An Africa that is well defined in the Agenda 2063, Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.

Agenda 2063 encapsulates not only Africa’s aspirations for the future but also identifies key flagship programmes which can boost Africa’s economic growth and development and lead to the rapid transformation of the continent.

These include the Integrated High-Speed Train Network, the flagship Grand Inga Dam Project, the Single African Air Transport Market and the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

The African Continental Free Trade Area presents unprecedented opportunities! 
We must intentionally empower youth-owned businesses to participate in intra-African trade through simplified trade regimes, digitised customs, and youth quotas in procurement and export support.

We are pleased to announce that South Africa has officially ratified the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area. This milestone is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a decisive policy action that signals our intent to mainstream gender and youth equity within intra-African trade policy.

The protocol is significant because it operationalises the inclusion of woman-led and youth-led enterprises in regional and global value chains. It mandates the removal of structural trade barriers, prioritises access to information, finances, and markets, as well as requires state parties to create enabling legal and policy environments for inclusive economic participation.

In a continent where women and young people make up the majority of the population and yet remain on the margins of formal trade, this protocol helps to rewire trade systems to reflect demographic and developmental realities.

South Africa’s ratification means we are committed not only to advocating for inclusive trade but also to designing trade systems that are fit for purpose. This inclusion reinforces South Africa’s leadership role on the continent and supports the broader message of building youth capabilities for a developmental state.

We understand that we need young people to meaningfully build capable, ethical, and developmental states. We must integrate youth into national and continental planning frameworks, not just as beneficiaries but also as co-architects of development.

As you always say, “Nothing for us without us.” And indeed we cannot make decisions about the youth without them.

This resonates with the ideals we have, to build a sustainable world, investing in intergenerational skills transfer, mentorship and co-leadership.

For the many young people trapped in high degrees of informality and pervasive cycles of unemployment, a functioning and competent government is their only opportunity of breaking free from marginalisation.

Therefore, the first and most pressing priority of our government is the promotion of inclusive economic growth, industrialisation, employment, and reducing inequality.

Our Government has laid foundational work to resolve the imminent challenges faced by young people:

· Over 70% of government funding for post-school education now goes to no-fee universities and TVET colleges. The National Skills Fund and NSFAS support over a million students, with a specific focus on scarce and future-fit skills.

· Through the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, over 1.7 million temporary and full-time jobs have been created since 2020. These include roles in education, social services, and digital economy pilots.

· Programmes like the SA Youth.mobi platform have registered over 4 million young job-seekers, connecting them to work and training opportunities.
These efforts should indeed scale to match the number of young people that are in search of economic opportunities.

The South African Government will bring more focus towards:

· Strengthening education-to-employment pipelines that prepare youth for participation in both traditional industries and emerging sectors.

· Investing in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), particularly in green manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and digital services.

· Support and formalising informal sectors and revitalising the township economy linked with industrialisation efforts, allowing young entrepreneurs to contribute meaningfully to economic revitalisation.

· Provide incentives for youth inclusion in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), support for cooperatives, and start-up capital through development finance institutions. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The time has come for us to move beyond inclusion as a moral goal and make it a measurable outcome.

In this regard, it is important for the economy to strengthen the viable pathways for youth inclusion.
We have noted that young people complain about the red tape and bureaucratic hurdles they need to overcome to access services designed to support and scale their entrepreneurial efforts.

The Presidency has established a specialised unit focused on enhancing the business climate by addressing regulatory obstacles. This team is adopting a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach, engaging various government departments and entities to streamline processes and enable business growth.

Key interventions in this regard will target the removal of administrative bottlenecks in strategic sectors. These include improvements to the mining licensing framework, facilitation of tourism transport permits, and streamlining of visa and work permit processes, as well as regulatory support for early childhood development services and the informal economy.

For us to achieve our developmental goals, we need to create an enabling ecosystem that removes red tape, fosters entrepreneurship, and ensures youth-led businesses can scale, trade, and thrive.

Our way forward must be bold and measurable:

· We will anchor youth inclusion in every major pillar of our G20 Presidency, from climate finance and trade facilitation to digital transformation and skills mobility.

· We will institutionalise intergenerational co-leadership in governance frameworks, moving beyond consultation to shared power and shared design.

· We will work with regional and global partners to implement targeted reforms that enable young people to start businesses, access capital, and engage in cross-border trade. 

The youth of South Africa, 

As South Africa prepares for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November, we do so with the consciousness that global leadership must be grounded in domestic credibility and continental solidarity. 

The developmental state we seek to build is not a theoretical construct; it must be a living architecture built on the capabilities, aspirations, and contributions of its young people.

This roundtable has made one thing clear: youth are not merely beneficiaries of policy; they are builders of nations. We must now ensure that the decisions we take at multilateral forums reflect this truth. We look forward to receiving your submissions on how we can champion a new development compact where the youth agenda is not marginal but mainstreamed into public policy, budgeting, and delivery.

Let the G20 remember that Africa is young!

South Africa is ready, and we want young people to take the lead in the developmental and transformation agenda. The future is yours, and you are the future!

Stand up, persevere, and confront every challenge with persistence. We are here to provide you with the support you need as you navigate this process.

I thank you.
 

TOPIC: "Own Your Power: Learn, Lead, and Lift Others"

Programme Director, Ms. Rene Van Den Heever,
Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder of Gift of the Givers,
Alderman Eddie Andrews, Executive Deputy Mayor of the City of Cape Town,
Ms. Tracy Mkhize, Acting CEO of CTICC,
Officials from the Presidency and local government,
Educators and parents,
Partners and sponsors,
And most importantly our young people in attendance today,

Good morning, 

I am so excited to join you at the 2025 Youth in Action Expo, hosted in this vibrant space of innovation, courage, and possibility. Thank you to the City of Cape Town, the Gift of the Givers Foundation, our education sector, civil society, and each exhibitor who has made this platform possible.

Today, we are not just addressing young people; we are speaking to the future CEOs, scientists, artists, engineers, farmers, educators, and changemakers of South Africa.

You are the hope we carry and the power we must unlock. 

I am a firm believer that young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but rather the leaders of today as leadership is something that is shaped throughout one’s life – whether as a class rep, captain of the debating society, drama club or soccer team. We harness our leadership capabilities throughout our schooling career through our various interactions. 

Therefore let me start by congratulating all of your for making it to this year’s Expo. I am confident that your presence here today will open a completely new old of endless opportunities, bringing each and every one of you closer to your dreams. 

My fellow youth, we meet at the end of youth month commemorating 49 years since the June 16, 1976 uprising where the youth stood at the forefront of the liberation of our country. They were determined, fearless and relentless in pursuing a future South Africa they wanted to live in. 

Guided by the Freedom Charter, they fundamentally believed that South Africa belongs to all, black and white. As we celebrate 70 years of the Freedom Charter tomorrow, let us ask ourselves what lessons we can draw from the youth of 1976 to make a meaningful contribution to a future South Africa. 

The theme for this year’s youth month is “Skills for the changing world - Empowering youth for meaningful economic participation.” In this line with this, today’s expo is therefore seminal as a platform to connect young people with career pathways, educational opportunities and job prospects. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are all well aware of the plight of youth from our communities. Our peers are unemployed, some drowning in depression, susceptible to negative influences and finding themselves in drugs and crime. 

It is for this reason that as government, together with our social partners such as Gift of Givers commit ourselves to work tirelessly to improve the plight of youth in our country. We are working across all sectors of government to strengthen the economy, drive skills development, and connect young people with real opportunities.

Whether you are headed to a university, TVET College, or into the world of business, government has made great strides to support you on your journey.

Through the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), we continue to expand access to universities and TVET colleges. Institutions across the country are offering programmes in engineering, technology, business, hospitality, agriculture, and so much more. Through public sector investment, the post-schooling sector has transformed to doing online applications with majority of the institutions having waivered the application fee. We therefore encourage Grade 12 learners who are yet to apply to institutions of learning to do so immediately after today. 

Through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), government ensures that students coming from poor and working class backgrounds are not left behind as a result of their inability to afford education by providing funding for qualifying students to study at the institution of their choice. I must state that myself am a beneficiary of NSFAS having completed by undergraduate degree with the help of NSFAS funding. 

Additionally, there are scholarships and bursaries offered by various government departments and private sector partners. The various stalls from the different partners will have more information and we urge you to visit them. 

Compatriots,

Because we know that education does not only happen in lecture halls, many of you are passionate about starting your own businesses or pursuing careers in sports, arts and culture, there are equally of plenty opportunities waiting for you. 

The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture supports youth through development programmes, creative arts grants, and sporting academies. We want to see more young people telling their stories, performing on stages, creating jobs, and flying the flag on the sports field. From this collective seated here today, we want to see the future Grammy Award winning artists like Tyla and Trevor Noah, World Cup winning sportsmen like Siya Kolisi and Miss Universe winning models such as Zozibini Tunzi. 

For those of you with entrepreneurial ambitions, government and its partners are investing in youth-owned businesses. From start-up funding to business mentorship programmes provided by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Department of Small Business Development among other, government is committed to creating an enabling environment for you to build and own your future.

For those of us who are still in school, we continue to invest in safe and supportive learning environments. We know that learners cannot thrive in fear. That is why we are working to promote safe schools, free from drugs, bullying, violence, and gangsterism. Our schools must be places of dignity, safety, and growth. They must be places where we Learn, Lead, and Lift Others. 

We will only Learn, Lead and Lift Others when we maintain the basic principles of discipline, dedication, respect and compassion for others. Owning our poor as youth of 2025 like the youth of 1976 can only happen when we refuse to do that which robes us of our future. 

I therefore challenge you today to remain steadfast in your path to a prosperous future – work hard, stay on cause and importantly, choose your friends wisely. 

Before I conclude,

I want to pay tribute to Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman and the Gift of the Givers as a shining example of how one organisation, powered by volunteers, can bring hope to millions.

I challenge you today: get involved. Volunteer. Give your time. Help someone without expecting something in return. Whether it is cleaning your street, tutoring a classmate, or joining a community project your hands can heal and your voice can uplift.

Volunteering teaches humility, builds networks, opens doors and more than anything it reminds us that we are powerful when we serve.

In closing, 

I want to repeat, you are not the leaders of tomorrow. You are the leaders right now!!

Let us rise with purpose. Let us choose discipline over distraction. Let us honour those who paved the way by walking it with integrity.

And as you leave this room today, ask yourself this: What am I doing with the power I already have? Am I letting it go to waste or am I working towards changing the lives of my family, transforming my community and my country? 

Let us own our power by learning, leading and lifting others. 

I thank you and wish you well. 

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Youth in Action Expo held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 2) on Wednesday, 25 June 2025.

Hosted in partnership with the Gift of the Givers Foundation, local government, and various educational and development stakeholders, the Youth in Action Expo is a dynamic platform that brings together learners, educators, youth-focused organisations, and public/private institutions to provide career guidance, skills development, and inspiration.

The Deputy Minister’s address will focus on the importance of youth empowerment, active citizenship, and the role of young people in shaping South Africa’s future. 

Members of the Media are invited to cover the event as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Time: 09:00 – 11:00 AM
Venue: CTICC 2, Cape Town

RSVP & enquiries: Mandisa Mbele, Head of Office, 082 580 2213 / MandisaM@Presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will, on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, and on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the people of South Africa, attend the Republic of Mozambique’s 50th National Independence Anniversary Celebrations scheduled to take place in Machava Stadium, Maputo.

The President of the Republic of Mozambique, His Excellency, Daniel Chapo, has invited South Africa to its 50th National Independence Anniversary Celebrations. The 50th National Independence Anniversary will be celebrated under the theme “50 Years of Independence: Consolidating National Unity, Peace and Sustainable Development”.

The people of Mozambique will use this occasion to acknowledge their achievements, reflect on the challenges they face, and how to turn Mozambique into a prosperous, democratic and peaceful country in the next 50 years.

It is expected that the Celebrations will be preceded by a visit to the Mozambican Heroes Monument for a wreath laying ceremony in honour of 50 years of National Independence ahead of the main Celebrations at the Machava Stadium in Maputo.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Political Advisor and Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, respond to Questions for Oral Reply in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, Cape Town.

Questions presented to the President range over the Government of National Unity’s stance on black economic empowerment, a social compact to rebuild the economy, youth unemployment, and shortcomings in budgetary management and service delivery in municipalities.

The President’s engagement with the NCOP gives effect to accountability by the executive arm of the state to the legislature and to the principles of cooperative governance between provinces and national sphere.

The engagement will take place as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Time: 14h00
Venue: Nieuwmeester Dome, Cape Town

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Friday, 27 June 2025, attend and deliver the keynote address at the High-Level G20 Inter-generational Roundtable, hosted by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province.

The Roundtable takes place under the theme: "Advancing Equity, Building Capabilities, and Igniting Innovation", and forms part of South Africa’s G20 Presidency. It brings together youth activists and professionals, captains of industry, international partners, and policymakers to deliberate on inclusive development pathways and generational equity.

The engagement also aims to amplify youth voices in shaping national and global development agendas, while accelerating opportunities for their meaningful inclusion in economic, governance, and innovation ecosystems.

The Inter-generational Roundtable will feature high-level contributions from members of Cabinet, captains of industry, continental development partners and civil society.

In line with the priorities of the G20 Presidency, Deputy President Mashatile will reflect on building youth capabilities for a developmental state, addressing structural barriers faced by young people, and advancing Government-led solutions through collaborative policy instruments, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and strategic investment in education, innovation, and inclusive growth.

This Roundtable engagement, which advances the development and empowerment of the county’s young people, falls within the ambit of the Deputy President’s responsibility as the Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC). 

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the event as follows:

Date: Friday, 27 June 2025
Time: 09h00
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, Gauteng Province

For details and accreditation, kindly contact Ms Pheladi Moruthane (NYDA) on 074 481 8912.

 

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, conduct an oversight visit to Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) Facility, a one-stop-shop medical imaging facility dedicated to Cancer and TB drug development and imaging-based clinical research, housed at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria. 

This is a world class facility that showcases a successful partnership between Department of Health, Department of Science and Innovation, and the University of Pretoria with significant support from the private sector.

President Ramaphosa will also visit cardias cathetherisation laboratory, which is part of the radiology department. The visit will highlight South Africa’s commitment to scientific innovation, equitable access to healthcare, and integrated infrastructure investment.

President will be accompanied by Ministers and Deputy Ministers including Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi; Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi; and Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. 

Details of the visit are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 24 June 2025 
Time: 10h00
Venue: Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Corner Steve Biko Road and Malan Street, Pretoria

Due to space limitations, the visit will be restricted to the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS), which will disseminate the materials to all media post the visit.

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has returned to South Africa after concluding a successful Working Visit to the Russian Federation, spanning the two cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, where he engaged in a number of activities aimed at strengthening the bilateral trade and economic relations between South Africa and Russia.

At the conclusion of his visit, the Deputy President sat down with two of Russia’s major television news networks, Russia Today and Sputnik Africa, where he reflected on some of the key take-aways from the Working Visit, including a particular focus on enhancing economic cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, automotive, energy and mining industries as well as science and technology cooperation. 

Deputy President Mashatile arrived in Moscow on 17 June 2025, where he was received by Russia’s Deputy Head of State Protocol, Mr Andrei Milyaev; Deputy Director of African Department, Mr Andrei Stotlarov; and International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Alvin Botes.

The Working Visit kicked off in earnest with the Deputy President laying wreaths at the Mausoleum of Moses Kotane and J.B Marks at the Novodevichy Cemetery and UN Heritage Site in Moscow. Moses Kotane and JB Marks were anti-apartheid activists active in the South African Communist Party and African National Congress and had a significant influence on South Africa’s journey towards freedom and democracy. Initially buried for years in Moscow, their remains were subsequently returned by the South African Government and reburied in the North West Province in March 2015.

In Moscow, Deputy President Mashatile also met His Excellency Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at the House of the Government of the Russian Federation for a discussion on opportunities for bilateral political and economic cooperation between South Africa and Russia to unlock areas of further cooperation in trade & investment, mineral & energy, agriculture, health and education.

Deputy President Mashatile then traveled to St. Petersburg State University, where he was warmly received by Acting Rector Professor Sergey Andryushin, ahead of a Public Lecture the Deputy President delivered under the theme - “South Africa’s G20 Presidency in a rapidly changing geo-political environment”. The Public Lecture audience included Faculty professors, students, the academic community as well as media and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Also in St. Petersburg, the Deputy President paid a courtesy call on President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation at the Constantine Palace as part of his Working Visit, where he had a bilateral meeting with President Putin and his Russian delegation that included Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov.

The Deputy President expressed, on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Republic of South Africa, utmost gratitude to President Putin and the Russian people for the role they played in supporting the anti-apartheid struggle and the socio-economic emancipation beyond the attainment of freedom and democracy.

"I have been tasked by the President to work tirelessly towards translation of the strong foundation of our strategic relations into higher trade and economic ties for the mutual benefit of our countries and our people," said Deputy President Mashatile.

Later in the programme, the Deputy President delivered remarks at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF’25) plenary session, following the remarks of H.E. President Vladimir Putin. The theme for the Deputy President’s main engagement of the visit, SPIEF’25, was: "Strengthening Multi-polarity for Sustainable Development", where the Deputy President highlighted that in its 28th year, the forum remained one of the foremost platforms for global dialogue on economic cooperation, investment, innovation, and inclusive growth.

Deputy President Mashatile said: "As we look to the future, the importance of the Global South in shaping international economic governance is undeniable. Africa, in particular, is fast becoming a centre of global growth. With a population projected to exceed 2.5 billion by 2050, a rising middle class, and a youthful demographic dividend, the continent has the potential to drive the next wave of industrialisation, digital transformation, and sustainable development. Africa is not in search of handouts; rather, it is pursuing equitable partnerships. It seeks equitable access to markets, capital, knowledge, and technology. This is where global platforms like SPIEF become crucial."

Other activities of the Deputy President included addressing the South African Trade and Investment Seminar at the SPIEF’25, attended by Russian and South African business and government leaders themed – “Russia - South Africa: Business and Investment Cooperation”; a meeting with Chairperson of the Federal Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Mrs Valentina Matvienko, where he welcomed the continued cooperation between the Russian Federal Assembly and the South African Parliament over the years.

“We are pleased to note that through regular Parliamentary exchanges and engagements, we have been able to address common challenges, explore new opportunities for collaboration, and deepen our friendship,” said the Deputy President.

The Deputy President also met with Chairman of the State Duma, Mr Vyacheslav Volodin and the bilateral discussion appreciated the continued cooperation between the Russian State Duma and the South African Parliament over the years as well as the importance of parliamentary diplomacy as a tool to amplify government efforts, foster dialogue and use legislative tools to unlock progress in trade and other areas.

Finally, the Deputy President concluded the Working Visit with a guided tour and site visit to the St. Petersburg Port, where he met with the leadership and workers of the Port. The site visit took place following work by officials from Russia and South Africa during the 18th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), where the two countries concluded deliberations on cooperation in the maritime field and agreed to work with participants from the logistics industry and port authorities of both countries towards the mutually beneficial use of port infrastructure.

The Deputy President was accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Alvin Botes; Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina; Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau; Agriculture Deputy Minister Nokuzola Capa; Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala; Mineral and Petroleum Resources Deputy Minister Phumzile Mgcina, as well as Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Peace Mabe.

 

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African government have noted with a great deal of anxiety the entry by the United States of America into the Israel-Iran war.

It was South Africa’s sincerest hope that President Donald Trump would use his influence and that of the US government to prevail on the parties to pursue a dialogue path in resolving their issues of dispute. 

South Africa calls on the United States, Israel, and Iran to give the United Nations the opportunity and space to lead on the peaceful resolution of the matters of dispute, including the inspection and verification of Iran's status of uranium enrichment, as well as its broader nuclear capacity.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria