President Cyril Ramaphosa wishes Team South Africa the best success for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and assures the team of the nation’s fervent support.

President Ramaphosa said: “Having our flag held aloft by Team South Africa fills us with great pride and expectation for the team’s success in the Paris Games.

“Team South Africa also causes us to reflect on how our 30 years of freedom have opened the doors for South Africans from all backgrounds, walks of life and geographic locations to exercise their human potential and talents.

“The diversity of our national team reflects the unity, social inclusion and shared vision we have been able to build as a previously divided nation.

“Today, we celebrate our participation in global society, including in the sports arenas of the world.

“From rugby sevens, aquatics, fencing and archery to track and field, canoeing, cycling and golf, our flag and our good wishes will accompany our athletes as they realise their dreams, which are our collective dreams.”

President Ramaphosa assures the athletes who will perform at the Games as well as the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) of the nation’s full support.

The President similarly wishes the host nation, France, and the International Olympic Committee a successful showcase of human ability and social solidarity.

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director, Somizi Mhlongo;
The Premier of Gauteng Province, Mr Panyaza Lesufi;
Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mr Mondli Gungubele;
Deputy Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike;
Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commissioner, Mr Tshediso Matona;
Editor of BBQ Magazine, Prof JJ Tabane;
Members of business and partners of the BBQ present;
Chairpersons and Boards of various business and State-owned institutions;
Managing Director of Cape Media Corporation, Mr Robert Arendse;
Members of the media present;
Distinguished guests!

Good evening.

I am honoured to be a part of this renowned gathering of black business excellence. I was reminding my team in the office that I think it will be for the fourth time I am speaking at this event unless I am mistaken. 

I am here because your are celebrating South Africa's transformational business leaders, who have fought for structural transformation in the corporate sector over the past two decades.

We commend your contribution to the growth of our economy, especially by supporting micro-businesses primarily owned by Africans in the townships, in informal settlements and rural areas. 

Furthermore, we appreciate your efforts, through the BBQ Magazine, which keeps the transformation discourse on the national agenda by acknowledging leaders who are contributing to this critical goal of economic transformation.

Recognising people who have gone above and beyond in business is vital because it empowers them to become enthusiastic about a subject that is valuable to them and it gives others following in the same footsteps confidence that they, too, can succeed.

Black entrepreneurs' success is the ultimate path to economic freedom, which we truly need after achieving political freedom.

Speaking of freedom and democracy, the University of Johannesburg, in partnership with the Government and other leading think tanks, organised the 30 Years of Democracy Conference, where I had the privilege to give an address this morning.

In my remarks, I made the point that the thirty-year mark of democracy is a crucial turning point for reflection on both how far we have come and, most importantly, where we are going in the immediate future and in the next 30 years as a nation, especially towards the hundred years of the Freedom Charter in 2055.

In my considered view, I believe that we can all play a role in creating the country of our dreams. Not only the Government, but all sectors of society, including politicians, public sector, policy specialists, and the academia, must collaborate to create a path for our country that promotes economic growth, overall prosperity, and nation-building.

Once again, as in 1994, we have the opportunity to build a united and prosperous South Africa under the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Most of us will recall that the process of adopting the 1993 interim Constitution and the CODESA process involved engaging sectors of society that contributed to the multi-party process, which led to the adoption of the 1996 Constitution.

We have consistently recognised that the nation-building process is extensive. Our vision, as encapsulated in the Freedom Charter, is to establish a society that is founded on the most superior aspects of human civilisation, including political and human freedoms, socio-economic rights, value systems, and identity.

This human civilisation should be demonstrated by the ongoing improvement of methods to harness our natural environment, convert it into a shared human benefit, and ensure its renewal for future generations.

It should also be reflected in the management of human interactions, with a focus on political equality and social inclusivity. The way we care for and protect the most vulnerable members of society should serve as a singular criterion for evaluating the progress of our civilising mission.

The Government of National Unity is therefore guided by the aspirations that underscore the Freedom Charters’ call that ‘The people shall govern’!

Although it may be challenging for everyone concerned, the emergence of the 2024 GNU represents, to some extent, a realisation of the ANC's long-standing goals of non-racialism, non-sexism, and equality.

In the words of former ANC President Oliver Reginald Tambo, who was among those who led the process of modelling what we can call the South Africa of our dreams. He stated, "We have a vision of South Africa in which black and white shall live and work together as equals in conditions of peace and prosperity.”.

Indeed, the 2024 election outcomes present us with an opportunity to return to the task of building a South Africa that will not be defined by race, class, or gender.

However, we must not ignore the structural and systemic inequality that persists across all sectors of our economy, particularly in business and industry, if we are to build a truly united South Africa. Our dedication to non-racialism and working together does not mean we are unaware that the apartheid legacy still systemically disenfranchises individuals based on race, gender, and class 30 years later. However, we must be positive about our nation's future.

Compatriots,

In recognition of the 7th Administration's promising beginning and the dedication of multiple political parties within the GNU, we have reached a consensus to formulate a common programme aimed at fostering an improved, inclusive, and more just South Africa.

To achieve these objectives, we have placed the National Development Plan 2030 as the central pillar to guide the development approach, which will inform the outcomes to be achieved in this administration.

 Therefore, in the next five years, our strategic priorities are as follows:

• To create inclusive economic growth and job creation
• To maintain and optimise the social wage
• To build a capable ethical and developmental state

Our objective is to promote the allocation of funds towards long-term assets, the development of industries, the generation of employment opportunities, and the improvement of the quality of life for our population.

We remain committed to investing in people through education, skill development, and high-quality health care. We aspire to improve our communities' spatial perspectives by constructing inclusive cities and delivering services. We urge all segments of society to work with us to ensure that our democracy is stable, efficient, and effective, bringing all people together.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As an activist, and in my capacity as the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, I am deeply devoted to advancing the cause of empowering the people and ensuring that the fruits of our advancement are accessible to all. The Government remains resolute in its pledge to cultivate an environment conducive to the flourishing of black, youth, and women-led businesses.

As Government, we are leveraging the black-owned business sector to rebuild after the global economic downturn and COVID 19 pandemic. We are willing to have important conversations about how the informal economy can contribute to building our economy.

The increase in the number of unemployed South Africans, particularly among the youth, necessitates more immediate steps to assist us in fundamentally altering our economic growth trajectory. We must therefore have an open and inclusive conversation about rebuilding, which will result in increased economic activity.

We must acknowledge that there is a more pressing need to support aggressive means and forms of economic integration for black-owned firms, particularly in the historically untransformed sectors of the economy. We must pay close attention to how governments at all levels can create supportive policies and regulatory environments that support the informal economy.

Amid our current discourse on the country’s economic trajectory, there is room for growth, development, and hope. The Government's efforts to restructure the economy through the B-BBEE policy, legislative framework, and other interventions have made progress, but further efforts are still required. Despite the obstacles encountered since the passage of the B-BBEE Act two decades ago, our government remains unwavering in its mission to enhance and broaden economic empowerment and inclusion across all sectors. This will continue to be the case even under the Government of National Unity.

Ladies and gentlemen,

If we do not collaborate, the Government alone cannot create stability or fulfil the National Development Plan and Vision 2030 goal of eradicating poverty. We must collaborate to broaden the scope of black-owned businesses beyond the convenience store chain, such as Spaza shops. Our economy has much to offer, and the informal sector, which is dominated by black-owned businesses, should take advantage of this reality.

Importantly, we encourage you, to come up with new ideas for establishing sustainable enterprises that will leave a legacy for future generations. Collectively, we should endeavour to establish businesses that will continue to thrive in the decades to come.

We are grateful for the opportunity to recognise people who are contributing to our country's economic transformation. We congratulate all the nominees on their remarkable achievements.

Those who will be recognised as achievers should be inspired to help those less fortunate. Use your newly acquired recognition to further the economic transformation goal.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law amendments to the Companies Act of 2008 that promote the ease of doing business and impose greater corporate transparency on the earnings gap between the highest and lowest paid persons in a company.

The Companies Amendment Bill and Companies Second Amendment Bill referred to the President for assent jointly constitute initiatives by government to make the conduct of business less burdensome, to tighten the pursuit of delinquent directors or prescribed officers for wrongdoing, including state capture and address disparities in earnings.

The Companies Amendment Act as signed by the President streamlines company law to be clear, user-friendly and less burdensome on the conduct of business. This reform is important for the efficient and effective conduct of the domestic economy as well as the attraction of foreign investment.

The Act is also aimed at achieving equity between directors and senior management on the one hand, and shareholders and workers on the other hand.

In addition, the law addresses public concerns regarding high levels of inequalities in society by introducing better disclosure of senior executive remuneration and the reasonableness of the remuneration.

The law requires the preparation of a remuneration report by all public and State-owned companies in respect of the previous financial year.

This remuneration report must be accompanied by the company’s remuneration policy and an implementation report that must set out detail on the total remuneration received by each director and prescribed officer as well as the total remuneration for the employee with the highest and lowest total remuneration.

Among other indicators, companies must report the average and median total remuneration of all employees, and disclose the remuneration gap between the total remuneration of the top 5% highest paid employees, and the total remuneration of the bottom 5% lowest paid employees of the company.

Public and State-owned companies are now required to prepare and present a remuneration policy for shareholder approval.

Other provisions include the empowerment of a court to validate the creation, allotment or issue of shares, which would otherwise be invalid, upon application before the court by a company or any person who holds an interest in the company.

The law also requires paid shares to be transferred to a stakeholder and held in terms of stakeholder agreement, until fully paid.

These measures are directed at preventing unethical, reckless and criminal conduct in businesses that will impact negatively on shareholders, workers, clients and customers and the economy as a whole.

The Companies Second Amendment Act signed by President Ramaphosa contains a response by Government to one of the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector, including Organs of State (State Capture Commission).

This law amends the Companies Act to extend the period during which proceedings may be launched to recover any loss, damages or costs for which a person may be held liable under the law.

The State Capture Commission recommended that Section 162 of the Companies Act be amended so as to ensure that an application for a declaration of delinquency may be brought even after two years on good cause shown.

While the recommendations applied to specific cases, the new law extends the time bar for declaring a director of a company a delinquent director, from 24 months to 60 months. It also gives the court the power to extend the period on good cause shown.

This provision ensures that directors and prescribed officers in companies can be held accountable for a significant period after they have committed alleged offences.

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director, Principal of the National School of Government, Professor Busani Ngcaweni;
Deputy Minister, Pinky Kekana, thank you for the wam welcome and introduction;
Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg, Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi;
Vice Dean: Faculty of Humanities, Professor Bhaso Ndzendze;
Auditor General of South Africa, Ms. Tsakane Maluleke;
Commissioner of the Broad-Based Economic Empowerment Commission, Mr. Tshediso Matona;
MISTRA representative, Mr Abba Omar;
Chairperson of the Nedbank Group, Mr Daniel Mminele;
Dr Ra’ed Mohammed BenShams, Former Director General in Bahrain National of Government;
Senior public servants from The Presidency and across Government;
Students and labour representatives here present;
Ladies and Ggentlemen,
Good morning, 

Thank you for the invitation to participate in this conference. I had hoped to join you at the beginning of the conference as you discussed some of the crucial issues that confront our government and affect our developmental path.

Nevertheless, we got a report from our team, and we are looking forward to putting the outcomes of yesterday's and today's conversations into action as we navigate the important work of strengthening our democracy and service delivery.

I regard this conference as important and strategic, especially considering that we come out of one of the most complex elections we have seen since 1994. The Conference gives us an opportunity to reflect on our country's socio-economic trends over the past 30 years, as well as to further reflect on the achievements and challenges we have surmounted as we look into our future in the next 30 years.

As has been deliberated upon in the past day, this reflection must enable us to ensure that over the next 3 decades we must see meaningful social, economic, and global transformation.

In our reflections, we need to show an understanding of the world we live in in order to develop appropriate responses that are scientific, and evidence based. This requires allocating resources towards research capabilities and economic modelling, focusing on answering the fundamental policy questions of why, what, and how.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Since the advent of our democracy, 30 years ago, South Africa has made significant strides in overcoming divisions of the past, demonstrating remarkable progress in social transformation. The impact of democracy on social change has indeed been profound and far-reaching.

The advocacy and respect for human rights is the most important way in which our democracy has changed our society. Today, all South Africans, irrespective of their race, gender, or class have the same rights and duties.

In addition, this democracy has helped to promote social justice and equality. Citizens have used democratic processes, such as free and fair elections, to hold their government accountable and lobby for measures that address social injustices and imbalances.

This has resulted in the establishment of social welfare programs, affirmative action policies, social policies, and other initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty and promoting social inclusion.

The democratic political systems' efforts to create an environment that promotes economic growth and development have transformed the lives of many South Africans. We have designed and executed a variety of policies and initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment, including tax incentives, small business development grants, and the establishment of incubators, accelerators, and other support structures.

While we have made significant progress in changing the spatial outlook of our towns and cities, we are going to invest in building developmental, resilient and strong local government. This is because local government is at the coal face of service delivery.

Compatriots,

The world we live in today is characterised by global megatrends such as; poverty, inequality, climate change, geopolitical changes underscored by populism, wars, and a growing multipolar world.

According to the World Bank, South Africa is amongst the most unequal societies in the world. In 2015, more than a quarter of the population lived below the food poverty line.

Moreover, according to the findings of Stats SA’s annual General Household Survey (GHS), released in May this year, grants are the main source of income for almost one-quarter (23%) of households nationally.

The official unemployment rate stands at 41.9%, an increase of 0.8% in Q1 2024 compared to Q4 2023. Youth aged 15–24 years and 25–34 years continue to have the highest unemployment rates at 59.7% and 40.7%, respectively.

We highlight these facts because we do not want to ignore the reality of our economy being fraught with challenges. We also do this to emphasise that we recognise that government must strengthen its endeavours in implementing reforms and coming up with innovative approaches that will transform the economy and, subsequently, the lives of the people.

In our critical reflections, and efforts to come up with solutions to some of the problems that we face, we must have an appreciation of the role that Chapter 9 & 10 institutions of our constitution have and continue to play in stabilising our democracy as it relates to engendering a platform for sound public administration, as well as protection of all human rights as enshrined in our law. 

These institutions alongside sound policies have made it possible for us to usher in social transformation to the extent that it is seen in our education, health, social welfare and infrastructure development. While we still have a long way to go, specifically as it relates to dealing with unemployment, poverty and inequality, we should never undermine the strides that we have made thus far.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Three of the main contributions I wish to deposit into the discussions for consideration are on climate change, intra continental trade, and global peace efforts.

Firstly, we cannot ignore the reality that climate change negatively impacts our economy’s development and most importantly livelihoods. It is therefore imperative that we think about our economic growth and development in very specific ways. This means that we must consider its implications for trade, finance and the management of businesses.

This week, the President assented to the Climate Change Bill, which outlines the country's response to climate change, including measures for adaptation and mitigation. This Bill also provides for South Africa to lead intra-African trade that is anchored on greener economic pathways that are more sustainable.

Second, as South Africa, we must take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is one of the flagship projects of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

The AfCFTA is a comprehensive scope that includes critical areas of Africa's economy, such as digital trade and investment protection, among others. By eliminating barriers to trade in Africa, the objective of the AfCFTA is to boost intra-Africa trade, particularly trade in value-added production and trade across all sectors of Africa’s economy. The AfCFTA agreement will help us to move closer to building a better Africa, and ultimately a better world.

Thirdly, supporting peace efforts on the continent is one of the most important interventions that we can make towards our own social cohesion and nation building efforts, as well as those at a global stage.

We must as such treat the issue of silencing the guns in Africa as one of critical importance. Towards this end, we are working with the people of South Sudan to bring about peace and ensure that they can hold peaceful elections in December 2024.

Together with the Minister of International Relations, we have set up a task team shuttling between Juba and Pretoria to support these efforts. We recognise this as important and appreciate the President's recent visit to ensure that we realise our shared vision of a peaceful election that will bring about stability in that part of the continent.

Additionally, we will continue to work with regional bodies for peace and development on our continent, including the African Union. We will not seize to echo our voices against global conflict, including the Palestine-Israel conflict. We are committed to global peace and our own struggle against apartheid has shaped our posture on these issues and provided us with key experiences and lessons learnt.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me to make a few reflections on the political reality of the Government of National Unity (GNU) that is currently faced with the task of taking South Africa forward in this epoch.

Some among you may recall that the process of adopting the 1993 interim Constitution and the CODESA process, included engaging sectors of society that contributed to the multi-party process, which led to the adoption of the 1996 Constitution.

We have always known that the nation-formation process is thoroughgoing.

As I said at the beginning, this conference is appropriate for asking a critical question as to whether we are on track toward attaining the goal of a socially inclusive and cohesive nation.

Responding to this question requires that we borrow a page from our history books, specifically the period in 2012 when we held a social cohesion summit in Kliptown that discussed whether we are indeed working together toward building an inclusive nation as envisaged in the Freedom Charter.

Our vision as found in the Freedom Charter is one aimed at building a society based on the best in human civilisation in terms of political and human freedoms, socio-economic rights, value systems, and identity. This human civilisation should manifest itself through the continuous enhancement of methods to harness our natural environment, transform it into a shared human benefit, and guarantee its renewal for future generations.

It should also find expression in human relations management based on political equality and social inclusivity. If there were to be any single measure of the civilising mission, it should be based on how the most vulnerable in society are treated.

The GNU is therefore guided by these aspirations that underscore the Freedom Charter’s call that ‘The people shall govern.

Indeed, this is a historic moment which leads us to draw from the wisdom of one of the founding leaders of our Movement; Pixley ka Isaka Seme, who said; 

“The demon of racialism, the aberrations of the Xosa-Fingo feud, the animosity that exists between the Zulus and the Tongaas, between the Basutos and every other Native must be buried and forgotten; it has shed among us sufficient blood! We are one people. These divisions, these jealousies, are the cause of all our woes and all our backwardness and ignorance today”.

More than 140 years since the historic speech by Pixley ka Isaka Seme and 30 years into Freedom and Democracy, and guided by the Constitution as adopted in 1996, we are called upon to implement our commitment to the Freedom Charter which calls on us to build a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it. The Freedom Charter equally calls on us to fight side by side for the realisation of its ideals.

In the same vein allow me to paraphrase Former President Oliver Reginald Tambo who envisaged a society wherein; “We have a vision of South Africa in which black and white shall live and work together as equals in conditions of peace and prosperity”.

Therefore, the 2024 election outcomes present us an opportunity to return to the task of building a South Africa that will no longer be defined by race, class or gender, a South Africa where all have equal opportunities.

As a testament to the 7th Administration's promising start and the commitment of various political parties within the GNU, we have agreed to develop a common programme to create a better, more equal, and more just South Africa.

For us to reach our objective, the National Development Plan 2030 goals remain the central pillar to guide the development approach, which will inform the outcomes to be achieved in this Administration.

Therefore, in the next five years, our strategic priorities are as follows:

●    To create inclusive economic growth and job creation
●    Maintain and optimise the social wage
●    Build a capable ethical and developmental state

Our goal is to encourage fixed capital investment, industrialisation, job creation, and the transformation of our people's lives. We remain intentional in investing in people through education, skills development, and providing quality health care. We want to change our communities' spatial outlook by building inclusive cities and providing them with services.

We call upon all sectors of society to work with us and ensure that ours is a stable, efficient, and effective democracy that brings all people together.

As you might be aware, following our successful initiative to rally all parties behind a united agenda, we have now set our sights on deepening this initiative by engaging in a substantive national dialogue as proposed by the President.

The national dialogue aims to initiate fresh conversations that tackle relevant and unresolved issues that affect most South Africans, particularly the impoverished. While there is no drawn agenda yet, we are optimistic that a planning process involving political formations and social formations will define the form and content of the dialogue.

We believe that developing a solid strategy for economic transformation should be at the centre of our dialogue, without pre-empting the task of collective agenda setting. Such an approach will have a positive effect on poverty, inequality, and unemployment levels.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Throughout this process, academic and research institutes such as this, have an important role to play, it is in these institutions where we place our confidence of where solutions to some of the identified challenges will come from. It is through these knowledge institutions that we believe capacity exists to both theorise and provide practical solutions.

Therefore, I invite all of you seated here today, to take the lead in providing answers that will harness the potential for South Africa to become the world's finest civilisations.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that our nation possesses sound policies, yet we struggle with their execution due to inter, inter alia, a deficiency in accountability. I believe that accountability is essential for successful implementation. Our motto now is to strategically put our policies into action.

To deliver results, we must invest in preparation, devise a workable plan and be more meticulous in our implementation. We are exploring the concept and science of deliverology as a way to do our work.

The term deliverology was first used and developed by Sir Michael Barber from the UK government. It emphasises the significance of establishing unambiguous targets and performance metrics, followed by continuous monitoring to guarantee the achievement of deliverables.

The most effective deliverologists prioritise these questions: "How will our actions impact citizens?" And how will we know?

In this regard, through mechanisms such as Operation Vulindlela in the Presidency, we will continue to monitor and strengthen the transformation efforts and improve the lives of many South Africans. Primarily, we will assess the areas that require significant attention to tackle poverty, racial inequality, and economic development.

As we continue to reflect on 30 years of democracy, let us remember the people who gave their lives and fought for freedom, equality, and justice. Let us draw inspiration from our collective journey and utilise it to propel us towards a better future.

I thank you. Ha khensa! Inkomu!

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, appointed current Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa with effect from 1 September 2024.

The appointment follows the President’s consultation, in accordance with Constitutional prescripts, with the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly.

In a letter addressed to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on 22 February 2024, President Ramaphosa informed the Judicial Service Commission of his intention to appoint Deputy Chief Justice Maya as the Chief Justice of the Republic upon the expiry of the term of office of Chief Justice Zondo on 31 August 2024.

The President invited the Judicial Service Commission to provide its views on the suitability of Justice Maya to hold the office of Chief Justice.

Discharging its consultative mandate set out in Section 174(3) of the Constitution, the Commission interviewed Justice Maya on 21 May 2024 to ascertain her suitability to be appointed as Chief Justice of the Republic.

The Commission subsequently assured the President of Justice Maya’s suitability to lead the judiciary in the country based on the interview, Justice Maya’s qualifications and judicial record, her leadership qualities, her experience as a judge in various courts, her past leadership of the Supreme Court of Appeal and her role as Deputy Chief Justice in the period leading to her nomination by the President.

The Commissioners also advised that Justice Maya’s appointment would be a significant milestone for the country as Justice Maya would be the first woman in South Africa to be appointed Chief Justice.

President Ramaphosa appreciates the confidence expressed by the Judicial Service Commission and leaders of political parties in the suitability of the incoming Chief Justice, who can draw inspiration and support from the confidence expressed in her.

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa, on behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, has expressed deep sorrow and condolences following the recent landslides in Gofa, South Western Ethiopia, which tragically took the lives of at least 250 of people at this stage. 

President Ramaphosa said the South African people's thoughts are with the people of Ethiopia, particularly the bereaved families, during this period of mourning. Our hearts goes out to the Government and the people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia at this difficult time. 

President Ramaphosa recalled the strong and historic relations between South Africa and Ethiopia, dating back to the struggle against apartheid.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Friday, 26 July 2024, honour the invitation to attend the BBQ Awards ceremony and Gala Dinner in Kempton Park, Gauteng Province. Now on its 20th year, the BBQ Awards ceremony recognises and promotes sustainable black business and transformation by honouring exemplary corporate governance, leadership and achievement in South Africa.

Over the past two decades, the BBQ Awards have continued to encourage the growth and success of black-owned and black-empowered companies, providing a platform to celebrate outstanding individuals and organisations across 10 categories. 

These categories include:

- Community Builder Award;
- University of Mpumalanga: Young Business Achiever Award;
- Digital Transformation Award;
- National Youth Development Agency (NYDA): New Entrepreneur Award;
- Industrial Development Corporation (IDC): Businesswoman of the Year Award;
- Disability Empowerment Award;
- Mercedes-Benz: New and Innovative Business Award; and,
- Best Established Black Business Award. 

Guests at this year's ceremony include the Deputy President; Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi; Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commissioner, Tshediso Matona; and Black Business Council (BBC) President, Elias Monage, who will be hosted by the Editor of BBQ Magazine, Professor JJ Tabane.

Among other things, Deputy President Mashatile leads initiatives to foster partnerships and cooperation amongst a wide spectrum of the South African population to build the economy, empower women and youth, as well as create the necessary atmosphere conducive for the business community to thrive.

In this regard, partners for the BBQ Awards 2024 include Mercedes Benz South Africa, Siyanda Resources, Industrial Development Corporation of SA, National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), The Reclamation Group, HER Wine Collection, Sentech, Nedbank, the University of Mpumalanga, and Bonitas Medical Fund, among others.

Details of the awards ceremony are as follows:

Date: Friday, 26 July 2024
Time: 19h00 (media to arrive from 17h00 for set-up)
Venue: Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng Province

Media wishing to attend must please RSVP with Ms Linda Tom (Cape Media) on 079 791 8083 or Ms Tshiamo Selomo (The Presidency) on 066 118 1505.

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

South African Patron for Global Alliance to end AIDS in 2030, Mrs. Humile Mashatile, has today, 24 July 2024, held a bilateral meeting with the UNAIDS Executive Director, Ms. Winnie Byanyima, on the sidelines of the 25th International AIDS Conference currently taking place in Munich, in the Federal Republic of Germany.  

The bilateral meeting took place in the context of urgent action required to accelerate the Global Alliance country Plan, to ensure that South Africa meets the global target of ending AIDS in children by 2030. 

This global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, is led by UNAIDS, as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. UNAIDS remains an important institution which continues to provide strategic direction, advocacy, coordination and technical support needed to catalyse and connect leadership from governments, the private sector and communities to deliver life-saving HIV services. 

Last year, on World AIDS Day, Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, in his capacity as Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council, joined by Mrs. Humile Mashatile, as Patron of the Global Alliance, launched the Country Action Plan for Global Alliance to end AIDS in children by 2030.

In this regard, Mrs. Mashatile has utilised the opportunity to brief UNAIDS Executive Director on progress made in implementing the Country Plan, in line with the objectives of the Global Alliance pillars, to achieve the following:

• Early testing and optimised comprehensive, high quality treatment and care for infants, children, and adolescents living with and children exposed to HIV;
• Closing the treatment gap for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV and optimising continuity of treatment towards the goal of elimination of vertical transmission; 
• Preventing and detecting new HIV infections among pregnant and breastfeeding adolescents and women, as well as;
• Addressing rights, gender equality and the social and structural barriers that hinder access to services. 

The UNAIDS Executive Director has pledged her support to work with the Patron of her Global Alliance, Mrs. Mashatile, to ensure that the country meets the Global target of ending AIDS in children by 2030. She also thanked the South African Government for providing the best practice models in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and in particular, Mrs. Mashatile, for demonstrating commitment and enthusiasm to work with all key-role players such as government, civil society and development partners in South Africa.

Mrs. Mashatile was supported by the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla, SANAC Chief Executive Director, Dr. Thembisile Xulu, as well as senior Government officials.

 

Media enquiries: Sam Bopape +27 82 318 5251

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Speaker of the National Assembly,
Deputy President Paul Mashatile,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Honourable Members,

Thank you to all the Honourable Members who participated in the Debate on The Presidency Budget Vote.

I have addressed this house three times in the past week, outlining the agenda of the Government of National Unity and the steps that we will take to place our country on a path of growth and renewal.

The programme of Government has also been presented and debated in detail in each of the departmental budget votes.

At the heart of all of the policies that we adopt and the actions that we take, running as a thread through all the debates, is the question of what kind of a country we want to build.

Many of us in this Parliament have dedicated our lives to the pursuit of a South Africa that is free, democratic, united and prosperous.

We believe in our country’s potential.

And we believe that the people of South Africa have what it takes to build a truly great nation, with a thriving economy that creates jobs and lifts millions of people out of poverty.

We seek to build a society in which every person enjoys the same opportunities regardless of their race, gender or background, in which every person is free to be exactly who they are, in which we embrace our diversity and the inherent worth of every human being.

Our struggle against apartheid was not only a struggle for liberation from racial oppression. It was also a struggle for a better life, for a life of dignity and for economic opportunity.

Yet for too many South Africans, despite the many ways in which their lives have improved over the past thirty years, the promise of a better life remains elusive.

This is true:

- for every person who is forced to live on the street for lack of shelter;

- for every parent who is forced to forego a meal so that their children can eat;

- for every young person who leaves school with a certificate but cannot find a job.

It is the plight of those who are poor, unemployed and living lives of great hardship that should occupy our attention. 

It is the great challenge of our democratic government and the intention of this Administration to fulfil that promise of a better life for all. 

We have the skills, the talent, the resources and the will to do this.

And we have an opportunity through this Government of National Unity to come together to make this vision a reality.

It is this belief in our enduring ability to improve our society, in what we can achieve as a nation by working together, that motivates me and that is the driving force of this Presidency.

The Constitution requires me, as President, to promote the unity of the nation and all that which will advance the Republic.

In carrying out this Constitutional mandate, I consider it my overriding duty, with all of us, to create a society that is more just, more equal, more compassionate and more humane. 

Our nation will never be truly united in the absence of equality and it can never truly advance in the absence of social justice.

As political leaders gathered here today, we owe it to the people of South Africa, just as we owe it to those who fought for our democracy, to pursue this task with dedication and with urgency.

As we roll up our sleeves and begin our work as the Seventh Administration and as the Seventh democratic Parliament, let us demonstrate this commitment in our deeds as well as in our words.

Let us engage constructively and with respect. Let us show modesty and humility. Let us draw closer to the people we represent, not further away.

Let us show in our actions that we are here to serve our people, not to enrich ourselves or to access positions of privilege.

Above all, let us show that Government will work for the people and that we can create a new era of growth and prosperity in our country.

That is the task which The Presidency will focus on over the next five years, working closely with all departments and all spheres of Government to implement the priorities that we have set out.

There are some, like the Honourable Hlophe, who question the role of The Presidency in undertaking this task or whether it really needs the budget that we have tabled in this vote.

Some have argued that The Presidency should reduce its responsibilities, while others, like the Honourable Malema, have argued that we should take over more functions, such as the police.

It is important to understand that the role of The Presidency is to provide leadership and coordination, to ensure that the commitments that we make as a Government are implemented swiftly and effectively, and to steer the ship of government, working through all its structures, in the right direction. 

Some of you have correctly said that The Presidency has “convening powers”. But it is much more than that: it is to ensure that that there is intergovernmental cooperation and execution. 

Some of you in this House have said we are building a ‘Super Presidency‘ that subsumes the role of government departments. On the contrary, The Presidency complements and strengthens the work of Government as a whole.

The role of The Presidency is to guide planning, coordination and oversight, and support for the agenda of Government through institutions such as the Cabinet Office, the Project Management Office, and Policy and Research Services.

A number of speakers have raised the issue of the manner in which Parliament exercises its oversight functions with respect to The Presidency, including the possibility of a dedicated oversight committee.

It is correct and proper that Parliament, through its relevant structures, give this matter consideration and determine the most appropriate way to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities. 

The Presidency, like the rest of the Executive, is committed to honour its accountability to Parliament. 

Some of you in the debate reminded of this house that the Sixth Parliament through its Rules Committee has for some time been seized with the question of how best the Assembly could oversee Vote 1: The Presidency, as part of the National Budget, mindful of the unique and overarching role of The Presidency. 

This question arose as some political parties in the Assembly suggested that the Constitution of 1996 required the Assembly to establish or mandate a committee for this purpose. 

Other parties suggested that the Office of the President had grown in recent years and now incorporated a host of office-bearers, advisors and functionaries. 
 
This matter was raised by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State (the Commission), in its report submitted to Parliament on 23 October 2023. The Commission recommended, among others, that –  
 
“Parliament consider whether it would be desirable for it to establish a committee whose function is, or includes, oversight over acts or omissions by the President and Presidency, which are not overseen by existing committees.”  

On 25 April 2023, the Rules Committee agreed that it would be instructive for a delegation of Members to undertake a study tour to engage counterparts in comparative Parliaments on the matter. The study tour to the UK took place from 16 to 20 July 2023.

The delegation engaged political representatives and procedural experts from Westminster, as well as independent institutions in order to establish, among other things – 
   
(1) the general procedures and conventions relating to the oversight mandate of the House of Commons and the accounting responsibilities of the Prime Minister as the head of the Government;

(2) the procedures and structures employed to oversee the Prime Minister and the administration of his office; and,

(3) details of the structure/s employed within Westminster and other institutions to scrutinise the Prime Minister and his office. 

On return from this visit the delegation recommendations are that -  
 
(1) While the South African Parliament already has comprehensive procedures to facilitate oversight and accountability, there remain features of the rules and practices that could be enriched, the National Assembly should remain proactive and open to reforms to support its systems and practices; and
 
(2) In the case of oversight over The Presidency, the Portfolio Committee on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (or its equivalent in the Seventh Parliament) be mandated to scrutinise the budget and spending of the vote on The Presidency. 

As this matter has been raised by the number of speakers here, I do believe that what the delegation has recommended is in line with the manner in which The Presidency is able to exercise its accountability to Parliament. 

Some speakers raised an issue around the size of the Executive. While we continue to seek ways to use the resources of the state optimally, we have also had to ensure that we achieve inclusivity and balance. We believe that this is important for ensuring governance outcomes that serve the interests of all South Africans.

At this moment in our history, when we face complex and urgent challenges, strong coordination from the centre of government is critical.

We have seen in practice the value of this approach through mechanisms led by The Presidency, such as the coordinating committees we have set up to deal with challenges such as energy and logistics and the entire reform process, through initiatives like Operation Vulindlela.

With just a small team of dedicated officials in The Presidency and National Treasury, working closely with a wide range of government departments and entities, the reforms implemented through Operation Vulindlela have had a measurable impact on growth and investment.

These structural reforms are in the most strategic and critical sectors of our economy, as I indicated yesterday. They are in energy, in logistics, in telecommunications, in visa reform and in water. 

It is worth returning to this issue once more because it is important to see the bigger picture. We need to look beyond immediate challenges towards sustainability.

By way of example, yesterday a number of speakers rightly pointed out that communities around the country still suffer with acute water challenges, poor quality of water and such.

Some called for the issue of water as a key developmental issue to be located in The Presidency. 

The reforms that are underway in the water sector – like reinstituting water quality monitoring systems, developing a raw water pricing strategy, and establishing Water Partnerships Office to develop water infrastructure – have direct and material benefits for service delivery.

Improved water infrastructure ensures more reliable and sustainable water supply. Water quality management systems mean cleaner water and a reduced health risk.

The ultimate beneficiary is the people of South Africa, and strengthening and enhancing the economy of our country.

The same can be said of the other reforms being implemented. 

These are not some abstract plans going on somewhere. They are laying a robust foundation for sustained economic and social progress. 

A number of Honourable Members also raised the important issue of the reform of our state-owned enterprises ownership model.

As I indicated in the Opening of Parliament Address, we are introducing legislation to establish a state-owned holding company to oversee and coordinate key strategic SOEs. 

The legislation will assign the functions of the holding company, which will cover issues of governance, financial management, remuneration standards and similar matters.

This is in line with global best practice and is the approach taken by many countries with SOEs that successfully fulfil a social and economic development mandate.

The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation has been assigned the responsibility to finalise the processes towards the establishment of the Holding Company and associated matters. It will establish a dedicated SOE Reform Unit with the appropriate expertise to oversee this work.

The SOEs that were previously under the stewardship of the Department of Public Enterprises will report to their respective line departments in terms of policy and regulatory matters.

While some in this House might be dismissive of the work being coordinated in The Presidency, let us not lose sight of what these measures mean for the everyday lives of South African citizens. 

They mean more affordable and reliable electricity, cleaner water, efficient trains and lower data costs. 

While the capacity to drive these reforms required a budget in the tens of millions, it has unlocked more than R500 billion in new investment in our economy.

We must therefore think not only of what it will cost for The Presidency to play its role effectively, but what value the work of The Presidency will have for our economy and our society. 

The Presidency will continue to nurture strong partnerships with business, labour, civil society and other stakeholders, including through the National Dialogue that we will convene to forge a common vision for our country.

We will work closely with this Parliament to drive an ambitious agenda of legislative reform and to enable Parliament to play its own important role in holding the executive to account.

Just this week, I signed into law the Climate Change Act, the Public Procurement Act, the Pension Funds Amendment Act, and the National Small Enterprise Amendment Act.

These new laws will take our country forward, by strengthening our climate change response and building climate resilience, modernising our procurement system, giving workers access to their retirement savings, and streamlining support for small and medium enterprises.

We have noted calls for programmes to involve young unemployed people in various forms of work, training and development. Contrary to some suggestions in the debate, we do have such programmes.

These include the successful National Rural Youth Service Corps programme – known as NARYSEC – which provides opportunities to unemployed rural youth. We also spoke yesterday about other public and social employment programmes that have a large number of young participants.

The challenge we have now is to scale up these programmes within available resources to ensure that they have a greater reach and impact.

On the international front, we will continue to lead South Africa’s engagements with the rest of the world, including as the upcoming host of the G20 Presidency next year.

Most importantly, we will ensure that the machinery of government works efficiently, and that it is used to advance the people’s interests and improve their lives.

We will ensure that we reduce waste, rationalise and restructure our state-owned entities, and continue to direct the majority of our budget towards sustaining the social wage and investing in infrastructure.

Honourable members,

Thirty years after we brought an end to apartheid, we must recognise that many South Africans are disenchanted and frustrated.

Many people chose not to vote in the last election. Some are turning to extremes or even turning against democracy itself.

We must seize the opportunity that this Government of National Unity presents to restore these people’s trust in our democracy, and to realise the promise of dignity and equality that is contained in our Constitution. 

Now more than ever, we must demonstrate what the people of South Africa can achieve when we work together.

A society is made up of the choices that its people make every day.

Time and time again, in moments such as this, South Africans have chosen the path of progress.

We have chosen peace, not violence.

We have chosen unity, not division.

We have chosen hope, and never succumbed to fear.

We have risen above adversity, and we have beaten the odds.

Even as democracy comes under threat across the globe, with the rise of authoritarianism and ethnic nationalism in new forms, our democracy remains firm.

Once again, South Africa has taken the lead and shown the way.

Five years from now, let us be able to say that we have made a difference in the lives of our people. 

Let us ensure that we take our beautiful country closer to the society of which we have all dreamed. And let us make sure that we leave no-one behind.

I thank you.

Madame Speaker,
His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa,
Deputy President of the Republic, The Honourable Paul Mashatile,
Members of the Executive,
Honourable Chief Whip,
Honourable Members of the House,
Distinguished guests.

Mr President,  

It is rather ironic to be labelled a sellout by the right-wing brigade camouflaged as modern day revolutionaries. It is the nature of these Disneyland combatants to sit here under the very same law they pretend to be against, yet gladly pocket the salaries that come with that very same law. 

Similar to their cult leader, who for many years pocketed the spoils of the state only to now pretend to have a damascus moment. 

Mr President, the behaviour of the regressive caucus is not surprising. 

It is, after all, the nature of those who earn revolutionary credentials in times of freedom and democracy that you and true revolutionaries fought for to demonise and rewrite history on our struggle. 

These individuals, using the very rights for freedom of speech that you fought for, would regard true revolutionaries as sellouts and other derogatory names. 

You asked a simple question yesterday, Mr. President: where were they? They could not answer, for once they came into existence, their struggle was waged in the corridors of VBS banks, in the demolition of 16 million houses in Sandton, and in the looting of Limpopo through Ratanang, among other actions.

Honourable President, I can only imagine that you must find it rather amusing that the same people who today call you a “project” were busy calling you during negotiations wanting to be squeezed into the Government of National Unity.

They were very ready to enter as 2nd Deputy Presidents and Ministers under this very same “project” they proclaim today. One can only imagine what that makes them?

However, as the Hon Gungubele rightly pointed out a few years ago, they have no sense of self contribution. True to the characterisation of President Mbeki as scuttlebutt behaviour.

Honourable Members,

The Presidency as the strategic centre of government enters this phase of an ANC led Government of National Unity carrying the hopes and aspirations of the millions of South Africans.

It is up to The Presidency, under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, to lead a formidable government towards achieving inclusive growth.

As stated by the President earlier today, one of the most important innovations of Operation Vulindlela has been to put in place a system to drive delivery on strategic priorities, to ensure that policy decisions made by Cabinet are translated into tangible results.

To inform the Hon Trollip, more than 94% of all reforms are either completed or progressing well. Vulindlela reforms have unlocked more that R500bn worth of investment.

Key reforms that have been completed since 2020 include:

- A Comprehensive review of the work visa system was completed, with recommendations to overhaul the work visa system and attract skills and investment. 

- The eVisa system was expanded to 34 countries, with almost all countries now covered by either a visa waiver or eVisa. 

- The release of spectrum has contributed to the reduced cost of data with the lowest price of a 100 MB data bundle reduced by 25% and increasing internet speed, helping to bridge the digital divide. 

This means a young person in Pofadder in the Northern Cape now has access to high speed internet at a reduced cost to either market their business, seek a job and do research online. 

- More efficient ports and rails will lower the cost of goods and help save jobs in the coal mining belt of Mpumalanga, the Natal Corridor which the farmers of the Free State depend on, and the Ore export channel from Kathu to Saldanha Bay among other export sectors.

Asimanga, ons stand nie stil nie. We move ahead under President Ramaphosa’s steady hand because our focus remains transforming the quality of lives of ordinary South Africans.

We are the weaver birds the President spoke of. However, like the weaver birds we remain conscious of what Ayo Kwei Armah said in his seminal offering titled “The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born”, where he says - 

“Alone, I am nothing… I have nothing. We have power… but we will never know it, we will never see it work, unless we come together to make it work.”

We therefore present this Budget Vote united and conscious that the ANC led GNU has birthed the beautiful ones…

We can and must do more, together.

I thank you!