The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Mr Kenny Morolong, will deliver a keynote address at the Meta for Government engagement in Sandton.

The session is convened under the theme “A Government in Conversation”, and will bring together Government communicators and digital specialists for a day of discussion, collaboration and knowledge-sharing aimed at strengthening digital public service delivery in South Africa.

Event details are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 9 December 2025
Time: 09h00 – 16h00 
Venue: Inanda Club, Forrest Rd & 6th Ave, Inanda, Sandton

Those wishing to attend are encouraged to register using this link: https://forms.gle/J1uCWbzC12thAH2F8

 

Media enquiries: Mr Wandiswa Nyawuza on 067 237 3630 or Ms Kabelo Tsiane on 072 793 2538

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Marius van der Merwe, a Brakpan-based security industry member and former Ekhurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official who recently testified before the Madlanga Commission.

Mr Van der Merwe was shot multiple times in full view of his family outside their Brakpan home on Friday evening, 5 December 2025.

The President extends his deep condolences to the family of Mr Van der Merwe and wishes them strength for their recovery from a deadly trauma.

President Ramaphosa said: “While our law enforcement agencies establish the circumstances leading to this heinous act, I am appalled and saddened by this attack on a former public servant who recently served the cause of justice and integrity by testifying at the Madlanga Commission.”

President Ramaphosa established the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, better known as the Madlanga Commission, in July 2025.

President Ramaphosa said: “My thoughts are with the deeply traumatised family who came under attack last night.

“They faced death in circumstances that suggest Van der Merwe's brave testimony angered elements in our society who want to undermine the rule of law and set back the quest for truth and consequences in the fight against corruption.

“Amid this trauma we must remain resolute to end corruption and bring to justice those who have done wrong and are plotting to do more.

“As government, we will redouble our efforts to protect whistleblowers, including witnesses before the Madlanga Commission and the Commission itself, as they serve the nation with bravery in the face of criminal threats.

President Ramaphosa urges law enforcement agencies to undertake a thorough investigation and to ensure that the perpetrators face justice.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

 

Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential Climate Commission, Mr. Crispian Olver,
Ministers,
Commissioners,
Members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council,
National Planning Commission Commissioners,
Representatives of the South African Local Government Association,
Representatives of NEDLAC,
Directors-General,
Members of the PCC Secretariat,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning, it is good to be here.

I am honoured to attend this 20th session of the Presidential Climate Commission; and to pay tribute to the outgoing Commissioners whose work has elevated our country’s voice and stature in the global climate effort.

Since it was established five years ago, this Commission has not only ably stewarded and shaped our domestic policy debates.

The Commission’s evidence-based recommendations, inclusive processes, internationally-respected thought leadership and engagements with international partners have raised South Africa’s profile in multilateral forums. This is particularly so with respect to the climate finance negotiations.

It would be no understatement to say that the past five years have seen our reputation grow as a respected, principled, and above all pragmatic contributor to the global climate effort.

By convening business, labour, civil society, academia and government around the Just Transition, the Commission has helped shape conversations around equity, transition financing and the various dimensions of climate action not just domestically but globally.

The prominence accorded to a just transition at the recent G20 Summit bears testimony to this.

The G20 Leaders’ Summit pledged to amongst other things increase the quality and quantity of climate finance to developing economies, and support country platforms like the Just Energy Transition Partnerships. We also saw substantial sums pledged to expand renewable energy across Africa.

We know that these are challenging times for global climate action.

Nine years since the signing of the Paris Agreement and with just five years to go before the world aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goals - countries of the world are way off track on climate goals.

According to the World Meteorological Organisation, last year was the warmest year on record. We are on a trajectory to exceed the 1.5 degree Celsius warning limit.

Despite this dire warning being sounded by experts for years, there has been noticeable climate action backsliding in a number of countries, including in the Global North.

The state of climate financing for vulnerable countries remains perilous, hampering the ability of these countries to scale up their levels of ambition for both mitigation and adaptation.

In this ever-uncertain environment, South Africa stands proud.

We have not wavered on our commitments, and have in fact scaled up our climate action.

In July 2021, the PCC delivered the first set of recommendations on South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), advocating for more ambitious emissions targets with lower transition risk.

A year later, based on recommendations from the Commission, we released our Just Transition Framework, that sets out the actions that government and social partners will take to achieve to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient economy and society.

It contains outcomes to be achieved over the short-, medium, and long-run. On the advice of this Commission we have been clear that the Just Transition must find expression in the Medium Term Development Plan,  Annual Performance Plans as well as in the budget processes of  every department.

Furthermore, sectoral policies, including around energy, agriculture and industrial policy, should be aligned with a robust climate regulatory system.

The Framework lays out the skills development, economic diversification, social support, governance and finance mechanisms required to make low carbon economy a reality.

It also highlights the need to provide comprehensive social security safety for displaced workers and communities.

In 2023 the Commission supported the release of the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan 2023-2027.

This Plan, developed under the guidance of the Commission and international partners, is what we have been able to take to the international climate finance community and international forums as tangible proof of our resolve to walk the talk on climate action.

It covers the necessary reforms, investments and concrete projects for the energy transition, with a strong focus on social justice.

At COP30 in Brazil last month, having a credible, tangible plan in place to support meeting our climate targets bolstered South Africa’s credibility, and lent weight to our commitment to equity, ambition and international cooperation.

The passage of the Climate Change Act last year was a crowning achievement for our country. One that was brought into being with the support of a wide range of stakeholders across society, including the Commission.

This is not all.

As we have worked to overcome a debilitating energy crisis, this Commission has lent its counsel to the restructuring of the energy sector, notably Eskom – and to aiding government in resolving contradictory policy pronouncements.

The Commission has initiated a three-sector study into water, built environment and agriculture, and into the development of an adaptation and resilience investment plan.

It has held consultations around the updated Integrated Resource Plan; supporting the development of municipal JET readiness assessments; and working on a Climate Finance Landscape report.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is an extraordinary effort and feat for a mere five-year period. And what I have listed is by no means exhaustive.

South Africa continues to be one of the most vocal voices on the global stage for equity, inclusivity and justice in the climate effort; and the work of this Commission has amplified our voice.

Our climate diplomacy has focused on forging strategic partnerships and employing innovative approaches to scale up climate action; whilst at the same time making the firm case for the developmental space and energy security needs of developing countries.

The phrase, ‘leave no one behind’ has underpinned the tone of our national effort.

And as we mark five years of the Commission, we are proud to say that the currency of this phrase continues to rise in the international climate deliberations. This is thanks to your work.

When we established this Commission, we agreed that its mandate was to provide independent advice and facilitate a common understanding of a just transition, cognisant of the socio-economic, environmental, and technological implications of climate change.

It was a response to a growing national consensus that South Africa’s climate transition must be just, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable communities.  

The PCC has fostered inclusive dialogue and helped negotiate solutions to some of the country’s most complex and contested climate and development challenges.

Through structured social partnership processes, it has helped to align diverse interests around common goals such as the phase-down of coal, investment in renewables, and the protection of livelihoods—ensuring that policy decisions are not only evidence-based, but also socially legitimate and widely supported.

Over the past five years the PCC’s engagements have helped surface local priorities, identify socio-economic risks, and co-develop solutions that reflect the realities on the ground.

It has been an exciting five years, but they certainly haven’t been easy.

Whilst South Africans are feeling the impact of climate change, many still feel disempowered.

We need to work harder to allay their fears by co-creating models that include participation, decision making and implementation in the transition.

That only happens when there are new jobs, new opportunities, reimagined local enterprises, and above all when there is energy access, improved quality of life and a clean and safe environment for all.

With many stakeholders ready and eager to be part and contribute to achieving the just transition, we need stronger partnerships, increased awareness and accessibility by our communities, workers, youth, women, and the people with abilities.

By embedding sustainability, climate justice, and long-term resilience into our planning and investment decisions, this Commission has contributed to securing a climate-resilient and economically inclusive future for all—particularly for the youth.

As we look to 2026 and beyond, South Africa stands at an important point in its climate and development journey.  

The task now is to scale up and speed up implementation to deliver the outcomes our people need.

Today, I take pride in recognising the outgoing Commissioners. Many of you did this work in addition to other responsibilities, and yet you have stayed the course, ensuring all decision-making was inclusive and consensus-based.

We receive the Commission’s Five-Year Legacy and Review report with gratitude. I have no doubt that it will in time to come serve as a seminal reference work and important contribution to our domestic and international climate action efforts.

You have done your country proud, and for this we thank you.

I am considering the nominations for the new cohort of commissioners, and hope to announce their appointment in due course.

I have the utmost confidence that the new Commission will continue to put the vision set ourselves five years ago into practice.

As a country, we remain committed to moving forward with courage and determination to ensure that the Just Transition leaves no one behind.

I thank you.

Programme Director,
YES Co-Chairs, Mr Colin Coleman and Mr Stephen Koseff,
Chief Executive Officer of YES, Mr Ravi Naidoo,
Vice-President of Business Unity South Africa, Mr. Adrian Gore,
Board member of Business Leadership South Africa, Mr. Adi Enthoven,
Members of the YES Board,
CEO’s of YES corporate partners,
YES alumni who are with us this evening,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening.

It is my pleasure to be here as we celebrate another milestone for the Youth Employment Service; namely 200 000 young South Africans funded and placed into quality first-job experiences.

This is not just a number, it is 200 000 futures unlocked in their families, in their communities, for our economy and for our country.

When business and government came together to conceive of the Youth Employment Service back in 2018, our shared vision was for the programme to have a positive, sustainable, long-term impact on the economy.

From the very outset it was seen as an integral part of our national economic growth strategy, as opposed to a social add-on.

At that time, government undertook to support this effort through providing YES with a negotiated package of incentives.

The principal instrument has been the B-BBEE incentive, allowing participating companies to advance one or two B-BBEE levels when they join YES and meet agreed targets.

YES has grown at an extraordinary rate of over 25 per cent per year since 2021, creating pathways to bring talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into the world of work.

YES stands as a testament to the value of public-private partnerships. The milestone we are celebrating this evening has been made possible through the commitment of nearly 1 900 companies, without reliance on the fiscus.

YES has become one of the largest corporate-funded youth jobs programme in the world, and participating companies have integrated YES into their human capital, transformation and sustainability strategies.

The impressive institutional capacity that has been built through years of hard work is now a strategic asset.

Many of the participating companies are with us this evening and I wish to commend you for your leadership. We are equally encouraged by new forms of partnerships that companies are forming in support of YES.

An example is Microsoft’s R5.4-billion data-centre investment, alongside which it created the AI Skills Hub with YES to certify 50 000 young people per year in high-demand digital skills: in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity and cloud architecture.

These are precisely the skills that will define economic competitiveness in the decades ahead.

And what better way for a company to ensure its skills spend has an impact than to offer such training to talented YES interns going into key sectors.

This is a powerful example of how investment, skills development and youth employment can be integrated into a single national project.

We are living through a period of profound technological change.

Artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology and automation will reshape almost every occupation that exists today.

If South Africa is to make headway towards economic inclusion, we must prepare our young people for this future.

We must invest in skills, work experience and exposure to real production environments, to prepare young people to lead the industries of tomorrow.

Through placements in manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism, logistics, finance and the digital economy, YES can help build those capabilities our industrial strategy requires.

In July this year, I saw the impact of this work for myself at the BMW Rosslyn plant in Tshwane, at the launch of the new X3 plug-in hybrid.

As you may know, South Africa is the exclusive global production site for this model.

I was encouraged to learn that over 3,500 YES youth have been supported by BMW — many working directly with robotics, automation and electric-vehicle technologies.

This is precisely what our transition to a green, digital and industrial future must look like.

Our ambition cannot end with job placements.

We must also nurture the entrepreneurs of the next generation - the young people who will start firms, build local supply chains, and create the next wave of employment.

It is immensely encouraging that more than 28 000 YES alumni have already gone on to establish their own businesses, and some of them are here with us this evening.

It is equally significant that 58 per cent of YES alumni are women, reflecting the powerful contribution YES is making to gender inclusion in the economy.

It was a source of pride to us as a country that we could showcase YES as case study at the recent B20 Summit in Johannesburg - under South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

We were able to point to the success of YES as best practice of how targeted business-government collaboration can unlock youth employment.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Even as we celebrate the creation of nearly 200 000 opportunities for our young people, we must be candid - the challenge of youth unemployment remains deep, structural, and persistent.

Too many young South Africans still face barriers to accessing stable, long-term employment that can sustain their livelihoods and unlock their potential.

It is also clear that not all opportunities are created equal.

Some provide short-term engagement or entry-level experiences, while others offer meaningful pathways to enduring careers.

Our responsibility is to ensure that every young person not only participates, but transitions into sustainable employment that equips them for the future.

We must confront the delicate balance between quantity and quality.

While initiatives like the Jobs Boost Programme strive to create quality jobs, the broader landscape of earning opportunities often remains temporary or entry-level.

This underscores the critical importance of tracking outcomes over time — monitoring job retention, career progression, and the genuine impact on young lives.

We must get more companies to participate in YES.

There are major firms in our economy that remain outside this national effort, and I want to use this opportunity to call on them to be part of building South Africa.

We have set ourselves the goal of securing an additional 200 000 to reach 400 000 by 2030 – and we need you on board.

We must also get State-Owned Companies to participate in YES, and I will be requesting the Ministers responsible for SEO’s to provide us with their plans to become active participants.

The public sector needs to generate quality internships that help us build the capacity of the state, and I am sure that YES will not mind if the public sector simply leverages the proven monitoring, reporting and placement infrastructure already built by YES as a public-private partnership.

We must also do more to make the rules easier for good companies to participate in YES, and for them to get recognised for creating quality work experience internships.

The task before us is further complicated by the breadth of partners involved - government departments, private sector stakeholders, training institutions, and civil society organisations.

Coordinating these efforts, maintaining accountability, and ensuring equitable access demand unwavering commitment and meticulous oversight.

Finally, we must acknowledge the realities of our economic context.

Macro-economic conditions, anaemic economic growth, structural unemployment, skills mismatches, and sectoral constraints all shape the opportunities available to our youth.

It is not enough to generate positions. We must cultivate an environment where these positions translate into lasting employment and genuine economic inclusion.

Our ambition is clear: a South Africa where every young person has the chance to work, to grow, and to contribute meaningfully to our nation’s future.

Achieving this requires vision, collaboration, and determination - and above all, a steadfast commitment to leaving no young South African behind.

Finally, we must mobilise as much support as possible to assist the talented YES alumni to go on to become entrepreneurs and game-changers in our economy, creating jobs and building the industries that South Africa and the rest of the continent need for a sustainable future.

I congratulate the YES team, its sponsoring corporates, and its many partners in this room on their hard work and achievements.

We can confidently state that as YES succeeds in its mission, so South Africa will succeed in its mission.

I thank you.

 

Programme Director,
Premier of the Free State, Ms. Maqueen Letsoha Mathae,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Members of Parliament and the provincial legislature,
Executive Mayor of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Cllr. Gregory Nthatisi,
Representatives of political parties,
Representatives of traditional, community and faith-based organisations and other civil society formations,
Representatives of the business community,
Delegates to the Men’s Indaba,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Dumelang. Avuxeni. Ndi Matsheloni. Lotjhani. Sanibonani. Goeie môre. Molweni.

It is my pleasure to be here with the brothers, fathers, grandfathers, uncles and sons of our nation.

To see you all gathered here; men from all walks of life, young and not so young, fills me with pride.

You are here because you recognise that violence against women and children is a pandemic, and a crisis that will destroy our nation if we do not stop it.

You are here because you are ready to stand up and be counted as men and boys who declare: Not in my Name.

We congratulate the provincial government for convening this Men’s Indaba.

We are meeting as South Africa and the world observes 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

The recent crime statistics for the first two quarters of the 2025/2026 financial year paint a worrying picture.

Despite there being a drop in serious crimes around the country – contact sexual offences and attempted sexual offences have gone up.

That means more women and girls, and even young boys, have been victims of sexual assault, rape and attempted rape.

Every day across this country, the safety and dignity of women and children  is being undermined by the actions of violent men.

Bo ntate ba rona,

As I have said many times in the past, gender-based violence is not a problem of women.

Gender-based violence is the actions of men, and about the terrible crimes they commit. In the name of culture and tradition. In the name of proving their masculinity. In the name of all forms of justifications.

Minister Chikunga, Minister Tolashe, Minister Kubayi and Minister Cachalia have outlined the progress and actions that continue to be taken to support survivors of gender-based violence.

Earlier today for example, we opened a Sexual Offences Court at Botshabelo as part of ongoing work to support survivors and ensure they get justice for the crimes perpetrated against them.

But the reality is that we can talk the whole day about putting more police on the streets, about setting up more shelters, about procuring more evidence kits at stations, and making the criminal justice system more victim-centric.

Without directly engaging men–we will continue to have marches, hold protests and conduct social media campaigns; all led by women. And the statistics will not change.

I am not here to criticise all men.

We are here because we see you as the solution.

We have heard powerful testimony earlier from representatives of the men’s sector who shared their experiences, and for this we salute you all.

We know that across this country there are millions of good, decent men and boys who would never even consider abusing or hurting a woman – and that they are tired of being told all men are the problem.

You want your voices to be heard, to be respected, and to be trusted by not just the women and children in your lives, but by everyone.

Yet at the same time we know it is time for the men of this country to stop being on the sidelines.

Let us not think that our silence does not mean our complicity. Let us not assume that by looking away as another man abuses a woman we are not guilty too – because this crime continues to fester in a culture of silence.

What is the consequence of that silence?

Frightened children.

Terrified wives and girlfriends. Grieving mothers. And angry sons - watching, and learning.

This Men’s Indaba is a clear statement that we are no longer outsourcing the fight against GBV to women who are the victims.

We know that change begins with us.

A re bueng, let us talk openly here today.

It is not easy to be a man in society today.

Men are under pressure in the family, in our homes, in our communities, at school and in the workplaces.

South Africa has a crisis we don’t to speak about openly enough, and it is broken families.

The vast majority of children in South Africa don’t live with their biological fathers. This is a terrible tragedy.

The presence of a father in the home is important to shaping the attitudes and behaviour of boys, and that so many young boys in South Africa lack father figures is heartbreaking.

Yes, we know that not all fathers are good fathers.

Yes, we know that other men, stepfathers, partners of the mothers or extended family continue to play a role in the lives of many boys.

Yes, we know the role our history has played in breaking up families, particularly black families.

We must also acknowledge that there are many reasons why men desert the family unit, and that it is not always by choice.

But we must also speak the truth. Many men in this country are shirking their responsibilities to their children, leaving their mothers, grandparents and other caregivers to struggle alone with raising them.

More than 31 per cent of men are unemployed in our country today. When it comes to the youth unemployment rate, more than 36 per cent of young men don’t have work.

Young boys are increasingly dropping out of school. Four in ten learners are failing to finish school, and many of them are boys.

Boys are more likely to drop out of school because they are struggling academically, and because of peer pressure.

For many young men, being out of school has rendered them vulnerable to the allure of joining gangs to feel a sense of belonging, to substance abuse, and to crime.

Men and boys make up the vast majority of the population in detention centers, places of safety, and correctional facilities. Eighty seven per cent of murder victims in South Africa are men.

This is not about diminishing the impact of gender-based violence, or to imply that the suffering of one is above the other.
 
This is about acknowledging that South Africa has a violence problem, and in this  environment, men are being socialised to prove themselves, to suppress their emotions, and to dominate.

Many men in this country are suffering from depression from being unemployed, from isolation and loneliness being separated from their families, and struggling with alcoholism and drug dependency.

The image is being pushed in communities, on television, on social media and virtually everywhere that violence is showing strength.

That treating women and girls a particular way shows you are ‘a man’ – and that being kind and compassionate makes you weak, a coward and a ‘simp.‘

Relationships have become a battleground. According to a survey on GBV published last year, a third of South African women have experienced physical violence in their lifetime, and most of the cases involve intimate partners.

More than 50 per cent of women surveyed had experienced psychological and emotional abuse. Again, in most cases the perpetrator was someone they were in a relationship with.

Most cases of femicide are committed by partners or ex-partners.

Abuse doesn’t only refer to bruises.

There are men preying on girls young enough to be their daughters, buying groceries for the childrens’ families to buy their silence.

There are the older men and men in positions of authority throwing their money around in nightclubs and functions to practically buy young girls that they derogatorily refer to as ‘istoko.’

There is the taking advantage of girls by their male classmates, who pressure them  to send intimate pictures that are used to blackmail them.

There are men and boys who have problems with alcohol and substance abuse who terrorise their mothers and grandmothers, stealing their money and possessions for their next fix.

The abusers of women and children live among us. They are fathers, our sons, our grandfathers, uncles, cousins and friends.

And these things aren’t happening in some faraway places, they are happening in our schools, at places of worship, at workplaces, at places of higher learning, in nightclubs, and in homes.

And most shamefully, when they happen, other men look away.

Today we must be brave enough to say that whether it is physical, mental, economic and other forms of abuse of women and girls – they are all abuse.

As men we need to ask ourselves what are the deep-rooted attitudes we have towards women and girls that is fuelling this kind of behavior: and once we recognise them, to ask for help.

The toxic masculinity that is driving the abuse of women and children is a direct by-product of the violent society in which we live.

The men of this country, facing joblessness, lack of education, unable to provide for their families, and finding little support for their own struggles with alcoholism, substance abuse – are turning on women and children.

Let me be clear, there is no justification for gender-based violence.

But this Men’s Indaba must critically interrogate these issues, and lead the way for the country in reimagining what it means to be a man in South Africa today.

We need Men’s Indaba’s and organised dialogues with men and boys across the country, with regularity, not just during the 16 Days of Activism campaign.

These engagements must provide men and boys with a safe space to be vulnerable and to be honest, without being stereotyped as abusers or potential abusers.

There needs to be open and honest dialogue around what the conditions are making men turn to acts of violence.

On what support mechanisms need to be put in place to support and help men and boys who are struggling.

 On counselling and other forms of psych-social support that is needed for young boys in school, as part of prevention efforts.

On the rehabilitation of GBV offenders so we can break the cycle of violence once and for all.

It does not help the cause against gender-based violence that we are only intervening once perpetrators have already entered the criminal justice system; prevention efforts must begin in the family, and in communities.

All of society must be part of this effort, and support vulnerable men and boys who are often too ashamed to ask for help.

South Africa does not need a so-called new generation of men. It needs the men and boys of this generation to do better, and to be better.

South Africa needs men who have respect for women, who are compassionate, accountable, and strong in character, not with their fists.

We need men who are protectors of women, not perpetrators.

We need men who are role models to other men in how they engage with and treat women and girls.

We need men who call out the ill-treatment of women by other men, and report crimes committed against women and girls.

Men of South Africa,

I call on you to stand up and be counted.

Let us say resoundingly, Not in our Name.

GBV will fall when men rise. Not in violence, but in respect, courage and accountability.

Let us leave here not only informed, but transformed.

I thank you.

NCOP Chairperson, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane;

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association, Mr Jason Felix;

Members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good Morning,

Let me express my gratitude to the leadership of the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association for this opportunity to engage with you today. This engagement follows the successful hosting of the G20 processes, concluding with the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

As part of the G20 engagements, the 11th P20 Speakers' Summit produced recommendations aligned with South Africa's G20 Presidency priorities, including support for low- and middle-income countries facing debt vulnerabilities and a commitment to enhancing the G20 Common Framework for debt treatments.

A key outcome was the G20 Declaration, focusing on Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability, which emphasises multilateral cooperation and global interconnectedness, ensuring that no one is left behind.

As we move forward, we must work with great focus and determination to tackle the challenges facing our country and achieve the aspirations set forth at the beginning of our democracy. The vision for a prosperous South Africa aims to create a shared future and a better environment for our children and future generations. Achieving this dream requires the contribution of every individual, regardless of the size of their efforts.

Today, I wish to use this platform to share key insights on the strategic role that the Office of the Deputy President is playing in making South Africa better.

This is crucial in view of the fact that the media’s pen and the government’s voice are two threads of the same tapestry, woven differently, yet united in shaping a better future for our nation.

Therefore, the Office of the Deputy President of South Africa is responsible for assisting the President in executing government functions, acting as the Leader of Government Business in Parliament.

Among others, the office is also entrusted with a broad range of responsibilities, which include intergovernmental coordination, oversight of national priority interventions, and engagement with various structures like SANAC, and HRDC. The office supports land reform initiatives and the Military Veterans Task Team and promotes social cohesion within the country.

ON LAND REFORM AND AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT
Ladies and gentlemen, on leading government efforts to fast-track land reform and the coordination of government programmes to accelerate land reform and agricultural support. Over the past five years, the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Land Reform and Agriculture has made significant progress in fast-tracking land reform in collaboration with various government bodies.

A total of 305,990 hectares of land have been redistributed, benefiting diverse groups: 127,525 hectares allocated to women, 111,071 hectares to youth, and 2,781 hectares to people with disabilities between 2019 and 2024.

Additionally, Project Kuyasa has been initiated to digitise land-claims processing, aiming to eliminate delays and enhance transparency. The strategy emphasises that land reform must integrate with agricultural support, leading to the implementation of blended finance solutions, grants, loans, and partnerships via the Land Bank, DBSA, and the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme.

To ensure the productive use of reclaimed land, we are enhancing the capabilities of Communal Property Associations (CPAs) and investing in skills development.

Collaborations with commercial farmers and agribusiness have been essential for transferring knowledge and technology and facilitating market access. Our outreach programme has included visits to various farms across South Africa, such as the Ba-Phalaborwa ba Selwane CPA and Moletele CPA farms. These initiatives aim to establish small farmers as sustainable and successful enterprises, in line with the nation's land reform and rural development goals.

DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT MODEL
As you are all aware, the Government has adopted the District Development Model (DDM) to address service delivery challenges and improve efficiency in delivering services to the people. Our role as the Office of the Deputy President focuses on enhancing service delivery through the implementation of this comprehensive strategy.

In collaboration with COGTA, National Treasury, and other essential departments, we have been focused on enhancing municipal functionality and addressing community issues. We are executing initiatives with the Service Delivery Inter-Ministerial Committee to reduce municipal debt and address service delivery challenges, particularly in under-resourced areas like Sol Plaatje Local Municipality.

We have continued the roll-out of the DDM, we are implementing this model through Clean Cities and Towns Campaigns that we launched in Kliptown on 6 June 2025. This launch involved participation from Cabinet and Deputy Ministers and Provincial MEC’s, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Leadership of Local Government, and community members, all working together to integrate service delivery and encourage citizen participation. The campaign aims to cultivate a sense of community pride and shared responsibility among citizens for the upkeep of clean and healthy living environments.

CHAIRING THE WATER TASK TEAM
On Water Security, we are working to address water security to ensure access to clean water to our communities. However, a troubling trend confronts us: criminal syndicates, commonly known as the "water mafias", deliberately sabotage water infrastructure.

These groups damage pump stations, pipelines, and valves, only to profit by selling water at inflated prices through tankers. As Chairperson of the Water Task Team, I want to assure South Africans that we are acting decisively. Our approach includes:

* Working closely with law enforcement agencies to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for sabotage.
* Holding municipal leaders accountable for failures in water provision.
* Ensuring municipalities publish water supply schedules so communities are informed.
* Mobilising communities and promoting whistleblowing to expose these criminal networks.
We call on all citizens to report suspicious activities. Together, we can protect our water infrastructure and guarantee equitable access for all.

ON HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our government's strategy to reduce unemployment is comprehensive and multifaceted, aiming to address various economic challenges. Key components include enhancing public employment opportunities, promoting industrialisation, and developing infrastructure. In particular, the government emphasises targeted support for youth and small businesses, which is crucial to driving economic growth.

A significant focus is placed on upskilling the youth through the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC). This initiative is vital to ensure that young individuals are prepared for the labour market and can meet the evolving demands of the economy. The HRDC's efforts are guided by the Reconceptualised Human Resource Development Strategy and the Master Skills Plan, which specifically target youth who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEETs). We have concentrated our efforts on:

* Expanding short-course provision aligned to demand
* Scaling up internships, apprenticeships, and learnerships
* Boosting entrepreneurship opportunities through SETAs and youth employment schemes.

ON TRADE AND INVESTMENT
As the executive arm of the state, we have made notable progress in promoting trade and investment, highlighted by successful visits such as the SA–France Investment Conference in May 2025, participation in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2025, the South Africa–China Trade and Investment Package for 2025–2029, and the inaugural South Africa–Türkiye BNC in October 2025.

These visits are aimed at strengthening the economic and trade relationship between South Africa and the international community. The working visits have been crucial in fostering partnerships that emphasise investment, job creation, and innovation within South Africa. Furthermore, we have also positioned our country as a staunch advocate for multilateralism, actively promoting a global agenda that seeks to address the pressing needs of the Global South.

As the President’s Special Envoy to South Sudan, we recently conducted a working visit from 8 to 9 October 2025 in Juba, consulting with President Salva Kiir, signatories of the R-ARCSS, and regional partners to review the implementation of transitional security arrangements, constitutional drafting, and pre-election preparations for 2026.

Our role remains crucial in facilitating interparty dialogue and institutionalising peace amid challenges in the implementation of the revitalised agreement.

THE GNU CLEARING HOUSE MECHANISM
As I conclude let me share insights on the Government of National Unity (GNU). The GNU represents a historic moment for our democracy. To manage differences constructively, President Cyril Ramaphosa has established the GNU Clearing House, a mechanism designed to resolve policy disagreements.

Significant progress in the work of the GNU Clearance House include the recent adoption of the Terms of References which serves as the guiding framework for the work of this mechanism.

The Terms of Reference provides for a structured flowchart of a Dispute Resolution Process, which is summarised as follows:
* The Clearing House is a recommending body, not a decision-making structure.
* When consensus cannot be reached, we record an “agree to disagree” outcome and refer the matter to the Political Leaders’ Forum for further consideration.
 
On the overall, the GNU Clearing House Mechanism is anchored on ensuring transparency and prevents unilateral decisions.

Colleagues, as government, we recognise the essential role the media plays in shaping an informed and engaged society. We hold your work in high regard.

The global landscape emphasises the vital role of media professionals in democracy and governance.  As journalists, you must commit to truth and ethics, prioritising education and public dialogue over entertainment. It is critical that you maintain high standards of accuracy, independence, fairness, and accountability by providing unbiased information and ensuring elected officials are held accountable.

Through platforms like these, we reaffirm our commitment to transparency, cooperation, and constructive dialogue. We remain committed to sharpening our delivery, deepening accountability, and ensuring that our work has a meaningful impact on the lives of South Africans.

I look forward to engaging with you today and beyond. The media stands beside us, not as a rival but as a vigilant companion, ensuring that every promise we make is guided by truth and every step we take is in service of the nation.

I thank you.