Programme Directors, Minister Mckenzie and MEC Thlapi;
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga;
Premier of the North-West Province, Mr Lazarus Mokgosi;
Ministers and Deputy Ministers present;
Director-General in The Presidency and Secretary of Cabinet, Ms Phindile Baleni;
Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency, Ms Asanda Luwaca;
Members of the North-West Executive Council;
Executive Mayor of Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, Cllr Nikiwe Num;
Mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality, Cllr Gaba Thithiba Ka Qhele;
Mayors, Councillors and Makgosi who are with us today;
Acting Chief Executive Officer of NYDA, Mr Mafika Duma and the Management team;
Heads of private sector entities and civil society organisations;
The Youth of South Africa;
Government Officials;
Members of the media;
All Exhibitors with us today;
Esteemed Guests;
Dumelang, Good Morning, Avuxeni!

Today we honour and pay tribute to the valiant and fearless young people who stood at the forefront of the liberation struggle on June 16, 1976. Regardless of their youthful stature, the youth of 1976 stood strong in the face of the oppressive system of the apartheid regime. They faced death with unwavering determination, fuelled by a vision of equal rights and a more just society.

As President Nelson Mandela recounted in his address on Youth Day on June 16, 1996, “When freedom beckoned, you faced death and bullets and did not flinch; you responded to the call to build the underground and the mass democratic movement; you swelled the ranks of the people’s army and acquitted yourselves with distinction on the battlefield.” 

It has been 49 years since that significant day, yet we will always remember the student leaders like Tsietsi Mashinini and Hastings Ndlovu who orchestrated the mass demonstration that transformed our nation. We must never forget those who joined the long list of martyrs and paid the ultimate price for our freedom. These are the young brave souls who fought for a dream that they never saw come to life, a dream that continues to inspire and guide us. 

By taking action in 1976 against an enforced Afrikaans language as the exclusive medium of instruction in African schools, those young learners were carrying out the path of struggle defined by their forefathers through the Freedom Charter.  

Ten days from now, we will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter. The adoption of the Freedom Charter on June 26, 1955, and the Soweto Uprising on June 16, 1976, are significant milestones in South Africa's journey towards freedom.
Both occurring under unique circumstance but inspired by the shared vision of a free and equal South Africa for all.

The Freedom Charter continues to be a pillar of South Africa's Constitution, influencing the political and social climate of the country. It demands that "The Doors of Learning and Culture Shall Be opened". 

This clause signifying the Charter's commitment to equality and access to education for all South Africans. 

In this regard, this year's theme, "Skills for a Changing World—Embracing Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation," is more relevant to the noble cause for which the generation of 1976 and those who came before them were prepared to lay down their lives.

It embodies the essence of what we aim to achieve together – a future where our youth are not just empowered, but actively engaged in shaping a better tomorrow.

Programme Directors,

The reality is that many young people in South Africa are not living the future they hoped for. 

They are confronted by high levels of unemployment, inequality, and a lack of access to opportunities, especially in the digital world. As Government, we acknowledge that, for these young people, their reality remains untenable, undesirable, and unsustainable. 

According to Stats SA, young people between the ages of 15 and 34 make up just over half of South Africa’s working-age population, about 20.9 million people. However, far too many of them can’t find work, especially those between the ages of 15 and 24. 

Currently, South Africa’s unemployment rate has gone up to 32.9%, and if we include people who have given up looking for work, the rate jumps to 43.1%.

The latest data from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows that more than half of young people aged between 18 and 34 are unemployed. This is one of the highest levels we have ever seen, and it is of grave concern.

What is also deeply worrying is the growing number of young people who are Not in Education, Employment, or Training. The current figure stands at about 3.8 million. Among 15–24-year-olds, 37.1% fall into this category, with young women being slightly more affected than young men. If we look at the wider age group of 15–34 years, the rate is even higher at 45.1%. Even our graduates are struggling, with nearly 1 in 4 graduates (23.9%) struggling to gain employment. 

This is more than just an economic issue. It is a moral emergency. It affects our whole society and demands urgent action from all sectors — government, business, and communities at large.

We must fix the structural challenges in our economy to address inequality and skills mismatch between education and what the job market needs. 

In this regard, the government is collaborating with stakeholders like Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator to combat youth economic exclusion by addressing the demand-supply mismatch in the South African labour market.  

Moreover, we need to encourage young people to look into starting their own businesses instead of waiting for employment. In this day and age, entrepreneurship is one of the keys to building a better future.

Our National Development Plan: Vision 2030 highlights the importance of small businesses and entrepreneurship in creating jobs and growing the economy. We must encourage our youth to trust and believe in their ability to start and grow their own businesses—and we must give them the tools and support to do so.

As the Human Resource Development Council aims to reduce the scourge of poverty, inequality and unemployment through creating platforms for social partners to deliberate on the country’s skills and human capital development. 

The Council is also working to strengthen partnerships between TVET colleges and various stakeholders, including industry and employers, to ensure that training aligns with the needs of the labour market.

We believe that providing young people with the skills they need to become entrepreneurs or employable is crucial to our society's success.  

Therefore, this year’s theme, "Skills for a changing world – empowering youth for meaningful economic participation" is both timely and relevant.

It illuminates the urgent need to future-proof our young people with adaptable skills and the necessary capabilities to navigate the evolving labour market and contribute meaningfully to the growth of our economy and industries in an era of rapid technological and social transformation.

Our 4th Industrial Revolution Report makes it clear that "our success in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution will depend on our ability to unleash the full scientific, industrial, and creative potential of South African society. In order to prosper in this new industrial era, we must not only revolutionise our learning, work, and living practices, but also embrace continuous innovation, adaptability, and unconventional thinking”.

Compatriots, 

As Government, we offer various programmes to support young entrepreneurs, including financial assistance, business development services, and skills training.

The National Youth Development Agency's Grant Programme and Youth Challenge Fund are key initiatives, along with the launch of a R20 billion annual Transformation Fund for the next five years, aiming to boost Black-owned businesses and historically disadvantaged groups.

These funds will act as a catalyst to attract other funds to enhance support of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. Additionally, government is promoting youth participation in the digital economy through initiatives like the Digital Economy Masterplan and the National Digital and Future Skills Strategy.

These initiatives inspire hope in our quest to create employment and entrepreneurship for young people. 

However, I believe that young people require more than hope and resilience to thrive.

They need policy support and access to capital and markets for their goods and services. And above all, they need a coordinated ecosystem that recognises that, by working together, we can do more to create an enabling environment for young people. 

As part of assisting young entrepreneurs with quick turnaround on invoice payments, we have proposed a War Room on Clean Governance. Part of the main priorities of the Clean Governance War Room will be the prioritisation of the 10 – 15-day payment cycles and Transformative Procurement of small businesses. This is doable! 

We must speed up the execution of existing legislation and regulations to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of the youth. 

Programme Directors, 

While challenges remain, allow me to briefly reflect on some of the major victories that our democratic dispensation has registered in advancing youth empowerment since 1994.

Firstly, at the Basic Education level, we have transformed the matric pass rate from 58% in 1994 to a historic 87.3% in 2024. This is the result of three decades of making education an apex priority of government.

Our basic education system has gradually transformed whilst redressing the generational legacies of Verwoerd's Bantu Education System. While we are not yet where we wish to be, we are also far from the inequality and disregard inherited in 1994.

Secondly, in higher education, our National Student Financial Aid Scheme, a catalyst for widening access to higher education for the marginalised has grown from a modest budget of R33 million in 1991, serving only 7 240 students, to over R52 billion today, funding more than 1.1 million students at Universities and TVET colleges. 

As a result of this sustained investment, the demographic composition of our higher education system has been fundamentally transformed. In 1994, there were 266 190 Black students, representing 50.4% of the total student population. By 2020, that number had grown to 862 313 Black students, constituting 80% of enrolments. 

In 2017, our government restructured NSFAS, converting it from a predominantly loan-based scheme into a grant system to ensure that higher education does not become a debt sentence for our young people.

This support includes the NYDA's Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship, which continues to advance the educational aspirations of youth from rural and township communities.

We have also met and surpassed gender parity in higher education participation rates, with over 60% of graduates from our colleges and universities now being young women.

As the demand for education continues to grow, it is only natural that challenges around accommodation and the administration of NSFAS have emerged. 

However, we are encouraged by the efforts of the Department of Higher Education and Training, which are currently underway to ensure that no deserving student is left behind.

Programme Director,

Over the past five years, several mass youth employment programmes have been implemented across the length and breadth of the country to respond to the challenge of youth unemployment.

The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) was launched in 2020 to cultivate sustainable earning opportunities for young people from all walks of life. Just yesterday, the Presidency released a progress report on this initiative.

The latest quarterly report confirms that over 4.7 million young people are now registered on the National Pathway Management Network, with more than 1.6 million earning opportunities secured through a variety of initiatives and partnerships.

At the beginning of this month, 205 000 young people were placed in jobs through Phase 5 of the Basic Education Employment Initiative as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus.
Government has also implemented the Social Employment Fund, managed by the Industrial Development Corporation, which has been designed to address unemployment and promote social value through "whole of society" approaches.

The Social Employment Fund supports Civil Society Organisations to create employment opportunities within local communities, focusing on initiatives that address social challenges like health, education, and food security. Since its inception in 2021, the Social Employment Fund has been able to create and retain 140 000 jobs across over 6 000 sites nationwide.

Since 2012, the Small Enterprise Finance Agency has offered development finance to youth-owned SMMEs and Cooperatives struggling to secure commercial credit through various youth-specific funding options, including the Youth Fund Challenge, loans, grants, credit guarantees, and business support services to aid young entrepreneurs in their endeavours.

Alongside these efforts, the National Youth Development Agency has dedicated substantial resources to promote a culture of entrepreneurship among young people from all backgrounds.

In line with our theme of skills for a changing world, let me turn to the catalytic projects we have developed for implementation over the next five years to future-proof our youth and their income-earning abilities.

In 2023, as our democratic dispensation turned 30, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities made a commitment to move beyond advocacy and begin to conceive nationwide transformative projects, with a particular focus on poor and marginalised communities.

To this end, the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities made a commitment to the President and Parliament to rally all of government and all of society, particularly industry associations, behind the conceptualisation and implementation of a South African National Service Institute (SANSI), which I had the honour of launching in May 2024 alongside several industry associations. 

Through SANSI, young people can look forward to a range of nationwide interventions and programmes with sustainable and clearly defined opportunities, in sectors such as; agriculture, artificial intelligence, coding and robotics, and Energy & Related Value Chains among many others. 

Programme Director,

I was pleased to hear that some young people here in Potchefstroom embarked on a cleaning campaign over the past few days and this morning, with the support of the municipality. This follows the launch of the Clean Cities and Towns Campaign on June 6th in Kliptown, Soweto in collaboration with the South African Local Government Association; Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; as well as Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. I urge all young people to take the lead in building safe, clean and prosperous communities. 

Compatriots, 

As I conclude, I want to emphasise that the youth deserve nothing less than a future where their skills, creativity, and determination can flourish in a changing world.
We urge the private sector to create opportunities by investing, hiring, and supporting youth innovation.

To the youth, do not give up in pursuing a better future for yourselves and the country. Your voice, your ideas, and your energy are the fuel that can rebuild this country. We therefore invite you to be part of the upcoming National Dialogue to shape the future trajectory of our country.

To parents, teachers, and communities, let us support and guide our children. The government will continue leading from the front by creating a conducive environment for economic growth, education, safety, and opportunity. 

We must stand united in our commitment to creating a better tomorrow for the youth and generations to come. 

I Thank You.
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this afternoon, 15 June 2025, arrived in Canada to participate in the G7 Summit Outreach Session, scheduled to take place on the margins of the G7 Leaders Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada on 17 June 2025.  

The Group of Seven consists of the largest advanced economies namely: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The European Union also participates in G7 Summits, although not a member.  

Canada assumed the Presidency of the G7 on 01 January 2025 and its Presidency seeks to address global challenges and opportunities, including international peace and security, global economic stability and growth, and the digital transition.

Furthermore, the Outreach Session aims “to explore leadership and collaboration in driving a comprehensive approach to energy security with a focus on technology and innovation; diversification and strengthening critical mineral supply chains; and infrastructure and investment”.

This resonates with South Africa’s national interests and priorities of South Africa's G20 Presidency.  

The Outreach Sessions of the G7 in which President Ramaphosa will participate have been a feature of the Group over the years, with the aim to strengthen unity among G7 members and like-minded countries to deliberate on and address some of the world’s most pressing issues. 

Reflecting the outward looking approach of recent Presidencies, guest leaders are invited to join Outreach Sessions within the Summit agenda.  

The cooperation between South Africa and Canada has strengthened this year as it relates to G20 and G7. 

Under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, enhanced efforts have been undertaken to align objectives and support the agenda of the G7 to that of the G20.

Several engagements have taken place between South Africa and Canada at various levels, including at Sherpa and Ministerial levels.

South Africa is currently the only African country invited to this year’s G7 Summit Outreach Session. 

The G7 Summit will provide President Ramaphosa with an opportunity to meet Heads of State and Government of G7 countries (who are also G20 Members) and other Outreach Guest Countries.

The President will use this platform as an opportunity to engage with various leaders on areas of common interest in bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation – including the G20 Presidency ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2025.

 President Ramaphosa’s participation at the G7 Leaders Summit presents an opportunity for South Africa to pursue strategic alignment within the framework of G7-G20 cooperation, where necessary.  

The President is accompanied by Minister Ronald Lamola, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Shiphokosa Paulus Mashatile will, on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Youth Day commemoration and career exhibition event scheduled to take place on Monday, 16 June 2025, at the NWU Rag Farm Stadium, Potchefstroom in the JB Marks Local Municipality, North West Province. 

National Youth Day Commemorative events this year are held under the theme, “Skills for the Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation”, a call to all government entities and its strategic partners to accelerate and enhance meaningful interventions in bridging the gap between skills development programmes and services available for access by youth to realise economic gain.

In South Africa, June 16 has been declared a National Youth Day due to the active role and participation of young people in the liberation struggle, noting specifically the student uprising of June 16, 1976. 

The 1976 uprising raised the political awareness and introduced a renewed sense to protest against the oppressive apartheid regime. The peaceful 1976 youth demonstrations were met with brutal force from the apartheid regime, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives, including that of Hector Pieterson, who became the face of the brutality worldwide. 

To date, not only does South Africa continue to pay homage to the youth of 1976, but the country also recognises and applauds the greatness of today’s youth as they make up 34% of South Africa’s total population. 

"As we commemorate this year’s Youth Day, we do so fully aware of the challenges which continue to confront today’s youth, one of them being youth unemployment.  Hence this youth month, Government is putting a strong emphasis on the importance of strong collaboration by all implementing partners on  education, skills and economic development in order to link youth with education and economic opportunities to address youth unemployment in our country," said the Deputy President.

During the Youth Day Commemorative event, Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga, Premier of the North West Province, Mr Lazarus Mokgosi, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Development Agency, Ms Mafiki Duma, Mayors, senior government officials and Young Trailblazers.  

The Youth Day event will take place as follows:
Date: Monday, 16 June 2025
Time: 09h00 (Gates open at 07h00)
Venue: North West University (NWU) Rag Farm Stadium, Potchefstroom, North West Province.

Accreditation
Members of the media who have applied for accreditation to cover the commemoration event are hereby requested to collect their accreditation cards as follows:
Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025
Time: 10h00 -18h00
Venue: Trim Park Hall, Potchefstroom in JB Marks Local Municipality.

Monday, 16 June 2025
Time: 07h00 -10h00

For collection enquiries please contact: Madimetja Moleba on 066 301 4675.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya
Delegates and Members of the African Mayors’ Assembly Management of The Presidency 
Ladies and Gentlemen Good Afternoon. 

“Heritage is what is preserved from the past as the living collective memory of a people not only to inform the present about the past but also to equip successive generations to fashion their future. It is what creates a sense of identity and assures rootedness and continuity, so that what is brought out by dynamism of culture is not changed for its own sake, but it is a result of people’s conscious choice to create a better life.” 

This definition from the National Heritage Council provides an important conceptual tool to understanding the importance of heritage in general and world heritage sites in particular. 

In July 2024, sitting in Delhi, India; the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s World Heritage Committee inscribed the Union Buildings as a world heritage site. 

For the its part, The Presidency is still elaborating plans on the management of this site; properly to give practical meaning “not only to inform the present about the past but also to equip successive generations to fashion their future.” 

These operational plans will be announced on our website, including the creation of the visitors centre to manage visitors flow. 

As the Presidency and I indeed speak for the President, we are elated by your presence here to tour this beautiful site. We thank very much each of the Mayors and African city governments present here today. 

A special extension of appreciation goes to the Executive Mayor of Tshwane; the host extraordinaire of the U20, African Mayors Assembly. As you very well may know, the City of Tshwane, is also the host of our national seat of Government, at whose preeminent and symbolic building, I have the singular honour to receive and welcome you all. 

For very many years in the past, this very building was a symbol of oppression and division, yet paradoxically, union being its name. The union it then represented, was the union of whites against blacks in general and Africans in particular. It was a union of repression and oppression by one against the other. This is the collective memory whose preservation is entrusted on us the living, so that we give due respect to the past, present and future. 

Indeed today, this building evokes memories of the consistent battles fought to win our peace and the true unity we have today. Today, the building is the symbol of the union of all our people, diverse in the culture yet sharing a common heritage. 

The memories of the past and our management of the present should and must form the impulses that “equip successive generations to fashion their future.” 

I hope as you prepare to go back home, you have experienced the hospitality of our nation and will soon as return with your families for leisure. 

Esteem members of the African Mayors’ Assembly, I have made all these long winded remarks to simply say: welcome to the Union Buildings and enjoy your tour. 

Ke a leboga! 
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulates the Proteas on winning the International Cricket Council’s Test Championship against Australia by five wickets in London today.

South Africa beat Australia through a superb team effort at Lord’s, the home of cricket, on the fourth day.

The win was built around excellent performances by the batsmen in the second innings.

There was the brilliant batting by Aiden Markram who scored 136 and the captain, Temba Bavuma with his 66 runs.
 
Their match-winning partnership was pivotal in the team’s success.

The bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada, also kept the pressure on the Australian batsmen and never allowed them to dominate.

 President Ramaphosa said, "Coach Shukri Conrad, captain Bavuma and the team have done South Africa proud. They started the match as underdogs but that indomitable spirit, that is a characteristic of our nation, carried the team through.

The Proteas underlined the importance of being focussed on the field and triumphed.

Your win is a major boost for cricket in South Africa and you have inspired a new generation of cricketers.

I call on the nation to come and greet the Cricket World Champions when they arrive back in the country this week.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will undertake a Working Visit to the Russian Federation on 17-21 June 2025, aimed at strengthening bilateral economic and trade ties between South Africa and Russia.

The purpose of the Working Visit is to strengthen bilateral economic and trade ties between South Africa and the Russian Federation, particularly focusing on enhancing economic cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, automotive, energy and mining industries as well as science and technology cooperation. 

The Working Visit will take place in two cities in the Russian Federation, namely Moscow and St. Petersburg for high-level engagements as well as economic diplomacy activities. 

In Moscow, Deputy President Mashatile will meet with the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr Mikhail Mishutin, to discuss cooperation in the economic, trade and energy spheres. The Deputy President will also meet with the following Leaders from the Russian Federation: 

• President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr Vladimir Putin
• Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Mrs Valentina Matvienko (Speaker of Upper House)
• Chairman of the State Duma, Mr Vyacheslav Volodin (Speaker of Lower House)

During his stay in Moscow, the Deputy President will lay a wreath at the memorial site dedicated to South Africa’s liberation stalwarts, John Beaver (JB) Marks and Moses Kotane. 

The second part of the Working Visit will take place in St. Petersburg where the Deputy President will participate in the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025 (SPIEF ’25), held under the theme: “Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World”. The forum will take place from 19-21 June 2025. 

Deputy President Mashatile will participate in the plenary of SPIEF ’25 and has also been invited to participate as a speaker in the Russia-Africa Business Dialogue. 

On the sidelines of SPIEF '25 Deputy President Mashatile is scheduled to deliver a Public Lecture at the St Petersburg State University under the theme: “South Africa’s G20 Presidency in a rapidly changing Geopolitical Environment” and also speak during the opening of the South African Trade and Investment Seminar. 

The St. Petersburg leg of the visit is expected to leverage on promoting South Africa’s trade relations and South Africa as an investment destination. 

The Working Visit will be Deputy President Mashatile's first visit to the Russian Federation since he took office as Deputy President under the 7th Administration. The the Working Visit is preceded by the following high-level visits to the Russian Federation by South African leaders: 
• President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Working Visit to Kazan, Russia for the BRICS Summit in October 2024; 
• Deputy Minister of International Relations & Cooperation, Ms Thandi Moraka’s participation in the First Russia-Africa Ministerial Meeting in November 2024; 
• Minister of International Relations & Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola’s visit to co-chair the 18th ITEC session in April 2025, and
• Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga represented South Africa during the “80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War Celebrations” held in Moscow in May 2025. 

Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by a delegation of Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are part of the Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment and Infrastructure Development Cabinet Cluster. 

These include International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Alvin Botes; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande; Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina; Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau; Agriculture Deputy Minister Nokuzola Capa; Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala; Mineral and Petroleum Resources Deputy Minister Phumzile Mgcina, and Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Peace Mabe.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Programme Director, Ms Zengeziwe Msimang;
Board Chairperson of Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, Ms Tandi Nzimande;
Chief Executive Officer of Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, Ms Kasthuri Soni;
Distinguished Guests;

And most importantly, the young people gathered here today;

Good Morning,

It is a privilege to address this gathering on a subject that is fundamental to South Africa's future: the potential of our youth to reimagine and reshape the country's economy and society.

The important topic of "Enabling Entrepreneurship as a Pathway to Youth Economic Inclusion", is most relevant as it seeks to contextualise what is an effective strategy for achieving economic inclusion that advantages both youth and the country. 

As the Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council in Government, I have made it our objective to reduce the scourge of poverty, inequality and unemployment through creating platforms for social partners to deliberate on the country’s skills and human capital development in order to address bottlenecks in the human resource development value chain.

We believe that providing young people with the skills they need to become entrepreneurs is crucial to our society's success, especially given the road we have travelled in reversing post-apartheid laws that barred the majority from participating in the economy.

This is a road that was paved by the youth of 1976. Today we are gathered here 49 years after the youth of 1976 courageously opposed legislation intended to marginalise them economically, and was designed to confine them to roles as ordinary labourers—“hewers of wood and drawers of water.”

Faithful to the call, the 1976 generation has gifted us the political freedom, which is important for democratic governance, human rights, and economic growth. 

As we honour their contribution during this Youth Month, let their spirit shine within us, igniting our quest to forge a new economy—one that embraces all, guided by the talent, creativity, and brilliance.

Like the brave souls of youth in 1976, who stood against the chains of apartheid's cruelty, today's youth must rise, in quest of economic freedom. Together, we should confront economic inequality, unemployment, and a growing digital divide as well as navigate globalisation and rapid technological progress.

In South Africa, youth unemployment has reached crisis levels. 

The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey data delivered its bleakest message: that the expanded youth unemployment among young people aged 18–34 years has, in the first quarter of 2025, reached one of its highest points ever - at 56.3%. This is a continuation of the downward spiral trend that began in 2015 and was only interrupted by an even steeper fall during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most of you gathered here today know all too well what it means to be without work – locked out of the economy and unable to earn an income. It is disheartening; it is discouraging, and it takes resilience and an enduring sense of hope to overcome. 

Most importantly, it requires support from family, Government, the private sector and other stakeholders. 

As Government, we are fully aware that this is not just a labour market issue; it is a social and moral emergency. 

I am encouraged by many of you in the audience today who remain hopeful about yours and the country’s future. 

I am encouraged by the several interventions currently underway as the Government leads the charge against youth economic exclusion in partnership with stakeholders from across society, including the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator.

In our partnership, we must also address the issue of access to education in our country. There are 9.2 million young people in our country who are not in education, employment, or training. 

Even more shockingly, this number is set to increase by approximately 600 000 annually. With the economy projected to grow only at 1.8%, we must accept that the formal economy is not growing at the rate required to absorb the large number of youth entering the labour market annually.

As part of a solution to this challenge, youth who are not in employment, education, or training should consider entrepreneurship as a viable pathway for employment and self-reliance. 

Our National Development Plan: Vision 2030, places a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and small businesses as crucial drivers of economic growth and job creation.

We need to collaborate to change the mentality of young people by bringing to light opportunities that are available for those who choose to pursue entrepreneurship.

Government offers various programmes to support young entrepreneurs, including financial assistance, business development services, and skills training.

Key initiatives include the National Youth Development Agency’s Grant Programme, and the Youth Challenge Fund. 

To ensure increased access to funding, we have the Innovation Fund, which has already supported over 96 start-ups since 2020. 

Moreover, we have recently launched the Transformation Fund worth R20 billion per year over the next five years. 

The fund targets increased participation of Black-owned businesses and historically disadvantaged groups, focusing on enterprise and Supplier Development and Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes. 

These funds will act as a catalyst to attract other funds and make more funding available to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

Additionally, the Government encourages youth participation in the digital economy through initiatives such as the Digital Economy Masterplan and the National Digital and Future Skills Strategy.

These strategies focus on expanding digital infrastructure, developing digital skills, and fostering digital innovation. Through these programmes and initiatives, we are integrating youth enterprise into our economy.

This is why we are working with the private sector and civil society to scale up enterprise support, open procurement pathways, and remove red tape.

I believe that young entrepreneurs require more than hope and resilience to thrive. 

They need policy support and access to capital and markets for their goods and services. And above all, they need a coordinated ecosystem that recognises that, by working together, we can do more to create an enabling environment for young people.

Legislation and regulation must not be a burden but rather an enabler. When crafted and implemented with purpose, they provide powerful frameworks that ensure fairness, protection, and opportunity whilst promoting growth. 

This is why I am excited to welcome the passage of the Public Procurement Act of 2024. This legislation is not just a reform of how government spends; it is a powerful lever to connect young entrepreneurs to local value chains. 

It prioritises localisation, enterprise development, and inclusive procurement, allowing young people to become suppliers, service providers, and solution-builders in our economy.

As part of assisting young entrepreneurs with quick turnaround on invoice payments, we have proposed a War Room on Clean Governance. Part of the main priorities of the Clean Governance War Room will be the prioritisation of the 10 to 15 day payment cycles and Transformative Procurement of small businesses.

Equally important is the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill, which places youth entrepreneurship at the centre of our small business development strategy. 

The Bill will improve regulatory coordination, ease compliance burdens, and ensure more targeted and efficient support for small enterprises, especially those owned by youth, women, and people with disabilities.

One of the most exciting announcements for youth entrepreneurs in recent months is the Spaza Shop Support Fund. 

Government has committed R500 million to revitalise township and rural economies by supporting informal retailers, many of which are youth-led enterprises.

Let me be clear: this is not a handout. It is an investment in your potential.

Given the complexity and scale of the youth unemployment crisis, government understands that there is no silver bullet. 

One game-changing tool in our arsenal to address youth unemployment is the SA Youth Platform, or SA youth.mobi which is a core component of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, a Government-led Public-Private initiative that seeks to leverage the strengths of sectors from across our economy to break the significant barriers that keep young people locked out of the economy.

Just last week, the 2nd of June 2025 marked the first day at work for 205 000 young people as part of the Basic Education Employment Initiative, making it the largest youth employment programme in South Africa’s history. The Basic Education Employment Initiative is in its fifth phase and is now funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund Labour Activation Programme and the national government.

This national initiative is part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus and is implemented by the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Employment and Labour, as well as provincial education departments. With 22 000 schools in the programme, the Basic Education Employment Initiative truly has a national footprint – reaching every corner of this country, from rural areas to urban centres and beyond.

As I conclude, it would be remiss of me to not take this opportunity to thank you, the learners in this room who drive the contact centre, and Harambee for the role that you played as the recruitment platform for this incredibly successful phase of this ground-breaking initiative.

I am reliably informed that this team processed 17.9 million applications from 1.9 million unique applicants on SA youth.mobi in addition to handling over 800 000 interactions in just three weeks.

You accomplished this truly remarkable feat through your tireless efforts, working late night and early morning shifts throughout. 

This is what we mean when we say; there can be no solution for the youth without the youth themselves. We are grateful to you for your efforts to empower other young people.

From the Spaza Shop Fund to the SA Youth Platform and the Basic Education Employment Initiative to the Township Economy Revitalisation Strategies, these are not isolated efforts. 

They are part of a broader mission to build an economy that reflects the energy, creativity, and diversity of young people - an economy that moves forward and one that is powered by young people.

As we look ahead, let us imagine a world in which every young person has the opportunity to make their ambitions a reality, where entrepreneurship is more than a slogan but a way of life.

Let us work together to create an enabling environment that nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit and fosters a culture of innovation and resilience.

I wish you all a wonderful National Youth Day celebration on Monday. 

I look forward to the National commemoration of this day programme in Potchefstroom, in the North West Province, under the theme “Skills for the Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation”.

Let me end with the slogan I learned during my days as young person, which says, “uzoyithola kanjani uhleli ekhoneni”. 

Thank you.
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday, 13 June 2025, visit flood-affected areas in the Eastern Cape following rising casualties and damage to infrastructure caused by the severe weather which has engulfed the OR Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities.

The President is being kept abreast by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabunyane on search and rescue efforts, and additional support needed to comprehensively respond across all levels to the devastating disaster.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the loss of lives and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, affected communities and Eastern Cape residents at large.

President Ramaphosa will commence his oversight visit to the flood-affected sites accompanied by Minister Hlabisa, Premier Mabuyane and leaders of the disaster response.

The delegation will monitor progress on the response and will interact with affected communities on government’s support.

*MEDIA PROGRAMME*

Closed Briefing by the interdisciplinary National Disaster Management Team
Time: 11:00
Venue : O.R Tambo District Municipality Council Chamber

Site visits to the Dicoligny , Jumba High School and Slovo Park
Time: 11:30

(Media to be stationed from the first site visit)

Media logistical arrangements to the site visits can be directed to Khuselwa Rantjie, Eastern Cape Provincial Spokesperson - 082 728 7476

COGTA Ministry enquiries: Pearl Maseko-Binqose, Media Liaison Officer - 082 772 1709

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Presidency has noted various media reports on the National Dialogue that are based on incorrect or incomplete information.

In this regard, the Presidency wishes to clarify the following:

- The National Dialogue is to be an inclusive process in which all South Africans will have an opportunity to participate as individuals or through organised formations.

- The first National Convention to enable an all-inclusive process will be convened on 15 August 2025 to set the agenda for the National Dialogue. This will be followed by discussions across the country, in various sectors and on issues that citizens feel deserve national attention. These will then be grouped into agenda themes for national engagement. A second National Convention will be held in the beginning of 2026 where these discussions will be consolidated into a common national vision and implementation programme.

- The Eminent Persons Group has been appointed to champion the National Dialogue and to provide guidance to ensure that the process is inclusive and credible. It is comprised of respected individuals who have played and continue to play an important role in various areas of our national life. The Eminent Persons Group will not be responsible for the day-to-day running of activities.

- Preparations for the National Convention and other activities are currently being undertaken by a National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team made up of representatives from various foundations, civil society organisations and the Presidency. The National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team has been working for close to a year on developing the form and approach to the National Dialogue. This team will remain seized with the practical arrangements for the National Dialogue until a representative Steering Committee has been established.

- Media reports that certain foundations belonging to the stalwarts of the liberation struggle have been sidelined or overlooked are inaccurate. These foundations, together with other civil society formations that were part of the initial work, remain centrally involved in the Preparatory Task Team.

- Over the next few weeks, the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team will undertake a series of information sessions and consultations with a range of stakeholders in preparation for the first National Convention on 15 August 2025.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director, Adv Nsinga Qunta,
Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa,
Premier of the Western Cape, Mr Alan Winde,
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Leaders of industry,
Development partners,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Welcome to the inaugural Africa Green Hydrogen Summit.  

This summit started out in 2022 as a platform for South African to articulate its national vision and to convene the country’s green hydrogen ecosystem. 

Now this summit provides a platform for our shared continental ambitions.

Our beloved continent Africa, the cradle of humanity, is uniquely positioned to become a major player in green hydrogen because it has abundant renewable resources manifested in high solar irradiance, strong winds and hydropower potential.  

The vast land our continent has lends itself to large-scale renewable energy projects.

We are therefore perfectly placed to leverage the global shift towards cleaner energy sources for our collective advantage.  

Green hydrogen is a way to marry Africa’s mineral riches with our renewable energy endowment to decarbonise heavy industries, to create jobs, to stimulate investment and to unlock inclusive growth across borders.  

The growing global demand for clean hydrogen as countries decarbonise their industries, transport, and energy systems presents unlimited opportunities for our continent. 

As demand for green hydrogen grows, so does demand for platinum group metals, sustaining and expanding our continent’s mining and refining industries.  

Africa is rising to meet this moment of opportunity and potential.  

The Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance brings together a number of African nations, including Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia and South Africa.  

More than 52 large-scale green hydrogen projects have been announced across the continent. These include the Coega Green Ammonia project in South Africa, the AMAN project in Mauritania and Project Nour in Morocco.  

The Alliance’s ambition targets 30 to 60 million tons of green hydrogen production by 2050.  

It is estimated that this could create between two and four million new jobs in Alliance member states by 2050.  

To make use of these opportunities, we need to establish appropriate policy and regulatory environments. 

We must continue to move as a continent to develop regional certification schemes, hydrogen corridors and green product export platforms.  

We commend the work of countries like Mauritania, which has taken early steps on certification.  

It will be critical that we learn from one another and converge on standards that work for Africa.  

The recently launched Green Hydrogen Report is a consolidation of 35 underlying studies, providing the most comprehensive insight to date into the continent’s green hydrogen potential. 

A number of recent global developments further support the potential of Africa’s green hydrogen ecosystem.  

The H2Global mechanism is opening its second bidding window, with one of the four lots allocated to Africa.  

The African lot, which is funded by the German government, will guarantee off-take for successful projects on the continent.  

A Joint Declaration of Intent with the German government focuses on market access, off-take opportunities and value-additive benefits in the production of green steel and green fertiliser.

We commend the German government for its commitment to African supply. 

For South Africa’s part, we have made advances towards building the green hydrogen industry.  

To date, South Africa has invested more than R1.49 billion in our Hydrogen South Africa programme.  

Through our partnership with the European Union, we have prioritised support to projects like Sasol’s HySHiFT programme, which aims to produce up to 400,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel annually.  

The project directly supports African re-industrialisation and European energy transition goals.  

HySHiFT could anchor demand for up to 20 gigawatts of green hydrogen and represents a scalable model for industrial decarbonisation.  

The Sasolburg pilot is now producing green hydrogen for domestic use.  

In the Eastern Cape, the Coega Green Ammonia Project is at an advanced planning stage and four additional flagship hydrogen projects are expected to be submitted for Cabinet approval soon.  

The newly launched South African Renewable Energy Masterplan aligns the localisation of renewable energy and hydrogen components with industrial development and job creation.  

The expansion of the country’s electricity transmission infrastructure, which is essential to the growth of renewable energy, is now being accelerated through an Independent Transmission Projects Office.  

New wheeling regulations create an enabling environment for private power producers, especially those servicing hydrogen projects.  

These reforms demonstrate that we are not waiting. We are building.  

Major research is underway in all aspects of the green hydrogen value chain to reduce final costs.  

Early commercial exploration for naturally-occurring ‘white’ hydrogen is underway in the provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.  

If white hydrogen is proven to be available and commercially extractable, this will provide a further source of clean hydrogen.  

Tapping into the potential of the hydrogen economy is a matter of urgency for Africa.  

The continent has borne the brunt of climate change and the devastation it causes in communities and economies.  

We have witnessed deadly heatwaves, heavy rains, tropical cyclones and prolonged droughts.  

These events underscore our shared vulnerability, but also our shared responsibility to act, to adapt, and to do so in a way that leaves no one behind.  

At the same time we are clear that Africa must transition at a pace and scale that reflects our development priorities and our economic realities.  

We are very much alive to the reality that green hydrogen production faces a number of challenges.  

There is the cost factor.  

Capital intensity and the high costs of financing are significant barriers, as is the cost of green hydrogen relative to other energy sources such as natural gas.  

We are also contending with skewed global investment patterns.  

A number of green hydrogen projects on our continent are not being initiated or reaching financial close, due to cost of capital and perceptions of risk.  

We cannot close that gap with potential alone. We must match it with demand signals, regulatory certainty and project preparation support.  

We need to ensure that there is sufficient and growing demand.  

This includes building domestic demand in African countries.  

In this regard, the launch of green hydrogen production for mobility in Sasolburg and policy enablers for domestic offtake are important foundational steps.  

As we explore these exciting opportunities, we must work to address the impediments to the growth of this industry. 

In 2024, the International Energy Agency reduced the global 2030 hydrogen growth forecast. 

It said that the sector is now maturing and moving beyond the hype observed in recent years. 

It said that understanding among stakeholders about where the real opportunities for hydrogen lie – and where efforts must be focused – is now much stronger. 

Tempered by these realities, this Summit must not only be a platform of ideas. It must be a platform of commitments.  

We must put the African voice at the centre of global energy rule-making. 

We must be authors of our own future.  

During its G20 Presidency, South Africa has chosen to prioritise just energy transitions as engines of economic growth and social development.  

The Africa Green Hydrogen Summit is an important part of that vision. 

Hydrogen is a bridge to a new export industry for African countries.

It is an enabler for Africa’s energy independence and climate resilience. 

More importantly hydrogen is an anchor for industrial transformation and infrastructure investment.

We are called upon to join hands to build this bridge together – as Africans, as partners and as builders of a green, prosperous and inclusive future.  

I thank you.