President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, 23 August 2025, held talks with European leaders on the Russia-Ukraine peace efforts. 

The series of telephone calls held today follows meetings hosted by President Donald Trump with President Vladimir Putin, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several other European leaders. 

President Ramaphosa spoke to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, President Emmanuel Macron of France and President Alexandar Stubb of Finland. Additional calls with other European leaders will follow in the coming days and weeks.

President Ramaphosa also appreciated the briefing he received last week from President Vladimir Putin following his meeting with President Trump. 

In all the discussions European leaders openly shared their perspectives, appreciated South Africa's role in engaging with both sides to the conflict and provided President Ramaphosa with a firm commitment to supporting efforts aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. 

President Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of holding bilateral and trilateral meetings between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine and the United States as key to signal a firm commitment to ending the war. 

President Ramaphosa calls on all parties to seize this moment and  sustain the momentum towards peace between Russia and Ukraine.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Ms Nonceba Mhlauli, will participate in the 2^nd Annual Critical Conversation: Beyond Liberation, hosted by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) on Friday 22 August 2025.

The dialogue will be held under the theme: “Is education a liberator or an oppressor in the struggle for peace, gender equality, and economic justice?” This important engagement forms part of the commemoration of Women’s Month, International Youth Day, and World Humanitarian Day.

Deputy Minister Mhlauli will deliver the keynote address, reflecting on the role of education as a catalyst for social transformation, empowerment, and inclusive development. The event will bring together academics, students, civil society, and policymakers to reflect on how education can advance equality, dignity, and justice in society.

Details of the Event:

Date: Friday, 22 August 2025
Time: 09:00 – 15:00
Venue: CPUT Bellville Campus Auditorium
The media are invited to attend and cover the proceedings.
 

Media enquiries: Mandisa Mbele, Head: Office of the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, on 082 580 2213 / mandisam@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Friday, 22 August and Sunday 24 August 2025, attend and deliver remarks at the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) and the South African Sports Awards (SASA) scheduled to take place at Sun City Superbowl in the North West Province.

The NACAs, previously known as the Cultural and Creative Industry Awards, shine a national spotlight on the creators, innovators, and visionaries who push boundaries and shape our cultural identity. This year’s nominees reflect the rich diversity, imagination, and resilience that define South Africa’s creative sector.

The SASAs seek to recognise the contribution of sports towards social cohesion and unity, and celebrate courage and excellent performance in the field of sports.

Hosted by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, these awards reaffirm Government’s commitment to supporting the development of South Africa’s creative and sports industries. 

As a champion of social cohesion and nation building initiatives, Deputy President Mashatile is expected to highlight the importance of sports, arts and culture in shaping South Africa’s national identity, fostering social cohesion, and contributing to economic growth. 

Details of the events are as follows:

National Arts and Culture Awards

Date: Friday, 22 August 2025
Time: 20h00
Venue: Sun City Superbowl 

South African Sports Awards

Date: Sunday, 24 August 2025
Time: 20h00
Venue: Sun City Superbowl

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

Issued by: The Presidedcy
Pretoria

Programme Director;
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau;
Ministers;
Ambassadors;
Business and industry leaders;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;
 
It is a privilege to deliver these keynote remarks at a forum that heralds the next chapter of the South Africa–Japan partnership.
 
This next chapter is grounded in shared ideals of innovation, resilience and inclusive prosperity.
 
This year marks 115 years of relations between South Africa and Japan. 
 
It is an opportune time to strengthen our long standing economic relationship. 
 
The recent tariff decisions by the United States have tested South Africa’s reliance on historical markets. 
 
Our government has swiftly activated diversification strategies, including the re-establishment of trade offices and assistance desks. 
 
Japan is a key pillar in our outreach.
 
Prime Minister Ishiba’s recent remarks on Japan’s willingness to adjust tariffs for strained partners signal an alignment that could underpin deeper bilateral tariff cooperation.
 
This business forum provides a great opportunity to focus on what we have done so far, the opportunities between both our countries, and how we can tap into the benefits for a deeper partnership going forward.
 
There are immense opportunities for South Africa and Japan to collaborate on integrated supply chains within strategic sectors, such as battery minerals, automotive components, renewable energy equipment and hydrogen technologies.
 
This would enhance mutual resilience to external trade disruptions.
 
Japan is one of South Africa's major economic partners and an important source of investment. 
 
South Africa’s exports to Japan are dominated by minerals such as platinum, coal, manganese, titanium and iron ore. 
 
Japan is South Africa’s most important trading partners in construction, manufacturing and technology. 
 
South African agricultural products currently found in the Japanese market include Rooibos tea, Appletiser juices, citrus, wine, avocados, butternut and maize. 
 
South Africa is a top-tier global agricultural exporter, with strong sanitary and phytosanitary standards and traceability systems, with a growing range of niche, high-value products.
 
Globally, we are ranked the number one exporter of Rooibos tea, the number one exporter of macadamia nuts, the second largest exporter of fresh citrus and the fifth largest exporter by volume of wine.
 
South Africa is a leading global supplier of strategic and industrial minerals used in Japan’s green tech industries.
 
We are world leaders in the supply of platinum group metals and manganese. We are in the top five of vanadium producers and have untapped potential in rare earths.
 
South African exports automotive components to Japanese auto manufacturers across global supply chains, chemicals and polymers, and stainless steel and fabricated metal products.
 
Our products are not only export-ready but uniquely positioned to meet evolving Japanese consumer and industrial demands.
 
Over 270 Japanese companies have a notable presence in the South African economy, sustaining over 200,000 local jobs. 
 
Our strategic position on the African continent, our developed infrastructure and active private sector make South Africa a strong base for regional expansion.
 
We are on a path to revolutionise our energy sector in pursuit of low-carbon, climate resilient development.
 
We are actively seeking investment in the energy sector with a particular focus on renewables and green hydrogen.
 
South Africa is one of the most cost-effective hydrogen producers globally. 
 
We have introduced policies to promote the development of the electric vehicle industry in South Africa.
 
We invite co-investment on manganese, vanadium, platinum group metals and rare earths beneficiation aimed at the clean energy and mobility markets.
 
Investments in AI agriculture, diagnostics, cloud services and pharmaceutical manufacturing will serve both domestic and African demand.
 
South Africa’s economic recovery, renewal and expansion is being driven by a massive rollout of investment in energy, water, road, rail, port, telecommunication, digital and social infrastructure. 
 
Through this, we are expanding economic capacity and improving efficiencies. 
 
We are improving policy certainty and have adequate investment protection mechanisms to reduce risks for prospective investors and existing industry players. 
 
We are committed to taking advantage of intra-Africa trade and financial cooperation through the African Continental Free Trade Area. 
 
Under the African Continental Free Trade Area, South Africa is positioning itself as a continental industrial hub, both in manufacturing and innovation.
 
We invite Japanese companies to co-invest in value chains anchored in South Africa that serve the continental market of 1.4 billion people.
 
South Africa is firmly behind the African Union’s economic priorities, particularly infrastructure connectivity, climate adaptation and industrialisation. 
 
We are also chairing key forums in the G20 and G7 outreach that focus on critical minerals, climate finance and industrial resilience.
 
South Africa and Japan can jointly advocate for rules-based global systems that support fair trade, sustainable investment and value chain integration.
 
Together, we will be able to build industrial corridors in electric vehicles, hydrogen and digital innovation.
 
We should strengthen trading platforms for agricultural products, minerals and health goods.
 
And we should harmonise tariff and regulatory frameworks to incentivise location of high-value manufacturing.
 
We must work to translate our friendship into industrial and human development, with South Africa serving as a gateway to Africa.
 
South Africa is ready to partner with Japan in achieving durable, innovation-driven African economic development.
 
I encourage Japanese businesses to work together to seize the abundant opportunities that South Africa has to offer.
 
I wish you all well in the deliberations going forward.
 
I thank you.

Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela;
Host, Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi;
Ministers and Deputy Ministers;
Premiers and MECs;
Members of the Human Resource Development Council;
Directors- General and senior Government officials;

Good morning!

I would like to extend my congratulations to Mr. Buti Manamela on his appointment as the Minister of Higher Education and Training. We are pleased that you are familiar with the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) and possess institutional memory regarding our objectives. 

As a former youth and student leader, we appreciate your comprehensive awareness of the concerns of young people in the developmental agenda. We are confident in your capacity to lead this sector and look forward to collaborating closely with you and your team.

Let me also extend a warm welcome to all of you as we gather here today for this Council meeting. We are meeting here today because together we hold a collective wisdom and commitment to increase productivity, and the human resource development needed to successfully transform South Africa into a knowledge economy.

Substantively, we are here because we are all dedicated to improving national economic growth and development through the improved competitiveness of the South African economy.

We are meeting here today after a harsh reality was revealed by Statistics South Africa that the unemployment rate climbed once again to 33.2%, meaning one-third of the workforce is sitting without a job, the majority of whom are youth, women, and marginalised groups. 

We must acknowledge that the crisis of youth unemployment is particularly severe among young people not in employment, education, or training – the NEET cohort. 

According to Statistics South Africa’s first-quarter release of 2025, 34% of all youth aged 15–24 – more than 3.5 million young people – are disconnected from both the labour market and the education system. 

Research by the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit at the University of Cape Town reminds us that this is not a homogenous group, but rather a heterogeneous mix of young people whose experiences reflect entrenched exclusion, long-term unemployment, and fragile transitions between short-term opportunities.

Alarmingly, more than half of unemployed youth not in employment, education and training have been searching for work for over a year, underscoring the systemic barriers they face in securing a foothold in the labour market.

The HRDC plays a crucial role in addressing this crisis by improving workforce skills, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth. This is indeed an entrenched challenge that directly calls for the Council’s innovation and leadership. The future of the youth of South Africa is in our hands, and we must be radical in securing it!

Among other things, these statistics should prompt us to reconsider our role in mobilising various stakeholders and social partners to develop skills that meet the needs of the South African economy.

We should ask ourselves about the effectiveness of our education and training in responding to the social and economic development agenda. This includes how responsive we are in addressing quality issues in education, the skills development pipeline, and the shortages of skills in priority areas.

We must adopt a proactive stance and address the disparity between labour supply and demand. We must create a labour market that will effectively create employment opportunities for young people, including those with no skills.

We can address unemployment, including among those with limited skills, through a multi-pronged approach focused on education and skills development, entrepreneurship, and public employment programmes.

Improving education, aligning it with market needs, supporting small businesses, and investing in public work programs are key strategies.

It is universally acknowledged that education and skills development are essential for productive employment and economic prosperity. It is imperative to implement a more cohesive strategy between businesses and educational institutions to guarantee the cultivation of skills required for the economy.

Moreover, it is mandatory to encourage job creation by investing in employment-generating sectors, particularly by supporting the growth of small enterprises, which are pivotal to economic expansion. By fostering teamwork and a cohesive effort among government, business, and the training sector, we can effectively reverse the current situation, diminish unemployment, and establish a robust and resilient economy.

Together, we must persist in endorsing strategies and interventions that facilitate our efforts as the HRDC. This involves promoting and contributing to the execution of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, a multi-sectoral initiative aimed at tackling South Africa's persistent youth unemployment issue.

We must prioritise the oversight and execution of the Human Resource Development Strategy (HRDS), which seeks to enhance the nation's human capital through education, training, and skills development.

Through the HRDS, which also aligns with the National Development Plan (NDP), we can work together to address skills gaps, enhance employability, and reduce poverty and inequality.

Our nation requires us to have an integrated approach across a variety of sectors and levels, beginning with the development of young children and ending with their entry into the labour market. We need to do this with new energy and determination to build an HRDC that makes a difference in our communities.

As I have mentioned previously, for us to take our country forward, we must focus on the discipline of execution. We have at this stage mastered the art of policy making; however, some of these policies are not coming alive in the areas where they are needed to transform the lives of South Africans and the youth in particular. 

The HRDC must therefore be diligent and quick in implementing its agenda of upskilling young people to respond to the global challenges that confront us!

The HRDC must recognise that, in addition to high unemployment rates, there is a deficiency among individuals possessing advanced skills necessary for economic growth. The school system is having difficulties cultivating the skills required for a globalised, knowledge-driven economy.

Despite initiatives to enhance technical and vocational training and rectify skills deficiencies, a scarcity of skilled educators, together with a discord between existing skills and employer requirements, impedes advancement.

The country is actively working to improve educational outcomes, particularly in foundational learning, and to attract and retain skilled professionals. We need to keep working on making education and skills development a top priority for public sector investment, as well as expanding programmes that get young people involved in the economy.

We must further strengthen and expand the National Youth Service to bridge the school-to-work gap. This means the National Youth Development Agency must be at the forefront of integrating real-world experiences into education, fostering collaboration between educational institutions and employers, and equipping students with relevant skills.

This involves initiatives like workplace-integrated learning, career guidance, and mentorship programs. 

We must further coordinate this at the provincial level to drive skills development and economic growth within respective provinces. Minister Manamela will give more details on this when he does his presentation on the mapping of HRDC Exco members to provincial councils.

Let me also take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to the North West and Mpumalanga provinces for the successful launch of their provincial HRDC. The Provincial Council should concentrate on initiatives that will lead to increased productivity and the development of the necessary skills for our country to transition to a knowledge and skills-based economy. These Provincial Councils play a vital role in the implementation of the HRD Strategy and achieving our objectives.

Ladies and gentlemen,

One of the most significant challenges we face globally is the rapid growth of technology and the digital revolution. As automation and artificial intelligence shape industries, demand for traditional skills decreases, leading to an urgent need for new, technologically driven skills. 

The South African community must become digitally adaptive to ensure digital inclusivity for future generations.

We must refocus our curriculum and skills development programmes to align with industry, economic, and social needs. As technology advances exponentially, today's abilities may become obsolete tomorrow.

Thus, we must encourage active personal and professional development. Whether through workplace training or accessible learning platforms, we must create a learning environment that will prepare our workers for future challenges and opportunities.

The discussion today must encompass the necessity of skills development programmes that cater to the demands of all societal groups. We must reconcile disparities across various socio-economic categories, guaranteeing equitable access to skills development opportunities for everyone.

A robust and proficient workforce is the foundation of a prosperous nation. Consequently, we must collaborate to allocate resources towards skills development to advance South Africa on a path to economic prosperity, innovation, and social progress.

Compatriots and colleagues,

Let me conclude by drawing your attention to the G20 Summit. The G20 Education Working Group (EdWG) provides a chance to develop more inclusive and resilient education systems capable of preparing students for the future. 

As a host country, we have the chance to support emerging market economies' objectives while also promoting the African continent's development agenda within the G20 framework.

The collaborative activities and collaborations formed through this platform have played a key role in advancing education reform, promoting inclusive & quality education, and improving our youth's employability.

As we continue to strive for excellence in human resource development, let us use our partnerships and resources to further our shared goals. 

Together, we can have a long-term impact on our people's lives and contribute to our country's sustainable growth.

Let us work together to create a brighter future for all South Africans and those who live in it.

Thank you.

Excellencies, distinguished Heads of State and Government,
Acting Executive Director of UNFPA, Diene Keita,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Development partners and agencies,
Partners from civil society,
Friends from the private sector,
 
It is an honour to stand before you as the chair of the Global Leaders Network for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, alongside fellow members Ethiopia and Nigeria. 
 
The Global Leaders Network is a coalition of heads of state and government united by the conviction that the health, dignity and potential of women, children and adolescents are the cornerstones of a fair, prosperous and peaceful world.
 
The reality that we must confront is that too many women still die in childbirth of preventable causes. 
 
Too many children and adolescents still suffer and die from illnesses we know how to prevent or treat. 
 
These are not inevitable tragedies.
 
Just as every avoidable death is a policy and administrative failure, every life saved is the result of political will.
 
The Global Leaders Network commits at the highest political level to keeping the voices of the most vulnerable alive in the halls of power. 
 
The moral imperative is clear: no woman, child or adolescent should die of preventable causes.
 
We must stand firm against the reversals we are witnessing in sexual and reproductive health and rights. 
 
We believe that every woman has autonomy over her sexuality and reproductive choices. Every adolescent should get comprehensive sexual education. Every person should be free from sexually transmitted diseases. 
 
To translate conviction into action, the Global Leaders Network has identified three priorities for immediate and sustained focus.
 
First, as countries advance universal health coverage, we must place women, children and adolescents at the centre of its design and implementation. 
 
Health services need to be safe, effective, compassionate and responsive to the lived realities of those who need them most. 
 
Our second priority is to increase investment in women’, children’s and adolescents’ health. 
 
As official development assistance is cut, many countries are pursuing domestic resource mobilisation as a sustainable health financing solution. 
 
However, we must continue to foster the principle of solidarity through multilateral financing solutions. This includes the consideration of a gap financing mechanism to address the needs of countries and communities most affected by the withdrawal of official development assistance. 
 
Our third priority is to uphold sexual and reproductive health rights. 
 
The data is clear: a lack of access to safe abortion leads to higher incidents of deaths, costly complications and permanent damage leading to infertility. 
 
I call on governments, financing institutions, development partners, civil society and the private sector to push forward towards 2030 with the following convictions:
 
Firstly, reaffirm and protect funding for women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health as a core pillar of development cooperation, even amid shifting global priorities.
 
Secondly, integrate health into broader development and climate strategies, recognising that resilient health systems are essential for adaptation, recovery and long-term sustainability.
 
Thirdly, continue to invest in innovation and digital health solutions that bridge gaps in access, particularly for rural and marginalised communities.
 
Finally, ensure accountability, so that commitments translate into measurable improvements in survival, well-being and equity.
 
The cost of inaction on these issues will be counted not only in lives lost, but in futures diminished, communities destabilised and economic opportunities foregone. 
 
But the benefits of bold, coordinated action will build social and economic prosperity for generations.
 
Women, children and adolescents must be our priority, for they represent the future that we are all working so hard to secure.
 
I thank you.

Your Excellency, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba,
Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honour to participate in this plenary session on the economic dimension of the Africa–Japan partnership.

We gather at a critical time, where global economic uncertainty, the reshaping of trade and new industrial revolutions demand bold action and strategic collaboration. 

Africa must not merely react to these forces. We must help to shape them.

South Africa is making progress in enabling our economy to participate in the rapidly changing global environment.

We have stabilised our energy supply and are modernising our infrastructure. We are opening our ports and rail to private sector investment.

We are rolling out a reindustrialisation agenda focused on localisation, green energy and regional integration.

As part of our industrial policy, we are expanding trade with key countries and improving market access for South African agricultural and industrial products.

We are incentivising electric vehicles and battery production, and supporting green hydrogen value chains through infrastructure and skills investment.

South Africa is growing its health manufacturing capacity, with a focus on vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.

Our country is also expanding digital infrastructure to bridge gaps in access and enhance service delivery.

The African Continental Free Trade Area is central to our economic vision. 

South Africa seeks to deepen intra-African trade while becoming a continental industrial platform from which Japanese and other global firms can export into Africa.

We are actively working with the AfCFTA Secretariat to finalise value-chain protocols in automotive, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals and textiles.

We support Rules of Origin harmonisation to encourage manufacturing in Africa and the upgrading of border infrastructure to enable faster movement of goods.

Recent tariff actions by the United States on African goods have highlighted the need to diversify our export markets.

South Africa is a leading exporter of agricultural produce and high quality industrial products such as auto vehicles and components.

We call on our Japanese counterparts to support tariff cooperation to ease market access for African goods.

We seek partnerships in infrastructure, energy and digital development through blended finance.

We also seek partnerships in financing skills development, youth innovation and small business scaling.

Africa is not seeking aid. It is seeking partners. Partners that understand value co-creation, sustainable development and mutual industrialisation.

I thank you.

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), will on Thursday, 21 August 2025, convene and chair the meeting of the HRDC scheduled to take place at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province. 

The HRDC is a multi-stakeholder advisory body comprising of government, business, labour, and civil society, tasked with the mandate of advising the government on matters related to developing the skills and human potential of all South Africans, as well as coordinating human resource development efforts across the country.

With the recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) from Stats SA painting a grim picture on the unemployment rate in South Africa, the HRDC is expected to receive a presentation from The Presidency and Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator on interventions made to reduce youth unemployment in particular by 10-20% by 2030, through the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention Programme. 

The Council will also receive a presentation from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) on their interventions and programmes aimed at curbing youth unemployment, as well as presentations on a coordinated digital ecosystem designed to connect the supply and demand of digital skills in the country.

Furthermore, the meeting will take note of and approve the HRDC's stakeholder mapping to ensure stronger linkages between provincial HRD Structures and Council on how the Council will engage with provinces going forward, including guidelines and regulations for the day-to-day functioning of the Council and its governance structures. 

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

Date: Thursday, 21 August 2025
Time: 09h00 (Media to arrive at 08h00)
Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg 

Members of the media wishing to cover the event are requested to confirm their attendance for accreditation purposes, with Mr Bongani Majola (Presidency) on  082 339 1993 or Lesley Makhubele (HRDC) on 073 692 9100 by end of business on Wednesday, 20 August 2025.

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

Issued by: The Presidedcy
Pretoria

Programme Director, Mr Zolile Williams – MEC for COGTA Chief Langa (Bakhulule);
Our host, His Majesty, King Ndamase Ndamase of Amampondo Asenyandeni; Ndlovuyezwe!
Queen Madosini and Members of the Royal Family;
Acting Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Zolile Williams and all MEC’s present here today;
Executive Mayor of OR Tambo District Municipality, Cllr MesuliNgqondwana and all Mayors present;
Amakhosi aseNdlunkulu wonke;
Ministers and Deputy Ministers
Senior Officials from Government, Private Sector and other Entities;

Kubantu bonke baseNyandeni;
Ndiyanibulela nonke ngokungamukela ngezandla ezishushu.

Today we started our day by paying a courtesy visit to His Majesty King Ndamase Ndamase at eNyandeni Royal Palace.

Our government acknowledges the authority of traditional leaders, their role in promoting social cohesion, and addressing developmental issues within their communities. 

(Urhulumente wethu uyaqonda ukuba abalawuli nee Nkosi zakwa Ntu banegunya, banendima ebalulekileyo ekukhuthazeni ubumbano kuluntu, nasekuqwalaseleni imiba yophuhliso kwiindawo zabo).
We are here to engage with this community to get a high-level overview of the service delivery issues affecting the AmaMpondo Kingship and how best to strengthen our collaboration with the Kingdom.

This visit is part of a larger initiative to engage traditional leadership in the national development agenda and promote collaboration between traditional authorities and the government.

Specifically, we are here from different spheres of government, bound together by the District Development Model to create a platform for government and other entities to engage with His Majesty King of AmaMpondo aseNyandeni on service delivery issues affecting the Kingship and areas under its jurisdiction.

Our hope is that by working together, we can speed up the delivery of services that the traditional community relies on and support the Kingdom as they strive to develop their community.

This institution not only has a place in the new democracy but also has the potential to transform and contribute significantly to restoring the moral fabric of our society. 

Additionally, it plays a crucial role in the reconstruction and development of the country, particularly in rural areas.

Traditional Leadership also plays a critical role in ensuring that the conditions for democratic governance and stability in rural areas are created so that accelerated service delivery and sustainable development can be achieved.

The Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act no. 3 of 2019), allows Traditional Leadership Institutions to participate in development programmes by advising the government on the needs of traditional communities and holding the government accountable for improving the lives of the people of traditional communities.

His Majesty King Ndamase Ndamase, if we are both accountable to each other as leaders, we have the invaluable opportunity to leverage the deep-rooted understanding of our community's needs and challenges. (Obekekileyo uKumkani uNdamase Ndamase, ukuba sobabini sinoxanduva omnye komnye njengeenkokheli, sinethuba elixabisekileyo lokusebenzisa iingcambu ezinzulu).

I believe that the wisdom of traditional leaders can guide us in developing sustainable solutions that truly address the issues facing our society. 

Through my interaction with the community leadership, I have so far learnt about your concerns, which include, among others;

• Access to water at the Royal Palace and households within Nyandeni Municipality
• Upgrading of the gravel road to the Royal Palace to tarred or paved road
• Infrastructure maintenance
• Electricity-related matters
• The Libode Police Station that requires upgrades and the traditional Police Station at the Royal Palace that is not fully resourced
• Support of agricultural programs through the provision of targeted interventions
• High incidents of GBVF, crime rates, and drug abuse.

These are actual issues that our communities are facing, and they require immediate attention. To gain the government's attention in resolving service delivery issues, our communities should not have to stage protests; instead, we need to take the initiative and solve the problem. Where there are challenges, we should be transparent to our communities and work with them in finding solutions.

For example, we must ensure that the provision and access to high-quality, drinkable water never violates these human rights. In this regard, we want the Provincial Government and the Local Government, to find an amicable solution that will see the taps in our community providing this vital resource.

Another pressing issue is the ongoing Gender-Based Violence and Femicide which persists in our communities. We must find a way to stop this from continuing! We must all work together to prevent every act that perpetuates GBV in our communities. We should not even entertain jokes that demean women and instigate violence against women and children.

As a government, we have made efforts to combat Gender-Based Violence and Femicide through the establishment of dedicated desks at police stations in hotspot areas, the implementation of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF, and initiatives like the Men's Parliament aimed at promoting positive masculinity.

We urge you as a community to speak out against GBV to foster a safer environment for all. This includes challenging harmful norms, supporting survivors, and advocating for systemic change. Community involvement is crucial for both preventing GBV and ensuring access to essential support services for survivors.

Kubantu baseNyandeni, we have heard your concerns and frustrations regarding service delivery.

We will collaborate closely with municipal and provincial governments to devise timely solutions to your concerns. 

Our current discussion will not devolve into a mere talk show; we will ensure that those entrusted with responsibilities fulfil their obligations.

As various branches of government, we recognise our shared responsibility to guarantee the provision of high-quality services to the public. However, the local government sphere is at the forefront of service delivery. Their importance is because they are the first point of contact for many residents needing access to services like water, sanitation, electricity, roads, and social amenities.

The local government's effectiveness directly impacts the quality of life for citizens and their ability to access basic necessities. Therefore, it is important to strengthen intergovernmental relations (IGR) by enhancing our synergies and collaboration to ensure that all levels of government work together to extend services to all communities, including to rural areas.

In the spirit of this collaboration, we urge the Nyandeni Local Municipality to work closely with Traditional Leaders, from the first stage of decision-making to implementation and monitoring to make sure that everyone has access to basic services.

Together, you must take responsibility for providing, regulating, and maintaining the infrastructure needed for these services, such as managing the water supply, supporting agricultural programmes through the provision of tractors and other equipment, upgrading of roads, and other related tasks.

Our work is therefore aligned with the national development goals, which include making sure that everyone has access to basic services, the importance of integrated infrastructure planning, and working together with other levels of government to solve persistent issues with service delivery.

This is in line with the District Development Model, which is a process where planning is done jointly across the local, district, and metropolitan levels. This leads to a single, strategically focused One-Plan for each of the country's 44 districts and 8 metropolitan areas.

The One-Plan, in collaboration with various government departments, aims to better lives by improving intergovernmental relations and fostering development in communities including Traditional Leadership.

By working together as different spheres of government, traditional leaders, and different sectors in the communities, we will gain a common understanding of service delivery obstacles, growth challenges, and opportunities.

Furthermore, the partnership between our government and traditional leaders allows us to tap into a wealth of resources and expertise. By combining our strengths and insights, we can create a more holistic approach to service delivery that is inclusive, culturally sensitive, and responsive to the diverse needs of our community.

Through this collaborative action, we can bridge the gap between policy-making and grassroots implementation. 

We can ensure that the voices of our community are heard and respected and that decisions are made with the best interests of all in mind.

In conclusion, let me assure this community that we are committed to improving the lives of the people by listening and addressing the service delivery matters of the Kingship and Traditional Communities to promote development and social cohesion for building resilient communities.

As we move forward in our shared commitment to service delivery, we are going to set clear directions and deadlines for the issue you have raised and a clear monitoring process.

The first thing we will do to keep our commitment is to work with departments like Health, Home Affairs, Social Development, and SAPS to ensure that they make it easier for people from the Traditional Community to obtain services through Services on Wheels.

Through these services, we want to increase accessibility, improve efficiency in service provision, and reduce travel costs for the community members.

Furthermore, we want to enhance community engagement and empowerment by bringing services directly to the people, potentially leading to better health outcomes and the overall well-being of our people.

Our goal is that when we meet again, we give you an update of the progress that has been made and where there are challenges, to be frank with you, so that we together move in the same direction with understanding.

We want to build bridges of trust and understanding between our government and traditional leaders, setting an example of effective governance and community empowerment for all to follow.

As the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Matters of Traditional Leadership, I welcome your ongoing engagement with us as representatives of the community.

Together, we can work towards addressing challenges and fostering a stronger community. 

(Sisonke, singasebenza ekusombululeni imingeni nasekukhuliseni uluntu olomeleleyo)
Ndiyabulela!.

The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Ms Nonceba Mhlauli, will tomorrow, Wednesday, 20 August 2025, attend the first District Development Model (DDM) meeting at the Frances Baard District Municipality in the Northern Cape, in her capacity as the National District Champion.

The DDM seeks to foster integrated planning and implementation across the three spheres of Government, ensuring that resources and programmes are coordinated for maximum impact in local communities. The Frances Baard District One Plan outlines key priorities such as economic diversification, infrastructure development, job creation, and social development interventions that respond directly to community needs.

This inaugural meeting follows the engagements led by President Cyril Ramaphosa with the Northern Cape Provincial Executive, and aims to strengthen collaboration between national, provincial, and local government leadership.

Deputy Minister Mhlauli will engage with the Executive Mayor and Councillors of Frances Baard District Municipality. The meeting will also reflect on catalytic projects identified under the One Plan and review progress on service delivery programmes.

The Deputy Minister will underscore the importance of building partnerships across Government and with social partners to deliver inclusive growth and better services to the people of Frances Baard.
 
Details of the Meeting:

Date: Wednesday, 20 August 2025
Time: 09h00 – 14h00
Venue: Frances Baard District Municipality Council Chambers, Kimberley

Media enquiries: Mandisa Mbele, Head: Office of the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, on 082 580 2213 / mandisam@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria