President Cyril Ramaphosa has uplifted the cautionary suspension of National Commissioner of the South African Police Service General Fannie Masemola, to resume his full duties on Monday 19 October, 2026.

President Ramaphosa and General Masemola had agreed that the National Commissioner be deemed to be on precautionary suspension in April 2026, following the Commissioner’s appearance in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court to face charges of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.

The National Director of Public Prosecutions issued instructions on 15 September 2026 that charges against the National Commissioner be withdrawn.

On 22 September 2026, the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court formally withdrew charges against General Masemola.

President Ramaphosa welcomes the National Police Commissioner on his return to his full duties and expresses his appreciation to Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane who served with distinction as Acting National Police Commissioner in the interim.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Monday, 19 October 2026, deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Bana Pele Leadership Summit, to be held at The Galleria Arena and Conference Centre in Sandton, Gauteng.

The Bana Pele Leadership Summit is led by the Department of Basic Education and aims to mobilise and strengthen collaboration among government, the private sector, civil society, communities and philanthropic organisations to accelerate progress towards universal access to quality early learning by 2030.

In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, President Ramaphosa outlined key commitments to strengthen early childhood development and the basic education sector.

These include expanding the Bana Pele mass registration of ECD facilities, increasing subsidies for eligible ECD learners and making Grade R compulsory to strengthen the foundation for learning during the early years of a child’s life.

The two-day summit to be held under the theme “From Blueprint to Movement,” will bring together stakeholders from across society to advance the Bana Pele Shared Blueprint into a coordinated programme of action. 

Discussions will focus on progress made, outstanding challenges and practical measures to accelerate implementation, strengthen partnerships and build a movement to create pathways to universal access to quality early learning by 2030, and putting children’s first.

The programme will feature panel discussions on Building the Network of Support Every Child Needs, Partnerships for Children and The Shared Narrative for Children.

Breakaway sessions will include discussions on Children’s First; Digital Infrastructure and Community HUBS Communities at the Helm.

The summit will conclude with the symbolic signing of the Bana Pele Charter, reaffirming stakeholders’ collective commitment to advancing the shared vision of ensuring that every child has access to quality early learning and the support.

President Ramaphosa will address the summit as follows:

Date: Monday, 19 October 2026
Time: 09h00
Venue: Galleria Arena and Conference Centre in Sandton, Gauteng

NOTE TO MEDIA: Members of the media wishing to attend the Summit are asked to contact Mr Kennedy Dube on 078 844 4229

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director and Chairperson of the Limpopo Tourism Agency Board, Mr Freddy Greaver;
Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba;
Polokwane City Acting Executive Mayor, Cllr. Joosuf Pemma;
Executive Mayor of the Capricorn District Municipality, Cllr Mamedupi Teffo;
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Peoples Republic of China to the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Ambassador, Wu Peng;
MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Dr Tshitereke Matibe;
Members of the Executive Council;
Representatives of Provincial and Local Government;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Investors, Business Leaders, Development Finance Institutions and Development Partners;
Members of the media;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;

Good Morning. Goeie Môre. Avuxeni. Ndi Matsheloni. Dumelang. Thobela.

It is always a pleasure to return to Limpopo, a province defined by the warmth of its people, the richness of its natural and cultural heritage, and its immense economic potential.

We meet in a province whose history is deeply rooted in trade, innovation and enterprise. Centuries ago, the Kingdom of Mapungubwe was a thriving centre of commerce that connected this region to markets beyond our continent. That legacy reminds us that entrepreneurship, trade and investment are part of Limpopo's identity.

Today, we are called upon to build on that legacy by unlocking new opportunities for growth, investment and job creation.

It is therefore fitting that we gather under the theme, "From Pledges to Progress: Accelerating Implementation and Unlocking Investment in Limpopo."

This theme captures the task before us. Investment commitments are important, but their true value lies in what they achieve. They must result in new businesses, expanded industries, decent jobs and opportunities that improve the lives of our people.

Our goal is not simply to attract investment. It is to ensure that investment translates into tangible benefits for communities, supports local enterprises, drives industrialisation and contributes to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The impact of this conference has been significant. More than R452 billion in investment pledges have been secured, while investments exceeding R71 billion have already been implemented. These investments have contributed to the creation of nearly 24 000 jobs, demonstrating the positive difference that investment can make in people's lives and livelihoods.

This is why the work we undertake here matters.

Limpopo is exceptionally well placed for growth. Its abundant mineral resources, fertile agricultural land, strategic location and expanding industrial capacity provide a strong foundation for investment and economic development.

From mining and mineral beneficiation to agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, logistics and renewable energy, the province possesses significant opportunities to drive economic expansion and create employment at scale.

The real measure of our success, however, will not be the value of investments announced today. It will be our ability to ensure that those investments become operational projects, thriving businesses and sustainable jobs.

Ultimately, it is implementation that drives growth, it is projects that create employment, and delivery that transforms lives.

Distinguished delegates,

We must also make full use of Limpopo's strategic location within South Africa and the broader Southern African region.

As a gateway to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Limpopo is uniquely positioned to benefit from growing regional trade and the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area.

However, increased trade must mean more than goods moving across borders. It must stimulate local production, strengthen value chains, attract new industries and create sustainable employment for the people of this province.

The foundations for growth are already in place. Our task now is to unlock their full potential through decisive action and effective implementation.

To achieve this, we must continue investing in the infrastructure that supports economic growth. Reliable energy, water security, efficient transport systems, logistics networks and digital connectivity are no longer optional. They are essential for competitiveness in a modern economy.

Infrastructure investment not only improves economic efficiency; it creates the conditions that encourage private sector investment, expand productive activity and support job creation.

At the same time, we must improve project preparation and ensure that promising opportunities become investment-ready.

While investors are drawn to economic potential, they invest where there is confidence. They seek policy certainty, transparent governance, efficient regulation and credible implementation.

As government we therefore remain committed to improving the ease of doing business, reducing unnecessary regulatory hurdles and strengthening coordination across all spheres of Government.

Under the Premier’s guidance, Limpopo should enhance coordination among provincial departments, municipalities, and national Government to overcome investment obstacles and promote economic development, ultimately improving residents' lives.

We are pleased that the InvestSA One Stop Shop has been established to provide investors with a single point of access to Government services, helping to accelerate project implementation and reduce administrative barriers.

It forms part of our broader strategy to improve regulatory efficiency, lower the cost of doing business and make South Africa a more attractive investment destination.

This important initiative will strengthen the province's ability to attract, facilitate and retain investment. It will support the implementation of strategic projects and contribute to economic growth and employment creation.

For investors, the One Stop Shop will provide direct access to Government support and guidance throughout the investment process, helping them establish and expand businesses more efficiently.

The launch of this facility sends a clear message: Limpopo is open for business.

It reflects our commitment to working alongside investors as partners in development and to ensuring that Government becomes an enabler of growth rather than a barrier to it.

Programme Director, ladies and gentlemen,

As I draw towards a conclusion, let me emphasise that South Africa's future prosperity cannot be built on exporting raw materials alone.

Our long-term success depends on our ability to add value to what we produce, expand industrial capacity and create productive employment opportunities for our people.

We must deepen industrialisation, strengthen manufacturing and build competitive value chains that support economic growth and employment at scale.

Limpopo is exceptionally well positioned to contribute to this national objective through mining beneficiation, agro-processing, manufacturing, logistics and energy development.

We must process more of our mineral resources locally, add value to our agricultural production and manufacture more of the goods our economy requires.

In doing so, we will strengthen local industries, grow exports, create sustainable jobs and build a more resilient economy.

But industrialisation cannot succeed without investing in people.

As new investments flow into the province, we must ensure that our young people have the skills needed to participate meaningfully in a changing economy.

This requires greater investment in education, technical and vocational training, apprenticeships and workplace learning opportunities.

Every young person must have a fair opportunity to develop their talents, secure employment and contribute to our country's growth.

Equally important is ensuring that the benefits of investment are shared more broadly.

Investment must create opportunities not only for large corporations but also for township enterprises, small businesses, cooperatives, emerging industrialists and local suppliers.

When local businesses participate in value chains, the impact of investment reaches deeper into communities, supports entrepreneurship and creates more sustainable economic opportunities.

True economic inclusion is achieved when growth creates opportunities for all.

This shared responsibility requires strong partnerships.

Government cannot deliver economic transformation alone. Neither can business, labour or development finance institutions acting independently.

Government must provide policy certainty and an enabling environment. The private sector must bring investment, innovation and expertise. Development finance institutions must help unlock strategic projects. Communities must remain active partners in development.

When these efforts are aligned behind a common purpose, meaningful progress becomes possible.

As we approach the Local Government Elections in November, we must also recognise the importance of capable and developmental local Government.

Strong municipalities are essential for delivering services, supporting local economic development and creating conditions that attract investment.

Communities deserve local leadership that is capable, accountable and committed to improving the quality of life of all residents.

To our investors gathered here today, let me assure you that we understand the importance of credibility and trust.

Investors need confidence that commitments will be honoured, projects will be implemented and challenges will be addressed with urgency.

The emphasis this conference places on accountability, implementation and measurable outcomes is therefore both necessary and encouraging.

It demonstrates that Limpopo is not merely seeking investment commitments. It is focused on converting those commitments into projects, jobs and lasting economic opportunities.

As we engage over the course of this conference, let us focus not only on identifying opportunities but also on finding practical solutions.

Let us unlock projects that have stalled. Let us strengthen collaboration between investors, Government and project sponsors. Let us accelerate the flow of capital into productive sectors of the economy.

Most importantly, let us ensure that our plans translate into tangible results. Because at the heart of every investment is a human story.

It is the story of a young person searching for work. A small business owner seeking an opportunity to grow. A woman striving to build a better future for her family. A community hoping for improved infrastructure and better prospects for the next generation.

That is why this work matters.

Investment must ultimately create jobs, expand opportunity, support entrepreneurs and improve the quality of life of our people.

It must restore hope where there is uncertainty and create pathways to dignity, inclusion and shared prosperity.

In conclusion, the time for commitments alone has passed.

The task before us now is implementation.

Together, we must turn pledges into progress through partnership, accountability and decisive action.

If we succeed, we will not only unlock investment. We will unlock opportunity, growth and a better future for the people of Limpopo and our country as a whole.

I wish you productive deliberations and every success for this conference.

Congratulations once again on the launch of the InvestSA One Stop Shop in Limpopo Province.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 22 October 2026, deliver the keynote address at the SA National Leadership Convening on Youth Employment at the Galleria Conference and Events Venue, Sandton, Johannesburg.

The Convening is hosted by Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, manager and operator of SA Youth, in partnership with The Presidency, Business Unity South Africa, the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and the Youth Employment Service (YES).

South Africa is entering a new phase in expanding pathways to earning for young people.

Across government, business and civil society, an emerging programme of action - Work SA Youth Implementation Plan - is taking shape around the practical interventions, partnerships and delivery mechanisms that can accelerate earning opportunities at scale.

Initiatives across sectors are already demonstrating progress — creating jobs, opening learning pathways, strengthening public employment programmes and expanding opportunities for self-employment and enterprise.

This creates an opportunity to build confidence in the national ambition, make visible what is already moving the dial, and strengthen collective leadership around the next phase of implementation.

The SA Youth National Leadership Convening brings together 250 senior leaders from government, business and civil society to build confidence in the emerging programme of action to reduce youth unemployment, demonstrate progress already underway across key pathways to earning and mobilise coordinated action around what must be strengthened, scaled or unlocked to achieve the national ambition.

The President will address the National Leadership Convening on Youth Employment as follows:
Date: Thursday, 22 October 2026
Time: 10:00
Venue: The Galleria, M1 Place, 10 Eastern Service Road, Marlboro, Sandton

Members of the media wishing to cover the Convening can RSVP by Friday, 16 October 2026, to Khutjo Sebata at Khutjo@presidency.gov.za and Tshegofatso Tshangela at tshegofatso@harambee.co.za.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Programme Director,
President of FEDUSA, Mr Godfrey Selematsela,
General Secretary of FEDUSA, Ms Riefdah Ajam,
Members of the National Executive Committee,
Leaders of affiliated unions,
Representatives of organised labour, business and Government,
International guests,
Delegates,

Comrades and friends,

Allow me to convey the greetings of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who had intended to join this important occasion. Unfortunately, due to prior commitments, he was unable to attend and delegated me to represent him.

At the outset, let me wish the Federation of Unions of South Africa a successful 8th National Congress.

Since its founding, FEDUSA has grown significantly, with its affiliated unions representing workers across the economy, including education, health, finance, manufacturing, transport and public administration.

This year marks thirty years since our democratic Constitution was signed into law, ushering in a new era of dignity and justice for South Africa’s workers.

It marked a fundamental break with one of apartheid’s most insidious features: the industrial colour bar.

In his statement from the dock at the Rivonia Trial in 1964, President Nelson Mandela described how the colour bar reserved the better jobs in industry for whites, while Africans were confined to semi-skilled and unskilled work.

They were denied the right to form recognised trade unions or to strike.

“The complaint of Africans,” he said, “is not only that they are poor and the whites are rich, but that the laws which are made by the whites are designed to preserve this situation.”

Our Constitution now guarantees the right to fair labour practices, to form and join trade unions, to collective bargaining and to strike.

These are the very rights denied to workers when President Mandela spoke at Rivonia. These protections are among our democracy’s greatest achievements.

While we celebrate the progress made in overcoming the injustices of apartheid and building a democratic society, a journey throughout which FEDUSA has steadfastly defended and advanced workers' rights for nearly three decades, we must also recognise that South Africa and the world face a new generation of challenges.

Geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts and changing trade policies are disrupting established economic relationships, affecting our export markets, investment and industrial competitiveness.

The International Labour Organisation, which for more than a century has championed freedom of association and collective bargaining, faces one of the most serious financial crises in its recent history.

Artificial intelligence, automation and digital platforms can raise productivity, but they can also displace workers.

The rise of artificial intelligence presents organised labour with a historic challenge and opportunity. Those who anticipate change and prepare workers with the skills, protections and voice needed in the digital economy will help shape the future.

Those who fail to do so risk allowing technological change to deepen inequality and exclusion. It is therefore imperative that trade unions position themselves at the forefront of this transition, championing policies that place people at the centre of technological advancement.

Subsequently, trade unions must prepare to bargain over workplace data, technological restructuring and access to upskilling and reskilling.

They must be able to represent workers in informal, digital and other insecure forms of employment.

The theme of this Congress, “Reclaiming and Organising the Future: Workers’ Dignity, Power, and Justice through Conscious Unionism in an Age of Crisis”, speaks directly to these circumstances.

It challenges us to ask whether the institutions established to advance workers’ interests are fulfilling their purpose.

Despite our progressive labour laws, the labour market still reflects inequalities of race, gender and disability, particularly at senior management levels.

Legislation alone will not achieve transformation.

Employers must address unequal recruitment, pay disparities and inadequate skills development. Trade unions must actively monitor whether employment equity plans deliver results.

Transformation must be reflected in the structure of our economy, not merely in formal compliance.
We must acknowledge that relations between government and social partners are at times under strain.

We must acknowledge legitimate frustrations about the pace of reform, inadequate consultation and agreements that aren’t implemented.

We do not serve our country by pretending these frustrations do not exist.

Our most urgent national task is to achieve stronger growth and create jobs on a scale that substantially reduces poverty and inequality.

The economy contracted by 0.2 percent in the second quarter of 2026, with mining, manufacturing and trade under considerable pressure. Some 8.5 million South Africans are unemployed. The official unemployment rate has risen to 33.6 percent.

These figures represent people unable to provide for their families, graduates unable to enter the labour market, and communities where opportunity is limited.

When a factory closes, suppliers lose business, local enterprises lose customers and entire communities decline.

We cannot treat retrenchments as an unavoidable consequence of restructuring.

Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act requires meaningful consultation before dismissals for operational requirements.

Employers must engage in good faith, while trade unions should consider credible alternatives such as retraining and redeployment.

We need to ensure that instruments like Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS) work with greater speed and transparency.

It must swiftly provide short-term financial assistance to workers and distressed companies to prevent retrenchments and avoid total loss of income.

Government, employers and unions must engage before retrenchment notices are issued.

Employment preservation must become a more deliberate part of our industrial policy.

We are focusing on increasing the quantity and improving the quality of opportunities created through Government’s Labour Activation Programme.

We are expanding apprenticeships, artisan development and workplace learning.

Inclusive growth and job creation is the apex priority of the Government of National Unity. We are pursuing reforms to strengthen electricity supply, improve freight logistics and expand infrastructure investment.

We have made important progress in stabilising electricity generation. But electricity has become increasingly expensive, weakening energy-intensive industries such as steel, ferroalloys and chemicals, and straining household incomes.

We cannot build our industry without addressing electricity affordability.

Government is therefore reviewing electricity pricing policy to balance the needs of vulnerable households, the sustainability of supply and industrial competitiveness.

We are also tackling poor maintenance, theft and weak revenue management in municipal distribution so that responsible consumers do not bear the burden of avoidable losses.

The cost of living remains a serious concern.

The National Minimum Wage is both a great achievement of labour and an important protection, but it cannot resolve every pressure facing working families.

We need affordable public services, effective social protection and sustained improvements in real incomes.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund exists to protect workers during some of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Funded by workers and employers, it must be managed to the highest standards of integrity.

We are therefore troubled by recurring allegations of corruption and irregular procurement at the Fund, and by the delays workers face in accessing benefits to which they are entitled.

A worker who has lost their job should not have to struggle for months to obtain assistance.

In June, President Ramaphosa authorised the Special Investigating Unit to investigate alleged wrongdoing at the UIF.

Where wrongdoing is established, those responsible will face the consequences.

Restoring confidence in the Fund is a matter of utmost urgency, and organised labour and business must participate meaningfully in improving its governance.

The problems at the UIF point to a broader question about how our institutions of social dialogue function. South Africa has a distinguished history of negotiation between Government, labour and business.

Yet confidence in social dialogue has weakened.

Unions are frustrated by agreements left unimplemented, Government by negotiations that drag on without outcomes, and business by policy uncertainty.

NEDLAC must remain a forum for serious engagement, but it must also become more effective in producing practical outcomes.

Social dialogue requires each partner to exercise their responsibilities with an understanding of the interests of others. We will not always agree, but we must be able to disagree without destroying the institutions that enable us to work together.

Workers depend on functioning water systems, electricity, public transport and municipalities.

Restoring effective local government is therefore also an economic priority.

I acknowledge the public servants who continue to provide essential services under difficult circumstances. They deserve fair treatment and competent leadership.

Labour migration also requires responsible engagement.

We are committed to managing lawful migration, protecting the integrity of our labour market and ensuring that employers comply with the law, while respecting the constitutional rights of all who live and work here.

The Employment Services Amendment Bill now before Parliament seeks to strengthen public employment services, regulate private employment agencies and provide clearer rules on the employment of foreign nationals.

I encourage FEDUSA to participate in the parliamentary process.

The theme of this Congress challenges all of us.

For government, it requires competent administration and accountability. For business, it requires responsible investment and fair employment practices. For organised labour, conscious unionism requires democratic leadership, accountability to members and ethical conduct.

Government must show through its actions that it takes organised labour’s concerns seriously. We must create opportunities for young people, protect existing jobs, make electricity more affordable, expand industrial production and ensure that the transition to a sustainable economy is fair.

Our democratic settlement was built on the conviction that negotiation could resolve differences. We must renew that conviction through our actions.

I wish you constructive deliberations and a successful 8th National Congress.

I thank you.

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Thursday, 15 October 2026, deliver the keynote address at the 6th Limpopo Investment Conference and officiate the launch of the InvestSA One Stop Shop in Limpopo Province. The conference is scheduled to place at The Ranch Hotel, Polokwane in the Capricon District, Limpopo Province.

Hosted by the Limpopo Provincial Government, with the Limpopo Economic Development Agency as the lead agency, the conference will be held under the theme, “From Pledges to Progress: Accelerating Implementation and Unlocking Investment in Limpopo.”

The theme underscores the importance of translating investment commitments into bankable, investment-ready and operational projects that contribute to economic growth, industrialisation, job creation and inclusive development. 

In this regard, the conference brings together government, investors, development finance institutions and other critical stakeholders, to strengthen project preparation, facilitate financing and approvals, improve coordination across government and accelerate the implementation of investment projects.

Since its inception in 2021, it has provided a platform to promote the province, as an investment destination and mobilises capital across strategic economic sectors. Cumulative investment pledges recorded between 2021 and 2025 has accordingly, amounted to R452.38 billion, of which R71.058 billion in investment has been realised, contributing to the creation of 23,968 jobs.

The 2026 conference will place particular emphasis on converting investment pledges into tangible economic outcomes, strengthening investor confidence and addressing constraints that delay project implementation. Priority sectors include mining beneficiation, agro-processing, manufacturing, localisation and industrial development, alongside emerging opportunities in renewable energy, automotive industries, legally compliant cannabis-related activities and digital technology. 

At national level, government led by President Cyril Ramaphosa continue to drive investment initiatives with aim of mobilising R3 trillion in investment by 2030, building on the record of close to R890 billion in commitments secured at the 6th South Africa Investment Conference held in March this year.   

Following the keynote address, Deputy President Mashatile will officiate the launch of the InvestSA One Stop Shop Limpopo, an important initiative aimed at improving the ease of doing business and strengthening investment facilitation in the province.

The facility is designed to provide investors with a centralised platform to access government support services, navigate regulatory and administrative processes, facilitate coordination among relevant institutions, to address investment-related bottlenecks. 

Its establishment reinforces government commitment, to creating an enabling environment for domestic and international investment, accelerating project implementation and supporting sustainable economic growth.

Members of the media are invited to cover the 6th Limpopo Investment Conference and the subsequent launch of the InvestSA One Stop Shop as follows:
Date: Thursday, 15 October 2026
Time: 08h00
Venue: Makhulu Hall, The Ranch Hotel, Polokwane, Limpopo Province

Media Programme:
07h30: Media arrives at the Ranch Hotel, Polokwane
08h00: Opening of Limpopo Investment Conference
11h15: Welcome address by Premier Phophi Ramathuba
11h40: Keynote Address by Deputy President Mashatile
12h20: Guided walk-about at the Exhibitions 
13h40: Official Launch of the InvestSA One Stop Shop - Limpopo Tourism Agency

For more information and media accreditation please contact, Sam Bopape (The Presidency) on 082 318 5251 or Hitekani Magwedze (Limpopo Dept of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism) on 071 864 8664

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria