President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to lead the South African delegation to the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Heads of State and Government.

This gathering of continental leadership will take place this weekend, 15 and 16 February 2025. 

The Assembly will take place under the  AU theme for 2025, “Justice for African and People of African Descent Through Reparations”.

In this context, it is expected that the Summit will review and assess what has been achieved in Africa’s efforts towards the attainment of long overdue justice and reparations and decades of colonialism and apartheid, slavery and the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

One of the highly anticipated responsibilities of the forthcoming Assembly will be to elect and appoint the AU Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson.

The Assembly takes place against a backdrop of a myriad of challenges, including threats to democratic governance, peace and security, through unconstitutional changes of government and post-election violence.

The Continent also suffers from inter and intra-state conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism, poverty, food and energy insecurity, the impact of climate change, inadequate infrastructure, low productivity, trade barriers and continued dependence on external aid and markets. 

The Assembly will elect new Members of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to replace the current members, whose three-year terms are set to expire.

South Africa is involved in a number of peacekeeping and mediation efforts across the Continent, notably of the AU Ad-hoc High-Level Committee on South Sudan; the AU Ad-Hoc High-Level Committee on Libya, and has deployed troops as part of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola; the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga; Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau; Minister in the Presidency, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Mr Dion George; Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina and Minister of Public Service and Administration, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Programme Director,
The Bereaved families of our fallen soldiers,
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga,
Minister of Defence of the DRC, H.E. Mr Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, 
Ambassador of the DRC to South Africa, H.E. Fidele Mulaja Binene,
Members of Parliament and Chairpersons of Committees,
Former First Lady Ms Zanele Mbeki,
Former Minister Mr Jeff Radebe, the Special Envoy to the Great Lakes,
Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya,
Members of the Military Command,
Members of the Plenary Defence Staff Council,
Generals, Admirals, Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers,
Fellow South Africans,

Allow me to begin by extending our condolences on behalf of the South African government and people to the families and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Malawi for the loss of their soldiers.

We extend our gratitude to the Ugandan government and the rest of the SADC community for their support at this time.  

Tonight we stand here with heavy hearts. 

Our nation is in mourning for these brave souls who lost their lives in defence of our brothers and sisters in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

On behalf of all the people of South Africa, I offer my profound and deepest sympathies to the families of our fallen soldiers.

They lost their lives in the name of duty, in pursuit of peace and in the cause of silencing the guns across our beloved continent Africa. 

They lost their lives in defence of the defenceless.

Indeed, the SANDF is for the brave, for the proud.

We have fulfilled our duty to bring our soldiers home. 

We must fulfil our duty to complete their mission.

I thank the Ministry of Defence and the leadership of the SANDF for making every effort to repatriate the remains of our fallen troops to their families.

Our thanks go to the United Nations, the Southern African Development Community and other  governments for their assistance. 

This was an operation involving considerable logistical challenges at a time when the security situation in the eastern DRC remains volatile. 

This solemn occasion is a stark reminder of the great cost of building peace, often paid in the lives of our finest.

And yet peace is an ideal for which we will forever strive.

As a troop contributing country to the SADC Mission in the DRC and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa remains firmly committed to supporting all processes to bring this terrible conflict to an end.

We are encouraged by the outcomes of last week’s joint summit of the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, which resolved to prioritise a political solution to the crisis in the eastern DRC.

South Africa reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire, for a cessation of hostilities and for all the warring parties to resume inclusive negotiations.

As Africans, we are one people. When one part of Africa bleeds, we feel its pain. 

The Congolese people cry out for protection, for an end to war and for dignity.

The gallant soldiers we receive home today answered that call. 

To the families, we say, take comfort that they were heroes. 

Their work in the DRC was not just about maintaining order. It was about building bridges, fostering understanding and creating pathways to lasting peace.

And so we say to you, in the words of S.E.K Mqhayi in his poem ‘The Sinking of the Mendi’:

“Be consoled, all you orphans
Be consoled, all you widows
Somebody has to die, so that something can be built,
Somebody has to serve, so that others can live,
With these words we say, be consoled,
This is how we build ourselves, as ourselves.”

We will not weaken in our resolve to realise the vision of an Africa free from war and conflict; an Africa free of poverty and underdevelopment; and an Africa at peace with itself and the world. 

The achievement of this vision is the most fitting tribute we can pay to our fallen heroes and the greatest honour to their memory.

Sons of the African soil, Amaqhawe:

Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola 
Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi 
Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe 
Corporal Matome Justice Malesa 
Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani 
Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo 
Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo 
Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi 
Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe 
Rifleman Derrick Maluleke 
Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele 
Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi 
Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe 
Private Peter Jacobus Strydom

Thank you for your sacrifice that others may be free.

You died on the battlefield, far from all you held dear.

But you are home now. 

You have come to your rest.

We are here to receive you with open arms.

I thank you.
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, as Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) officiate the handover of the mortal remains of SANDF members who lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the families who have lost loved ones.

President Ramaphosa will pay his respects to the families of the departed soldiers alongside Minister of Defence and Military Veterans  Angie Motshekga and Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya at the Air Force Base Swartkops.

Proceedings will start at 18h00 today, Thursday, 13 February 2025.

President Ramaphosa will deliver a tribute to the fallen troops at a memorial service at the same venue immediately after the handover ceremony.

President Cyril Ramaphosa  has directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations around the country for a period of seven days from Friday, 07 February 2025.

President Ramaphosa has issued this directive as the country mourns the tragic and devastating loss of the  South African soldiers who were part of a mission to bring peace to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 13 February 2025 
Time: 18h00
Venue: Air Force Base Swartkop 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assented to the Plant Health Bill which sets out measures to combat plant pests that are of concern to domestic agriculture and may have an impact on South Africa’s ability to export agricultural products.

Among its various impacts, the Bill signed by the President repeals the Agricultural Pests Act of 1983 which up to now regulated the national plant health  (phytosanitary) system.
 
The new law responds to the concern that the introduction and spread of potentially damaging pests in South Africa could have a significantly negative impact on South African biosecurity, agricultural production and food security as well as on market access.
 
The Bill provides for phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction, establishment and spread of regulated pests to safeguard South African agriculture and plant natural resources. It also provides for the control of regulated pests, regulation of the movement of plants, plant products and other regulated articles into, within and out of the Republic.
 
The law brings South Africa into compliance with the World Trade Organisation Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures as well as the International Plant Protection Convention.
 
This compliance will support South Africa’s efforts to enter new markets and maintain current export markets, which will have a positive impact on the South African agricultural sector in terms of job creation and sustainable use of land and other natural resources.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

The Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, has received with sadness news of the passing of a Member of the HRDC, one of South Africa’s few black female nuclear scientists, Ms. Senamile Masango, who passed away yesterday, 09 February 2025.

"Ms Masango's was a beacon of hope for many young people, especially women. Her passion for developing critical skills among the population and women in science in particular, will be sorely missed," said the Deputy President.

A PhD Candidate, Ms Masango was a globally recognised nuclear scientist, esteemed energy leader, and pioneering entrepreneur. As a trailblazer in nuclear science, she was widely respected for her groundbreaking research at among others the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).

Her global recognition was a source of pride, as she became the first African woman to conduct experiments at CERN. Her brilliance was further acknowledged on a global scale, earning her the prestigious Women in Science Award in 2022. Her impact extended beyond her scientific achievements as she was also a visionary entrepreneur, serving as the Founder and Executive Chair of Mphathisithele Consulting (Pty) Ltd, an energy consulting firm.

Ms Masango also served on a number of public sector science bodies, including the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation Ltd (NECSA), and recently became a Member of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC).

Owing to her pioneering work in empowering women through science, she earned a number of local and international honours, including recognition as one of the 50 Global Inspirational Women of 2020 and as a Women in Tech Global Awards finalist in 2021. Young as she was, Ms Masango made an  immeasurable contribution to the advancement of science and in particular the development of critical skills for our country.

"On behalf of Government and the HRDC, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Masango family, her immediate community and science fraternity at large. May her soul rest in eternal peace," said the Deputy President.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, will tomorrow on Wednesday, 12 February 2025 brief the media on the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) 3rd Quarter Report. 

The PYEI is a multi-stakeholder initiative launched in 2020 by President Cyril Ramaphosa to address youth unemployment in South Africa. It aims to transition young people from learning to earning through structured programs, funding mechanisms, and partnerships.

The Deputy Minister will highlight the success of the various programs detailed in the 3rd quarter report.

Members of the media are invited to cover the release of the report as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Time: 09h00 - 12h00
Venue: Afrika Tikkun Centre, Zolile Malindi Centre, T Tokwana Street, Mfuleni, Cape Town

Media enquiries: Mandisa Mbele, Head of Office, on 082 580 2213

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria