President Cyril Ramaphosa has made a determination to increase, with effect 1 April 2026, the salary of public office-bearers.

The Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers recommended 4.1% salary increment for all public office bearers.

Having considered the Commission’s recommendations and its impact on the fiscus, the President, however, decided to increase the salary of public office-bearers by 4.1% and 3.8% in different categories.

The increase of 4.1% applies to judges, magistrates, traditional leaders and members of independent constitutional institutions.

The increase of 3.8% applies to Members of the National Executive, Members of Parliament, members of provincial executive councils and members of provincial legislatures.

President Ramaphosa’s determination follows his consideration of recommendations by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers.

The Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers is mandated in terms of section 219(1), (2) and (5) of the Constitution, read with section 8(4) of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers Act, 1997 (Act No. 92 of 1997), to make annual recommendations relating to the salaries and/or the upper limits of the salaries, allowances, and benefits of the public office-bearers.

In arriving at its decision, the Independent Commission is required in terms of section 8(6) of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers Act, 1997, to consider the following:

- The role, status, duties, functions and responsibilities of the office-bearers concerned;

- Affordability of different levels of remuneration of public office-bearers;

- Current principles and levels of remuneration, particularly in respect of organs of state;

- Inflation;

- Available resources of the State; and

- Public Service remuneration levels.

President Ramaphosa appreciates the diligence and integrity with which the Commission developed its recommendations.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, deliver a keynote address at the 2026 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla. The event will take place at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Benoni, Gauteng.

Hosted by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the annual event takes place from 20 to 22 January 2026 under the theme “Strengthening Foundations for a Resilient and Future-Ready Education System.” The sector Lekgotla serves as an annual strategic platform for reflection, dialogue and planning.

The gathering brings together senior education officials, policymakers, provincial education departments, development partners and sector experts to review progress, interrogate system- wide challenges, and collectively shape priorities aimed at improving learner outcomes across the education value chain.

Building on policy momentum from previous makgotla, including the 2025 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla, the 2026 Lekgotla will continue to advance sector priorities focused on:

- Improving access to and quality of Early Childhood Development (ECD);

- Strengthening literacy and numeracy across all schooling phases, with particular emphasis on the Foundation Phase (Grades R – 3);

- Improving access to and quality of inclusive education.

- Enhancing training and professional development opportunities for educators and School Management Teams, and 

- Improving the safety, functionality and quality of schooling environments.

This continuity reflects the Department’s deliberate effort to ensure that Lekgotla outcomes translate into sustained system reform, policy coherence and measurable improvements in learning and teaching.

President Ramaphosa will address the Lekgotla as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Time: 10h00
Venue:  Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, Benoni, Gauteng Province.

Media accreditation enquiries should be directed to Terence Khala on 081 758 1546 or Lukhanyo Vangqa on 066 302 1533 (Department of Basic Education).

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria