Programme Director, Ms Joanne Joseph;
Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi Premierand the Executive Mayor City of Tshwane, Cllr Nasiphi Moya;
Chairman of the Chery Holding Group, Mr Yin Tongyue;
President of Chery International, Mr Charlie Zhang;
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Ambassador Wu Peng;
Industry Leaders and Business Partners;
Government Leadership, Organised Labour, and Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Members of the Media;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good Afternoon, Dumelang!
For me, Rosslyn and the automotive sector carry a personal affinity that goes back many years, including the period when I served in the leadership of Gauteng.

It was during that time that we came to appreciate, in very practical terms, that the future of this industrial precinct is inseparable from the livelihoods of workers, the confidence of investors and the aspirations of surrounding communities.

When concerns arose about the possible exit of BMW from Rosslyn, we intervened because we understood that losing such a strategic anchor would have weakened not only Gauteng’s industrial base but also South Africa’s standing as a serious automotive manufacturing destination.

That experience remains a reminder that government must be close to industry, close to workers and close to communities when the future of production and jobs is at stake.

I also wish to appreciate the leadership of the Gauteng Provincial Government, the City of Tshwane and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition for their continued investment in the expansion of the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone, right at the doorstep of Mamelodi township.

This matters profoundly because industrialisation must not happen far away from the people it is meant to uplift. By locating new factories, supplier opportunities, training platforms and enterprise support so close to Mamelodi, Nellmapius, Eersterust and surrounding communities, we are making a clear statement that township residents must be direct participants in the economy of the future.

This is how we turn industrial policy into household income, how we convert investment into skills, and how we ensure that young people from our townships can see opportunity not as a distant promise, but as something being built within reach of their homes.

This afternoon we gather to celebrate a new chapter for Chery and another milestone in the journey of South Africa’s industrial and economic development.

I express appreciation to the Department of Trade and Industry for expediting the facilitation of this process, which has reached fruition less than three years after our November 2023 Working Visit to China.

To provide context, during that visit, we engaged with the leadership of Chery International, focusing on promoting South Africa as a prime investment hub and enhancing local automotive manufacturing and supply chains.

This moment stands as a living testament to the confidence in our nation’s future, reinforcing the optimism that drives our developmental path. It is a testament to South Africa’s participation in and shaping of global industrialisation with resilience, vision and shared purpose.

The automotive industry in our country has been constantly evolving from the establishment of assembly plants in the middle of the last century, through the Motor Industry Development Programme of 1995 and the Automotive Production and Development Programme, which positioned our country as a hub for the continent.

Since then, the relevance of this sector has notdissipated with time but continues to shape our present and future.

The sector has consistently contributed to national growth, accounting for a significant share of GDP, driving exports across Africa and beyond, and anchoring our balance of trade.

It is a sector that creates employment for hundreds of thousands, directly and indirectly, while nurturing skills development, creating jobs and building technical expertise that empowersour youth and artisans.

Consequently, each investment, each new plant, and each innovation strengthen the foundation of industrial growth, ensuring that South Africa remains a competitive hub for automotive excellence.

It has become evident that South Africa’s automotive sector is undergoing a noticeable shift in its trade and market structure.

Import penetration has increased; Chinese brands have expanded rapidly in recent years, increasing their share of the domestic market.

Today, as Chery joins this proud lineage by establishing its first vehicle assembly plant in South Africa, we recognise that this milestone is not only about vehicles on our roads but about livelihoods, knowledge, and renewal that fuel our nation’s developmental journey.

This journey is especially remarkable given global uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, and rising competition. Yet this sector continues to actively support transformation.

Transformation with a purpose.

Transformation with results.

Through the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund (AITF) real progress is being made to develop a more inclusive and competitive sector. AITF empowers Black-owned businesses, strengthens local supply chains and furthers sustainable industrialisation.

Since its launch in 2021, the AITF has provided support to more than 80 Black-owned businesses in the South African automotive value chain.
This is also another success story of the power of policy frameworks.

Transformative industrial policy has led the way since the dawn of democracy. With a vision of increased value addition, we have pursued an industrial trajectory that places South Africa firmly within global value chains while strengthening our domestic base.

Through support programmes and theAutomotive Master Plan, we have strived to ensure that the sector is stronger, globally competitive, and transformed.

The Master Plan sets bold targets aimed at increasing domestic production to 1.4 million units, which is 1% of global output; boosting local content to 60%; doubling employment; transitioning to New Energy Vehicles by 2035; and bringing new companies into the value chain.

These are commitments to deeper valueaddition, broader participation, and greater resilience.

It is in this context that the acquisition of the Rosslyn factory by Chery International is a powerful signal to global investors that South Africa remains a trusted destination for industrial investment.

It is a vote of confidence in our people, our institutions, our infrastructure, our long-term future. It reinforces South Africa’s role as the automotive gateway to Africa.

Government values this investment, as it is anticipated to positively impact the lives of many ordinary people in the surrounding communities.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Government welcomes Chery’s presence in Rosslyn precisely because it offers thepossibility for industrialisation to be rooted in local communities, for jobs to be created where they are most needed, and for young South Africans to see themselves not only as workers but as owners, innovators, and leaders in the automotive sector.

This factory is therefore a beacon of hope, skills and future opportunities for the youth of Mabopane, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa and Hammanskraal!

I believe that this investment will also reinforce the social fabric through the co-operation of organised labour, local suppliers and township entrepreneurs in one value chain.

It is important to separate basic assembly from the more advanced localisation of components and supply chains. Assembly by itself may provide only shallow employment, but prospects are better with localisation because it creates significant job multipliers, broadens industrial ripple effects, and promotes skill development across generations.

Localisation enables township businesses to become engines of inclusive growth, and it ensures that innovation flows beyond the factory floor and into the broader economy.

With the understanding that a strong automotive sector depends on a strong supplier base, Government calls upon Chery to work hand in hand with us in identifying and promoting local suppliers, especially those led by our youth.

For it is in the strength of our supply chains that the resilience of our industry is secured, and it is in the creativity of our young entrepreneurs that the future of our economy is written.

Bringing township suppliers into the automotive value chain will not only strengthen Chery’s own operations but also brings transformation into the communities where opportunity is most needed.

Together as partners, we must ensure that local suppliers receive capacity building, mentorship, and market access. We should provide opportunities for youth-owned enterprises to participate in logistics, components, services, and technology.

In doing so, we will create a value chain that is inclusive, competitive, and sustainable.

Furthermore, local supplier development creates opportunities for entrepreneurs and strengthens resilience. Government encourages collaboration between Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and local suppliers to expand participation across the value chain.

We must also bear in mind that the global automotive industry is shifting rapidly towards new energy vehicles (NEVs). We stand to lose important export markets by 2035 if there isn’t a transition in South Africa. We appreciate that Chery is leading this charge in Africa with NEV options across its range.

South Africa is well positioned to serve the continent with vehicles through the African Continental Free Trade Area. South Africa will open this door by working with global manufacturers and establish itself as a premiere manufacturing hub for Africa.

Our Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for investment. Shared success requires a shared commitment between Government, labour, communities and industry.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The current state of South Africa's industrial landscape is marked by an increasing trend of foreign companies acquiring local industrial firms.

While such acquisitions are beneficial as they bring in crucial capital and advanced technology, they also raise significant issues regarding de-industrialisation. The concerns are centred on the potential erosion of local ownership within the manufacturing sector and supply chains, posing challenges for maintaining a robust domestic industrial base.

South Africa is addressing the challenges of de-industrialisation through a state-led strategy that emphasises the need to balance foreign investment with robust domestic safeguards. This approach includes the enforcement of local procurement rules and competition laws to protect local supply chains.

To facilitate this transition, the Government is focused on improving infrastructure in energy, rail, and ports, utilising trade measures such as tariffs. Additionally, we strongly encourage foreign-owned companies to source materials and utilise local factories instead of relying on imports while also providing funding and training to help local firms adopt new technologies.

Our people are absolutely the greatest asset. It is critical to invest in training, apprenticeships and technical education, thereby empowering young South Africans to recognise opportunities within advanced manufacturing and technology driven industries.

South Africa needs to be at the forefront of the technologies that will shape the future of mobility.
Chery’s investment will pave the way for technology transfer, automation, digitalisation and advanced manufacturing systems.

These developments will beef up our industrial capacity and put South African engineers and technicians at the cutting edge of innovation.

The future of Rosslyn, and the greater promise of our country, rests heavily on the shoulders of our youth. Every skill they gain, every apprenticeship they take on and every innovation they master is a vital part of the infrastructure that will support the renewal of our country.

Today, we celebrate Chery’s confidence in South Africa and reaffirm our commitment to industrialisation, investment attraction, and economic growth.

As I mentioned when I met with Chery Automobile's leadership in China a week ago as part of my working visit to enhance bilateral trade and industrial investment, South Africa is open for investment, ready for innovation, and committed to building an economy that offers opportunities for all.

Together, we can shape a future defined by growth, industrial excellence, and shared prosperity.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you forget everything else said today, remember this: the Chery Rosslyn Plant must not only be about the vehicles that roll off its production line but also about the lives it touches and transforms in the communities nearby and South Africa as a whole.

Let me conclude by wishing you a more prosperous future with prospects of future expansion to other parts of the country.

I Thank You, Inkomu.

Your Excellency, my brother President Félix Tshisekedi,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jean Kaseya,
The leadership of the National Institute for Biomedical Research, the INRB,
Representatives of international organisations and partner institutions,
Representatives of the donor community,
Representatives from the scientific and research community,
Representatives of the wider healthcare sector,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to begin by thanking you, Your Excellency President Tshisekedi, for inviting me to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo in my capacity as the African Union Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response.

Earlier today, President Tshisekedi and I had an opportunity to discuss the ongoing Ebola outbreak and broader matters of regional health security. 

Our visit is aligned with the mandate of African Union champions, which is to provide oversight, mobilise resources, strengthen cooperation among member states and support coordinated continental action.

Beyond the deep and enduring bilateral relationship between our two countries, we are here to express our solidarity with the government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo at this difficult time.

On behalf of my government and the people of South Africa, we express our profound condolences to the Congolese people who have lost their loved ones and extend our sympathies to all who have been affected by the outbreak. 

We also salute the healthcare workers, scientists, humanitarian personnel and community leaders who are working tirelessly on the frontlines.

Throughout many periods in our collective history, the resilience, courage and selflessness of our peoples have enabled us to weather even the most difficult of storms.

We have no doubt that this crisis too shall be overcome.

The people of Africa are one. Our bonds transcend borders, ethnicity and language. 

When there is tragedy in one part of our beloved continent, we all share in the sorrow. 

When a sister country needs assistance, we answer that call.

The continental response to this Ebola outbreak has been swift.

On the 16th of June, President Ndayishimiye of Burundi convened a virtual summit of African leaders and partners to deliberate on a global response. 

That meeting mobilised approximately 1.5 billion US dollars in financing, technical support, medical countermeasures and humanitarian response.

It is significant that of this amount, over 100 million dollars was pledged by African countries themselves. 

This reflects the spirit of solidarity and cooperation we continue to see in pursuit of African health sovereignty.

Given the magnitude of this challenge – and the urgency with which we have to contain the outbreak, treat the infected and support those affected – it will be critical that these resources are well managed. 

We welcome the medical supplies tracking dashboard established with the support of the World Health Organization, together with the inventory and donation coordination mechanisms that will strengthen accountability and improve the alignment of partner contributions.

Despite the challenges before us, we draw hope from the dedication and commitment of all partners gathered here today.

Having witnessed patients recover from this disease, we are encouraged that the continued development of medicines and vaccines will yield even more promising results and improve recovery outcomes.

We are hopeful that the virus will remain contained and will not threaten other regions of our continent or the world.

We are hopeful too that there will be minimal disruption to lives and livelihoods, and that economic growth and social stability will continue beyond this public health shock.

We are mindful of the serious challenges that still confront us.

We value this engagement because your experiences and insights are essential in ensuring that our political interventions are grounded in the realities faced by frontline responders and affected communities.

We wish to reiterate several proposals aimed at addressing the challenges that persist.

Firstly, we need to rapidly convert the pledges made into financing, technical assistance and the deployment of urgently needed medical countermeasures.

Secondly, we need a ceasefire to allow for the safe passage of humanitarian assistance, healthcare workers and medical supplies to affected communities. 

We appeal to every community to stand with and protect our frontline health workers and volunteers. They are risking their lives to save others and they must never face fear, stigma or violence while serving our people. 

Thirdly, South Africa remains committed to investing in African innovation and local manufacturing capacity. In this regard, we are supporting our manufacturer, Afrigen, as it participates in efforts to develop a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

Africa has repeatedly demonstrated resilience in the face of health crises. 

What is required now is unity of purpose, urgency of action and sustained solidarity.

I thank you. 
 

Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni will brief media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on, 02 July 2026.

The details of the briefing are as follows:

Date: Friday, 03 July 2026
Time: 11h00
Venue: Ronnie Mamoepa Press Room, Ground Floor, Tshedimosetso House,
Corner Francis Baard and Festival Streets, Hatfield, Pretoria    

Live streaming details:
Facebook: http://facebook.com/GovernmentZA
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GovernmentZA 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GovernmentZA

Media enquiries: Nomonde Mnukwa - Acting Government Spokesperson Cell: 083 653 7485 /William Baloyi – Deputy Government Spokesperson Cell:  083 390 7147

Programme Director;
Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube;
Mr. Stefan Cloete, Chief Executive Officer of Unilever Southern Africa;
Ms. Sithembile Sefako-Ngobese, Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director;
Dr. Nkosenye Godfrey Zulu, Head of Department for KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs;
Mr. Sam Zungu, Deputy Director-General for the TVET Branch;
Mr. Marks Thibela, CEO of CATHSSETA;
Ms. Nokuthula Selamolela, CEO of FoodBev SETA;
Mr. Coovashan Pillay, CEO of the South African Chefs Association;
Chef Vusi Mteshana, Executive Head Chef of Unilever Food Solutions South Africa;
Representatives from TVET Colleges;
Members of the hospitality and tourism sectors;
Esteemed lecturers, mentors, parents, and most importantly, our exceptional nine provincial finalists;

Good afternoon.

It is both a privilege and an honour to join you today at the Grand Finale of the Unilever TVET Cook Challenge. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to Unilever, the South African Chefs Association, FoodBev SETA, CATHSSETA, our TVET colleges, government departments, and every partner whose collective efforts have made this remarkable initiative possible.

Today, we gather here not simply to witness a competition, but to celebrate a profound story a story of heritage, creativity, resilience, and opportunity. The Unilever TVET Cook Challenge is a testament to the power of talent and practical skills to transform lives and communities.

The theme of this year’s competition, “Culinary Roots,” is a fitting reminder that every dish prepared is not just food. It is a narrative of our people, our cultures, our histories. It carries the wisdom of generations past and carries that spirit into our shared future.

In honouring these roots, our young chefs do more than create flavours; they connect us to who we are and inspire what we can become. They remind us that respecting tradition and embracing innovation must go hand in hand if we are to build a South Africa that is inclusive, dynamic, and forward-looking.

TVET Colleges: Engines of Inclusive Growth

Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges have become essential institutions in developing the skilled workforce that our economy urgently requires. They produce artisans, technicians, entrepreneurs, hospitality professionals, and countless other skilled individuals whose expertise keeps our industries functioning and our economy growing.

As Government, we continue to strengthen the TVET sector because we recognise that economic growth cannot be achieved without practical skills. South Africa requires qualified electricians, welders, plumbers, mechanics, hospitality professionals, agricultural specialists, and chefs just as much as it requires lawyers, accountants, and engineers. The young people gathered here today are proof that vocational education opens doors to meaningful careers and successful businesses.

Entrepreneurship: Turning Passion into Prosperity

Distinguished guests,

When we speak about becoming a hospitality professional, we should not only think about employment.
We should also consider entrepreneurship.

Some of South Africa's most successful entrepreneurs began with nothing more than a passion for food and the determination to succeed.

The culinary industry offers limitless possibilities.

It creates opportunities in restaurants, hotels, tourism, catering, food manufacturing, event management, baking, food styling, digital content creation, and product innovation.

Today's young chef can become tomorrow's employer.
The food truck of today can become tomorrow's restaurant chain.
The home bakery of today can become tomorrow's national brand.

That is why entrepreneurship must become central to our thinking as a nation.

Government is committed to building an economy where young people do not only search for employment but are empowered to create employment for others.

This is why programmes such as the National Youth Development Agency grant programme, the Small Enterprise Development Agency, the Small Enterprise Finance Agency and the Industrial Development Corporation continue to provide financial and business development support to qualifying young entrepreneurs.

We encourage every aspiring chef to make use of these opportunities.

Your qualification should not become a certificate that hangs on the wall. It should become the foundation upon which you build businesses that contribute to South Africa's economic growth.

Commemorating the Golden Anniversary of the Youth of 1976

As we celebrate excellence today, we also do so during a significant year in our country's history. 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Youth Uprising. Fifty years ago, young South Africans demonstrated extraordinary courage in confronting an unjust system that sought to deny them quality education and equal opportunity. They understood that education was the foundation upon which freedom, dignity and prosperity would be built. Their struggle was never simply about classrooms. It was about creating opportunities for future generations to realise their full potential. Today, we honour their legacy not only through remembrance but through action.

Every investment in education,
Every bursary awarded...
Every apprenticeship created...
Every young entrepreneur supported...
Every partnership between government, business, and educational institutions...

Is a continuation of the vision for which the youth of 1976 sacrificed so much.

The freedom they fought for now places a responsibility upon us to ensure that every young South African has access to opportunities that allow them to succeed.

One of the greatest challenges facing our country today remains youth unemployment.

Government recognises that economic transformation cannot happen through policy alone. It requires collaboration between government, educational institutions, organised business, and civil society.

Therefore, the Unilever TVET Cook Challenge demonstrates exactly what such collaboration looks like.

It provides young people with industry exposure.
It allows them to demonstrate their abilities before respected chefs and employers.
It rewards excellence with internships and career opportunities.
Most importantly, it builds confidence in these people that participated in this challenge.

For many young people, all they need is someone to recognise their potential.

Today's finalists have already demonstrated that they possess the discipline, resilience and determination needed to succeed in one of the world's most demanding professions.

They should be incredibly proud of reaching this stage.

The Ballot Box: Your Future Is Also in Your Hands

Programme Director,

As we commemorate fifty years since the youth of 1976 stood up for justice and equal opportunity, we must also remember that they fought so future generations could determine the destiny of this country.

Today, unlike the youth of 1976, you possess one of the most powerful democratic tools imaginable.

To every young South African who is eighteen years or older, I urge you to register to vote and to participate actively in our democracy. Do not leave the future of this country in the hands of others. The decisions taken through democratic processes influence education. They influence economic policy, the investment, the entrepreneurship, including the employment.

If you care about opportunities for young people, if you care about building an economy that works for everyone, then make your voice heard.

Democracy is strongest when young people participate.

Do not become spectators in the future of your own country.

Become active citizens. Register. And most importantly you participate in Vote.

Conclusion: Building The South Africa, We Want

As I conclude, let me once again congratulate every finalist gathered here today. Whether you leave here with first prize or not, you have already demonstrated excellence. Continue sharpening your skills and never stop learning. Use every opportunity that comes your way, build businesses that create jobs. Mentor those who come after you. Carry the South African flag with pride wherever your career takes you from today onwards.

The future of South Africa cannot be built by government alone.

It requires all of us.
It requires partnerships.
It requires hard work.
It requires active citizens.
And above all, it requires young people who believe that they can change the world.

Allow me to leave you with the timeless words of our founding democratic President, Nelson Mandela:
 
"It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor; that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine; that a child of farm workers can become the President of a great nation."

Therefore,

Continue dreaming.
Continue creating.
Continue believing.
Register to vote.
Participate in our democracy.

And together, let us build the inclusive, innovative, and prosperous South Africa envisioned by the youth of 1976 and promised by our Constitution, let us build a nation that indeed works for all.

I thank you.

Retired Constitutional Court Justice Baaitse Elizabeth Nkabinde has today, Wednesday, 1 July 2026, presented to President Cyril Ramaphosa the report of the Enquiry into the Fitness to Hold Office of South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andrew Chauke.

President Ramaphosa established the Enquiry on 29 September 2025 in terms of section 12(6)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act 32 of 1998.

The mandate of the Enquiry was to investigate and determine whether Adv Chauke was fit and proper to continue to hold such office in the context of certain serious allegations regarding his fitness and propriety to hold such office.

Its Terms of Reference were in line with the requirements of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, read with section 179 (3) of the Constitution.

President Ramaphosa placed Adv Chauke on suspension with effect from 20 July 2025, pending finalisation of the enquiry.

Today, President Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation to Enquiry Chairperson Justice Nkabinde, assisted by Adv Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere SC and Attorney Matshego Ramagaga, for the work undertaken by the panel.

President Ramaphosa will now study the report and subsequently make a determination.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director;
Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Buti Manamela;
Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mr Mondli Gungubele;
Minister of Information, Communications and Technology of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Senator Savannah Maziya;
Senior Vice President for Research, Labs, Technology and Society for Google and Alphabet, Mr James Manyika;
Distinguished guests from fellow African countries;
Leadership of Google;
Leaders of business and industry;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;

Good morning.

It is my privilege to address this first-ever Google Cloud Summit on the African continent. 
Today is about far more than a technology conference.

It is about where Africa chooses to position itself in the defining technological revolution of our lifetime.

Every great economic transformation has been powered by new infrastructure. New innovations. New ways of doing things.

Railways powered the Industrial Revolution. Electricity powered the twentieth century. Cloud computing and artificial intelligence will power the economies of the twenty-first century.

Africa intends not merely to participate in that future. We intend to help shape it.

The holding of this summit is a major milestone for Africa and South Africa.

The regional Google Cloud Summits are the premier technology and enterprise events for showcasing the latest innovations in cloud computing, AI and digital transformation. This event affirms Africa’s position as a core growth region for the global cloud ecosystem.

This is so because Africa is no longer simply adopting technologies developed elsewhere. We are becoming a place where new digital solutions are imagined, tested and scaled. 

A substantial part of the projected global cloud value sits in Africa, where the demand for cloud solutions and scalable AI is growing exponentially.

A 2024 McKinsey report found that cloud adoption in major African businesses was on par with, and in some instances even ahead of, adoption rates in North America and China.

South Africa and Google are a perfect match. South Africa combines world-class financial markets, sophisticated legal institutions, deep engineering capability, globally respected universities and a growing innovation ecosystem.

These are precisely the ingredients required for a thriving AI economy. 

Google Cloud is one of the largest global enterprise cloud providers. South Africa is Africa’s digital investment powerhouse and Africa’s largest cloud market.

We are a mature market for digital investment, with high internet penetration rates and strong regulatory frameworks. 

Beyond housing approximately 70 percent of Africa’s hyperscale data centre capacity, South Africa is also a major investment hub for tech start-ups.

This year’s Global Startup Ecosystem Index ranked a South African city, Cape Town, as the third highest ranked startup ecosystem in Africa.

As leaders, innovators and visionaries, we share a common belief in the transformative power of technology to spur economic growth and to propel human development. 

The objectives of this Summit deeply resonate with our national aspirations.

Earlier this year we held the sixth South Africa Investment Conference to attract investment into the productive sectors of our economy.

At this year’s conference, domestic and international investors expressed their ongoing confidence in South Africa as a premier investment destination.

This confidence is underpinned by the progress we are making in the structural reform of our network industries and transformation of our economy. 

A critical part of the structural reforms being coordinated through Operation Vulindlela is the creation of a comprehensive digital public infrastructure for South Africa that will serve as the backbone of our modern economy.

Secure, interoperable digital systems will support digitalisation across the public and private sectors, foster financial inclusion and scale up the delivery of public services.

A key strategic priority of our Government is inclusive growth and job creation, and we have been clear on the role a robust digital infrastructure must play in achieving this goal.

We are greatly encouraged that Google shares this view.

The investment announcements that will be made at this Summit are a vote of confidence in our economic trajectory.

They will catalyse job creation, support the growth of small and medium enterprises, and, above all, enhance our global competitiveness.

Cloud and AI are reshaping the global landscape at a pace unprecedented in human history. As South Africa, we stand ready to harness these shifts to transform our economy and society. 

AI is not simply another technological innovation. It is a general-purpose technology comparable to electricity, the internet and the steam engine. It will reshape every industry, every profession and every aspect of public life.

Countries that prepare today will define the prosperity of tomorrow.

These shifts present a key strategic opportunity for African countries to accelerate their technological evolution and to embrace the digital infrastructure of the 21st century in entirely new ways.

With the support of Google and our investment partners, we envision a South Africa where businesses and industry adopt cloud and AI-enabled services at scale, more rapidly and at a lower cost than would have been possible through legacy IT infrastructure.

We envision a South Africa where these technologies are rapidly deployed across the public sector, enabling us to modernise public administration, healthcare, education, transportation, public infrastructure and the delivery of basic services.

We see a South Africa where educational content will be provided through the cloud and delivered directly to the classroom using the latest technologies.

We envision a country where AI solutions are deployed for disease management and prevention, to manage the national energy grid, by farmers to predict weather patterns, and by scientists to guide our national climate response.

In addition to cloud and AI providing several solutions, they will ultimately enhance humanity's capabilities. Ultimately cloud and AI matter because they increase productivity.

For far too long, Africa has had to play digital catch-up with the world’s leading and most industrialised economies. We are now presented with a unique opportunity to be in the driving seat of our own industrialisation and growth.

Technology will unlock entirely new industries, improve the competitiveness of existing firms and create opportunities for thousands of entrepreneurs who today face barriers to entering the formal economy.

Bringing these world-class cloud capabilities to our shores will improve data security and ensure that our businesses – from the largest financial institution in this city to the tech start-up in Khayelitsha – have access to the same cutting-edge tools as their global counterparts.

This will enable us to build a digital economy that serves all our people.

Policy agility and responsiveness are a priority.

We are seeking to build a predictable, enabling regulatory environment that supports innovation, safeguards the rights and data of businesses and citizens, and ensures that AI is both developed and deployed responsibly. 

The expansion of our digital infrastructure brings to the fore important conversations around data sovereignty, human rights and the environmental footprint of our progress.

As we expand our data centre capacities to meet the demands of cloud computing, we must do so sustainably.

It should, however, be noted that our ambition is not simply to expand and host data centres.

Our ambition is to build companies. To produce researchers. To commercialise African ideas. To create intellectual property that competes globally.

Africa possesses unique challenges. But those challenges are also opportunities.

We are encouraged by the engagements taking place across the industry to ensure that our digital expansion respects fundamental rights, protects our environment and contributes positively to the host communities.

It is through collaborative dialogue between government, industry and civil society that we will successfully navigate these complexities.

Beyond creating an enabling environment, the South African Government is investing in its own cloud infrastructure, including the Sebowa Cloud at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, which is a localised cloud and storage platform.

Around the world, governments are investing in critical cloud, platform and AI infrastructure to safeguard sovereignty and protect citizens' digital rights and agency over their data. In the digital age, sovereignty is measured not only by territorial borders.

It is increasingly measured by a nation's ability to secure its data, develop its own digital capabilities and exercise meaningful control over the technologies on which its economy depends.

I call on Google and other cloud providers to work with government to build sovereign digital and AI capacity that draws on both state institutions and private sector dynamism.

As we champion this digital transformation, we are mindful that the transition must be a just one. We cannot allow digital poverty to widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots. 

This is why investments in human capital are just as important as investments in data centres and undersea cables. We must equip our young people with the skills they need to thrive in the workplaces of tomorrow.

We applaud Google’s decision to invest in comprehensive AI skilling frameworks and digital literacy programmes that empower our youth. 

This will ensure that South Africans are not mere consumers of technology, but active creators and innovators. 

This is a vision we hold not just for South Africa, but for the entire continent. Africa's true wealth lies not in our natural resources, but in the ingenuity and resilience of our people.

As we step boldly into the age of artificial intelligence, our aspiration is to anchor South Africa as a catalyst for the continent's digital ascendancy.

By building robust infrastructure to harness this technology, we are doing more than modernising our economy – we are taking a quantum leap into the future.
 
To the leadership of Google: we thank you for being a steadfast partner in Africa's development journey.

Your investments announced today will serve as a vital artery for our technological future.

Let us continue to work together to harness the boundless opportunities of the cloud and AI.

Throughout history, every generation has been called upon to build the infrastructure of its age.

Our predecessors built roads, ports, dams and power stations. Ours is the generation called upon to build the digital infrastructure that will power the African century.

Let future generations say that when the opportunity came, Africa chose ambition over hesitation, innovation over imitation and partnership over isolation.

Together we will ensure that the technologies shaping tomorrow are developed in ways that advance human dignity, expand opportunity and improve the lives of all our people.

That is the future we begin building today.

Let us ensure that in this new digital age, no person is left behind. 

Let us continue to work together. 

I thank you.

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, will on Thursday, 2 July 2026, attend the Unilever TVET Cook Off Challenge Grand Finale in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

The Unilever TVET Cook Off Challenge is a program that will empower students from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges by providing a platform to showcase their culinary skills.

Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 2 July 2026
Time: 08h30
Venue: Unilever La Lucia Ridge Ground Floor HUB

Media enquiries: Mandisa Mbele 082 580 2213 MandisaM@presidency.gov.za 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa in his capacity as the African Union Champion for Pandemic, Preparedness, Prevention and Response (PPPR), will on Thursday, 02 July 2026, undertake an African Union solidarity visit to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The high-level solidarity visit aims to engage with His Excellency President Felix Tshisekedi and demonstrate the African Union’s collective support for the Government and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

The mission will provide high-level political stewardship to strengthen a coordinated continental response to the Ebola outbreak, reinforce regional collaboration and cross-border preparedness, and mobilize political, technical, and financial commitments from African Union Member States and Partners.  These efforts are intended to support outbreak containment, strengthen public health systems, and enhance resilience against future public health emergencies.

The African Union PPPR Champion provides political leadership and oversight of the continental Ebola response, promotes solidarity with affected countries and frontline responders, and leads efforts to replenish the African Epidemic Fund.  Over 100 million dollars has been pledged by AU Member states, and the Champion plays a key role in sustaining political commitment and ensuring these pledges are translated into funding.

Globally, countries and partners have pledged over U$910 million towards the Ebola response.  South Africa has committed U$13,5 million as announced by President Ramaphosa 

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Thandi Moraka.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

The Presidency invites members of the media to the Swearing-in Ceremony of the new Ministers and Deputy Ministers, which will take place this afternoon, Wednesday, 01 July 2026 in Pretoria.

The Swearing-in Ceremony will take place as follows:
Date: Wednesday 01 July 2026
Time:15h30 (media to arrive at 14h00)
Venue: Media Centre, Union Buildings, Pretoria 

Members of the media wishing to cover the ceremony should send their details to Patience@presidency.gov.za / 083 376 9468.

The proceedings will also be live streamed on all PresidencyZA social media platforms.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will be making changes to the national executive following consultation  with the leadership of the Democratic Alliance as a member of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

These changes will affect the Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Trade, Industry and Competition, Electricity and Energy, Higher Education, and Water and Sanitation. 

Accordingly, President Ramaphosa will in line with section 91(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (“the Constitution”) appoint: 

Mr Willem Aucamp as the Minister of Agriculture,

Mr David Maynier as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Furthermore, in accordance with section 93(1)(a) of the Constitution, President Ramaphosa is appointing the following Deputy Ministers:

Mr John Steenhuisen as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition,

Ms Alexandra Abrahams as Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy,

Mr Jack Bloom as Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation,

Mr  Yusuf Cassim as Deputy Minister of Higher Education. 

In the vacant Ministry of Social Development, President Ramaphosa has appointed Ms Dina Pule as the Minister of Social Development in accordance with section 91(3)(b) of the Constitution.

President Ramaphosa wishes all the incoming Ministers and Deputy Ministers well in their roles. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria