His Excellency the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile, and delegation hold a bilateral meeting with the China Communist Party Secretary of Shenzhen, Mr Jin Lei, and his delegation at the Futian Shangri-La Hotel in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province in China.

The meeting engaged on the critical need to heighten trade, investment and friendship between South Africa and China as well as affirmed Shenzhen's strategic location as the fastest growing Special Economic Zone of China, that has risen to take its place amongst the noticeable metropolis in the region and the world. Shenzhen's fortunes were defined by it being accorded the status of an SEZ, its wide-ranging  reforms and a strong market system approach to economic development.

The Shenzhen CPC Secretary committed Shenzhen to pursue the “All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in a New Era” as agreed on by President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Xi Jinping on several of their engagements.

The Deputy President reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening its comprehensive strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China and welcomed the growing practical cooperation between South Africa and Shenzhen, noting the important role played by the South Africa–China Shenzhen Chamber in advancing trade, investment and people-to-people relations.

Deputy President Mashatile conveyed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s best wishes to President Xi Jinping on the occasion of his birthday month, acknowledging President Xi’s leadership both within China and on the international stage.

The Deputy President was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Zuko Godlimpi; South Africa’s Ambassador to China, Her Excellency Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba; Consul-General, Ms Phuti Tsipa; and senior Government officials from The Presidency, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

Deputy President Mashatile expressed confidence that Ambassador Letsatsi-Duba’s tour of duty in China would further strengthen the longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between South Africa and China.

He further reflected on recent high-level engagements undertaken during his visit to China, including discussions with Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing and his meeting earlier this week with the leadership of the International Department of the CPC. These engagements followed the successful convening of the Ninth South Africa-China Binational Commission held in Cape Town in March 2026, which reaffirmed the depth and strategic nature of bilateral relations.

The Deputy President reiterated South Africa’s unwavering commitment to the One China Policy, as reaffirmed in the Joint Statement issued during President Ramaphosa’s State Visit to China in September 2024, and underscored South Africa’s intention to expand its diplomatic representation through the proposed establishment of a Consulate-General in Guangdong Province.

South Africa welcomed China’s decision to extend 100 per cent duty-free market access to African countries, which came into effect on 1 May 2026, noting with pride that South Africa was the first country to export apples to China under this framework.

Deputy President Mashatile further welcomed the signing of the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement in February 2026 and emphasised the importance of concluding the Early Harvest Agreement currently under negotiation between South Africa and China to facilitate expanded access for South African products to the Chinese market.

In discussions on economic cooperation, the Deputy President highlighted several priority areas for enhanced collaboration, including the finalisation of the Early Harvest Agreement, progress on matters relating to the Southern African Customs Union framework, support for South Africa’s Trade and Investment Package (2025–2029), mobilisation of investments from Shenzhen, and the promotion of value-added South African exports to China.

The Deputy President also acknowledged the strong historical and fraternal relations between the African National Congress and the Communist Party of China and expressed appreciation for the CPC’s participation in the Liberation Movements Summit held in Johannesburg in July 2025.

Deputy President Mashatile reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to ensuring a conducive environment for Chinese nationals and businesses operating in the country and emphasised the importance of continued cooperation in addressing immigration-related challenges in a constructive manner.

Concluding the meeting, the Deputy President reiterated South Africa’s determination to deepen the All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era and to translate the strong foundation of trust, solidarity and shared values between the two countries into tangible benefits for their respective peoples.

South Africa looks forward to continued high-level engagements and to advancing the implementation of decisions taken under the South Africa-China Binational Commission.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President of the Mindray Group, Mr Hao Wu;
Senior Executives of Mindray Group;
Distinguished Guests;

Thank you for taking the time to meet with the South African delegation during our Working Visit to the People's Republic of China.

This visit reflects the importance that South Africa attaches to its strategic partnership with China and our shared commitment to strengthening trade, investment, industrial cooperation and people-to-people relations.

China remains South Africa's largest trading partner and one of our most important sources of investment, technology and industrial collaboration. 

Through this visit, we are seeking to deepen cooperation in strategic sectors that are critical to South Africa's growth and development objectives, including manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, digital technologies, healthcare, skills development and innovation.

Our objective is not merely to attract investment, but to establish long-term partnerships that contribute to industrialisation, technology transfer, localisation, skills development and sustainable job creation.

Healthcare is one of the sectors that lie at the centre of South Africa's development agenda.

We are committed to building a modern, inclusive and resilient healthcare system that delivers quality healthcare services to all our people.

This includes improving healthcare infrastructure, accelerating digital transformation, strengthening healthcare workforce capabilities and ensuring that innovation improves healthcare outcomes across both urban and rural communities.

President Hao Wu,
Thank you for Mindray's continued commitment to South Africa.

We appreciate the company's longstanding presence in our healthcare sector and the valuable partnerships that have been established with leading public and private healthcare institutions throughout the country.

Mindray's success in South Africa demonstrates the confidence that your company has in our healthcare market and in the broader South African economy.

We are particularly encouraged by your vision of supporting healthcare transformation through innovation, technology and skills development.

South Africa is pursuing universal healthcare coverage, healthcare digitisation and improved health outcomes. In this regard, we see significant opportunities for collaboration in the following areas:

* Smart hospitals and digital healthcare
* Telemedicine and remote healthcare services
* Advanced diagnostic and medical imaging equipment
* Healthcare information systems and data management
* Healthcare workforce training and capacity building
* Medical technology localisation and manufacturing
* Research, innovation and technology transfer
* Artificial intelligence and digital solutions in healthcare delivery.

Mindray's proposal to support digital health transformation and healthcare skills development aligns strongly with South Africa's priorities.

We are particularly interested in exploring opportunities to establish centres of excellence, training facilities and partnerships with South African universities, hospitals and research institutions to strengthen healthcare capabilities and promote knowledge exchange.

We would also welcome discussions around expanding local operations, developing regional service and training centres, and exploring opportunities for medical technology manufacturing, assembly and localisation in South Africa.

As South Africa continues to strengthen its position as a gateway to the African continent, we believe there are significant opportunities for Mindray to utilise South Africa as a strategic base for serving healthcare markets across Africa.

Through the African Continental Free Trade Area, companies investing in South Africa have access to one of the world's fastest-growing markets, creating opportunities for regional expansion and long-term growth.

Government remains committed to supporting investors through policy certainty, investment facilitation and strategic partnerships that accelerate project implementation and unlock new opportunities.

I would therefore like to invite Mindray to participate in the next South Africa Investment Conference, explore the extensive opportunities available through the African Continental Free Trade Area, and work closely with InvestSA and our One Stop Shop mechanisms to facilitate project implementation, support expansion plans and strengthen Mindray's contribution to healthcare transformation across South Africa and the African continent.

We look forward to deepening our partnership with Mindray and working together to improve healthcare outcomes, drive innovation and create lasting value for both our countries.

Thank You, Xie Xie.
 

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, will on Friday, 26 June 2026, attend the 10th Ephraim Mogale Career Expo at the Laerskool Sports Ground in Marble Hall, Limpopo.

The Career Expo will bring together learners, government departments, higher education institutions, SETAs, and industry stakeholders to provide young people with information on career opportunities, skills development programmes, bursaries, entrepreneurship, and pathways to employment. As part of the programme, the Deputy Minister will interact with exhibitors, engage with learners, and deliver remarks on government interventions aimed at improving youth employment outcomes through initiatives such as SAYouth.mobi, implemented in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), and the Presidential Youth
Employment Intervention (PYEI).

Members of the media are invited to cover the event as follows:
Date: Friday, 26 June 2026
Time: 09h00
Venue: Laerskool Sports Ground, Marble Hall, Limpopo

Media enquiries: Sandile Dayi on 072 667 0757

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will  tomorrow, Thursday, 25 June 2026, brief the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, Cape Town, on various national developments, including government interventions to address illegal immigration, strengthen border management and improve the effectiveness of the asylum system.

In his response to NCOP Questions for Oral Reply, President Ramaphosa will also address measures to identify and remove criminal infiltration and corruption within law enforcement agencies, intelligence structures and other organs of state.

The President will further provide an update on government's efforts to combat illicit trade through the National Illicit Economy Disruption Programme, including interventions targeting illicit activities in sectors such as tobacco, fuel and counterfeit goods.

President Ramaphosa will also outline government's efforts to safeguard South Africa's international standing and strengthen relations with countries on the African continent while addressing migration-related challenges and their impact on communities.

Details of the engagement are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Time: 14:00
Venue: National Council of Provinces, Cape Town

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 26 June 2026, officially open and address the 9th Summit of the Southern Africa Customs Union Heads of State and Government.

South Africa is hosting the 9th SACU Summit of Heads of State and Government at the Cape Town International Convention Centre 2 (CTICC 2) in Cape Town.

The Summit brings together the Heads of State and Government and representatives of the five SACU Member States, namely the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Namibia and the Republic of South Africa, to deliberate on key issues affecting regional economic integration, industrial development and trade cooperation.

As the world's oldest functioning customs union, SACU continues to play a critical role in promoting regional integration, facilitating trade, supporting industrial development and strengthening economic cooperation among its Member States.

The Summit serves as SACU's highest decision-making institution, providing strategic and political direction to the organisation and overseeing the implementation of its programmes and priorities.

The 9th SACU Summit is expected to consider several strategic matters aimed at advancing regional economic development and integration.

Among the key items on the agenda will be an update from the SACU Council of Ministers on the implementation and mid-term review of the SACU Strategic Plan (2022–2027), reflections on emerging global developments and their impact on SACU economies, as well as a report on the re-imagined SACU and its future direction.

The Summit will also provide an opportunity for Member States to assess progress in areas such as industrialisation, regional value chains, customs modernisation, trade facilitation, investment promotion and opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The 9th SACU Summit of Heads of State and Government follows a series of technical, administrative and ministerial meetings from 18 to 24 June 2026.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana , and senior government officials.

The 9th Summit of SACU Heads of State and Government will take place as follows:

Media Programme
Date: Friday, 26 June 2026

Opening Ceremony of the 9th Summit of the SACU Heads of State and Government
Time: 10:00
Venue: Hall 6, Ground floor, CTICC 2

Family Photo
Time: 10:45
Venue: Foyer Outside Hall 6, CTICC 2

Closing Ceremony of the 9th Summit of the SACU Heads of State and Government
Time: 12:30
Venue: Hall 6, Ground floor, CTICC 2

NOTE TO MEDIA: Media accreditation has been concluded by Government Communications (GCIS)

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria