Programme Director;
Premier of North-West, Honourable Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi;
Ministers and Deputy Ministers here present;
MECs, Councillors and Officials of Ditsobotla Municipality;
President of SALGA;
DiKgosi tsa rona and all Traditional Leaders present;,
Directors General, Heads of Departments, the NCR led by Ntate Ralinkontsane, former Director General of Free State;
All Government Officials;
Community members;
Batho ba Ditsobotla;

Dumelang! I greet you with respect and humility!

I stand before you today not just as deputy president, but also as a servant of a democratic legacy established in struggle and sacrifice. That legacy was written by countless men and women who endured hardship, many of whom lived in the impoverished areas once designated as Bantustans or so-called “homelands.”

From the liberation struggle to the dawn of democracy, our people have always demanded nothing less than dignity, accountability, and delivery. They demanded that freedom must mean more than the right to vote, that it must mean the right to live with dignity, to work with security, and to raise families in communities where services function and opportunities exist.

Today, here in Ditsobotla, that demand continues.

It continues in the voices of residents in this community who ask for clean drinkable water, reliable electricity, passable roads, and opportunities that are real. It continues in the determination of young people who want skills and jobs, not promises and delays.

I stand here fully aware of the frustration, the anger, and the fatigue felt by the people of Ditsobotla. This municipality has endured too much instability and too little delivery, and it would be dishonest to pretend otherwise. You have indeed waited for too long for the delivery of your constitutional promises.

Government has noticed this and decided to deal with this end this by appointing a National Cabinet Representative (the NCR) in this municipality, through whom the cabinet will attend to the situation in this municipality on a day-to-day basis. The NCR is a Multi-Disciplinary team under the supervision of COGTA and Treasury.

We are here today members of Cabinet and Parliament to support the team on the ground.

When I was here in January 2026, the team and the Premier of the province provided me with an overview of the obstacles they were facing, and I assured them that I would engage with Ministers Hlabisa and Gondongwane, as well as connect with other pertinent ministers, which the premier also committed to doing.

Since then, the teams have been actively working on their initiatives to bring change in Ditsobotla. 

Today, we reconvene not to revisit the information previously presented in January, but to monitor and provide feedback on the progress achieved to date, identify what remains to be addressed, and strategise our approach moving forward. 

I have already met with Ministers, the Premier, and district leadership, and we all agreed on the need for bold action to address the community's daily challenges.

The last time we were here, you said the following should be a priority:

- Stabilise governance of the municipality and refocussing the municipality and its leadership on the mandate the municipality was established for: serving the people and ensuring delivery of services and stopping self-serving tendencies with immediate effect.

- Water and sanitation, which strike at dignity and public health.

- Electricity connections, which affect households and businesses.

- Road infrastructure, with specific attention to Beyers Naudé Road, a strategic economic artery.

- Economic support, by bringing the Department of Small Business Development and SETAs to support local entrepreneurs and invest in skills development.

No one among my team members and colleagues present here should ever say your demands are unreasonable. They are constitutional; they are just; they are time-sensitive; and they are achievable. Delivery must be felt in your homes, in your streets, and in your lives.

Ditsobotla must be turned from being an example of all that resembles the worst in our democratic dispensation to an epitome of greatness, good governance, excellence in the delivery of services, and the best example of collaboration amongst all stakeholders and residents of municipalities.

Ditsobotla’s challenges are not technical mysteries. They are the result of governance breakdown, execution failure, and instability. In short, we can say that the issues arose from our failure to maintain high standards of accountability and consequences management.

To our officials who provide technical support to our political leadership, we must recognise that when plans exist without implementation, when funds are spent without visible outcomes, and when institutions collapse without intervention, the people ultimately pay the price. That cannot continue, and it will not continue.

We are going to maintain sustained presence and accountability. In other words, this trip is not a once-off visit. National Government will remain present in action.

We have already deployed a seasoned technocrat, the former Director General of the Free State, Ntate Ralikontsane, to work on the ground and ensure that this municipality is stabilised, rebuilt, and turned around. We will continue to be here with you until:

- Water systems are  stabilised.

- Electricity revenue is protected and reinvested in ensuring the security of supply.

- Roads are repaired, and nonperforming contractors are reprimanded, put to terms, and terminated.

- Economic support must reach local entrepreneurs.

- Skills development is aligned to our local, national, and global economic environment so that our young people are properly skilled for real work.

We want to assure everybody that if systems work, they will be supported and scaled. If they fail repeatedly, intervention will follow without delay. This is not about playing politics. It is about restoring basic functionality to people’s lives.

Ditsobotla does not need more meetings. Ditsobotla does not need more fighting. What this community needs is action. What this community needs is delivery.

I, for one, would have been tired of meetings without implementation, tired of plans without execution, and tired of promises without speed. The time for endless discussions is over. The time for decisive action has come.

Now is the time to have qualified officials, clear authority, and firm accountability. We want councillors, management, and staff to be united in supporting the intervention. Officials must be empowered to deliver and held accountable when they do not.

Let us prepare Ditsobotla to enter the new municipal term as the epitome of best municipal governance practices and cast its past bad image in the dustbin of history.

As Government, we aim to improve cooperative governance by ensuring alignment and integration of national, provincial, and local Government plans. Through the DDM approach, we are accelerating service delivery, enhancing accountability, and ensuring that communities receive coordinated and sustainable support.

Our intervention in Ditsobotla is concrete, targeted, and already underway. We are acting decisively to restore governance, rebuild services, and renew hope. Among others, these interventions include:

- Working with National Treasury, we are utilising the Financial Recovery Plan process to secure and reprioritise funds.

- The Department of Water and Sanitation is supporting the Ngaka Modiri Molema District and Ditsobotla Local Municipality in reviewing the MOU, finalising a business plan for water infrastructure refurbishment and expansion, and facilitating access to bulk water.

- Provincial Public Works is rehabilitating Dr Beyers Naude Drive. SANRAL partnerships and the Vala Zonke programme are addressing potholes.

- Waste management is being stabilised. Funding has been reprioritised to procure waste vehicles, while EPWP teams are being deployed to clean and manage landfill sites.

These communities deserve the best. To the residents of this municipality, let me say this once again: Your frustration is justified. Your demands are reasonable, and your municipality will not be abandoned.

Some of the interventions mean a change will not happen overnight, but visible change must begin, and it must be sustained.

This visit is about restoring presence, action, and accountability. We are serious about fixing local government in real time, accelerating delivery, and ensuring visible improvements. 

My office remains open to you as we work toward addressing your challenges, and we will stay engaged until Ditsobotla works.

I thank you.

WORKING VISIT TO ZIMBABWE 
On Sunday, 03 May 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa undertook a working visit to the Republic of Zimbabwe at the invitation of HE President Emmerson Mnangangwa. The visit was an opportunity for both heads of state to engage over a wide range of issues of mutual and bilateral interests.

South Africa and Zimbabwe maintain a deeply historical relationship of bonds formed during their respective struggles against colonialism and apartheid. The two countries further enjoy a political and dynamic trade relationship. In 2025, South African exports totaled about U$4,30 billion with agricultural products and machinery dominating most traded goods. 

Both President’s agreed to retreat to President Mnangagwa’s farm where they would engage in a relaxed environment and outside of the constraints of Presidential formality and protocol. Over and above the planned meeting, President Ramaphosa was interested in learning how President Mnangangwa is assisting local farmers in the area neighboring his farm.  

The Presidency has noted with concern the reports that have surfaced following the President’s visit to Zimbabwe, identifying an individual who is a person of interest to our law enforcement, who was also present during the visit.

President Ramaphosa had no prior knowledge of who will be present during the visit nor was he familiar with the said individual.

The President flew to Zimbabwe for a meeting with his counterpart and nothing else. 

President Ramaphosa encourages our law enforcement agencies to continue with pursuing the matters that are under investigation involving these individuals and to do so with no fear or hesitation.

WATERCOM UPDATE
Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the National Water Crisis Committee (WATERCOM) to provide coordinated national leadership in addressing the water crisis. The committee is chaired by the President and incorporates the existing Inter-Ministerial Committee on Water (also known as the Water Task Team).

It includes the Department of Water and Sanitation, National Treasury, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Department of Human Settlements, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and the South African Police Service.

It is chaired at a technical level by the Director-General in the Presidency, Ms Phindile Baleni, and supported by a secretariat comprising a joint team from Operation Vulindlela (OV) and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). 

The key task of WATERCOM is to oversee the implementation of a National Water Action Plan (NWAP) which outlines urgent actions to address water supply disruptions in several parts of the country as well as to accelerate the implementation of institutional reforms across all levels of government.

The National Water Action Plan is focused on five interventions, namely; 

1. Water service delivery, overseeing targeted interventions to address water supply disruptions in prioritised areas.
 
2. Institutional and financing reforms, coordinating reforms to the system of water service delivery at local government level. 

3. Unlocking water infrastructure investments and mobilising private investment. 

4. Legal and regulatory mechanisms to improve service delivery. 

5. Addressing corruption and criminality in the water sector, including corruption associated with the use of water tankers. 

To date the National Water Action Plan has been presented and discussed with provincial and local government structures, including engagements at the level of the President with Mayors.

 Further engagements will be held with business, labour, and civil society to ensure a collaborative approach across levels of government and with social partners. A process is underway to establish an advisory group of water experts from universities and other bodies that will provide input on the plan and its implementation. 

PUBLIC PROGRAMME OF THE PRESIDENT 

THURSDAY, 7 MAY 2026
SOUTH32 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF PRODUCTION

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow Thursday, 07 May 2026, take a tour on the South32 Hillside Aluminium, marking the 30th Anniversary celebrations of the company’s operations in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.

Hillside Aluminium was part of an ambitious vision by South Africa’s new democratic government on the role additional industrial capacity could have in creating jobs, bolstering international trade and contributing to local downstream beneficiation. 

Hillside Aluminium smelter is the largest in the southern hemisphere and only producer in South Africa, largely producing high-quality, primary aluminium for domestic and export markets.

Through the aluminium value chain, the company provides the foundation for an estimated 29,000 jobs across the economy. In the last 10 years, South32 has contributed around R35 billion to South Africa’s gross domestic product.

TUESDAY, 12 MAY 2026 
AFRICA TRAVEL INDABA 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, officially open and address the Africa’s Travel Indaba at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

The Indaba is a platform for leaders of the African tourism industry, investors, media, international tour operators, bookers and government leaders, whose mandate is to grow and develop tourism on the continent. 

The Indaba provides an 
opportunity for buyers from around the world to purchase a variety of tourism products available in South Africa and across the continent.

Africa’s biggest tourism trade gathering also allows industry leaders to deliberate on new policies, emerging trends, and the opportunities and threats facing the tourism sector from both African and global perspectives. Tourism is a critical driver of investment and job creation for the eThekwini Municipality, the rest of the province, and South Africa. The Indaba will run from 12 to 14 May 2026

WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 2026
BLACKROCK INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT CONFERENCE

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, address the opening of the BlackRock Infrastructure Investment Conference in Cape Town, engaging with key global investors.

The conference forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen investor relations, following the 6th South Africa Investment Conference held on 31 March 2026, which mobilised substantial investment commitments and underscored the country’s focus on infrastructure-led growth.

Discussions at the conference will centre on critical sectors, including energy infrastructure; transport, port and rail systems; digital and data infrastructure; and water infrastructure.

NOTE TO MEDIA: The conference is not open to media, however the President’s address will be live streamed on Presidency Digital platforms.

THURSDAY, 14 MAY 2026
ORAL REPLIES IN NA

On Thursday, 14 May 2026, the President will respond to Questions for Oral Replies by Members of the National Assembly.

Questions for Oral Reply is one of the mechanisms Parliament uses to hold the Executive to account.

The session will cover amongst other issues, the Skills Development among the Youth; benefits of various investments conferences in boosting employment opportunities in the country; roll out plan of the Operation Prosper and government’s plans to address students’ debt.

TUESDAY 19 MAY 2026
NATIONAL ORDERS

President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Grand Patron of the National Orders, will on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, bestow the 2024 National Orders Awards on distinguished citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans. 

National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its President, bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals.

The Director- General in the Presidency and Chancellor of the National Orders, Ms Phindile Baleni , will in due course announce the recipients of the National Orders. 

The President will bestow on deserving recipients the Order of Mendi for Bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe, and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.

WEDNESDAY 20 MAY 2026
WORKING VISIT TO BOTSWANA FOR THE SOUTH AFRICA-BOTSWANA BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION
 
President Ramaphosa will on 20 May 2026, travel to Botswana for the South Africa and Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC), which is a high-level framework that is co-chaired by both heads of state. It serves to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries on various issues such as trade, security, energy, as well as infrastructure. 

On a strategic level, the South Africa and Botswana BNC focuses on reinforcing ties in areas such as agriculture, health, education, transport, and mining. 

South Africa remains a key major trading partner with the neighbouring Botswana. The 5th Session in 2022 discussed addressing trade barriers and strengthening industrialization. Key focus includes major projects between the two countries as well as cooperation on security issues, which includes cross-border crimes. 

The President will be accompanied by Ministers and Senior Government Officials.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, will on Friday, 8 May 2026, officially hand over a Cyber Lab at Paballelo Senior Secondary School in Upington, Northern Cape.

The handover forms part of government’s intervention and efforts to advance digital inclusion, improve access to technology in schools, and equip learners with critical digital skills for the future economy.

The event is as follows:
Date: Friday, 8 May 2026
Time: 12:30
Venue: Paballelo Senior Secondary School, Upington, Northern Cape.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Friday, 08 May 2026, deliver closing remarks at the National Rural Development Indaba taking place at Lemo Green Park in Bloemfontein, Free State Province.

The two-day Indaba, held from 7–8 May 2026 and led by the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, brings together key stakeholders to advance dialogue on rural development and land reform.

The Deputy President’s participation is in line with his role as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Land Reform, where he leads Government’s efforts to ensure the accelerated and effective implementation of land reform initiatives. 

Under the theme Policy, Investment and Community Action for Inclusive and Sustainable Rural Development, the Indaba aims to ensure that representatives from grassroots rural communities, together with other stakeholders, meaningfully participate in and take ownership of local economic development and rural infrastructure initiatives.

These efforts are aimed at addressing the specific needs of communities and advancing an integrated and inclusive rural economy towards sustainable development.

Details of the Deputy President’s participation are as follows:
Date: Friday, 08 May
Time: 09h00
Venue: Lemo Green Park, Bloemfontein, Free State Province 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 7 May 2026, undertake a tour of the South32 Hillside Aluminium smelter in Richards Bay as part of the 30th anniversary celebration of South Africa’s primary aluminium producer.

President Ramaphosa will also attend a gala dinner highlighting the company’s role in industrialisation, job creation and in supporting the local and national economy.

In 1996, Hillside Aluminium was part of an ambitious vision by South Africa’s new democratic government and industry on the role additional industrial capacity could play in creating jobs, bolstering international trade and contributing to local downstream beneficiation. 

The Hillside Aluminium smelter is the largest in the southern hemisphere and the only primary producer in South Africa, largely producing high-quality, primary aluminium for domestic and export markets.

Through the aluminium value chain, Hillside provides the foundation for an estimated 29,000 jobs across the economy. 

In the last 10 years, it contributed around R35 billion to South Africa’s gross domestic product.

Being the largest aluminium smelter in the southern hemisphere, the company is pivotal in South Africa’s aluminium value chain.

The President’s visit will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 7 May 2026
Time: 15h00
Venue: 9 West Central Arterial, Richards Bay, KwaZulu Natal 

South32 Hillside Aluminium has handled the accreditation process and made arrangement for the accredited media crew Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) gear.

Note that only accredited media, with the required credentials, will be given access.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, will on Thursday, 7 May 2026, conduct an Oversight Visit to Ditsobotla Local Municipality (DLM) in the North-West Province, as part of Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of municipalities to effectively deliver basic services to communities.

The Visit follows concerns raised by residents of the DLM during the Deputy President’s recent engagement with the community in January 2026. Among the key issues highlighted by community members, were inadequate access to water and sanitation, unreliable electricity supply, poor road infrastructure, and broader service delivery challenges affecting their quality of life.

This Oversight Visit forms part of the implementation of the District Development Model (DDM), which aims to improve cooperative governance by ensuring alignment and integration of national, provincial, and local Government plans. Through the DDM approach, Government seeks to accelerate service delivery, enhance accountability, and ensure that communities receive coordinated and sustainable support.

The DLM has been facing persistent governance and service delivery challenges, which led to the National Cabinet placing it under administration in terms of Section 139 of the Constitution. These challenges include financial mismanagement, instability in political and administrative leadership, failure to provide consistent basic services, and deteriorating infrastructure. Therefore, this intervention aims to restore functionality, strengthen institutional capacity, and ensure improved service delivery outcomes.

The programme of the Deputy President’s Visit will be preceded by an engagement between the Deputy President and the local Traditional Leadership as well as an engagement with business fora, spearheaded by Ministers.

Furthermore, as part of the Clean Cities and Towns Campaign, Ministers will undertake a cleaning Campaign at Matlaba Primary School and Tau Rapulana Secondary School, in the Bodibe Village.

During the visit, Deputy President Mashatile is expected to engage with local leadership, including the provincial Government, municipal administrators, and other key stakeholders, to assess progress made since the intervention and to identify areas requiring urgent attention. The Deputy President will also interact with community members to provide feedback on Government’s interventions thus far.

The Deputy President will be joined by the Premier of North-West and supported by Ministers and/ Deputy Ministers of Mining and Petroleum Resources; Sport, Arts and Culture, Public Works and Infrastructure; Higher Education; Finance; Agriculture; Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; Water and Sanitation; Transport; Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Electricity and Energy; Communications and Digital Technologies (DDM Champion); as well as Mayors, Councillors and senior Government officials.

Details of the Oversight Visit are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 07 May 2026
Time: 10:00 to 12:00 (visiting 3 sites)

MEDIA PROGRAMME
Site Visit 1:
Klipveld Water Treatment Plant

Site Visit 2:
Road D933

Site Visit 3:
Nelson Mandela road 

Community Engagement:
Time: 13h00 
Itekeng Biesiesvlei Sports Ground

Members of the media interested in covering the Visit are kindly requested to submit their details (Full Name, Media house, ID/Passport Number and Role) to Ms Linah Ledwaba (The Presidency) on 066 240 7635 or Mr Pius Batsile (DLM) on 082 526 3616.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Presidential Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, will on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, host a media briefing to update the public on the President’s programme and address topical issues of interest.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 6 May 2026
Time: 12h00 (Media arrival at 11h30)
Venue: Imbizo Media Centre, Parliament, Cape Town

RSVP: Members of the media wishing to attend the media briefing in person are requested to submit their details to shadi@presidency.gov.za by 11h00.

Media following remotely may text their questions to Shadi Baloyi 072 571 6415. 

The media briefing will be streamed live, and the link will be shared in due course.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director, Ms Claire Mawisa;
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture in South Africa, Mr Gayton McKenzie;
President of the Republic of Carbo Verde, African Union Champion for the Preservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Africa and Patron of the African World Heritage Fund, H.E. José Maria Neves;
Our hosts, the Chairperson of the DBSA, Mr David Makhura, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Ms Boitumelo Mosako;
Ambassador of South Africa to France, Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and African World Heritage Fund Board Member, H.E. Dr. Philemon Mjwara;
Representative of the African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS), Dr Angela Martins;
Chairperson of the African World Heritage Fund, Mr Vusithemba Ndima, and Board Members;
Distinguished Partners, Donors and Development Finance Institutions,
Our esteemed Traditional Leaders and Custodians of our Heritage,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Dumelang, Sanibonani, Good morning!

As we observe Africa Month and commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, we are reminded of a defining moment in our continent’s history, one that affirmed Africa’s commitment to unity, self-determination, and shared progress.

It is in this enduring spirit that we gather today to reflect not only on how far we have come, but also on the responsibility we carry to preserve and promote Africa’s rich and diverse heritage.

This occasion holds personal significance for me because during my tenure as Minister of Arts and Culture, I had the privilege of contributing to the early stages of the development of the African World Heritage Fund, continuing on the work that had begun in 2006. 

At the time, its establishment was a deliberate and forward-looking decision grounded in a firm belief in Africa’s potential. An idea that remains relevant today. 

Through various engagements with practitioners, policymakers, and custodians of heritage across the continent, it is affirmed that Africa has never lacked cultural or natural wealth. What we lacked, especially then, was sufficient African-led capacity, coordination, and sustainable financing to protect, preserve, and leverage that heritage for the benefit of our people.

In my engagements over the years with stakeholders in the sector, I have come to appreciate that there is much pride about the beauty and significance of Africa's heritage, and that the women, men and youth who keep the sector alive however  advocate for more than recognition, but resources too. 

This work is about ownership, agency and legacy building. This highlights the urgent need to reposition heritage not only as a cultural asset, but as a development imperative.

Having said this, the World Heritage Fund is not just a financial instrument, but also a declaration that Africa must take ownership of its heritage and define its future.

Today, as we mark the 10th African World Heritage Day and celebrate 20 years of the Fund, we recognise both progress and purpose.

Over the past two decades, we have achieved meaningful milestones. The number of World Heritage sites across Africa have increased significantly. Investments in capacity-building have grown, with thousands of professionals trained in conservation and heritage management.

Communities, particularly women and youth, are now playing a more active and central role in safeguarding and benefiting from heritage.

These achievements demonstrate that heritage is not static. It is a living, dynamic resource that strengthens identity, supports livelihoods, and contributes to inclusive development.

Yet, we must also acknowledge the challenges that remain. Africa still accounts for a small proportion of the World Heritage List. Many sites remain underfunded or at risk, and several countries have yet to secure representation. Too many stories remain under-documented, and too many communities are yet to benefit from the heritage they protect fully.

These realities serve as a call to action!

Heritage cannot exist in isolation, confined to the cultural sector. It must be integrated into broader development frameworks. It must speak the language of investment, sustainability, and economic growth.

Let me be clear: heritage is an economic sector.

Across the continent, heritage sites drive tourism, support local enterprises, and create employment opportunities for guides, artisans, conservators, and entrepreneurs. When managed effectively and financed sustainably, heritage contributes to diversified local economies, strengthens national identity, and enhances Africa’s global competitiveness.

The African World Heritage Fund has played a pivotal role in unlocking this potential. By strengthening institutional capacity, improving site management, and promoting sustainable, community-centred tourism, the Fund has demonstrated how heritage can be leveraged as a tool for development.

However, unlocking the full value of Africa’s heritage requires deliberate and sustained effort. We must bridge the gap between cultural preservation and economic planning. We must ensure that conservation efforts are aligned with investment strategies and that local communities are at the centre of these initiatives.

This calls for stronger partnerships between governments, development finance institutions, the private sector, and communities. It requires innovation, responsiveness, and a shared commitment to ensuring that heritage delivers tangible social and economic benefits.

In this regard, the role of institutions such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa is particularly significant. It underscores the importance of viewing heritage not only as something to preserve, but as something to invest in strategically.

Our work also aligns with the broader vision of Agenda 2063, particularly the aspiration of an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, and shared values. This vision is not only about preserving the past, but also about shaping the future.

The African World Heritage Fund reflects Africa’s transition from dependency to ownership, from marginalisation to leadership. It affirms that Africa will no longer wait to be counted, but will take responsibility for defining its place in the global narrative.

As we look to the future, we must renew our commitment to strengthening the Fund and expanding its impact. This includes mobilising its endowment, enhancing partnerships, and reinforcing its role as Africa’s central heritage mechanism.

This is not merely an investment in sites. It is an investment in jobs, skills, tourism, resilience, and the dignity of our people.

When we launched the Fund twenty years ago, we planted a seed. Today, we can say with confidence that it has taken root and begun to grow. But like any tree, it requires continued care, nourishment, and protection to flourish.

Since the African World Heritage Fund establishment:

- African States Parties to the World Heritage Convention have increased significantly;
- World Heritage sites in Africa have grown from 113 to 154;
- Over US$20 million has been invested in heritage capacity-building;
- Thousands of professionals have been trained;
- Communities, women, and youth now play a central role in heritage governance

We must therefore remain vigilant and committed. The success of this Fund and of our broader heritage agenda will depend not only on our words, but on our actions.

Today, I therefore support a call for renewed commitment to the following:

- Mobilising the 25 million US dollar Endowment Fund of the African World Heritage Fund;
- Strengthening partnerships with governments, finance institutions, and the private sector;
- Reinforcing the Fund’s role as Africa’s central heritage mechanism.

History will judge us on how well we protect what has been entrusted to us, and on whether we have succeeded in passing it on—stronger and more vibrant to future generations.

On this African World Heritage Day, as we celebrate twenty years of the African World Heritage Fund, let us reaffirm our shared responsibility to safeguard Africa’s heritage.

Let us ensure that it serves as a foundation for development, a source of dignity, and a pillar of unity across our continent.

Let us embrace Africa’s heritage and ignite its future.

Ke a leboga. Ngiyabonga. Thank you.

The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, will on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, deliver the keynote address at the celebration of African World Heritage Day and the 20th Anniversary of the African World Heritage Fund, taking place at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) campus in Midrand, Gauteng Province.

The Deputy President will be accompanied by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie. 

The commemorative event is hosted by the African World Heritage Fund, in partnership with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), as part of Africa’s celebration of 20 years of investing in heritage, identity and the future.

Held under the theme “Celebrating Two Decades of Sustainable Investment in Africa’s Heritage,” the event brings together Representatives from Governments, the African Union, UNESCO, Development Finance Institutions, the private sector, civil society, philanthropy as well as heritage experts to reflect on progress, strengthen partnerships, and mobilise renewed investment in Africa’s heritage.

Established in 2006 through the African Union and UNESCO, the AWHF has become a leading continental institution supporting the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Over the past 20 years, it has strengthened heritage conservation, supported World Heritage nominations, and invested more than USD 20 million in capacity-building programmes across Africa.

Despite this progress, Africa remains underrepresented on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with 154 properties (12% of the global total), while also accounting for approximately 30% of sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Nine African countries still have no World Heritage inscriptions, underscoring the need for stronger political commitment, partnerships, and sustainable financing.

The celebration also supports the AWHF’s ambition to establish a USD 25 million Endowment Fund to secure long-term support for African Member States in protecting, managing, and promoting their heritage.

The event also marks the launch of Africa Month in South Africa, reaffirming heritage as a driver of identity, dignity, social cohesion, and inclusive economic development, while strengthening collaboration to ensure Africa’s heritage is preserved, valued, and leveraged for shared prosperity.

Members of the media are invited to cover the event as follows:
  
Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Time: 09h00 (Media to set up at 08h00)
Venue: Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) Campus, 1258 Lever Road, Headway Hill, Midrand, Gauteng Province.
 
For media RSVPs, please contact: Madimetja Moleba on 066 301 4675 or  MadimetjaM@dsac.gov.za
 
Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840

OR

Ms Zimasa Velaphi, Head of Communication and Marketing: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture on 072 172 8925 or  ZimasaV@dsac.gov.za 

OR

Ms Veronica Maduna, Head of Partnership Development: African World Heritage Fund on 076 183 0333 or  VeronicaM@dbsa.org  
 

Honourable Ministers, Mayors, colleagues,

Thank you for the frank, serious and constructive spirit that has characterised this engagement.

Our discussions today have reinforced the central point that our water and sanitation crisis is not confined to one municipality, one province or one institution.

It is rooted in long-standing weaknesses in governance, infrastructure maintenance, technical capability and financial discipline.

That is why our response must be integrated, sustained and measurable. 

As we conclude this part of the programme, we can agree on three key points: 

First, the commitments discussed here must now move into implementation. 

Plans must be sharpened and roles clarified. We must honour timelines and be rigorous in reporting.

Second, the principle of cooperative governance must become fully operational. 

The three spheres of government must act in concert, guided by the National Water Action Plan, and supported by the mechanisms that are now in place through the National Water Crisis Committee and related structures.

Third, the public must begin to see results. 

They must see improved maintenance, stronger operational performance, better wastewater compliance, more credible implementation and clear accountability. 

The work ahead is substantial. 

But this engagement has demonstrated that there is both clarity on the challenge and a shared recognition that the time for incremental responses has passed. 

Let us leave this session with a renewed determination to ensure that every municipality works, that every sphere of government plays its part and that the people of South Africa experience the state through delivery.

The Constitution enjoins us to hold elections every five years. The current term of office of the municipal councils elected on 1 November 2021 expires on 1 November 2026.

Accordingly, the elections for the next term of local government must be held between 2 November 2026 and 30 January 2027.

I have, therefore, in terms of section 159 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, read together with section 24(1) of the Local Government; Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (“the Municipal Structures Act”), and in consultation with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), have set the date of Wednesday, 04 November 2026 as the date for the 2026 Local Government Elections.

I thank you.