Programme Director, Mr Alec Hogg;
Executive Mayor Dr Annelie Rabie, Members of the Mayoral Committee and Councillors present;
Leaders and Members of different Political Parties present;
CEOs and Business Leaders Present;

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to be with you this morning, at this BizNews Conference to share my reflections and engage with you on issues of importance as we build the South Africa we want, which truly belongs to all who live in it, black and white.

We had previously agreed that I would open the conference. As you are all aware, we were busy finalizing the Budget and had to adjust and agree that I would speak towards the end of the conference.

Therefore, I would like us to have a conversation on crucial issues that influence the future of our country, affecting not just the government but also society at large. We must do this with the intention of finding solutions to the challenges that confront our nation.

As we embark on this journey, we must have a full appreciation that the first 15 years of democracy were characterised by high economic growth; however, the last decade and a half has been characterised by stagnant growth. Hence, we must embark on structural reforms of the economy, which entails ensuring that the growth sectors of the economy contribute to GDP growth as well as creating much-needed jobs.

I must state from the onset that the responsibility of guiding South Africa to greater prosperity is not solely on the shoulders of the government. It is a shared responsibility among the business community, NGOs, civil society, and all those who aspire to see our country prosper.

At the core of the issues that require immediate intervention is; poverty, inequality, unemployment, and corruption. These existential challenges pose a danger to our democratic constitutional system. They keep us, and if I may say so myself, awake at night because if we do not swiftly overcome these systemic economic issues, we shall experience perpetual unrest.

What I am saying is that if we fail to integrate most marginalised people into the mainstream economy to help them sustain their livelihoods, we will find ourselves in a difficult position as a country. Equally, we must deal decisively with gross inequality as an integral part of overcoming these challenges.

I have come to this important conference with the knowledge that many of you here share the same concerns about the state of the economy, as well as our country's future. I trust that you share my conviction that we must work together to find workable solutions.

Future of SA under the GNU
Programme Director, yesterday, we witnessed the presentation of the Budget of the Government of National Unity (GNU) by the Minister of Finance, which was in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa's priorities as outlined during the State of the Nation Address.

As you are all aware, we decided to postpone the budget presentation on the 19th of February because we needed to find each other on some of the proposals by Treasury.

We have subsequently reached consensus on a mutually agreeable resolution that puts our people first.

Through this process, we have drawn lessons, and as such, we will have to improve our budget process so as to avoid what happened over the last few weeks.

As I have indicated on several occasions, having a GNU Cabinet does not imply that we will agree on everything. There will be times when we do not view things the same way, but this does not spell the end of the GNU.

In reality, what has transpired proves that the GNU is far more powerful than many people realise. Several coalition governments around the world have collapsed as a consequence of misunderstandings about the country's Budget; this is but a reflection of democracy at work.

To illustrate our seriousness and dedication to the GNU, President Ramaphosa, together with GNU Leaders established the GNU Clearing House Mechanism to resolve policy disagreements. We have, through the GNU Clearing House Mechanism, which I am chairing, has already resolved critical policy differences, and we will continue to work together for the good of the people of our country.

Hence, our focus as GNU is on the immediate task of driving inclusive growth and job creation to reduce poverty, tackle the high-cost of living, and build a capable, ethical, and developmental state.

For us to reach our objective, the National Development Plan’s Vision 2030 remains the central pillar to guide our development approach, which in turn informs the outcomes to be achieved in this seventh administration.

As you would know, we are now a few years away from 2030. It is critical that government in all its efforts, speeds up the execution of the programme outlined in the NDP and the newly adopted Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP).

We must also start looking into the future beyond 2030. We must perhaps look into the South Africa we want by 2055, the centenary of the Freedom Charter.

As part of looking into the future, the President will announce the convening of the National Dialogue sometimes this year, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter. We will ensure that this Dialogue is inclusive and allows everyone to contribute on what we need to do to build a country of our dreams.

The recently adopted MTDP directs that we must invest in initiatives to create a more inclusive country that lives up to the commitments of the GNU. Our goal is to encourage fixed capital investments, industrialisation, job creation, and the transformation of our people's lives.

As a nation, we have a duty to transform South Africa and create a country in which all South Africans, regardless of race, class, or gender, may enjoy a decent quality of life and access to economic opportunities that will improve their well-being. One of the primary transformational interventions and policies includes the Land Expropriation Policy.

Land Expropriation
To address the land question, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Bill into law on 23 January 2025.

The newly assented Expropriation Act No. 13 of 2024 comes 50 years after the implementation of the old 1975 Expropriation Act.

The 1975 Act lacked clear definitions of critical legal terms, neglected to consider socio-economic transformation, and did not establish a structured process for fair compensation.

The new Act, however, introduces a transparent expropriation framework that balances land reform with legal safeguards. It introduces Expropriation Without Compensation under specific conditions, strengthens legal protection, and clarifies compensation principles.

This comes after a lengthy and extensive process by various lead line-function departments, coordinated at the level of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform and Agriculture, as well as an Independent Commission and advisory panels.

The law has been carefully crafted to accommodate a diverse range of requirements by considering a variety of demographics and incorporating flexible approaches wherever it is possible to do so.

I must emphasise that South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is firmly rooted in the principles of justice, equality, and the rule of law. These principles are important in guiding our efforts to correct historical injustices and seeks to redress an unjust past that eroded people’s access and rights to land, not just as a commodity but as an integral part of people’s livelihoods and identity.

The speculations that assert that the signing of the Expropriation Act is responsible for farm murders are not only unfounded but also irresponsible. This issue has been prevalent within farming communities in South Africa for years now, and victims of this violence are both farm workers and owners to varying degrees.

It was for this reason that we introduced the Rural Safety Plan. The Rural Safety Plan is a long-term initiative aimed at protecting our farming communities, as well as our food security value chain. This means that rather than dismantling this approach, we must step up our efforts to implement the National Rural Safety Strategy to prevent violent crime on farms, working collaboratively with farming organisations and other vital role-players.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

SA-USA Relations
Another issue that has gained traction in public discourse is the issue of South Africa and the United States of America’s diplomatic relations. As a country, we are focusing on stabilising our relations with the USA, considering that our partnership is long-standing and has been, and is critical to our economic development goals.

I should say that the cutting of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding is quite regrettable. PEPFAR has been a key component of global health since it was founded by President George W. Bush in 2003, who was from the Republican party, just like President Trump.

The withdrawal of PEPFAR funding highlights the urgent need for South Africa to further strengthen its own interventions to reach the most vulnerable and access health services and support.

The withdrawal should serve as a wake-up call for the country to develop sustainable healthcare solutions independent of external influences.

In this regard, we have been investing heavily in healthcare reform and responding to the dual epidemics of HIV/AIDS and TB. The Department of Health has put measures in place to ensure that patients receiving TB and HIV treatment are not affected and do not default.

Furthermore, we must, as various actors, unite and support the government in promoting our nation's interests in the United States, including through mechanisms such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

The loss of AGOA benefits would have the most devastating effect on South African farmers and agriculture workers. The AGOA is presently providing support to South Africa's agriculture and manufacturing sectors, which is expected to generate around $21 billion in trade with the United States.

Therefore, our position is that South Africa should maintain strong bilateral relations with the USA. Most importantly, as a country, we are committed to improving mutually beneficial trade, political, and diplomatic relations with the USA.

As we look to the future, we must also consider diversifying our export markets to lessen our reliance on single trading partners and to limit the kind of perils that we face. We must, therefore, expand our trade relations with other countries, such as China, Russia, India, and European countries.

President Ramaphosa is today Co-Chairing the EU–South Africa Summit, which is aimed at strengthening relations between South Africa and the EU Zone. It will also focus on improving cooperation in the following areas: trade and investment, the green and digital transitions, security and defence, energy, critical raw materials, skills development, and education.

We must also take advantage of intra-Africa trade and financial cooperation through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The African Continental Free Trade Area has the potential to boost intra-African trade and financial cooperation, stabilise economies, and lessen dependency on unstable global markets.

Adapting to a New Reality
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our nation has a wealth of natural resources, with gold being among the most significant minerals. Moreover, South Africa has vast agricultural land and property assets suitable for real estate development.

As an investor, you can accumulate money by engaging in these premier South African investment options.

Government is committed to removing blockages to economic growth, lifting economic expansion to above three percent 3% in the medium term and creating a cycle of investment, growth, and jobs.

We must also adapt to a new reality by changing business practices and reviewing policies to keep pace with global trends. Government plans to invest in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Skills (4IR) to revive economic development, revitalise skills, and generate high-quality employment.

In this regard, the National Digital and Future Skills Strategy provides a framework for inclusive collaboration between industry, labour, higher education institutions, and society to develop new skills and capabilities for the nation.

The government is focusing on implementing measures to increase productivity and develop necessary skills for a knowledge and skills-based economy.

Through the Human Resource Development Council, which I chair, we approved the Reconceptualised Human Resource Development Strategy 2024–2033, together with its implementation plan, the Master Skills Plan 2024–2030, in November 2024.

Aligned to the National Development Plan Vision 2030, this Reconceptualised Human Resource Development Strategy adopts four priority goals, namely:
• Improving early learning and schooling outcomes
• Improving the employability of youth who are not in employment, education, and training
• Improving the responsiveness of the Post-School Education and Training system to skills demand, and
• Improving governance, leadership, and management in the public sector.

These documents serve as blueprints for social partners to respond to human resource development challenges by developing skills needed to transform our country as an economy of the 21st century.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

South Africa is committed to combating corruption. The country signed the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in 2003 and ratified it in 2004.

As a member state, South Africa has a responsibility to promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption. This includes facilitating international cooperation and providing technical assistance. Additionally, South Africa should promote integrity, accountability, and the proper management of public affairs and property.

This is out of our conviction that corruption erodes democracy and the rule of law. It poses a threat to business and obstructs the delivery of essential government services to those in need.

It is for this reason that government is taking decisive steps to expose and punish corrupt activities in both the public and private sectors. We are reforming our institutions to make them stronger and more transparent and to restore a professional and effective public service.

South Africa has enacted the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act to combat corruption in both public and private sectors. The NPA Investigating Directorate has been established to prosecute significant corruption cases.

In November 2020, the country adopted the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2020-2030 to create an ethical and accountable state, ensuring integrity in power, respect for the rule of law, and zero tolerance for corruption in the business and civil society sectors.

Through new legislation, we have strengthened our ability to prevent money laundering and fraud and secure South Africa’s removal from the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The country has addressed 20 of the 22 action items relating to combating money laundering and terrorist financing. These improvements are essential not only to remove ourselves from the grey list, but also to strengthen the battle against crime and corruption, which is crucial for the betterment of all South Africans.

We will continue to resolve both remaining action items by June, towards our removal from the grey list by October 2025.

South Africa's G20 Presidency
Let me conclude by putting a focus on the G20. As you know, Program Director, South Africa has assumed the G20 Presidency under the theme Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. Our intention during this Presidency includes placing Africa’s development at the top of the agenda.

It is important to ensure that the G20 remains sensitive to the needs of the developing economies of Africa and to advance the interests and aspirations of the Global South.

As President Ramaphosa said during the G20 Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting, South Africa has identified four priorities for its G20 Presidency.

Our first priority is to strengthen disaster resilience and responses. This is important, as we have recently witnessed floods across South Africa, affecting both our coastal and inland provinces. Natural disasters cause widespread damage to infrastructure, economic activity interruption, and livelihood destruction, including the unfortunate loss of lives.

The second priority is to ensure debt sustainability for developing economies. The G20 will prioritise debt sustainability for developing economies, address rising sovereign debt levels and servicing costs, demonstrate leadership in addressing global economic imbalances, and fill the funding gap necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The third priority of South Africa's G20 Presidency is to mobilise finance for a just energy transition. South Africa's G20 presidency aims to mobilise financing for a just energy transition by focusing on limiting global temperature rises in an equitable and just manner. The country has pioneered the use of country platforms to coordinate funding through the Just Energy Transition Partnership.

The fourth and final priority is harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development. Our hosting of the G20—and the Business 20—provided an opportunity to promote South Africa as a business and investment destination and for the country to take the lead on global economic challenges. As business leaders, it is crucial that you maintain this momentum.

In closing, I wish to emphasise the importance of collaboration across all sectors to tackle future challenges and harness the talents of all South Africans. We must uphold values of justice, equality, and freedom, guided by a vision of an inclusive South Africa.

With courage and determination, we can build a stronger, more prosperous South Africa, ensuring that every individual has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Our collective efforts will pave the way for a better tomorrow.

Thank you, Baie Dankie.

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will tomorrow, Thursday, 13 March 2025, deliver remarks during the 7th BizNews Conference of 2025, which will take place at the Hermanus Municipal Auditorium in Cape Town, Western Cape Province.

The BizNews Conference (BNC#7) is an annual event that primarily focuses on investment and business related content, as well as political events.

The Conference brings together thought leaders from a range of fields, including leading economists, financial analysts, political figures, political analysts, and business leaders.

The Conference will further discuss government’s commitment to building a stronger working relationship with the private sector with a view towards improving the country’s competitiveness, both on the domestic front and globally.

The Deputy President is expected to address the Conference on its 3rd day to present the Government’s perspective on issues such as the Expropriation Act, GNU, HIV/AIDS Funding, African Growth and Opportunity Act and other international relations matters.

Details of the Conference are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 13 March 2025
Time: 10h00
Venue: Hermanus Municipal Auditorium, Cape Town

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 13 March 2025, co-chair the 8th South Africa-European Union (SA-EU) Summit with the President of the European Council, Mr. António Luís Santos da Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Dr Ursula von der Leyen, in Cape Town.

This Summit follows a series of preparatory engagements, including the Joint Cooperation Council (JCC) meeting held on 15 January 2025 in Brussels; the Inter-Parliamentary Meeting held on 18-19 February 2025 in Cape Town, and the Ministerial Political Dialogue held on 19 February 2025 in Cape Town.

The 8th Summit takes place within the framework of the Strategic Partnership between South Africa and the EU. 

South Africa is one of 10 countries globally and the only African country with a Strategic Partnership with the EU.

The EU is an important trade and investment partner of South Africa. 

The EU is also a significant development partner, providing funding and technical assistance in critical areas aligned to the National development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030.

Issues to be discussed at the Summit will include key areas of strategic collaboration, including trade and investment; the just energy transition, decarbonisation and sustainable supply chains, including in critical mineral resources; education, science and innovation; and health cooperation.

The meeting will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 13 March 2025
Time: 14h00
Venue: Tuynhuys, Cape Town

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa is deeply saddened by the reported deaths of 16 persons  in a bus crash on the R21 near OR Tambo International Airport earlier today, Tuesday 11 March 2025.

The President offers his condolences to the bereaved families and wishes survivors of the incident a speedy and full recovery.

President Ramaphosa’s thoughts are also with the families of at least nine bus passengers who lost their lives in an incident in KwaZulu-Natal this past weekend, in which 39 people were injured as well.

The President said: “While the causes of these recent incidents are still under investigation, we are reminded that tragedies such as these leave more than physical scars, as they cause trauma that affects family relationships and the lives of survivors.

“Incidents such as these impact on people’s ability to earn a living; they impact in our health and emergency services; they drive up insurance and result in expensive vehicle repairs, and they affect business who lose personnel in this process.

“As we reflect on the lives that have been lost, we must also reflect on the responsibility and conduct of everyone who gets in behind the wheel of a vehicle, big and small, in our country.

“When we ask how safe our roads are, we actually need to ask how safe we are as drivers and pedestrians. The biggest factor in crashes is human error, not law enforcement or road conditions.

“Drivers must ensure vehicles are roadworthy and must obey the rules of the road. They are there to keep us safe.

“Where drivers ignore these rules, they stand a chance of losing their lives or being critically injured. And where they survive, they will end up in our courts and correctional centres.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 11 March 2025, update Parliament on, among other developments, government’s efforts to leverage infrastructure expansion for economic growth and South Africa’s approach to international relations.

The President will engage with the National Assembly on these issues when he responds to Questions for Oral Reply in the National Assembly in Parliament, Cape Town.

President Ramaphosa will brief Parliament on the importance of infrastructure in enhancing economic growth. 

In his February 2025 State of the Nation Address, President Ramaphosa outlined a number of infrastructure projects underway across the country as part of government’s infrastructure development drive. 

The President will also reflect on South Africa's international relations and efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations.

The President will also update the nation on the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Other Replies will touch on racism and inequality, and the Graduate Recruitment Drive in the public sector to improve efficiency and service delivery. 

The engagement will take place as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 11 March 2025
Time: 14:00
Venue: Nieuwmeester Dome, Cape Town

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded the late dramatist, novelist and actor Athol Fugard as “an extraordinary storyteller in extraordinary times, and the moral conscience of a generation.”

Fugard passed away on Sunday, 9 March 2025 at the age of 93.

“Beyond the impressive body of work that he has left behind, Athol Fugard will be remembered for being an outlier amongst the millions of white South Africans who blithely turned a blind eye to the injustices being perpetrated in their name,” President Ramaphosa said. 

In the late 1950s Fugard worked as a clerk in the Native Commissioner’s Court in Johannesburg, which would significantly impact his world-view and shape his political consciousness. 

He was renowned for collaborating across the racial divide at a time when the mixing of the races was forbidden, and founded several theatre companies alongside black actors.

Fugard’s body of works include the plays No Good Friday, The Blood Knot, Master Harold and the Boys, and Sizwe Bansi is Dead. 

His 1980 novel Tsotsi was adapted for film by the director Gavin Hood and won an Academy Award in 2005.

In his play, The Island, co-written with theatre legends Winston Ntshona and John Kani, the cruelty and dehumanisation wrought by apartheid was laid bare in the starkest terms on a naked floor replicating a prison cell on Robben Island. 

In 1985 Athol Fugard was celebrated by Time magazine as the greatest active playwright in the English-speaking world. He used this influential voice to rouse the consciences of international audiences in support of the anti-apartheid struggle “As a country we are grateful that we were able to honour the legendary Athol Fugard during his lifetime with the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver,” President Ramaphosa said.

“The Fugard Theatre in District Six in Cape Town stands as a fitting tribute to a man whose life and works have left an indelible footprint, and that will continue to inspire generations of creative professionals for time to come,” the President added.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been saddened by the violent death of renowned medical doctor, author and black consciousness intellectual and activist Dr Gomolemo Mokae.

Dr Mokae, 61, was found dead in his Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, home on Wednesday, 05 March 2025, after he had last been seen on February 28.

President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends, neighbours, patients and comrades of Dr Mokae who was a former national spokesperson of the Azanian People’s Organisation and a founder member of the Socialist Party of Azania.

In addition to his medical practice, Dr Mokae published several books and wrote for television as a proud exponent of his mother tongue, Setswana.

President Ramaphosa offers his condolences as well to the family, friends and fellow activists of Gqeberha-based whistleblower and gender activist Ms Pamela Mabini, 46, who was shot outside her home on Friday, 7 March.

President Ramaphosa said: “The brutality inflicted on Dr Mokae and Pam Mabini – and recently, Imam Muhsin Hendricks – demonstrate that violent criminals have no regard for the lives of South Africans, including selfless and caring citizens who become known publicly for the contributions they make to the upliftment and protection of fellow citizens.

“Dr Mokae, who had spent many years caring for patients in Ga-Rankuwa was experiencing health problems of his own when he was shot in his bed.

“Pam Mabini stood up for women who experienced gender-based violence and made her mission to ensure the police and our courts brought perpetrators to justice.

“Their deaths and those of all victims of violence must move communities to work together more closely as citizens and in partnership with the police to prevent violence and to identify perpetrators in instances where attacks result.

“I call on anyone who has information about any criminal activity – including these current cases – to play your role in making South Africa safer by sharing information with the police or community police forums.

“All of us look forward to law enforcement agencies playing their role in bringing violent criminals to book.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a meeting with the City of Johannesburg Council and stakeholders representing diverse community formations representing civil society, labour, business, academia, youth formations and the religious sector. 

Over the last two days the President and members of the National Executive have engaged the leadership of Gauteng and the City of Johannesburg on the challenges they face and the work being done to address them. 

The President heard concerns and proposals that were put forward to improve service delivery and drive inclusive growth. As a resident of Johannesburg, the President shared the concerns that were expressed about the deterioration of services and infrastructure. 

President Ramaphosa also expressed concern about the closure of public facilities, like the Johannesburg Library, the Johannesburg Art Gallery and the Metro Centre.
The President called for the prioritisation of Unfinished and delayed infrastructure projects including Rea Vaya bus stations and the refurbishment of Lilian Ngoyi Street. 

Collaboration
Following the progress attained in eThekwini and the improvement in business and societal confidence, through the collaborative eThekwini Presidential Working Group which brought government together with stakeholders in business, organised labour and civil society. 

President Ramaphosa, in consultation with the Gauteng Province and the City of Johannesburg has launched the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group which will focus on several issues impacting the city and accelerate Johannesburg turn around strategies. The areas of intervention are;
- Strengthening governance and financial sustainability
- Improving service delivery
- Water and sanitation 
- Electricity
- Rejuvenation of inner-city hubs and townships. 
- Revitalising cultural and heritage institutions.
- Safety, law enforcement an urban security

The working group will facilitate partnerships and collaboration and work with social partners to develop implementation plans for challenges not addressed in existing strategies. The working group will also monitor implementation plans, track progress and provide recommendations. 

In the inner city, the working group will launch a rejuvenation project, focusing on improved safety, infrastructure upgrades and housing redevelopment. This will encourage investment and create a vibrant and clean urban core that delivers for everyone. 

The Presidential Johannesburg Working Group will report regularly to the President and has been given a two-year time frame to complete its work. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero,
Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
MMCs,
Speaker of Council,
Representatives of organised labour and organised business,
Representatives of civil society organisations,
Religious leaders,
Citizens of Johannesburg,

I want to thank you for all the contributions made this afternoon and for the  spirit in which this meeting was conducted. 

We have heard your concerns and the proposals put forward to improve service delivery and drive inclusive growth. 

As a resident of Johannesburg, I share the concerns that have been expressed here about the deterioration of services and infrastructure. 

Over the last two days, members of the National Executive have engaged the leadership of Gauteng and the City of Johannesburg on the challenges they face and the work that is being done to address them. 

We are committed to ensuring cooperation among the three spheres of government to urgently attend to these challenges. 

Johannesburg is a special place.

Its neighbourhoods and townships are rich with a history of resistance and struggle. 

Johannesburg’s diversity has always been its greatest from strength. From Lenasia to Alexandra, from Parkhurst to Eldorado Park, this city espouses unity in diversity. 

In the democratic period, Johannesburg has become one of the foremost cultural, political and economic centres in our country.

It is therefore vital to the country’s future.

The Government of National Unity has prioritised reaching 3.5 percent growth by 2030 to create the jobs South Africans need. 

Our metropolitan areas will be critical to driving that growth. 

Metros can only play this vital role if bulk infrastructure is working, if citizens are thriving and safe, and if transport infrastructure is enabling the flow of goods and people. 

For South Africa to thrive, Johannesburg must lead on good governance, service delivery and economic growth. 

I have heard today how the ongoing disruptions in water and electricity provision are making the lives of residents difficult. 

I have also heard how deteriorating road infrastructure – including potholes, unsafe bridges, dysfunctional street lights and stolen traffic lights – are exacerbating congestion and a sense of disorder. 

We are equally concerned about the closure of public facilities, like the Johannesburg Library, the Johannesburg Art Gallery and the Metro Centre.

Unfinished and delayed infrastructure projects including Rea Vaya bus stations and the refurbishment of Lilian Ngoyi Street must be prioritised. 

We also share the sentiment that there needs to be a collaborative focus on rejuvenating the inner city of Johannesburg and the city’s townships. 

Through the Department of Cooperative Governance, National Treasury and the Provincial Government, we are supporting the City of Johannesburg to stabilise its governance and financial affairs. 

These are the critical levers that will unlock service delivery and begin to address the backlog in infrastructure provision. 

A year ago, I announced the establishment of a Presidential Working Group in eThekwini, which brought government together with stakeholders in business, organised labour and civil society. 

Like Johannesburg, eThekwini was facing similar issues related to water disruptions, crime and governance challenges.

The model we piloted in eThekwini has shown good progress, resulting in a steady improvement in business and societal confidence. 

Our learnings in eThekwini make us confident that this is the correct model to address Johannesburg’s many challenges. 

Over the last month, the Presidency has engaged the City of Johannesburg, the province of Gauteng and some social partners on establishing a Presidential Johannesburg Working Group. 

There has been broad support from everyone engaged for an intergovernmental mechanism that will strengthen cooperation and leverage the expertise and resources of all stakeholders in the City of Johannesburg. 

Today’s discussions have further cemented this approach.

The Presidential Johannesburg Working Group will focus on many of the issues raised here today. 

The first focus will be on governance and financial sustainability. 

We will work to strengthen the internal governance and financial management of the city by restoring institutional capacity. 

The second focus will be on water and sanitation and the third focus will be on electricity. 

We will work to stabilise critical infrastructure by improving maintenance, increasing funding and focusing on the whole value chain. 

The fourth focus will be on public spaces and beautifying the city. 

Specific interventions will include fixing road infrastructure, restoring street lighting and traffic lights, and enhancing waste collection throughout the city. 

On safety, the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group will focus on improving law enforcement and urban security. 

Particular focus will be on combating infrastructure crime and vandalism, enforcing by-laws, and increasing police visibility in crime hotspots. 

The Working Group will work with social partners to accelerate delivery of housing and the upgrading of informal settlements. 

In the inner city, we will launch a rejuvenation project, focusing on improved safety, infrastructure upgrades and housing redevelopment.

Through this we aim to encourage investment and create a vibrant and clean urban core that delivers for everyone. 

We have set out a timeframe of two years for the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group. 

This Working Group will report on a regular basis to the Ministers and myself. 

We cannot act as if it is business as usual.

We must recognise the crisis before us and meet it with the resources, timeframes and accountability measures required. 

Government cannot do it alone. 

The involvement of broader stakeholders in the Working Group will not only hold us collectively accountable to the targets set, but accelerate our efforts. 

In the coming weeks, my team will be engaging business, labour, civil society and academia regarding their respective roles in the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group. 

I look forward to receiving an update on all the stakeholders that have committed to support this initiative. 

We are confident that this partnership will improve the quality of life of Johannesburg’s residents. 

Johannesburg is a city of resilience, innovation and hope. 

Let us move forward with determination, unity and a shared commitment to leaving no one behind. 

I thank you.
 

Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero,
Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
MMCs,
Speaker of Council,
Colleagues ,

I want to thank all of you for attending this important meeting. 

This is a pivotal year for South Africa, as we become the first African country to lead the G20. 

In an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, we have an important contribution to make to strengthening multilateralism and advocating for greater representation of the Global South. 

Johannesburg will be the host of G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2025. Here in the City of Gold, the world’s leaders will gather to discuss issues of global importance.

The visit today by the National Executive is part of our efforts to strengthen cooperative governance and implement the District Development Model. 

Yesterday we met with the Gauteng Executive Council on the province’s priorities to drive inclusive growth and job creation.

The presence at yesterday’s meeting of the province’s Executive Mayors was an important reminder of how the work of all spheres of government are closely intertwined. 

The City of Johannesburg is special to all of us. It is where millions of South Africans have come to shape their economic future in pursuit of a better life. 

As the largest metro in the country, responsible for 16 percent of South Africa’s GDP, Johannesburg is integral to the economy as a whole. 

It is the economic and cultural heartbeat of our nation. 

Johannesburg’s success is the nation’s success.

By the same measure, when Johannesburg struggles to overcome its challenges, the effects are felt across the whole country. 

Johannesburg today faces enormous challenges, ranging from financial and governance instability to rapidly deteriorating infrastructure. 

Water and electricity interruptions have become the norm. This has an enormous impact on the quality of life of citizens and the operations of businesses. 

The road infrastructure faces tremendous challenges. These include vandalism of traffic lights, dysfunctional street lights and rapidly deteriorating roads and bridges. 

These are just some of the challenges that are constraining growth in the country’s economic heartland. 

As national government, we understand the constraints faced by the city and appreciate the leadership shown by the Executive Mayor and his executive to stabilise governance and financial management. 

Without these critical levers, service delivery will not improve. 

Through Operation Vulindlela, government’s economic reform programme, there is increasing recognition of the need for local government reforms that enhance capacity, strengthen financial sustainability, and make it easier to invest in infrastructure. 

Many of the challenges currently faced by the City of Johannesburg are similar to challenges faced by other metros. 

A year ago, I established the Presidential eThekwini Working Group with the support of local stakeholders, including business, labour and civil society. 

Working with these stakeholders and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, led by Mayor Cyril Xaba, we were able to unblock several challenges. 

We were able to fast-track water supply agreements for the Upper Mkhomazi Water Project, improving effluence compliance and reducing non-revenue water through infrastructure upgrades. 

We ensured a successful summer holiday period as beaches remained open, holiday hotspots were cleaned, critical infrastructure refurbished and police visibility increased. 

The result of this ongoing work has been a marked improvement in business confidence and a sense by all stakeholders that eThekwini is on the road to recovery. 

We would like to implement this collaborative approach in the City of Johannesburg as part of the District Development Model. 

We are proposing the establishment of Presidential Johannesburg Working Group.

This would bring in all levels of government and the expertise of our stakeholders to accelerate service delivery, stabilise the city’s finances and operations, and enable economic growth and job creation. 

A special focus of our efforts should be the rejuvenation of the inner city. 

This historic part of our city has been allowed to deteriorate for much too long. 

Efforts must be taken to make it a liveable, thriving and safe space for all citizens.

We must work to ensure the inner city is primed to attract new investment and jobs. 

I thank the Executive Mayor and his team for engaging openly and in a collaborative sprit with the Presidency on this support mechanism. 

It is in this spirit that we will make real strides to unlock Johannesburg’s role as the engine of growth for South Africa’s economy. 

We look forward to engaging on the report we will receive from the Executive Mayor and the city leadership. 

We also look forward to the engagement we have planned with the city’s stakeholders this afternoon. 

We will listen to their concerns and incorporate their proposals for how we can improve service delivery and enable growth. 

Let us double our efforts to build a city that works for all South Africans, a city that celebrates our diversity and embodies the unity espoused in our Constitution. 

When our visitors leave after the G20 Leaders’ Summit, let them leave inspired by what they saw and experienced in Johannesburg.

For our citizens, let us make them proud once again to call Johannesburg their home. 

I thank you.