President Cyril Ramaphosa wishes to announce, with great sadness, that Dr. Frene Ginwala, founding Speaker of South Africa’s democratic Parliament and Esteemed Member of the Order of Luthuli, has passed away.

Dr Ginwala passed away at her at home on Thursday night, 12 January 2023, at the age of 90, following a stroke two weeks ago.

On behalf of the nation and of the legislative, executive and judicial components of the State, the President offers his sincere condolences to Dr. Ginwala’s family, her nephews Cyrus, Sohrab and Zavareh, and their families.

The President extends his condolences to Dr. Ginwala’s friends, colleagues and associates in South Africa and beyond.

Born on 25 April 1932, Frene Noshir Ginwala served the anti-apartheid struggle and South Africa’s democratic dispensation in a diversity of roles as a lawyer, academic, political leader, activist and journalist.

In 2005, she was honoured with the Order of Luthuli in Silver for her excellent contribution to the struggle against gender oppression and her tireless contribution to the struggle for a non-sexist, non-racial, just and democratic South Africa.

President Ramaphosa said: “Today we mourn the passing of a formidable patriot and leader of our nation, and an internationalist to whom justice and democracy around the globe remained an impassioned objective to her last days.

“Among the many roles she adopted in the course of a life she led to the full, we are duty-bound to recall her establishment of our democratic Parliament which exercised the task of undoing decades-old apartheid legislation and fashioning the legislative foundations of the free and democratic South Africa.

“Many of the rights and material benefits South Africans enjoy today have their origins in the legislative programme of the inaugural democratic Parliament under Dr. Ginwala’s leadership, with Nelson Mandela occupying the seat of the first President to be elected by the democratic Parliament.

“Frene Ginwala epitomised the ethos and expectations of our then fledgling Constitution and played an important role in building the capacity of Parliament through the transformation of activists and leaders into lawmakers who were in turn able to transform our country.

“Dr. Ginwala was similarly influential and instrumental in shaping the advancement of democracy and the entrenchment of democratic political processes and fundamental socio-economic rights in the Southern African Development Community and the continent at large.

“Beyond African shores, she positioned our young democracy both as one that had as much to contribute to as it had to learn from global precedents and experience.

“We have lost another giant among a special generation of leaders to whom we owe our freedom and to whom we owe our commitment to keep building the South Africa to which they devoted their all.”

Government respects the family’s wishes for a private funeral.

Details of an official memorial event will be announced in due course.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Presidential Economic Advisory Council

On the 11th of January 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa, chaired the meeting of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC). This was the first meeting of the PEAC for 2023. In his opening remarks, President Ramaphosa acknowledged the difficulties that confront the global economy which invariably impact on South Africa’s growth prospects. 

The President reflected on the IMF’s ‘darkening outlook’ for the global economy in 2023, which is being fuelled by slowdowns in the US, China and EU economies, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, increases in natural disasters around the globe, persistently high inflation and the global cost of living crisis.

Despite South Africa being snared by its own strong headwinds with devastating floods, the rising cost of living and the energy crisis, there was however encouraging signs of recovery as demonstrated by an increase of economic activity during the third quarter of 2022.

Promising activity in the agricultural, finance, insurance real estate and business services sectors enabled real GDP to expand by 1.6 per cent, and the size of the South African economy now surpasses pre-pandemic levels.

The meeting noted several recovery drivers that need to be sustained going into 2023 and beyond, these are;  

• 1.5 million Jobs were created over the past year, and in the year to the third quarter of 2022 total employment increased by 10.4 per cent.

• The Presidential Employment Stimulus, reached over one million participants.

• The structural reforms aimed at raising growth, attract investment and create more jobs. 

• Key reforms in the energy, IT, ports, rail, water and other sectors that are currently underway which will continue to improve the business operating environment as well as South Africa’s competitiveness as an investment destination. 

• The Just Energy Transition Investment Plan that will pave the way for additional investments into renewable based energy infrastructure.

• The R2 billion blended finance program launched by the Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) working collaboratively with the Land Bank. The Blended Finance program is designed to address many challenges emerging farmers face. 

• The Presidential Employment Stimulus Initiative launched as part of the recovery package from Covid-19 shock, enabling subsistence and small-scale farmers to buy the inputs they need (about 100 000 farmers were assisted). This intervention helped to improve household food production.

The Council agreed that all social partners need to work hard on the expansion of areas of economic opportunity and employment and to find practical and sustainable solutions to mitigate load shedding, drawing from international experience and to alleviate poverty.

National Energy Plan update
 
President Ramaphosa deeply regrets the current energy situation which has placed the country into stage 6 load shedding. The President acknowledges the frustration of households, parents and learners who have commenced the school calendar year facing power shortages. The devastation to small businesses and the adverse impact to the economy remains severe for South Africa’s recovering economy. 

On the 15th of December, President Ramaphosa convened a National Energy Crisis Committee comprising of Ministers and various technical work stream leads. Whilst the President acknowledged some of the progress made in the executing elements of the National Energy Plan, he further demanded more urgency and speed in the implementation of all priority areas and actions laid out in the National Energy Plan. 

To date President Ramaphosa remains seized with finding a sustainable solution to the current energy crisis. The President has been regularly briefed on the situation at Eskom and on the roll out of the National Energy Plan. More engagements are scheduled for today and tomorrow for a review of the situation and direction on urgent measures that must be undertaken in order to mitigate against the impact of load shedding. 

Despite the current gloomy state of load shedding the National Energy Crisis Committee work streams continue to make progress on serval areas aimed at ensuring the stability of the grid and finding additional megawatts. Herewith are some of the areas of progress that are noteworthy.

• We have removed the licensing threshold through amendment to Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulatory Act. This was gazetted on 15th December 2022.

• A dedicated team in the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has been established to work closely with Eskom Transmission to expedite expropriation and servitudes. The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure has in the last two months signed notices of intent to expropriate for 27 parcels of private land. 46 servitudes on DPWI land are being processed, of which 22 will be finalized in January 2023.

• Eskom has identified up to 1000 MW of additional power to be imported from Mozambique and other countries in the SADC region, pending negotiations and regulatory approvals. This is in addition to the 300 MW already secured through the Southern African Power Pool.

• Significant potential capacity has already been identified for the standard offer and emergency generation programme (potential of 1600 MW) developed by Eskom – this will be implemented as a matter of urgency by the utility as no NERSA concurrence is required. 

A net billing framework, and later a feed-in tariff, is being developed to credit customers for any surplus energy they are able to feed into the grid, this is targeting residential as well as commercial and industrial installations. Further consultations are planned for the current month of January to finalise arrangements with a broad range of stakeholders.

• Independent team has been assembled to diagnose challenges at power station level (including former Power Station Managers), starting with Duvha, Kusile, Kriel, Tutuka, Hendrina and Matla. This team is working with the management and board of Eskom.

• The process to improve the availability of spare parts & expertise from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) through more agile procurement is underway to source services from OEMs at Tutuka, Majuba, Kendal and Kusile.

• The process of excluding transmission infrastructure from the requirement to obtain environmental authorisation country wide in areas of low & medium environmental sensitivity has been completed. 

• NATJOINTS is coordinating the work of multiple agencies to address sabotage, theft and fraud at Eskom. Some arrests have been made, with progress driven by increased deployment of private security by Eskom.
  
World Economic Forum – Davos, Switzerland

On Tuesday 17 January 2023, President Ramaphosa will lead a delegation of Ministers and South African captains of industry to Davos, Switzerland, where he will participate at the World Economic Forum (WEF) events, in which he will lead the promotion of South Africa as an investment destination of choice. 

This year’s theme is "Cooperation in a fragmented world”. The President will be accompanied by Ministers Pandor, Gondongwana, Patel, and Kubayi.  

The South African delegation to WEF will add the country’s voice to discussions about global issues, with the overall aim to position the South Africa as a competitive business destination.

President Ramaphosa will participate in the Dialogue on Economics of Women’s Health, the Annual Welcome Dinner hosted Prof Klaus and Hilde Schwab, the dinner brings together heads of state, government and international organizations as well as members of the Board of Trustees, the International Business Council and Strategic Partners.

The President will also form part of the Annual Breakfast Meeting of the African Heads of State/Government entitled Africa Continental Free Trade Area. The AfCFTA is the largest free trade area in the world, by area and number of participating countries. 

Once fully implemented, it will be the fifth-largest economy in the world, with the potential to have a combined GDP of more than $3.4 trillion. The engagement at WEF will explore how public-private partnerships can support the implementation of the AfCFTA. 

The President will also attend the annual meeting on Investing on Infrastructure for Resilience. Details on bilaterla meetings will be provided in due course. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Presidential Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, will later today, Thursday, 12 January 2023, update the public, through a hybrid media briefing, on the President’s public programme.   
 
The spokesperson also utilises the media briefing to address topical issues of public and media interest. 
 
Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Thursday, 12 January 2023
Time: 14h30
Venue: The Union Buildings, Pretoria 

Members of the media will also be able to participate virtually on the following link: https://tinyurl.com/5d29vjh6 
 
RSVP: Media wishing to attend the media briefing physically are requested to submit their details to Terrence Manase – 082 338 6707 / terrence@presidency.gov.za  
 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ronald Lamola,
Justices of the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court of Appeal,
Judges President and Judges,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Acting Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Hon Jomo Nyambi,
Members of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces,
Heads of Chapter 9 Institutions,
Traditional Leaders,
Chancellor of the University of Venda, Adv Mojanku Gumbi,
Vice Chancellors of Institutions of Higher Learning,
Director General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and other Directors General,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Thank you for this opportunity to reflect on 25 years of the implementation of our Constitution. 

Our Constitution is the product of long and protracted struggles for freedom, justice, equality, human dignity and a better life for all people. 

It is the product of the struggle against colonialism and apartheid, against oppression, subjugation and dispossession.

In the first certification case of the new Constitution, the Constitutional Court said:

“South Africa’s past has been aptly described as that of ‘a deeply divided society characterised by strife, conflict, untold suffering and injustice’ which ‘generated gross violations of human rights, the transgression of humanitarian principles in violent conflicts and a legacy of hatred, fear, guilt and revenge.”

Our Constitution is therefore more than the supreme law of our land. It is a firm and emphatic rejection of the political, social and economic system that came before it.

Our Constitution, which has now been in operation for over 25 years, constitutes a social compact on how we should relate to each other as a people, how we should relate to other nations as a sovereign state, and how we should govern ourselves and our resources. 

The Preamble to our Constitution gives a powerful sense of the context in which it was written, the past which it sought to correct and the future to which it aspired.

In the Preamble, we the people of South Africa firmly state that the purpose of the Constitution is to: 

- Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights;

- Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law;

- Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person; and,

- Build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations.

By describing the purpose of the Constitution in these terms, the people of South Africa established the Constitution as an instrument of fundamental political, social and economic transformation.

The Constitution places on all institutions of state a responsibility to take those measures necessary to build a society that is in nearly all respects different from the society that came before.

It places emphasis on the work that must be done to heal the divisions of the past in circumstances where these divisions are manifested in the severe inequality of the present.

It calls for social justice in circumstances where a large proportion of South Africans live in poverty and where, despite substantial progress, many are still unable to access land, housing, water, food, health care and education.

The Constitution correctly recognises that to advance this transformational promise, all spheres of government and all organs of state are required to provide “effective, transparent, accountable and coherent governance”.

To ensure that organs of state execute their constitutional mandates effectively, the legislative branch of government has the power to hold respective executive organs to account and have oversight over the implementation of legislation and the conduct of other organs of state.

Parliament, as a representative of the citizens, has a clear mandate to hold the President, Deputy President and Ministers to account, individually and collectively, for the exercise of their powers and performance of their functions. 

Our legislative branch has over the past 25 years contributed to our constitutional democracy through the enactment of legislation that both transforms society and the relationship between citizens and state. This legislation includes those required to give effect to the provisions of the Constitution, such as the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act and the Promotion of Access to Information Act. 

The work of the legislative branch in promoting good governance has been complemented by State institutions established to support constitutional democracy. These include the Public Protector, the South African Human Rights Commission, the Commission on Gender Equality, the Electoral Commission and the Auditor-General.

Each of these bodies plays an important role in the viability and sustainability of our constitutional democracy. They help to ensure the state gives effect to the ideals and vision of our Constitution. 

The Judiciary, by upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights, has played a pivotal role in our constitutional democracy. 

The enforcement of laws through the Judiciary is crucial in ensuring the sustainability and viability of our democracy. Laws bond individuals in a society together. 

Without the rule of law, our country is vulnerable to chaos, violence, rampant corruption, violation of human rights, persistent inequality and the collapse of state institutions. 

The Judiciary, led by the Constitutional Court and, in particular, founding members like Arthur Chaskalson and Pius Langa, has played a key role in giving effect to the founding values of the post-apartheid South Africa. 

It has played this role through groundbreaking judgments on many aspects of the Constitution. 

Following its establishment, the Constitutional Court has emerged as a uniquely powerful institution manifesting a moral constitutional authority. 

There is no viable state or effective constitutional democracy without the support and involvement of citizens in the different public formations. 

Apart from paying taxes, observing the law, and contributing to social and economic development, citizens also play an important role in the establishment of our various governance structures and in holding accountable those put in charge to serve the nation. 

Over the past 25 years of our Constitution, a lot of progress has been made in redressing the injustices of the past. 

Some of these measures include the provision of housing, water and sanitation, and social grants for the elderly, persons with disabilities and children. There has been a distinct improvement in access to land, education and health care services.

These are part of ongoing efforts to address economic and social injustices. 

However, despite numerous achievements, there are still many challenges in the realisation of the vision, values and prescripts of our Constitution. 

The persistently high levels of poverty, unemployment, inequality, corruption and violence show that our journey to the promised land is far from over.

The contours of our racist and sexist past still feature in private and public institutions, in business, in access to skills, wealth and opportunity, and in the spatial configuration of our cities, towns and rural areas. 

South Africa’s constitutional project will fail if vast inequalities and existing levels of poverty are not addressed by all levels of government. 

As the courts acknowledged in the case of Soobramoney v Minister of Health:

“We live in a society in which there are great disparities in wealth, millions of people are living in deplorable conditions and in great poverty. There is a high level of unemployment, inadequate social security, and many do not have access to clean water or adequate health services. These conditions already existed when the constitution was adopted and a commitment to address them, and to transform our society into one in which there will be human dignity, freedom and equality, lies at the heart of our new constitutional order. For as long as these conditions continue to exist that aspiration will have a hollow ring.” 

The success of our constitutional democracy will, to a large extent, depend on how these challenges are addressed. 

Therefore, as this Conference reflects on the road ahead, it should reflect on issues such as progress on land restitution and reform, electoral reform and governance, and transformation of the economy. It should also reflect on corruption, crime and national security, and how these issues impact on the exercise and protection of human rights.

It is my sincere belief that this gathering of South Africans in all their diversity will identify actionable measures that will materially contribute towards the achievement of our constitutional goals. 

This conference gives us an opportunity to reflect on the road we must traverse to strengthen our constitutional democracy and address the many challenges around the rule of law, accountability and social and economic justice. 

The strengthening and entrenchment of constitutional democracy requires ethical, committed and effective leadership in all spheres of our society, political will and the support of all our citizens. 

As we prepare to reflect on these issues, we should recall the words of former President Nelson Mandela on the occasion of the signing of the Constitution in Sharpeville on the 10th of December 1996. He said:

“Today we cross a critical threshold.

Let us now, drawing strength from the unity which we have forged, together grasp the opportunities and realise the vision enshrined in this constitution.

Let us give practical recognition to the injustices of the past, by building a future based on equality and social justice.

Let us nurture our national unity by recognising, with respect and joy, the languages, cultures and religions of South Africa in all their diversity.

Let tolerance for one another's views create the peaceful conditions which give space for the best in all of us to find expression and to flourish.

Above all, let us work together in striving to banish homelessness, illiteracy, hunger and disease.” 

These words provide an essential guide as we chart the road ahead.

I wish all delegates well and I look forward over the next three days to the robust and productive engagement from which our constitutional democracy and our nation will surely benefit.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed a message of condolence to the Government and people of the Republic of Senegal following a bus accident which resulted in the death of about 40 passengers and injuries to 80 travellers.

The accident is reported to have happened in the early hours of Sunday morning, 08 January 2022, when two buses collided in Senegal’s central Kaffrine region.

President Ramaphosa said: “On behalf of the people of South Africa, the Government and myself, I wish to extend our condolences to my dear brother, President Macky Sall, his Government, the bereaved families and the people of Senegal for their tragic loss.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time of mourning their loved ones.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Programme Director,
His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini,
Bayede! Hlanga lomhlabathi!
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube,
Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Thabang Makwetla,
Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya,
Acting Secretary for Defence, Dr Thobekile Gamede,
The Plenary Defence Staff Council,
Generals and Admirals,
Officers and Warrant Officers,
Non-Commissioned Officers, soldiers, sailors and air men and women on parade,

Fellow South Africans,

I am honoured to be addressing you on this very special day.

Every year we observe Armed Forces Day to recognise and celebrate the immense contribution made by the members of our armed forces in creating a better life for the South African people and for the people of our beloved continent, Africa.

On this day, we remember and pay tribute to all our fallen men and women in uniform who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Among these, we remember those who tragically lost their lives when the SS Mendi sank on this day 106 years ago in the English Channel during the First World War.

As we mark this day, we appreciate that our armed forces are continuing the pursuit of the ideal for which their departed predecessors lived.

They have picked up the spears of our fallen heroes and heroines and continue the effort to give our people lasting peace, security and stability.

As the Commander-in-Chief, I commend the good work you are doing as men and women in uniform.

As we gather to honour the serving members of our armed forces, those who have served in the past and those who have fallen over the years, we are reminded that we stand on the shoulders of patriots such as Reverend Isaac Wauchope Dyobha who, when confronted with death aboard the SS Mendi, led his countrymen in song.

We are inspired by their bravery as we stand here in the face of grave challenges confronting our society.

We are determined to emerge triumphant from the struggle against poverty, inequality, unemployment, gender-based violence, crime, disease and deprivation.

While our armed forces are always on guard to defend our hard earned sovereignty and constitutional democratic order, they do much more than that.

They actively contribute to the social and economic development of our country.

They are to be found on rescue missions in times of disaster, building bridges where a desperate need exists and rehabilitating rivers from the effects of pollution.

They have time and time again shown that they are a force for good and an integral part of all progressive humanity.

I wish to pay tribute to all members of our armed forces who, at great risk to their own lives, work tirelessly to help maintain law and order in times of crisis.

I commend the highest level of discipline with which they discharge their duties under difficult conditions.

By virtue of their calling and allegiance to the constitution, they act without hesitation whenever called upon to do so, when their country needs them most.

I salute all of you who carry out tasks in times of disaster that literally stand between life and death.

We commend the exemplary selflessness, self-sacrifice and patriotism of our armed forces who, even in the face of great danger, always put the interests of the country first.

From North Africa to Southern Africa, from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region, South Africa depends on the SANDF to support peacebuilding on the continent as part of a mandate from the African Union and the United Nations.

We extend our appreciation and respect to our forces deployed in various missions across the continent.

We mourn all those who have lost their lives in the effort to silence the guns on our continent.

Just two weeks ago, we lost Flight Sergeant Vusi Mabena when his helicopter came under attack in the eastern DRC. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Unlike the apartheid-era SADF, the democratic South African National Defence Force is committed to forging peace and supporting development.

The primary function of the SANDF is to protect the territorial integrity of this nation’s borders. It is a tough task.

We read of their successes every month, almost every week, as they confront illegal migration and international crime syndicates, working hand in hand with our nation’s law enforcement agencies as part of the long running Operation Corona.

Our soldiers are there to stand guard in times of crisis within our borders, as they did resolutely during Operation Prosper.

Now the SANDF is guarding vital infrastructure against those who would endanger the security of the state to advance their own personal interests.

We called on the SANDF during the initial phases of the COVID-19 lockdown. It was a vital part of our response to the pandemic through Operation Notlela.

This included the work of the South African Military Health Service, which provided support to our public health response.

It is therefore wonderful to witness the launch of Project Owethu to coincide with this year’s Armed Forces Day.

Through Project Owethu, the SANDF is working with government departments to provide access to health care and other social services in communities in KwaZulu-Natal that are remote and marginalised.

Project Owethu can be a great catalyst for change through empowering communities and improving people’s lives.

The SANDF is no stranger to the people of KwaZulu-Natal. Its members have been serving in this province since the devastating floods of last year.

Most of these were members of the SA Army Engineer Corps and medical practitioners from the South African Military Health Service. They have built bridges, fixed roads and purified drinking water.

With the confidence and faith we have in the capabilities of our armed forces, we are reassured as a people that no matter the circumstances, the SANDF will always be there to restore order, maintain calm, support our people and defend the territorial integrity of our Republic.

We salute all our men and women in military uniform on Armed Forces Day, and we thank them for their courageous and tireless service.

May God Bless South Africa and protect its people.

I thank you.

Your Excellency, Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,
Your Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal,
Your Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda,
Your Excellency Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of the Republic of Guinea- Bissau
Your Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone
Ministers,
Director of Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Ahmed Ouma,
Distinguished panellists,
Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As Africa continues to define its destiny through the New Public Health Order, we are filled with optimism for the future.

A future where every African citizen enjoys a birthright of good health and wellbeing.

I wish to thank the Africa CDC and the government of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia for co-hosting this event.

As the African Union Champion on COVID-19 Response, it is greatly heartening to note that health remains at the forefront of Africa’s political agenda.

Inequities in access to quality health services and products is a blight on the conscience of the world.
 
The onus falls on each Member State to advance the agenda of equitable healthcare for all, and to achieve Universal Health Coverage as aspired to in the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

As health emergencies increase in frequency across our continent, our progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage as well as full pandemic preparedness is being impeded.

We reaffirm our support for the Call to Action contained in the communique of the event on Africa’s New Public Health Order and Rejuvenating the Global Health Security Agenda, that took place on the margins of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Our learnings from the pandemic must be an opportunity to build more robust health systems, so that we do not continue to be plagued by the same inequities every time we are faced with a health emergency.

The AU COVID-19 Commission is to be commended for investing heavily in Africa’s health agenda.

This panel of health experts from across the sectors, spanning the whole continent, have been exceptional advocates for the New Public Health Order, travelling the world to attract investment, and magnifying the voice of African health interlocutors.

Members have defended the amendments to the Africa CDC statutes that advocate for the Africa CDC to have the power to declare public health emergencies of regional concern.

Our focus is to continue attracting investment into Africa CDC’s growth and sustainability and to ensure a strong network of national public health institutions in every member state that supports it.

As Ministers, you have a key role to play in ensuring this ambition is elevated in our respective countries.

With regards to pharmaceutical manufacturing, you may all recall the meeting of the Bureau in May 2022 where we discussed the serious problem of our nascent manufacturing industry being unable to secure markets.

Several bold demands were made following this meeting.

Firstly, that GAVI, UNICEF and other large procurers of vaccines purchase 30 per cent of the vaccines destined for Africa from African manufacturers.

The Africa CDC, the PAVM secretariat and the AU COVID-19 Commission have done the leg work to ensure that GAVI establishes an Advance Market Commitment facility for African Manufacturers.

Secondly that Africa CDC convenes a working group on pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The working group will be convened by the Africa CDC in due course. I am told that all the Ministers from countries that are manufacturing health products or aspire to do so will have permanent membership. I encourage these Ministers to be part of this critical initiative and renew the momentum of Africa’s quest to attain biotech sovereignty.

Member states have a responsibility to support manufacturers through preferential procurement policies, working in collaboration with their respective finance ministries.

The mRNA spokes must be well supported. Financial support is key to their sustainability. For them to secure loans and other investments, we as Member states must demonstrate a strong will to prioritise African products in our procurement policies.

We continue to make very good progress in the establishment of an AU Health Workforce Task Team. This structure will co-ordinate training, deployment, and the retention of health workers on the continent.

Much of its efforts will be concentrated on supporting Member States to accommodate the growing health workforce by supporting innovative financing for retention of the health workforce.

The pillar of increasing health financing is critical, and we have not made as much progress as we had hoped to under the Abuja Declaration.

The COVID-19 Commission has been inspired by the success of the Africa Leaders Malaria Alliance and is now working on a proposal to establish an Alliance on Health Systems Strengthening.

This alliance will use a scorecard-based visibility and accountability system so that we can all support, incentivize and reward one another for innovatively increasing health spending and manifesting good health outcomes. I heartily encourage full participation when the consultation procedures get underway this year.

I will close by expressing my support for a campaign to replenish the Africa Epidemics Fund, formerly the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

South Africa stands ready to support the AU Commission in ensuring this fund will help African countries to respond to current and emerging health threats. As much as the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund has been invaluable, we must also be able to have our pandemic financing mechanism, as we did with COVID-19.

Thank you for the opportunity. I wish you successful deliberations.

Your Excellency, Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana,
Your Excellency, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission,
Deputy Executive Director of UN Women Ms. Asa Regner,
Your Excellency Madame Bineta Diop, AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security
Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection of the Republic of Ghana, the Hon. Lariba Zuweira Abudu,
Director of the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate of the AU Commission, Ms. Prudence Ngwenya,
Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to begin by thanking you, my brother, President Nana Akufo-Addo for convening this important engagement in your capacity as AU Gender Champion.

The 2021 Kinshasa Declaration commits us to provide the necessary resources to end violence against women and girls. The Circle of Champions will lead in amplifying this agenda across our continent.

The aim is to facilitate high-level strategic political engagement at Heads of State and Government level, and to drive accountability towards ending violence against women and girls.

South Africa wholly supports this critical platform. It is encouraging to see Heads of State responding positively to the call for more strategic collaboration to take this agenda forward.

We are grateful for the opportunity to work with successive A.U. chairs in this regard, namely H.E. President Felix Tshisikedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo and H.E. President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal.

The Circle of Champions is about firstly, foregrounding the role of male leadership in the agenda of Ending Violence Against Women and Girls across Africa.

Secondly, it is about taking forward the commitments made in the Kinshasa Declaration and foregrounding accountability for delivering on them.

For these reasons, the agenda must be driven at Head of State level.

Beyond being a persistent challenge across the region and the world, violence against women and girls undermines our efforts to realise the aspirations contained in the U.N.’s Agenda 2030 and the A.U.’s Agenda 2063; The Africa We Want.

Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls was a focus area during South Africa’s term as A.U. Chair in 2020.

Some of the high-level actions I identified at the plenary included:

·       A rapid review of discriminatory laws related to violence against women in all African countries,

·       The development and adoption of an A.U. Convention on Violence Against Women,

·       Advocacy for the ratification of ILO Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, and

·       Women’s financial inclusion.

Of course, 2020 was the year the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, and we had to rapidly change gear to devote our attention to managing its fallout.

However, we did not let this pivotal issue fall by the wayside.

On reviewing discriminatory laws, through a partnership with the Center for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, we conducted an initial literature review on laws that perpetuate violence against women and girls in the region.

This was followed by a more in-depth study covering twenty- five countries[1] across diverse geographic, linguistic, and legal systems in Africa.

This work will be an important foundation as we develop and adopt a Convention.

It provides updated information on the status of women’s rights, the status of violence against women in these countries and the legislation in place. It identifies gaps and makes recommendations on how to address them.

The development of an African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is a priority that we need to move forward with collectively as the Circle of Champions.

Finding ways to engage with Heads of State in different sub-regions and in the respective fora in which we play leadership roles can contribute significantly to this process.

On ILO Convention 190, in December 2021, South Africa became the tenth member state of the ILO to ratify the Convention.

Making the world of work free of violence and harassment will unleash women’s potential and enable other vulnerable workers to enjoy safe and healthy work environments.

Through the Generation Equality Forum, South Africa advocated for preferential procurement and financial inclusion for women. We have introduced and are implementing our own policy that sets aside 40 per cent of public procurement spend for women-owned businesses.

As co-leader of the Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights, South Africa believes strongly that the Africa Continental Free Trade Area can play a significant role in closing the gender income gap and in creating opportunities for women-owned businesses.

Since South Africa advocated for adopting the Protocol on Women In Trade by the AU in December 2020, the AfCFTA Secretariat has made steady progress in developing a framework for women’s economic participation. 

Africa-wide consultations were held with women business owners and informal traders. This culminated in the regional conference on women in trade in Tanzania at the end of 2022. 

South Africa is encouraged by the progress that has been made in driving high-level actions across the region. We must build on these collectively.

Ratifying ILO Convention 190 is an integral part of realizing the vision of the current AU Decade on Financial and Economic Inclusion of Women.

It is encouraging that of the twenty-five countries globally that have ratified; six are in our region. Of the ten countries in which it is in force, four are in Africa. So, we hope to see the whole continent ratifying Convention 190.

The A.U. has embarked on a campaign across the region to shift social norms with respect to gender equality and violence against women and girls.

Addressing economic and political practices alongside social norms is critical. Moreover, it is key to understanding how history and current realities shape the manifestations of violence against women and girls in our societies.

Twenty-nine years ago, at the dawn of our democracy, President Nelson Mandela said:

“Freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression. Our endeavors must be about the liberation of the woman, the emancipation of the man and the liberty of the child.”

The Circle of Champions brings together African leaders as a show of the highest political will towards ending the source of violence against women and girls. It is the first time this has happened on our continent.

As President Mandela rightly said, women's liberation must be at the centre of our endeavours to lay claim to being truly free societies.

As the Circle of Champions let us continue to learn from each other, support each other, and most importantly, hold ourselves and each other accountable for bringing about the change we want to see in the world.

I thank you.

Your Excellency, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
Your Excellency António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations,
Your Excellencies, Members of the Peace, and Security Council,
Your Excellency Felix Tshisikedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Your Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda,
Your Excellency Joao Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola,
Your Excellency, William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to you all to the 1140th Meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council, held at Heads of State and Government level. 

Thank you to the AU Commission for facilitating this meeting.

The PSC is meeting to consider the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

This is in the broader context of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Region signed on the 24th of February 2013. 

The aspiration of the Framework was to usher in peace, security, stability and development in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region as a whole.

Ten years since it was signed the eastern DRC continues to experience periodic cycles of conflict and violence.

We agree that the volatile security situation in the eastern DRC has gone on for far too long, and is untenable.

We cannot but be troubled by this humanitarian catastrophe.

We cannot but be horrified to see people being butchered, women and girls being violated and by the blatant violations of human rights and of the rules of rules of engagement in conflict. 

The current cycle of violence is even more worrying, and is being fueled by the resurgence of the armed group M23 that was thought to have been dismantled in 2013/2014.

The AU Peace and Security Council is charged with the prevention, resolution, and management of conflicts in Africa. We must redouble our efforts to resolve this dire situation, working in close collaboration with regional processes.

In 2022 the Council held two meetings on the situation in the eastern DRC. The Council called for an evaluation of the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework to enhance its effectiveness.

The Council must take actionable decisions to address challenges emanating from lack of implementation of the Framework. 

If it is not fully implemented in both letter and spirit, the security situation in the eastern DRC will continue to present challenges. 

Political will from all parties to the Framework, from the government of the DRC, from the region, from the AU, and from the international community is key to the effective implementation of the Framework.

I wish to commend the efforts of H.E. President Lourenco in mediating between the DRC and the Republic of Rwanda, as mandated by the May 2022 Extraordinary Summit of the AU.

We also commend the East African Community for their efforts to assist, resulting in the deployment of the East African Community Regional Force. 

This Council must encourage the parties to the Cooperation Framework particularly the governments of the DRC and the Republic of Rwanda to focus on the following: 

·    Honouring their commitments contained in the Cooperation Framework.
·    Exercising total restraint and de-escalation
·    Embarking on genuine dialogue
·    Expeditiously implementing the outcomes of the Luanda and Nairobi processes
·    The withdrawal from the Eastern DRC of foreign armed groups
·    Urging all the signatories and guarantors of the Cooperation Framework to ensure full enhancement of the Regional Oversight and Ad Hoc Verification Mechanisms to deal with security concerns.

It is critical that we redouble our efforts to address the root causes of the conflict. This means combating the illegal exploitation of mineral resources, and fighting corruption, money laundering and organized crime. More needs to be done to build the institutional capacity of regional border management and control, as well as of regional justice and law enforcement agencies. 

With regards to gender-based violence, we call on the UN system to continue to provide capacity and technical assistance for State institutions to maintain standards of accountability concerning sexual and gender-based violence, and to strengthen the legal framework for the fight against impunity.

We have set ourselves an ambitious goal to Silence the Guns across Africa. To achieve this goal, we must show zero-tolerance for current and emerging conflicts and redouble our efforts to resolve them.

I thank you.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula,
Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Amos Masondo,
Deputy President David Mabuza,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Honourable Members,

In the State of the Nation Address last week, I said that a nation is defined by how its people meet the gravest of difficulties – “whether they work together and confront their challenges as one, united by a common purpose, or whether they surrender to the problems before them.”

The same can be said of their elected representatives.

Are we, as the elected representatives of our people gathered here in this House, able to work together to confront the challenges of our nation, united by a common purpose?

Or will we be consumed by our differences and, in so doing, surrender to the problems before us?

The debate on the State of the Nation Address over the last two days has done much to emphasise our differences and reveal the extent of political contestation in our society.

That is to be expected – even welcomed – in a vibrant and robust democracy like ours.

The debate has raised important issues and some constructive suggestions have been made.

But there are those in this House who, instead of being merchants of hope, have cast themselves as merchants of despair.

They have determined that their political fortunes are best served by depicting a country in chaos – instead of being parties that acknowledge the challenges and that are determined to work together to find solutions so that we leave no one behind.

Rather than present a balanced assessment of the state of the nation, they have resorted to dishonest and self-serving rhetoric.

Rather than acknowledge the grave damage caused to our country by state capture, by the effects of a devastating global pandemic or by the worst public violence in the history of our democracy, some of these Honourable Members have failed to come up with practical suggestions or solutions that can resolve the many problems our nation faces.

Some choose to belittle and deride what has been achieved over the last five years in the midst of extremely difficult conditions because it does not serve their political interests to recognise the progress that is plainly clear.

These contributions may serve the electoral aspirations of some of the parties represented here, but they do not serve the interests of the people of South Africa.

The task we have, as elected representatives, is to emerge from this debate with a common determination to meet the challenges of the present and renew the promise contained in our Constitution of a better life for all.

Where people have begun to doubt the promise of our Constitution, it is our job to restore it.

Not through words, but through action.

To do so, we must reflect deeply and honestly on what has gone wrong, on where we have strayed from the path we set out on in the first place.

As the Honourable Buthelezi rightly said in his remarks, which were delivered by the Honourable Singh, what South Africans want is honesty, fairness, justice and to know that their government is capable and willing to do its job.

At the same time we must reflect on the progress we have made.

And we must concentrate on the actions that we need to take now to overcome the challenges that we face.

Nobody can deny the distance we have come over the past five years.

Nor can anyone deny that our country has been struck by successive crises that have severely impeded our efforts to improve the lives of our people.

We inherited a state hollowed out by corruption and malfeasance and an economy in steep decline.

Since then, we have rebuilt the capability and restored the independence of institutions that are essential to our democracy.

We have reinvigorated entities like the South African Revenue Service, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Special Investigating Unit to fulfil their mandates effectively and without fear or favour.

The tireless work of the State Capture Commission and the Investigating Directorate is now bearing fruit in the prosecution of those alleged to be responsible for state capture.

We faced up to the worst global pandemic in a century, and marshalled an unprecedented response to save lives and protect livelihoods.

We implemented a new social grant which has reached more than 11 million people. We supported over 5 million workers who would otherwise have lost their jobs, and provided tax relief and direct support to thousands of businesses.

Indeed, Honourable Masango, South Africans need hand-ups and not handouts.

That is why our unprecedented expansion of public employment programmes has proven to be a success and an effective tool for mitigating unemployment when not enough jobs are being created by the economy.

The Presidential Employment Stimulus has created work and livelihood opportunities for one million people to date, most of whom are young people.

We have implemented far-reaching economic reforms to restore confidence in our economy, opened the way for private investment in electricity generation for the first time, and released spectrum to harness the potential of the digital era.

We have successfully mobilised new investments in factories, production lines, call centres, farms, and mines across the country. These have created jobs and opportunities, including for small businesses.

This represents real progress to rebuild our country and to recover what we had lost.

Despite this progress, however, we face steep challenges.

South Africans are worn down by power outages, water supply interruptions, rising crime and instability in local government.

Several speakers in the debate raised the need for effective and urgent implementation of the tasks outlined in the State of the Nation Address to address these challenges decisively over the next year.

Foremost among these are the actions needed for the resolution of the electricity crisis.

As we said during our address last week, we do not need another plan.

We need to accelerate implementation of the plan that we have.

We have already taken a number of important steps to reduce the severity and frequency of load shedding.

The measures which the Minister of Finance will announce in next week’s budget will boost the rollout of rooftop solar by businesses and households.

To end load shedding, however, we must shift gear.

A crisis of this nature demands a coordinated response and it demands urgent action.

That is the reason why I am appointing a special Minister in the Presidency and the reason why a national state of disaster has been declared.

As I said last week, this new Minister will assume full responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the electricity crisis response.

The Minister will be responsible for driving the various actions being coordinated by the National Energy Crisis Committee to end load shedding as a matter of urgency.

The reality is that the resolution of the energy crisis requires effective coordination across several departments and public entities.

It requires the undivided attention of a political principal who does not need to split their time and energies among different important responsibilities.

This appointment will ensure that there is a Minister who is ultimately responsible for resolving load shedding and who is able to work with all fellow Cabinet ministers, departments and entities to do so.

Some have suggested that the appointment of the Minister will cause confusion and fragmentation, and that it might also result in turf wars amongst the ministers who deal with energy and Eskom.

This is not the case. The Minister of Electricity will be focused day in and day out only on addressing the load shedding crisis, working together with the management of Eskom and the board. The Minister will be leading the National Energy Crisis Committee and interacting with all other departments in the spirit of cooperative governance.

The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy deals with matters of energy policy as well as mineral resources. Beyond the energy crisis that we face, the restructuring of government will be effected to enable entities that fall under various departments to be properly located in those departments.

The Minister of Public Enterprises is executing the recommendations of Presidential Review Commission as well as the State Owned Enterprises Council in relation to the ownership and the governance of state owned enterprises. That function should be completed in time as we continue with the restructuring of government.

The Minister of Public Enterprises will therefore continue to work on the restructuring of Eskom as well as other state owned enterprises until then.

With the focus that the Minister of Electricity will have on load shedding and the work that is being done by Eskom and the board I do believe that we stand a much better chance to address this overriding challenge and crisis that our country faces.

As Minister Mantashe said, urgency of execution and delivery is paramount. We don’t have the luxury of time.

Several speakers in this debate have argued that the national state of disaster is unnecessary, or that it will allow for abuse of the system.

This includes some leaders in the opposition – such as the Premier of the Western Cape – who as recently as last month were writing me letters and holding media briefings calling for a state of disaster to be declared.

The Honourable Brink yesterday called the Disaster Management Act “a dangerous weapon in the hands of incompetent ministers”.

This is the same Disaster Management Act that made possible our decisive, effective and agile response to successive waves of COVID infections.

It was this Act that empowered us during that pandemic to save many lives and prevent even greater hardship.

It is this Disaster Management Act that has on numerous occasions enabled us to provide urgent relief and support to people affected by floods and other natural disasters.

The state of disaster that was declared last week will be used to mitigate the social and economic effects of load shedding and accelerate the measures necessary to close the shortfall in electricity, and nothing else.

As I said in the State of the Nation Address, we will ensure that environmental protections and technical standards are maintained, and that procurement is undertaken with transparency and proper oversight.

We will use the state of disaster to get rid of unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles that stand in the way of urgently bringing new generation capacity onto the grid. We will use it to ensure continuity in the provision of critical services and supply chains, and to address the impact of load shedding on businesses and households.

As we build an electricity system that will meet our energy requirements into the future, we need to dispel some of the myths that have been circulating – and that have been repeated here – about the path we are taking.

We need to dispel this idea that we are abandoning coal as a fuel source. We should all remember that coal fired power stations provide 80% of our energy source and will therefore continue to provide the bulk of our ‘base load’ supply into the future.

We are committed to a future energy mix that consists of a diversity of energy sources, including coal, renewables, nuclear, gas, hydro, storage, bio-mass and other forms of energy.

We must dispel the idea that unbundling of Eskom into three separate state-owned entities is out of step with international trends.

The reality is that over 100 countries (including China, Germany and Russia) have established independent transmission and system operation companies.

We need to dispel the claim that creating a more competitive, efficient and sustainable electricity generation market threatens the ability of the state to provide affordable electricity to its citizens.

On the contrary, the reforms we are undertaking will improve the ability of the state to provide power to the people now and into the future.

Our priorities in 2023 are to decisively resolve the electricity crisis, reduce unemployment and root out corruption and crime.

Yet as we confront the most immediate and pressing challenges facing our country, we must also plant the seeds for future growth.

We must ask ourselves not only where we are as a country, but what kind of a country we want to be.

We need to undertake other essential work now so that we can build beyond the crisis and lay the foundation for a better future for all South Africans.

As a country with a young population, we have enormous potential for growth and development. The most effective way to harness that potential is through ensuring equal access to quality education.

In the State of the Nation Address, we outlined some of the work underway to improve access to quality early childhood development.

This is being supported by progress in basic education, where schools in poorer areas are showing improved performance thanks to greater government support. We are developing vocational education and training opportunities and implementing new ways to fund workplace training programmes so that we develop the skills that the economy needs.

And through the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, we are creating opportunities for young people to more easily access opportunities for employment, training, entrepreneurship and work experience.

By the same measure, access to quality health care – and indeed better health itself – are necessary to improve people’s lives and build a successful society and a more productive economy.

We are committed to the provision of quality health care for all regardless of their ability to pay.

We will therefore progressively implement the National Health Insurance as soon as the necessary legislation is approved by Parliament.

In the meantime, we are preparing for its implementation through the national quality improvement plan and putting in place the necessary staff and funding.

We are improving the quality of care in our clinics through the Ideal Clinic programme. Using the capabilities of the electronic vaccination record system we developed for COVID-19, the Department of Health will introduce an Electronic Health Record solution to improve management of health records.

As our country and the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are strengthening the fight against the HIV pandemic that we have been engaged in for more than three decades. While we have made remarkable progress in fighting HIV, as well as TB, new infections are still occurring at unacceptable rates and we continue to record deaths that could have been prevented.

We are also working to combat non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

We are paying greater attention to mental health. According to the World Health Organisation, around one in five South Africans suffer from mental health disorders.

Our starting point must be to raise awareness and combat stigma around mental health, so that people are able to seek and receive mental health services. Beyond that, we need to dedicate more resources and qualified professionals to the provision of such services.

We are working to end discrimination against persons with disabilities and to remove the impediments to their full participation in the economy, society and all areas of life.

Last year, we held a summit on economic empowerment for persons with disabilities to improve access to resources such as land, finance capital, decent work, capital infrastructure and labour.

This year, we plan to continue this work by dealing with barriers to transport for persons with disabilities and ensuring that government institutions make reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities in the workplace.

The Honourable Holomisa has raised the issue of the pensions of civil servants and military veterans from the former TBVC states.

These are indeed issues that need to be considered. The Deputy President heads a task team on benefits for military veterans, which has a workstream on pensions. I have asked this task team to provide a report on this issue.

I have further asked the Minister of Finance to set up a team to look into the issue of pensions for civil servants from the TBVC states.

Building beyond the crisis means addressing the fundamental threat of climate change and strengthening our country’s resilience to future disasters.

The ambitious carbon emission targets we have set are essential to the future well-being and prosperity of the South African people.

Unless we act now, alongside the other countries of the world, our country will experience ever more frequent and ever more severe weather conditions. More lives will be lost, more people will be displaced, living conditions will worsen.

Through the work of the Presidential Climate Commission, the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team led by Mr Daniel Mminele, government departments and stakeholders, we have developed a clear, just and inclusive path towards a low-carbon economy and society.

As we work to reduce emissions, we must undertake adaptation measures to counter the effects of climate change and design our cities, towns and rural areas to be more resilient in the face of adverse weather events.

We will be reviewing our disaster management architecture to make sure that it is adequately equipped to respond to floods and other natural disasters going forward.

Building beyond the crisis also means rebuilding our infrastructure.

Several speakers in the debate spoke about the poor state of much of our infrastructure.

Investment in the construction and maintenance of infrastructure has been declining over many years.

Since taking office, we have taken important steps to reverse that trend. Through Infrastructure South Africa, we have focused on building the capacity within the state to design, prepare and implement infrastructure projects. Through the Infrastructure Fund, we have sought new approaches to funding infrastructure drawing on a diversity of sources.

We are also undertaking structural reforms in energy, water, ports and railways that will enable greater investment in these vital industries.

We have significantly increased the budget allocated to infrastructure across government and, as I indicated in SONA, significant road, water, housing and other projects are underway.

To succeed in all these efforts, we need to ensure that the state has the necessary resources, capacity and skills.

We are taking steps to professionalise the public service across all spheres, to ensure the right people are in the right positions, that they are held accountable, and that they are empowered to provide the best possible service to the people.

Further to this, I am directing that all infrastructure and service departments conduct skills audits within nine months.

These audits must not just tell us what training officials think they require, but must help us understand where critical skills do exist in these departments to effectively deliver infrastructure and services. The National School of Government will work with other organs of state like the Human Sciences Research Council to conduct these audits.

We said in the State of the Nation Address last week that South Africa’s fortunes are inextricably linked to those of our continent.

We depend on a peaceful, stable and prosperous Africa to advance our own development.

In April last year, South Africa assumed its two-year term as a member of the AU Peace and Security Council. We will be chairing a meeting of the Council in Addis Ababa tomorrow.

Through our participation in the Peace and Security Council, South Africa is working with other countries to bring peace to areas of conflict on the continent such as the Eastern DRC, Libya, Sahel region and Northern Mozambique.

In October last year, South Africa hosted and played a role in the facilitation of the successful peace talks between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front, which were facilitated by the African Union.

We will continue to provide whatever assistance we can to the resolution of conflict and peace keeping on the continent.

Our recent experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the value of a united response to common challenges.

As the African Union Chair in 2020, South Africa led the continental response to the COVID19 pandemic, overseeing a continent-wide strategy, setting up innovative online platforms to provide access for all countries to essential medical supplies, mobilising international funding and securing over 500 million COVID vaccines for the continent.

Now, as chair of the African Union COVID-19 Commission, we continue to lead the continent on health security as a means of preventing and responding to the pandemic and plan for future ones.

We are working as co-chair of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, together with the World Health Organisation and other organisations to develop a global platform that will enable the rapid development of, and equitable access to, the tools needed to respond to any future pandemics.

These are part of concerted efforts to ensure that Africa and the global community are adequately prepared for any future health emergencies.

While much of this work does not find its way into the headlines, the reality is that all these efforts are necessary for the development and transformation of our country.

While others make a lot of noise on the side lines, the reality is that this government is building the future, today.

Honourable Members,
Fellow South Africans,

The values contained in our Constitution are essential in shaping the South Africa we want.

The Constitution calls for a society based on human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms.

And it calls for accountability, responsiveness and openness in government.

These values provide a sense of purpose and direction for all of us, individuals, families and communities, and a shared vision of what is important and meaningful to us.

To live up to these values, to fulfil this bold vision in our Constitution, we must honour them in our own lives.

We must treat one another with respect, integrity, responsibility and compassion.

We must build a society in which people can work together for the common good, in which all people are treated with dignity, and in which everyone is given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

It is these values that have set our country apart since the dawn of democracy almost 30 years ago.

It is these values, too, which inform our relations with all peoples and nations across the world.

We have observed with great sorrow the immense loss of life and suffering caused by the recent earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. We once again extend our deepest condolences to the governments and people of both Türkiye and Syria in the face of this humanitarian disaster.

As I conclude, I wish to extend my appreciation to Deputy President David Mabuza for his unwavering support over the last five years.

He has ably led the South African National AIDS Council and extensive engagements with military veterans and traditional leaders. He has supported peace building efforts in South Sudan and led processes around land reform, among other things.

Deputy President Mabuza has indicated his wish to step down from his position, a request that we are attending to.

I also wish to extend my thanks to all Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Premiers, DirectorsGeneral, Advisers and Presidency staff for their hard work and support.

Finally, allow me to reiterate what I said in the 2018 State of the Nation Address delivered exactly five years ago today.

“[W]e should reaffirm our belief that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. For though we are a diverse people, we are one nation.

“There are 57 million of us [now closer to 61 million] each with different histories, languages, cultures, experiences, views and interests. Yet we are bound together by a common destiny…

We are one people, committed to work together to find jobs for our youth; to build factories and roads, houses and clinics; to prepare our children for a world of change and progress; to build cities and towns where families may be safe, productive and content…

“While there are many issues on which we may differ, on these fundamental matters, we are at one.”

Honourable Members,

South Africans are a resilient people. They are a hopeful people.

And indeed there are reasons for hope.

But we cannot live on hope alone.

Dit is waar, Agbare du Toit, die Suid Afrikaanse mense verdien beter as onvervulde en leë beloftes.

It is the job of government to deliver basic services, to protect its citizens from harm, and to create the conditions in which every person can thrive.

That is why, as we work to implement the actions that will restore our country’s promise, I am not asking for your patience.

I am asking for you to support our people as they work with us to address all these challenges.

Let us never forget that whatever our challenges, whatever our difference, we all seek the same future for our country.

Let us stand together to build that future.

I thank you.