The Presidency wishes to announce the postponement of the signing of the Second Presidential Health Compact.

The event was scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, 15 August 2024, but has been postponed until next Thursday, 22 August 2024.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa convened a meeting yesterday with members of cabinet and senior business leaders to pave the way for a new era of collaboration under South Africa’s 7th democratic administration, and to strengthen the partnership formed over a year ago to stimulate economic growth and job creation by addressing constraints on growth in energy, transport and logistics, and crime and corruption.

At the meeting, both business and government leaders committed to build upon progress achieved to date and accelerate implementation over the next 12-18 months in line with the strategic priorities of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

President Cyril Ramaphosa said, “The Government of National Unity has reaffirmed its commitment to urgently implement the reform agenda started by the 6th administration and to restore confidence and sentiment—essential drivers of investment, inclusive economic growth, and job creation. We have reaffirmed our commitment to a dynamic partnership between government and business to foster South Africa's economic growth and social advancement. Since the start of the partnership just over a year ago, we have made substantial progress towards stabilising the energy sector, improving the performance of our rail and port system, and strengthening the fight against crime and corruption.”

Adrian Gore, co-convenor of the business delegation, commented: "We welcome President Ramaphosa’s commitment to a new era of partnership at a critical inflection point for the country. In the first phase of our partnership, over 130 CEOs pledged support and business invested more than R260 million and mobilised over 350 experts across the 3 focal areas. This has contributed to the excellent progress made with the reduction in loadshedding being the most visible and pronounced achievement. Continued momentum could mean we are able to achieve 3-5% GDP growth by 2030. We will be launching Phase 2 of our partnership with this ambition in mind.”

The meeting reviewed progress over the past year, as the partnership sought to align on priorities for the next chapter. There was strong consensus on the importance of continuing to address structural challenges, drive reforms and efficiencies, and invest in skills capacitation across all workstreams.

The energy workstream was reported to have had the most impact, achieving a dramatic reduction in load shedding in collaboration with Eskom (over 140 days without load shedding so far this year), and significant grid capacity recovery (with more than 6 GW of new energy generation added) through investment in additional technical support and capacitation from 57 companies investing over 9,000 hours at 5 power stations. The energy availability factor is currently tracking above 60% (vs 54% in 2023). 

However, we still face multiple challenges including rapidly rising electricity costs, unsustainable municipal utilities, complex market reform, a constrained grid with delayed expansion, and stalling investment in new generation. 

Significant investment will be required for energy sector reform over the next 5-10 years and there was strong consensus that it is critical to pave the way now to address the challenges. Business, Eskom and the Presidency have agreed that the priorities of the National Energy Crisis Committee should include a focus on transmission, market reform, municipal utilities and new energy generation. 

The transport and logistics and crime and corruption workstreams which are now fully established have also evidenced impact, albeit not as quickly or extensively as anticipated. 

Business has provided significant technical support and resources to Transnet Freight Rail, including procurement and operations expertise, and port maintenance support for Transnet Port Terminals. The Transnet Board and management team are making progress in implementing the Transnet recovery plan. Despite the significant efforts by the partners, there is broad acknowledgment that Transnet requires substantial interventions to improve performance to meet the needs of its customers and the market demand necessary for sustainable economic growth. 

The meeting agreed that the rapid implementation of structural reforms and strict adherence to the Freight Logistics Roadmap deadlines are crucial to facilitate participation of, and investment by, the private sector to help address our national logistics challenges. This is crucial to ensure that our commodities and manufactured products can be competitively sold into the local market and exported to meet demand. Resolving these issues will promote job retention and job creation.

In the crime and corruption workstream, an immediate joint imperative is to support South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, which would improve international confidence in SA as an investment destination. Key to this is demonstrating the law enforcement agencies’ intent and ability to successfully prosecute complex crime and corruption cases and recover assets. Business is providing specialised skills at arm’s length to support this objective. The promulgation of the NPA Amendment Act is key to bolstering IDAC’s ability to effectively deliver on its mandate. 

The meeting acknowledged that economic growth is a pre-requisite for large-scale job creation. For now, unlocking a few key policy, regulatory and funding bottlenecks could accelerate existing short-term interventions across four areas, including new work opportunities in tourism and global business services, skilling that creates new jobs (particularly in digital skills), providing additional public sector first loss funding to crowd in private sector capital to increase affordable debt available for SMMEs, and institutionalizing, expanding and strengthening the SAYouth platform to facilitate access to opportunities for young people. 

Martin Kingston, Chair of the Business for South Africa (B4SA) Steering Committee, commented: “This is a model of collaboration that has shown its merit and is fit for purpose to drive accelerated growth and jobs in the 7th administration. Over the last year significant progress has been made and impact has been achieved, and whilst it has not been as swift or extensive as we would have liked, it has gifted us with a blueprint for success in a new era with the GNU. We are keen that the reforms are implemented with urgency. We are very optimistic about the next phase of the partnership.”

“As we move forward with this partnership, we will intensify our work to address these pressing issues and expand our efforts to drive employment creation. We know that the challenges ahead are formidable. But with our continued partnership, we are well equipped to navigate these complexities and contribute to sustainable growth for South Africa”, concluded President Ramaphosa.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Today, 13 August 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa met with members of the Cabinet, senior business leaders, and technical experts from government and business to discuss a new era of collaboration for a partnership launched over a year ago to address barriers to growth in South Africa.
 
Media are invited to attend a virtual briefing on Wednesday, 14 August 2024, hosted by the Presidency and B4SA. Key updates will be provided by Mr James MacKay, CEO of the Energy Council South Africa, Mr Rudi Dicks, Head of the Project Management Office at the Presidency, and Mr Martin Kingston, B4SA Steering Committee Chair.
 
Representatives from the joint initiative and workstream leads will be in attendance to assist with your questions.
 
Media are invited as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 14 August 2024
Time: 08:45 – 10:00
Link: To be shared
 
Please RSVP to: 
Liz Ferreira, Camilla Mseme Instinctif Partners B4SA@instinctif.com 
 
Please note that timing is subject to change based on the President’s diary.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading the call to men across South Africa to take a stand against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) by signing a virtual pledge at https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/endGBVF.

President Ramaphosa launched the call to action by signing the pledge alongside men from all sectors of society at Pofadder, Northern Cape, on the occasion of Women's Day on Friday, 09 August 2024. 

Among signatories who joined the President were Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes, members of the provincial executive, local government leadership and representatives of community- and faith-based organisations and learners.

The pledge commits men to be allies and part of the solution by maintaining positive behaviour and attitudes and to take responsibility for their actions. 

The pledge commits men to never raise a hand against a woman, to treat women as equals, to respect the rights of women and relate to women with dignity.

President Ramaphosa urges all of society to work together to end gender-based violence and calls on men who live by positive values to assist other men to mend their conduct and to report instances of abuse and related wrongdoing.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 15 August 2024, preside over the signing of the second Presidential Health Compact at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

The second compact follows the 2023 Presidential Health Summit which built on the inaugural summit of 2018 and brought together government, business, labour, civil society, health professionals, unions, service users, statutory councils, academia, and researchers to develop sustainable and inclusive solutions to challenges in the national health system.

The stakeholders involved in the Presidential Health Compact are integral to supporting the Department of Health in improving the health system.

It initially consisted of nine pillars with a 10th pillar added during last year’s summit. 

These include development of human resources; improving access to medicine, vaccines and health products; upgrading infrastructure; private sector engagement; quality healthcare; public sector financial management improvements; governance and leadership; community engagements; information systems and pandemic preparedness.

The signing of the second Presidential Health Compact will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 15 August 2024 
Time: 14h30 (Media to arrive at 13h00) 
Venue: Union Buildings Courtyard, West Wing, Pretoria
 
Members of the media wishing to cover the event are asked to send their details to  Makungu Mbetse on makungu@presidency.gov.za and copy Patience Mtshali on patience@presidency.gov.za not later than today, Tuesday, 13 August 2024 at 17h00.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Directors, 
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie,
Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul
Executive Mayor of the Namakwa District Municipality, Cllr Mervin Cloete,
Members of Parliament,
MECs and MPLs,
Representatives of political parties,
Religious, traditional and community leaders,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Fellow South Africans, 

Goeie môre. Molweni. Sanibonani. Dumelang. Lotjhani. Avuxeni. Ndi Matsheloni. 

Good Morning. 

Today, I greet all the women of South Africa as your President. 

I greet you also as a son born of a woman, as a brother to a sister, as a husband and as a father of daughters. 

On this Women’s Day, I pay tribute to South Africa’s women.

They are the pillars of our communities. The anchor of the family. The backbone of our nation. Abafazi. Imbokodo. 

Today we stand on the shoulders of giants. The wise, caring, loving, selfless women who raised us, who nurtured us and who led our country to freedom. 

It is my honour to be here in Pofadder in the Khâi-Ma Local Municipality. 

The Northern Cape is the birthplace of many women heroes of the liberation struggle. People like Mama Frances Baard, Mittah Seperepere, Tina Joemat-Pettersson and others. 

The Namakwa District is known for its rich cultural history. It is home to the Nama people. This province is the home of our living legend Mama Katrina Esau, who is fighting to preserve the language and culture of the San people. 

Today we remember all the women of this province and from across South Africa who have played their part in building our country. 

We salute their resilience and their dignity.

Each year on Women’s Day, we commemorate the historic march of more than 20,000 women to the Union Buildings on the 9th of August 1956 to protest against the extension of pass laws to women. 

On that day, those courageous women, from across our country, stood in silence for 30 minutes. And then they sang:

Wathint’abafazi
Wathint’imbokodo, 
Uza kufa! 

[When] you strike the women, 
You strike a rock
You will be crushed! 

In the many years since then, this song has come to represent women’s courage and strength. 

Today, as we celebrate 30 years of freedom and democracy, we should take stock.

We should reflect on how far we have come. And we should deliberate on the challenges that stand in the way of the emancipation of South Africa’s women.

To move forward, we must understand our past.

South Africa remains a highly unequal country.

Poverty still has the face of a black woman.

Black women are more likely to be unemployed, to be poor and to be unskilled. 

Cultural norms and practices – many of these the product of colonialism and apartheid – continue to hold women back. 

Apartheid broke up families. Men were recruited as migrant labourers, leaving women and children behind to fend for themselves.

Young girls were brought up for marriage. They did not go to school. They were confined to the home.

Over 30 years, through the struggles of women, we have done much to improve the status and circumstance of South African women.

We have built on the struggles of many decades.

This year marks 70 years since the historic Women’s Charter was adopted.

It is 30 years since the adoption of the Women’s Charter for Effective Equality.

These charters continue to guide our efforts.

As the Women’s Charter demands, women now have the right to vote.

They have the right to equal work for equal pay.

They have the right to equality before the law.

And we have made great progress in providing for the protection of mother and child.

As the Women’s Charter demands, we have worked to provide proper homes for all. But much is still to be done.

We have, to use the words of the Charter, worked to provide “water, light, transport, sanitation, and other amenities of modern civilisation”.

Women in South Africa enjoy rights and freedoms under our Constitution. They benefit from progressive legislation.

Women today are significantly represented in Parliament, in government and in the judiciary.

Thanks to our affirmative action policies, there are today more women in important positions in the workforce. But more still needs to be done, especially in the private sector.
 
Women in South Africa enjoy the right to quality healthcare, including reproductive health care. 

Millions of South African women are supported every month with social grants to enable them to care for their families and support their children. 

South Africa has one of the highest rates of female literacy in our region. 

There is parity between girls and boys in primary school enrolment. 

Female learners achieve more bachelors passes. Young women make up the majority of students in higher education institutions. 

We have prioritised women and youth in our public employment programmes. 

Around 66 percent of participants in the Presidential Employment Stimulus are women.

Yet, we still have much further to go.

As the Government of National Unity, we are united across the political spectrum by our common commitment to improve the lives of South African women. 

To grow our economy and accelerate development, women must take their rightful place as active participants in the economy. 

Women must be business owners, producers, employers and employees.

To support this effort, in 2021 we launched the Women’s Economic Assembly.

The Assembly aims to secure procurement opportunities for women-owned businesses in different industries.

Through the Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme approximately 8,000 women have been trained to establish and manage businesses.

With funding from government and development finance institutions, we are increasing the support provided to women-owned enterprises.

We are working to ensure more women can own land, especially in rural areas. 

This is so that they can farm and have assets they can use to build and grow businesses.

We are driving initiatives to improve the health outcomes of South African women. 

This is part of our commitment as the chair of the Global Leaders Network for Women, Children and Adolescent Health.

Fellow South Africans,

As we celebrate the gains made during the 30 years of freedom and democracy, our country is deeply traumatised by violence against women and children. 

This violence is a betrayal of our Constitution. It is an affront to our common humanity.

In recent years, we have worked together to fight gender-based violence and femicide.

Guided by our National Strategic Plan, we have introduced new laws that protect survivors of gender-based violence, improve the response of the police, and ensure harsher sentences for perpetrators.

We have opened additional Sexual Offences Courts. We have expanded our network of Thuthuzela Care Centres. 

We have introduced more victim-friendly services at police stations across the country. 

We have just recently passed legislation for the establishment of a Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Council to mobilise and coordinate work across society. 

The Human Sciences Research Council has just completed the first-ever national survey on GBV prevalence in a democratic South Africa.

The results of this ground-breaking survey will help guide our response to gender-based violence. 

The study was undertaken in 2022 based on a random sample of people interviewed at home. 

It measured issues like physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse, as well as controlling behaviour between intimate partners.

The detailed results of the survey will be released in the coming weeks. 

Among other things, the survey found that around 7 percent of women aged 18 years and older had experienced physical or sexual violence in the past 12 months.

This rate was highest among young women, black women, women who completed secondary education, and women who are unmarried but live with a partner. 

Seven percent may not sound like a lot.

But this figure is the equivalent of 1.5 million women.

So, according to the HSRC survey, over the course of just one year, more than one and a half million women experienced physical or sexual violence in our country.

That is more than the entire population of the Northern Cape.

These are not statistics. These are human beings.

These are women who have endured a trauma that no person should have to experience.

The survey highlights that physical violence starts early, often affecting adolescent girls and young women, and continues through adulthood. 

Around 13 percent of women who had ever been in an intimate relationship reported that they had experienced economic abuse at the hands of their partner.

This is why we need to address the massive inequality in income between men and women. 

On average, women earn a quarter of their income from grants, compared to a far lower percentage for men. 

We must therefore create more jobs and other economic opportunities for women. So they are less vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. 

Significantly, 4 percent of men in the survey reported having perpetrated physical violence against a women in the preceding 12 months. 

This translates to over 600,000 men.

This makes clear what we all know.

Men must change their behaviour. Men must change their attitudes.

That is why we today we call on all South African men to make a pledge to be part of the solution. To take responsibility for their actions. 

To never raise a hand against a women.

To treat women as equals. To respect their rights and to treat them with dignity.

If we are to end gender-based violence, we must work together as a society.

We must work together, both men and women, both young and old.

Fellow South Africans, 

When we call South African women ‘imbokodo’, we use the term they chose to describe themselves. 

The face of poverty in South Africa may be that of a woman.

But it is also the face of resilience. Of determination. Of achievement.

The current generation of imbokodo have been clear. They have said nothing about women without women.

The blood, sweat and tears of South African women secured our freedom.

And it is their labour, their toil and their sacrifice that is building our nation.

They are fighting not just for themselves. 

They are fighting for the dignity, the rights and the wellbeing of us all.

As our mothers, our grandmothers, our great-grandmothers, our aunts, our sisters and our daughters, you are our heroes. We offer you our tribute. 

We thank you for all you are doing to build our country. 

I wish all women and all South Africans a blessed Women’s Day. 

I thank you.
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Thursday, 08 August 2024 concluded his working visit to the Republic of Angola.

President Ramaphosa was in Luanda, Angola on a one day working visit as a guest of his counterpart President João Lourenço.

The visit covered three key areas of mutual interest which are namely, the strengthening of the bilateral relationship between South Africa and Angola, sharing perspectives on recent developments in South Africa's political landscape that led to the successful formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU), and reflecting on the security situation in the Great Lakes Region, particularly the developments in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

On the recent political developments in South Africa and the formation of the GNU, President Ramaphosa said,  “Angola continues to be interested in  South Africa's political developments just as we are interested in how Angola is progressing because we are two sister countries that continue to share a wonderful relationship”.

On the consolidation of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, President Ramaphosa said the discussions focused on the enhancement of economic and investment ties.  

President Ramaphosa utilised the occasion to extend a State visit invitation to President Lourenço, for which President Lourenço accepted. 

The State visit will affirm the strong and special bond between the two nations.

The two leaders further reflected on the security situation in the Great Lakes Region. President Ramaphosa applauded President Lourenço for his effort in working for peace in the DRC and for achieving a ceasefire between the DRC and the Republic of Rwanda.

The ceasefire agreement between the DRC and Rwanda was recently facilitated by Angola. 

The signing by the respective foreign ministers,  was facilitated by President Lourenço as the mediator of the Luanda Process. Angola will continue to monitor its implementation.

Both South Africa and Angola are signatories to the 2013 Framework Agreement for Peace, Security, and Cooperation in the DRC and the Region, along with several other countries.

The two leaders also committed to continue working together and alongside other leaders in the region to ensure that the ceasefire becomes permanent.

President Ramaphosa was supported by Minister Ronald Lamola of International Relations and Cooperation and Minister Angie Motshekga of Defence.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Cllr Johannes Meno Roman, Mayor of Gamagara Local Municipality Andre Roux , Senior General Manager
Katlego Lebese, Acting Assistant General Manager
Phumzile Mkhize, Sishen Mine Steering Committee Sponsor Kutlwano Takadi, Kumba WiM Lead
Union Leadership
Zonke Ntshangase, Rika Cloete and Tracey Vollmer, Women in Mining Organisers
Program Directors, Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an immense honour to stand before you today at the Sishen Women in Mining Women’s Day Indaba. Today, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of women in

the mining sector, recognizing your resilience, strength, and transformative impact on our society.
 
Allow me to extend my gratitude to the organizers of this significant event and to each one of you for your presence and commitment to advancing the role of women in mining. A special recognition goes to the women miners who, through their dedication and hard work, have not only excelled in their profession but also paved the way for future generations.
 
Women's Day is a moment to reflect on the strides we have made towards gender equality. It is also a time to acknowledge the challenges that persist. It is a day to celebrate the achievements of women across various sectors, including mining, which has historically been male-dominated.
 
Women have been an integral part of the mining industry, contributing significantly to its growth and development. Despite facing numerous barriers, they have proven that with equal opportunities, women can excel and lead in any field. Today, we honor you as trailblazers and reaffirm our commitment to creating an inclusive environment where women can thrive.
 
The journey for women in mining has not been easy. They face challenges such as gender discrimination, unequal pay, limited career advancement opportunities, lack of supportive policies and a gender sensitive work environment. These barriers not only hinder our professional growth but also impact the overall productivity and innovation within the sector.
 
It is important to mention that a lot of progress have been made, but a lot more work needs to be done as obstacles are still in the way of women of our country. The democratic constitution removed legal barriers that were designed to stop women from participating in the economy, and mining in particular such as the South African Minerals Act of 1991 prohibited women from working underground.
 
Since then, new regulations, policies and guidelines governing the sector have actively encouraged the employment of women in the mining industry under the democratic

government. It must however be noted that too few women are still in the mining sector as women only account for just over 12% in the sector.
 
It is critical that women in mining respond to the clarion call made by Charlote Maxeke, when she said, “This work is not for yourselves. Kill that spirit of self and do not live above your people but live with them and if you can rise, bring someone with you.”
 
Working with all social partners, we must increase the tempo to demand participation of more women in the economy and in mining.
 
The South African government has been steadfast in its efforts to promote gender equality and empower women.
 
Through the Mining Charter we have worked to transform the mining industry by promoting equitable access to the sector and increasing the representation of historically disadvantaged South Africans, including women.
 
To unlock further potential of women in mining we need to unlock growth in the sector.
 
South Africa has an exceptional endowment of metals and minerals. The world’s largest reserves of platinum group metals and manganese and the second and third largest reserves of chrome and gold respectively are in South Africa.
 
Mining is essential for the South African economy, contributing about 6.2 per cent of GDP in 2023 down from 7.3% in 2022. Mining still constitutes a significant share, around 60 per cent, of total merchandise exports. In addition, South African miner’s employs around 458 000 individuals, which is an important contributor towards overall employment.
 
Unlocking growth in the sector will require speed by implementing governments’ structural reform programme by clearing the estimated backlog of 4 500 outstanding mining and prospecting licenses valued at up to R100bn.

A backlog in applications creates regulatory uncertainty, lowers competitiveness, and makes South Africa less investor-friendly compared to comparable countries.
 
Our share of global exploration spending has dropped to below 1 per cent from a peak of 5 per cent in 2003, and it has remained below 1 per cent for more than a decade.
 
A successful mining sector requires an efficient, well run and competitive rail and port sector.
 
Fellow Compatriots,
 
Through Operation Vulindlela and the intervention of the National Logistics Crisis Committee, we are working hard to improve the performance of Transnet and ensure our structural reform commitments are implemented by introducing competition on the freight rail network and across our ports.
 
To successfully implement our Women in Mining Strategy and enhance the participation of women in the mining sector we must grow the sector by removing regulatory certainty.
 
In collaboration with mining companies and educational institutions, we have worked in establishing various skills development and training programs to empower women in mining. These programs focus on providing technical and leadership training to women, helping them to acquire the skills needed to succeed in the industry.
 
We will continue to introduce measures to support women-owned mining enterprises through access to finance, technical assistance, and market opportunities. We must assist women entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses in the mining sector.
 
Specific regulations have been put in place to address the unique health and safety needs of women in mining. These regulations ensure that women have access to safe and conducive working conditions, which is critical for their well-being and productivity.

Importantly, our continued collaboration with industry bodies such as the Minerals Council South Africa must promote gender diversity in mining.
 
I am pleased that we are beginning to see the fruits of our hard work.
 
Anglo American’s Women in Mining Program, for instance focuses on increasing the representation of women in technical and leadership roles within the company.
 
The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) Training Programs offers bursaries and training programs specifically targeted at women, helping them to gain the necessary qualifications and skills for careers in mining.
 
Ladies and gentlemen,
 
Promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women must be mainstreamed. It is not a favour to women. It is the right thing to do because investing in women accelerates progress as today’s theme so accurately reflects.
 
Studies have shown that gender equality in the workforce can significantly boost a country's GDP. For instance, the McKinsey Global Institute estimated that advancing women's equality could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025.
 
Women entrepreneurs often reinvest up to 90% of their income back into their families and communities, compared to 30-40% for men. This reinvestment can lead to improved education, health, and overall economic stability.
 
Companies with higher gender diversity in leadership roles tend to perform better financially. A study by Credit Suisse found that companies with women making up at least 15% of senior management were 50% more profitable, as compared to those with fewer women.
 
Diverse teams are more innovative. Women bring different perspectives and problem- solving approaches, which can lead to more creative solutions and better business outcomes.

Women are often at the forefront of sustainable practices, especially in agriculture. Empowering women in this sector can lead to more sustainable and efficient farming practices, which are crucial for food security and environmental conservation which we are all dependent on as a people.
 
Women in leadership positions are more likely to advocate for policies that benefit families and communities, such as healthcare, education, and social services.
 
Research has shown that gender equality is associated with peace and stability. Countries with higher levels of gender equality are less likely to experience conflict and more likely to maintain peace.
 
When women are empowered, the fight against gender-based violence is one we’re able to tackle. Gatherings such as these, can foster dialogues which assist with social cohesion.
 
Program Director,
 
Achieving gender equality in mining requires a collaborative effort. Together with industry leaders, trade unions and civil society we must continue to work together to dismantle the systemic barriers that women face. By fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, we can create a mining industry that is not only inclusive but also innovative and sustainable.
 
 
Today, we also celebrate the success stories of women who have broken barriers and achieved remarkable milestones in mining. Their stories are a testament to what can be achieved when women are given the opportunity to lead. These role models inspire and remind us of the importance of perseverance and resilience.
 
 
As we celebrate Women’s Day, let us renew our commitment to advancing gender equality in the mining sector. Let us strive to create an environment where every woman feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach her full potential. Together, we can build a mining industry that is not only sustainable and prosperous but also equitable and just.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the women in mining for their unwavering dedication and contributions. Your hard work and determination are paving the way for a brighter future. Let us continue to support and uplift one another as we work towards a more inclusive and equitable mining sector.
 
I thank you, and happy Women’s Day to all.
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday, 9 August 2024, officiate the National Women’s Day Commemoration hosted by the Khâi-Ma Municipality at Pofadder in Namakwa District of the Northern Cape.

The President will address the national commemoration of Women's Day under the theme "Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom Towards Women’s Development" at the Denis Nel Stadium in Pofadder.

The national event marks 68 years to the day since 20 000 women of diverse backgrounds from across South Africa marched to the Union Buildings to protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.

During 30 years of democracy, South Africa has made significant strides in advancing gender equality in all domains of society, including economic empowerment of women.

The Women's Charter advances women’s economic programmes through targeted reforms that drive equality. 

Women’s Day 2024 is the first national day led by the Government of National Unity and takes place in a rural community as part of including all South Africans in national events and placing a focus on the achievements and needs of women in all corners of the country.

President Ramaphosa will ahead of leading the commemoration at the Denis Nel Stadium tour a services-on-wheels exhibition of government services that will be provided to citizens attending the national day, as well as a trade expo featuring, small medium and micro enterprises led by women entrepreneurs in the Northern Cape Province. 

Details of the National Women's Day Commemoration are:
Date: Friday, 09 August 2024
Time: 10:00
Venue: Dennis Nel Stadium,Poffader, Northern Cape

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria