Chair of the African Union, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani,
African Union Commission Chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat,
Fellow Heads of State,

The threat of potential pandemics looms large. Scientists have predicted that climate change will likely increase the frequency of outbreaks of pandemic potential. 

When the Mpox epidemic began spreading across several African countries, our CDC Director General convened a meeting of African scientists and international experts.

They advised him to exercise his new authority to declare Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security. This is a decision we strongly supported. 

Subsequently, the World Health Organization, realising the global threat of Mpox, has declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. 

We commend the fact that Africa CDC had partnered with the WHO, UNICEF and other partners to develop this Mpox continental preparedness and response plan and to build, for the first time in Africa, one Continental Incident Management Team. 

The outbreak of Mpox is a reminder of the fragility of our health systems and the urgent need for a multi-faceted approach to disease control in Africa. 

It is a reminder that our collective strength lies in collaboration, innovation and a commitment to safeguarding the health of our communities.

It is pleasing that the WHO interim Medical Countermeasures Network has established the access and allocation mechanism for Mpox medical countermeasures. These include vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tests. 

The interim Medical Countermeasures Network emanated from the Johannesburg Process. 

We remain committed to this process until the Pandemic Accord is in force.

As we tackle Mpox, we need to learn from our experience during COVID-19. 

We need to ensure equitable distribution of medical countermeasures based on transparent criteria and readiness to initiate vaccination. 

We ask Africa CDC to lead the consultation with Member States to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines and other medical countermeasures.

We need a finance plan that is evidence-based, with sound forecasting of needs. 

The Africa CDC's mandate on data sharing is the bedrock of global health security.

This will help to ensure that public health threats are detected and shared across borders and with other continental and global stakeholders. 

We are only able to effectively mobilise and direct funds if we are supported by reliable data. 

We call on all African countries to make use of this instrumental system that has been created by our own institution.

We call for the urgent operationalisation of the Africa Epidemic Fund as the primary vehicle for epidemic response financial management.

As with COVID-19, Africa is still struggling to get the Mpox vaccine and treatment. 

We need to manufacture Mpox vaccines in Africa to reduce costs and improve access. 

We must co-develop these medical countermeasures, share intellectual property and ensure technology transfer. 

In this regard, we welcome the agreement between Africa CDC and Bavarian Nordic to transfer the Mpox vaccine technology to African manufacturers. 

With the financial support from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness, the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, Afreximbank, the European Union and other partners, we should be able to start vaccine manufacturing by 2025.

In the meantime, we appreciate the support from a number of countries to get vaccines in Africa.

The COVID-19 experience taught us that we need predictable demand and off-take guarantees for the vaccines, medicines and diagnostics manufactured in Africa. 

African countries should therefore buy vaccines and other health products manufactured in Africa to ensure sustainable manufacturing on our continent. 

This can be achieved through the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism.

We must enhance our surveillance systems and strengthen our healthcare delivery and infrastructure.

We must ensure that frontline health workers have the necessary diagnostic tools, vaccines and antiviral treatments.

We need tested public health messages that promote awareness and prevention.

Beyond the targeted vaccination responses to outbreaks, we should explore the feasibility of continuing vaccinations in high-risk populations.

This dual approach will help create a buffer against future outbreaks and protect our most vulnerable communities.

We call on those regions that still sit with strategic stockpiles of vaccines to deploy them to Africa as the most affected area. 

African countries should have adequate regulatory mechanisms, internal distribution, and vaccination capabilities. 

In conclusion, we stand at a critical juncture in our fight against Mpox. 

We remain committed to enhancing our surveillance systems and implementing effective response strategies to control this disease and protect our communities.

We must act now to respond effectively to current outbreaks. We must also continue to build a resilient public health infrastructure that safeguards future generations.

Let us move forward with determination and hope.

I thank you.
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the South African delegation to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Debate and High-Level Week (UNGA79) in New York from 21-24 September 2024.

This annual gathering of world leaders is the most important event on the UN calendar, with Heads of State and Government and Heads of International Organisations discussing global challenges and how to address these challenges in the best interest of humanity. 

This year, the African Group presides over the General Assembly, with Mr Philemon Yang, former Prime Minister of Cameroon, elected as President of the 79th Session.

The theme identified by the President of UNGA79 is, "Unity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone everywhere.” 

President Ramaphosa is expected to address the General Assembly on the opening day, Tuesday, 24 September 2024.

Among the issues on which President Ramaphosa will focus on during his engagements in New York include the necessity for the maintenance of international peace and security; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda; climate change and the upcoming COP29 in Baku; financing for development, and health and pandemic preparedness.

President Ramaphosa will take part in the United Nations Secretary-General’s flagship High-Level Summit of the Future (SoTF) on 22 September 2024, which, at its conclusion, is expected to adopt a Pact for the Future (PFTF).

While in New York, President Ramaphosa will also engage business leaders as part of the drive to attract foreign direct investment for South Africa.

Ministers accompanying the President include Mr Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Ms Maropene Ramokgopa, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health; Dr Dion George, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and Mr Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director, 
My dear sister, Vanitha, 
Dearest Anisha and Priyesha and the extended Gordhan family,
Acting Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo,
Leadership of the South African National Defence Force and the South African Police Service,
Leadership of the African National Congress,
Leadership of the South African Communist Party, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the broader democratic movement,
Religious and community leaders,
Comrades and friends, 

The poet Rabindranath Tagore said: 

‘We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.’ 

Today we bid farewell to a humble servant of the people, Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan. 

For all his achievements, despite his immense contribution to this country, Pravin was at all times a humble human being and activist. 

It was his humility as a person and as a leader that made him great.

It was his unwavering belief that a political activist must serve no other cause than the cause of freedom that made PG exceptional. 

It is that which makes great all true servant leaders. 

Leaders who accept the responsibility to lead with humility, commitment and courage. They are leaders who also submit themselves to being led. 

These are leaders who speak up when they must, but who also listen to the voices of our people attentively. 

These are Leaders who are magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat. 

Such leaders are people who stand up for what is right even at great personal cost to themselves. 

Pravin Gordhan joined the struggle at a young age.

He became active in the Natal Indian Congress and the South African Communist Party.

The origins of his activism, in student and civic politics, was to define his political perspective and attitude.

Even as a Member of Parliament, even as a Minister, at his essence PG remained a grassroots activist.

He was one of those rare people who knew the cost of struggle.

His activism earned him arrests, beatings and detention. 

He knew the perils of underground work. 

As an operative of Operation Vula, he was interrogated, tortured and thrown into solitary confinement.

Yet, whenever called upon, he stepped forward to serve.

Pravin Gordhan is remembered as a key figure in the formation of the United Democratic Front.

He is remembered as a leader in the South African Communist Party and the African National Congress, his political home. 

Pravin became known as a seasoned negotiator and astute tactician. 

He played an important role in our country’s peaceful transition to democracy.

He was one of the architects of our democratic constitution. 

As a pharmacist, as a dedicated revolutionary, he may not have seemed the best choice to lead the South African Revenue Service.

Yet, his intelligence, his enterprise and his diligence made him the perfect person to build one of the most important and effective institutions of our young democracy. 

It was these attributes that made him the right person to be appointed Minister of Finance at a time of great difficulty for the South African and the global economy.

In every task that he was given, in every portfolio he occupied, he was methodical and industrious.

He understood the value of the work he was given.

He understood that efficient revenue collection was essential for the fundamental transformation of our society.

He understood that careful management of public finances was vital for the education of our children and the health of our population.

He knew that if the lives of the poor were ever to be improved, municipalities needed to work – and to work well.

He knew that if unemployed South Africans were to find work, the country’s trains needed to run and its ports needed to function.

He knew that its power stations needed to produce enough electricity to drive a thriving economy.

Always an activist, he did the work that needed to be done.

And as an activist, he stood firm on principle.

During one of the most painful chapters in our democratic history, as the state was being looted by the powerful and connected, he chose to resist.

Using all means at his disposal, he worked to thwart the capture of the state.

Drawing on his substantial moral stature, he refused to be silenced.

He was prepared to confront those who had once been his comrades, whom he had once looked up to as his leaders, but who had abandoned the cause of the people.

As many others looked away, his revolutionary consciousness demanded no less of him than that he speak out.

For him, it was no different to when he joined the struggle against apartheid.

It was a choice between what was right and what was wrong.

It was a choice between standing with the people or standing against the people.

There was never any doubt where Pravin Gordhan would stand.

What gave him strength and encouragement was that he was not alone.

Among his comrades, among activists, among civic leaders, among public servants, among broader society, was a growing movement against state capture.

In ways that history has yet to fully record, he played a pivotal role in giving form and effect to that movement.

This earned him the ire of the enablers of state capture.

It earned him the wrath of those more interested in political expediency than in undoing the great damage that state capture had done. 

Pravin endured vicious personal attacks. 

They were dishonest, condescending and patronising. 

Many were racist, directed at one of the country’s foremost champions of non-racialism

These attacks did nothing to diminish Pravin’s standing among South Africans.

Instead, they exposed the moral bankruptcy of those who chose to target him and his family.

It was shameful then, and it remains shameful now. 

Let it never be that in the robust festival of ideas and vibrant public space that is a hallmark of our democratic order, we stoop to slander and invective. 

Let it never be that in trying to portray ourselves as the liberators that we come to sound like the oppressor. 

It takes a person of true mettle to withstand such an onslaught. 

Pravin Gordhan was such a person. 

I had the privilege of working alongside him for many years – during the struggle against apartheid, at Codesa and in the Constitutional Assembly, in the ANC and in government. 

I will remember him fondly for his collaborative spirit.

I will remember him for his tact, especially when we disagreed. 

I will remember him standing firm on principle.

I will miss his incisive contributions in Cabinet and other meetings.

I will miss our many discussions over many hours, and the telephone conversations late into the night. 

I valued his frankness and forthrightness.

I respected his opinions. And I appreciate that he always afforded me the same courtesy. 

He was my comrade and my colleague, but he was also a friend. 

There are a great many lessons we can draw from his life and from his political activism. 

The most fitting tribute we can pay to him is to reflect on our own actions. 

To consider what we can and should each do to serve our country. 

To reflect on what it means to be an activist. 

To consider if we are prepared to weather the great storms that so often confront acts of courage and integrity.

These are the issues upon which we must indeed all reflect as we bid farewell to this great son of the soil. 

It is in times of difficulty that moral courage is valued most.

It is at times of renewal and rebuilding that activism is most needed

As we strive to rebuild our country, as the Government of National Unity, we will rely on men and women of integrity, honour and courage to support us, to hold us to account, and to help shepherd in a new era for South Africa and its people. 

Pravin Gordhan’s spear has fallen. Let us together pick it up. 

To the Gordhan family, the nation shares in your sorrow at the loss of a husband, a father and a brother. 

It is not lost on any of us that his dedication to our country demanded great personal sacrifice from you. 

To the friends and compatriots of our departed comrade, be comforted in the knowledge that his legacy continues to guide our every effort to build a free, just and equal South Africa. 

I leave you with these words, once more from Rabindranath Tagore. 

“Give me the strength lightly to bear my joys and sorrows.
Give me the strength to make my love fruitful in service.
Give me the strength never to disown the poor or bend my knees before insolent might.
Give me the strength to raise my mind high above daily trifles.
And give me the strength to surrender my strength to thy will with love.” 

Comrade Pravin, you were all of these things. 

Yours was a life fruitful in service. 

You bore your sorrows with strength. 

You stood for the poor and never disowned them. 

You would not bend your knee before injustice. 

You would not bend your knee before those who were stealing from the poor.

Where many tried to bring you low with their insults, your feet remained firmly on the high ground. 

And now you have surrendered your strength to the will of the Creator. 

You were a much admired, much respected and much loved comrade, colleague, leader and friend. 

Hamba kahle, Mkhonto. 

Om Shanti, Om Shanti, Om Shanti. 

Rest in peace, good and faithful servant of the people. 

I thank you.

Deputy President Shipokosa Paul Mashatile has today written to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Refilwe Maria Tsipane MP, to request a postponement of the session for oral reply to questions that was scheduled for tomorrow, 19 September 2024. The Chairperson has kindly acceded to the Deptuty President’s request.

In line with questions from the NCOP, Deputy President Mashatile was due to brief the Council on the 7th Administration’s plans to improve the performance of municipalities and accelerate service delivery challenges in some municipalities.

The Deputy President’s request was occasioned by two considerations:

· The passing of former minister and stalwart Dr Pravin Gordhan, earlier this week. The funeral of the former minister will be in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday, and the Deputy President thought it prudent to allow members and former colleagues of the minister the opportunity to fully pay their respects and to show their support to the Gordhan family at this difficult time.

· In addition, the Deputy President has been advised by his medical team to take a week off his official duties rest and recuperate following the medical incident over the weekend in Tzaneen, Limpopo. While the Deputy President is no longer in any danger and is in high spirits, he is following the medical team’s advice and has withdrawn from scheduled official duties for the current week.

The Deputy President, as he has demonstrated since his appointment to office during the 6th Administration, takes parliamentary oversight extremely seriously and has worked tirelessly during his time in office to boost the national executive’s accountability to the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. As such, the he will work closely with the NCOP Chairperson to find a suitable date for the rescheduling of the session as soon as possible.

The Deputy President looks forward to having an opportunity to apprise Parliament of the Government of National Unity’s efforts to improve municipal governance and service delivery, accelerate the process of land reform and boost South Africa’s agricultural output and food security, as well as the imminent rollout of plans to fight crime and deal with the emergent scourge of criminal extortion and other forms of economic sabotage.

The Office of the Deputy President and the NCOP will communicate the alternative arrangements for the postponed session as soon as they are agreed and finalised.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson, on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the statement by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan extending the country's transitional period by another two years. This effectively postpones the national elections initially due to take place on 22 December 2024. 

According to the announcement, the postponement is intended to provide time and space for the implementation of the remaining provisions of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement to the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

President Ramaphosa commends the Parties to the R-ARCSS for arriving at the decision by consensus, which bodes well for the implementation of the remainder of the provisions of the  R-ARCSS.

To this end, President Ramaphosa calls on South Sudanese Parties and the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to spare no effort in implementing the outstanding provisions of the R-ARCSS and to maintain the peaceful atmosphere that has existed since September 2018. 

President Ramaphosa further calls on the RTGoNU to allocate the necessary resources for the effective functioning of statutory institutions mandated to deliver free and fair elections.

President Ramaphosa similarly calls on the East African bloc and the wider international community to continue to support the Government and people of South Sudan in their search for lasting peace and democracy.  

For its part, South Africa will continue to support South Sudan to realise the ideals for peace, democracy and development. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa today, Tuesday 17 September 2024, met with the leadership of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) to discuss matters related to the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act.

The meeting, which included the Minister and Deputy Minister of Health as well as senior officials of the department, was constructive and forward-looking.Business and government expressed a shared commitment to the underlying objectives of the NHI, namely to achieve universal health coverage for all South Africans and address inequality in the health system.

The President has requested BUSA to put forward specific proposals on the remaining issues of concern as a basis for further engagement. Government remains committed to engaging with all stakeholders in good faith on the process of healthcare reform, and to finding workable solutions that will advance quality and affordable healthcare for all.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za 
 
Issued by: The Presidency 
Pretoria