Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi Seatlholo: Rapulana!
Deputy Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Nkosi Langa Mavuso: Ah! Zwelidumile
Your Majesties, Kings and Queens,
Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane,
Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza,
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Premiers,
Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Provincial Houses of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders,
The President and Deputy Presidents of Contralesa and Rolesa,
Chairperson of the National Khoi-San Council, Mr Cecil le Fleur,
Members of the Commission on Khoi-San Matters,
Leaders of political parties,
Representatives of Chapter 9 Institutions,
Directors-General and officials,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
 
It is an honour and a privilege to address the first opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders under the Government of National Unity. 
 
As traditional leaders – izingonyama zethu – you owe your positions to your bloodline. 
 
You are representatives of your forebears and leaders of your people. 
 
History has assigned you your positions and responsibilities. 
 
You are vital to the progress of our country and the development of its people.
 
Traditional leaders support the administration of many of our rural and peri-urban communities. 
 
These are communities that bear the brunt of poverty, inequality and underdevelopment.
 
They are increasingly bearing the brunt of the devastating impacts of climate change. 
 
The recent floods in parts of KwaZulu-Natal have led to loss of life, damage to farming land, and the destruction of property and infrastructure. 
 
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the affected communities. 
 
I want to use this opportunity to call on you as Amakhosi to work with the disaster management response teams in our provinces, and support the work that is being done to protect our rural communities against extreme weather. 
 
One of the ongoing campaigns by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs for example is to discourage people from building houses in low-lying areas and near major water sources. 
 
Let me take this opportunity to strongly condemn the rise in killings of traditional leaders. That is an affront to our nation. 
 
Already, this year, in Mpumalanga, Contralesa NEC member and Chairperson of the Ndzundza-Fene Traditional Council, Kosi Thugwana was assassinated at Tweefontein near KwaMhlanga.
 
Even one killing is one too many.
 
On behalf of government, I pass our deepest condolences to the families for the loss of their loved ones and to you for the loss of your colleagues. 
 
Be assured that our law enforcement agencies are working around the clock to ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crime are brought to book. 
 
As representatives of different communities, your voices should not and must not be silenced by criminals with hidden agendas. 
 
In the recent State of the Nation Address, I made a call for us to speak of the nation we want.
 
I said that we should speak of the work we must do – and the work we are doing – to build that nation.

As I did during the State of the Nation Address, I reiterate our commitment as government to work with traditional and Khoi-San leaders to build this nation.
 
Under your leadership and wisdom, we worked together to overcome apartheid, a crime against humanity. 
 
Together, we brought peace and democracy to our country.
 
As we prepare for the National Dialogue, in which South Africans are called upon to chart a new path for our country, we will rely on your guidance to rally our people towards a future of shared prosperity and inclusivity.
 
We seek a National Dialogue that involves all sections of society, all formations and all citizens. It must be a space where the voices of all South Africans are heard and where they can come together to forge a shared vision and a common programme of action.
 
This conversation must involve people living in rural areas. It must reach every corner of the country, every town, village, farm and homestead.
 
It will be important that traditional leaders and the communities they lead participate in the National Dialogue so that the process produces a plan that reflects the interests and aspirations of everyone.

The Medium Term Development Plan that we have adopted as the Government of National Unity intends to advance three strategic priorities: 
 
Firstly, to drive inclusive growth and job creation. 
 
Secondly, to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living. 
 
Thirdly, to build a capable, ethical and developmental state. 
 
We seek to be a nation at work, a nation driven by hope and a shared belief in our ability to thrive even in the face of adversity. 
 
This requires bold leadership and collaboration, especially with the institution of traditional and Khoi-San leadership. 
 
The democratic and traditional governance systems need to work in an integrated manner that ultimately serves the needs of the people.
 
To give effect to this commitment, we are undertaking an extensive consultation to review the White Paper on Local Government to outline a modern and fit-for-purpose local government system.

The Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is coordinating this process and is already putting mechanisms in place to ensure that Amakhosi participate in the review.
 
I have mandated the Deputy President to facilitate a dialogue with Amakhosi that will be a valuable platform for engagement in line with the founding purpose of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Traditional Leadership Matters. 
 
The Deputy President has formally communicated with the newly appointed convenors regarding their responsibilities as part of this collective to address matters of concern to the institution of traditional and Khoi-San leadership. 
 
Following the Constitutional Court ruling which declared the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act unconstitutional, concrete steps have been taken to ensure that a Bill can be reintroduced in Parliament.
 
The institution of traditional and Khoi-San leadership is urged to participate in the consultation processes that have ensued. 
 
The finalisation of this piece of legislation has particular significance for Khoi-San communities because for the first time in history it makes provision for the recognition of Khoi-San leaders and communities. 
 
As we affirm the role of traditional leadership, we need to restore the standing and integrity of our traditional cultural practices.
 
The deaths and injuries that result from customary initiation practices, especially in the Eastern Cape, remain a matter of serious concern. 
 
The Minister of COGTA has convened a series of focused engagements with Kings, selected Chapter 9 Institutions, senior traditional leaders, headmen and the Eastern Cape provincial government. 
 
These engagements should mobilise all the relevant stakeholders to work together to end initiation deaths.
 
Government has gazetted Customary Initiation Act regulations for public comment.
 
I have been advised that work towards the development of draft regulations on the fees charged in customary initiation schools is also at an advanced stage.
 
This is an important development if we are to address the commercialisation and abuse of customary initiation. 
 
We are also concerned about traditional leadership disputes. 
 
We should continue to invest in the development of genealogies and customary laws of succession.

I am pleased to note that the Department of Traditional Affairs has to date helped 16 royal families to develop their customary laws of succession. 
 
We call on Amakhosi to be more involved in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide. 
 
We appreciate the programmes that the House is implementing to fight this scourge. 
 
Amakhosi should not allow anyone to abuse women and children claiming that this is permissible in African culture. 
 
We know that such violence is not part of any culture.
 
Violence against women and children is not part of the nation we want to build.
 
Your Majesties,
 
In keeping with our culture of cooperation and the spirit of the Freedom Charter, adopted 70 years ago at the Congress of the People, we are committed to the vision of a country in which the land is shared among those who work it.

The passage into law of the Expropriation Act is part of our determination that the land issue will be addressed in our lifetime. 
 
Government is continuing with the work that we have previously discussed with the House regarding the important matter of communal land tenure. 
 
The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has completed its work on the Communal Land Tenure Bill and will now engage in public consultations. 
 
We are pleased that the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has announced the next intake of young people in the National Rural Youth Service Corps – or NARYSEC. 
 
This programme is an important part of the work underway to tackle youth unemployment and to foster development in rural areas. 
 
I encourage the House to work with government and encourage young people in traditional communities to take up this opportunity. 
 
We are a nation that is founded on meaningful dialogue and fruitful engagement. 
 
I am pleased that the Forum of South Africa’s Majesties has been launched, with His Majesty King Makhosonke II elected as the Chairperson.

We now have a platform to serve as an interface with Kings, Queens and Principal Traditional Leaders as a collective. 
 
I have been advised that steps have already been taken to similarly create a platform for our Queens and look forward to its establishment.
 
Government is working hard to support economic growth in rural communities, and one of ways in which we are doing this is through infrastructure development.
 
The Welisizwe Rural Bridges programme connects rural communities with each other and with vital facilities and services. 
 
Forty bridges have now been completed. 
 
Heritage tourism is an area of economic activity in our rural areas that has great potential, and which government is supporting. 
 
We therefore welcome the recognition of the Great Place of Mqhekezweni as a World Heritage Site. 
 
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has developed a concept document to guide the stakeholders in the process of identification, documentation and recognition of Great Places as heritage sites. 
 
It is critical that rural communities benefit more from our country’s natural wealth.
 
Having noted the concerns of Amakhosi about inadequate mining benefits to their communities, we have in our previous engagements encouraged partnerships between the House and the Ministry of Mineral Resources. 
 
As part of taking this forward, the House has engaged with the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and these engagements were followed by the House being invited to and participating in the recent Mining Indaba. 
 
Let us build on the networks established through the Indaba and continue to cement this relationship for the benefit of traditional communities.
 
This year, the meeting of the G20 group of countries will take place on African soil for the first time. 
 
We call on Amakhosi to harness this opportunity to showcase our diverse cultural traditions and natural splendour.
 
One of the most important instruments for growth and development in any country is the national budget.
 
Amakhosi would know that the presentation of the Budget Speech by the Minister of Finance was postponed last week. 
 
The decision to postpone the Budget Speech was to allow more time for discussion on areas in the budget on which there was not agreement.
 
This is the first time that the Government of National Unity – consisting of 10 different parties – has produced the national budget. It should be expected that there would be different views and approaches.
 
In the interests of consensus-building, we are undertaking further discussions so that we can arrive at a budget that everyone can have confidence in – a budget that promotes inclusive growth, supports job creation and that tackles poverty and inequality.
 
Even as we have many challenges, we know that through cooperation and partnership, we can build a better South Africa in which all enjoy equal opportunity and can lead lives of dignity.
 
As the Government of National Unity I once again call on Amakhosi to join hands with us as we embark on a new, glorious future for South Africa and its people.
 
Morena boloka setjhaba sa rona. May God bless our nation.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 26 February 2025, open the first meeting of Group of 20 (G20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under South Africa’s Presidency.

This engagement will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting is hosted by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana and Governor of the South African Reserve Bank Lesetja Kganyago under South Africa’s G20 Presidency theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability. 

The Finance Ministers meeting is preceded by the 2nd meeting of the Finance and Central Bank Deputies which took place on 24 and 25 February 2025. 

South Africa’s G20 Presidency commenced in December 2024, and the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ meeting is part of a series of 23 ministerial and approximately 130 working groups meetings that will take place during the course of 2025.

The year-long deliberations will culminate in a G20 Leaders Summit in November 2025.

The G20 was originally established as a meeting of Finance Ministers in response to the Asian financial crisis of 1997-99, with the aim of coordinating policies to promote international financial stability’.

This initiative was elevated to a Heads of State and Government Leaders Meeting in 2008 after the global financial crisis of 2007.

The first G20 Finance Meeting  and Central Bank Governors Meeting in South Africa  will focus on the thematic areas of Global Economy, Debt, Infrastructure, Joint Finance and Health Task Force, International Taxation, Finance sector Issues, and Sustainable Finance.

President Ramaphosa will address the opening of the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting as follows: 
Date: Wednesday, 26 February 2025 
Time: 08h00
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Serbia, to the Republic of South Africa, Mr Goran Gvozdenovic, thank you for having us here today: 
• To what I understand will be your final time hosting a National Day event in South Africa, as your tour of duty unfortunately reaches its conclusion. 
• I wish you all the best with your endeavours going forward. Please know that you have served your nation and people proud. 

Your Excellency, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps (if present), 
Excellencies, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Heads of International Organisations, 
Members of the Diplomatic Corps, 
Distinguished Guests, 
Ladies and Gentlemen. Good afternoon! 

I am honoured and happy that we got the opportunity to meet again with our Serbian hosts and colleagues and to stand before you today on behalf of the People and Government of South Africa; It is my distinct privilege to convey warm greetings and congratulations. This afternoon marks a significant occasion and milestone in the history of the Republic of Serbia as it celebrates Two hundred and Twenty-one (221) years of Statehood. There is no doubt in our minds that South Africa values her bilateral relations with Serbia and the Serbian people. 

Official diplomatic relations between South Africa and Serbia were established on 2 April 1992. Both countries share common interests and support in various multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. 

I would like to acknowledge that we need to work on enhancing exchange of high-level visit to strengthen political consultations and exchange views on various issues. The last high level meeting engagement between the respective Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation /Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa and Serbia took place in 2011, when Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane visited the Republic of Serbia to attend the 50th Anniversary of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) Conference in Belgrade. It was during this visit that Minister Nkoana-Mashabane met with the Serbian Foreign Minister, Mr Vuk Jeremić, on the side-lines of the Conference. In 2012, Ministers Nkoana-Mashabane and Minister Jeremić met on two separate occasions on the sidelines of multilateral conferences (January 2012 at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa and May 2012 at a NAM meeting in Egypt). 

This was followed by the visit of the Deputy Minister of DIRCO, Mr Alvin Botes, who met with the Serbian Foreign Minister, at that time Mr Nikola Selaković, during a Business Forum Meeting in Belgrade as part of the 60th NAM Anniversary Meeting in October 2021. 

I must commend, Your Excellency, Charge d’Affaires, Mr Goran Gvozdenovic with the efforts to strengthening these relations and continuing to identify areas for cooperation between South Africa and Serbia. We are aware that of the challenges posed to both of our countries, both internally and externally and we appreciate your concerted effort in bettering our relations. 

Nonetheless, we remain steadfast in our commitment to strengthen our relations by exploring different opportunities and avenues of engagements even through virtual means. Through these engagements we hope to broaden the conversation to include the business sector to expand the economic relations and opportunities for both countries mutual benefit.

Your Excellency, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Serbia regularly makes scholarships available for South African students to study at its tertiary institutions through its NAM World in Serbia Project. For the academic year 2024/25, South Africa (through the DHET) was again invited to nominate candidates for the World in Serbia Scholarships. 

For the year 2024/2025, Five (5) students were nominated of which Three (3) were successfully awarded the scholarship and will commence their studies in March 2025, with their compulsory Serbian language training programme which they recently successfully completed. 

This relationship has grown in leaps and bounds since the first students that have been accepted into this programme. 

As His Excellency, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa recently highlighted in his State of the Nation Address, there was a reason to celebrate—South Africa recorded its highest matric pass rate of 87%, and the government is stepping up efforts to improve early childhood learning, TVET colleges, and university access. That means more funding for students, better skills training, and hopefully, a smoother transition from school to employment. Hence these scholarships are invaluable for South Africa. 

This engagement therefore could not have come at a better time. As South African officials we have a huge responsibility on our shoulders, that of addressing South Africa’s economic growth in order to address the current socio-economic challenges facing our government and the people of South Africa, such as high youth unemployment rate and poverty. Through interactions of this nature and others, by increasing our bilateral relations and we are seeking mutual inclusive creative solutions to some of the challenges we face. 

We look forward explore other sectors of cooperation that will contribute to both our economies, including the tourism, and agriculture. We would therefore like to see the outstanding legal instruments finalised where possible as these are instruments towards achieving these goals. 

Trade and economic relations need to be strengthened. Therefore, the convening of regular political consultations would assist our countries to work together in building 5 partnerships that would enhance political and economic relations for the benefit of our countries. It was also brought to my attention that efforts are being taken by the officials responsible for Trade and Industry of our respective countries to resuscitate a platform for collaboration to explore mutually beneficial trade opportunities, address barriers, and perhaps lay the groundwork for future partnerships. 

The task that faces us, going forward, is to ensure that we make tangible progress in taking this co-operation forward between our two countries. 

In conclusion, it is my expressed wish that we shall continue to maintain engagement between our two countries in our quest to strengthening our relations for now and in future. 

Your Excellency, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Please join me in raising our glasses in toast to the Government and People of the Republic of Serbia on this momentous occasion of the Statehood Day. 

May your journey continue to be long and prosperous! 

Cheers! 

I Thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, address the annual opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) in Parliament, Cape Town. 

The National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders comprises traditional leaders who are delegates from the Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders of South Africa and represent the Provincial Houses at national level.

In his State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on 6 February 2025, President Ramaphosa reasserted Government's commitment to work with traditional leaders in the implementation of local development programmes.

To meet the above objectives of a nation that works for all, President Ramaphosa reaffirmed Government’s collaboration with the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders as a vital conduit for creating jobs, reducing poverty and improving the lives of South Africans. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi- San Leaders as follows:

Date: Tuesday , 25 February 2025
Time: 11h00
Venue: Good Hope Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Saturday, 22 February 2025, attend the Mahindra Fusion Festival, taking place at SunBet Arena in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria.

The Mahindra Fusion Festival is a groundbreaking cultural event designed to celebrate the rich diversity, vibrant youthfulness and creative spirit of South Africa. The festival will serve as a beacon of creativity, bringing together artists, musicians, designers and performers to create an immersive experience that reflect our nation’s dynamic energy.

As a champion of social cohesion and nation building activities, the Deputy President attends the Mahindra Fusion Festival at the invitation of the Mahindra Group, a global federation of companies which operate in diverse industries, including automotive, farm equipment, IT, financial services, and renewable energy.

Details of the festival are as follows:
Date: Saturday, 22 February 2025
Time: 19:00
Venue: SunBet Arena, Menlyn Maine, Pretoria

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa,  Mr Ronald Lamola,
Distinguished Ministers of Foreign Affairs of G20 Member States and Invited Guest Countries,
Representatives of International Organisations and Regional Economic Communities,
Heads of Delegation,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to this first Foreign Ministers’ meeting under South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

It is significant that the G20 Leaders Summit later this year will be convened for the first time on African soil.

This highlights the growing importance of the continent in global economic, political and environmental discussions.

Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and faces unique challenges, such as the impact of climate change, development needs and the effects of global trade dynamics.

The Summit's location underscores the need for African voices to be heard on critical global issues, like sustainable development, the digital economy and the shift toward green energy.

It is a great opportunity to promote greater collaboration between African nations and the rest of the world.

Geopolitical tensions, rising intolerance, conflict and war, climate change, pandemics and energy and food insecurity threaten an already fragile global coexistence.

These challenges are interconnected.

They require responses that are inclusive and coordinated.

Yet there is a lack of consensus among major powers, including in the G20, on how to respond to these issues of global significance.

Extreme poverty and growing inequality within and among nations weigh heavily on the conscience of the world.

We are just five years away from 2030, the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

As the international community, we committed ourselves to this ambitious agenda to end poverty and hunger, to protect the planet, to achieve gender equality, universal education and health coverage, and to promote decent work and sustainable economic growth.

Our commitment to achieve these targets we must not waver.

The nations of the world look to the G20 for leadership on the most pressing issues confronting our world.

Just as cooperation supported the progress of early humans, our modern-day challenges can only be resolved through collaboration, partnership and solidarity.

That is why South Africa has placed solidarity, equality and sustainability at the centre of our G20 Presidency.

We would like our G20 Presidency to be one in which all voices are heard and in which all views count.

The G20 represents over two-thirds of the world’s population.

Its decisions and policies must reflect the needs and aspirations of all who form part of the G20 family.

The G20 must also seek to reflect the needs and aspirations of all people who call this planet home.

This year marks 80 years since the United Nations was founded and the UN Charter was adopted.

The United Nations was established to reaffirm fundamental human rights, to promote social progress and to save successive generations from the scourge of war.

While these essential goals of the United Nations remain, the world has changed in fundamental ways.

The UN must change accordingly.

We continue to call for the UN Security Council, the multilateral trading system and the international financial architecture to be reformed to make them more representative, more agile and more responsive to today’s global realities.

As the G20, it is critical that the principles of the UN Charter, multilateralism and international law remain at the centre of all our endeavours.

The conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Sudan, in the Sahel and in Gaza continue to exact a heavy human toll and heighten global insecurity.

South Africa welcomes the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas as a crucial first step toward ending the severe humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians in Gaza.

This ceasefire must lay the basis for a just and lasting peace in line with UN resolutions, international law and internationally agreed parameters.

As the G20, we must continue to advocate for diplomatic solutions.

Our own experience as South Africa is that the peaceful resolution of conflict through inclusive dialogue is the foremost guarantor of sustainable, lasting peace.

Your Excellencies,

The climate crisis is no longer a threat. It is a catastrophic reality.

Last year, global average temperature exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for the first time.

The impact of climate change places a disproportionate and unjust burden on the poorest and most vulnerable.

As the G20, we must seize this moment of crisis to innovate and drive sustainable solutions.

We must remain true to the original G20 mandate of promoting strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

In line with this mandate, South Africa has identified four priorities for its G20 Presidency.

Firstly, we should take action to strengthen disaster resilience and response.

Climate-induced natural disasters affect countries around the world.

But they have a particularly devastating impact on countries that cannot afford the costs of recovery and rebuilding.

We will call on G20 Leaders to urge the global community, including international financial institutions, development banks and the private sector, to scale up post-disaster reconstruction.

Secondly, we should take action to ensure debt sustainability for low-income countries.

Developing economies are currently experiencing the highest borrowing costs in nearly two decades.

Debt payments are crowding out vital domestic expenditure and diverting critical resources away from development.

More than 3.3 billion people live in countries where interest payments on debt exceed education or health spending.

The G20 needs to renew its efforts to advance debt sustainability, with a particular emphasis on African countries.

Thirdly, we believe that it is important to mobilise finance for a just energy transition.

Although climate change affects developed and developing economies alike, the impact is uneven.

Every nation has a responsibility to contribute to the global climate effort in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

Those most responsible for climate change have a duty and responsibility to support those least responsible.

G20 Leaders should secure agreement on increasing the quality and quantity of climate finance flows to developing economy countries.

This includes strengthening multilateral development banks, enhancing and streamlining support for country platforms such as the Just Energy Transition Partnership, and leveraging private capital more effectively.

Fourthly, we will seek to harness critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

We will champion an inclusive G20 framework on green industrialisation and investment to promote value addition and beneficiation of critical minerals.

South Africa will seek to take forward the recommendations of the 2024 report of the UN SecretaryGeneral’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals.

Your Excellencies,

Long before our freedom was won, South Africa’s founding father Nelson Mandela spoke of a society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.

This universal aspiration is reflected in the UN Charter.

As a premier forum for international economic cooperation, the G20 needs to play a leading role in the global agenda for people, planet and prosperity.

As we strive towards a common purpose, let us remember that cooperation is our greatest strength.

Let us seek to find common ground through constructive engagement.

Through the G20, let us set the coordinates of a new course for human progress, one that is founded on solidarity, equality and sustainability.

I thank you.

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has today, Thursday, 20 February 2025, received a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Mr. REN Hongbin, at the OR Tambo Official Residence in Pretoria, Gauteng Province. 

The CCPIT is a key Chinese economic promotion institution that reports directly to the State Council responsible for the facilitation and promotion of trade and investment with foreign countries by supporting Chinese companies (their members) to do business abroad and to engage and support foreign companies that have operations in China.

It has more than 400 000 Chinese business members, the majority of which are from State-owned Companies (SoEs).

This visit to the Deputy President follows the successful 2nd State Visit to China by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September 2024. In particular, it builds on the outcomes of the President’s business engagements, including the seminal South Africa – China Presidential Business Forum, the closed roundtable discussion between the President and the Leadership of 20 high-level Chinese investors, and the Presidential Business Programme in Shenzhen that focused on key investors in China's leading technology and innovation hub. 

Therefore, the Chairman’s visit is mainly focussed on following up on the implementation of the outcomes of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit held in Beijing in September 2024, as well as optimising the trade and investment environment for better cooperation between South Africa and China.

Deputy President Mashatile has welcomed China’s plan to host the FOCAC Ministerial Coordination Meeting alongside the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in June 2025.

Such events, he said, would strengthen Africa-China economic relations and accelerate projects in industrialisation, infrastructure, agricultural modernisation, and green development, aligning with AU Agenda 2063 goals.

“Chairman, our President was encouraged by the number of Chinese companies he interacted with in Beijing and Shenzhen last year, who all expressed a wish to increase their investment exposure in South Africa. We continue to prioritise new investments in targeted sectors and enlarge the beneficiation and manufacturing base in South Africa, especially in the automotive and energy, which will contribute to local job creation, technology, and skills transfer,” said the Deputy President.

Furthermore, the Deputy President took the opportunity presented by the visit to mobilise Chinese businesses to attend the Business20 (B20) meetings of the G20 in South Africa this coming year.

In reciprocating the invite by the Deputy President, the Chairman also invited South Africa to attend the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) that will be hosted by the CCPIT in Beijing in July this year. The CISCE is one of the four national-level trade and investment conferences hosted in China yearly. The 2nd CISCE was held in Beijing in November 2024 and was addressed by the Vice President of China, Mr Han Zheng.

Post the meeting with the Deputy President, the Chairman is expected to meet with the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Mr Parks Tau.

During this meeting, Deputy President Mashatile was supported by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Moraka and Deputy Minister of Trade Industry and Competition, Mr Godlimpi.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 20 February 2025, officially open and address the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Johannesburg. 

The Foreign Ministers Meeting hosted by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola takes place under South Africa's G20 Presidency  theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability on 20 and 21 February 2025 at the Nasrec Expo Centre. 

South Africa’s G20 Presidency commenced in December 2024, and South Africa will during the course of 2025 host approximately 130 working group meetings and 23 meetings at ministerial level.

The year-long deliberations will culminate in a G20 Leaders Summit in November 2025.

The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting will over two days of plenary sessions discuss  issues including current global geopolitical dynamics and reflection on South Africa’s G20 Presidency High-Level Deliverables and the Review of the G20@20, which examines the impact of the G20 during the two decades of its existence.

G20 Summits of heads of state and government bring together leaders from the world’s largest economies to address pressing global challenges and foster economic cooperation. 

Since its inception in 2008, the G20 has evolved from a crisis-management platform to a broader forum tackling issues like financial stability, climate change, sustainable development, and global health.

During its presidency, South Africa is prioritising Africa’s development and the goals outlined in the African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
 
South Africa’s three priorities for the G20 Presidency focus on 1.  Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Reduce Inequality. 2: Food Security 3: Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development.

President Ramaphosa will address the opening session of the Foreign Minister as follows: 
Date: Thursday , 20 February 2025 
Time: 14:00 
Venue: Nasrec EXPO Centre, Johannesburg 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa wishes to assure South Africans that Cabinet’s continuing deliberations on the Budget will deliver outcomes that will protect vulnerable citizens and lay a platform for economic growth.

President Ramaphosa says the postponement today, Wednesday, 19 February 2025, of the tabling of the Budget in Parliament was the result of disagreement but also collegial and mature consensus within Cabinet that Budget proposals be worked through comprehensively and productively to secure the wellbeing of the economy and individual citizens.

President Ramaphosa said: “We are called upon as the national leadership to pursue all initiatives aimed at growth in order for us to increase employment and alleviate the effects of poverty.

“The Government of National Unity will in the coming days and week intensify our efforts to balance the imperatives that drive the fundamental growth objectives of this administration with the realities of a constrained fiscal environment.

“We are working as partners to ensure that the Budget is one that works for individuals and investors alike.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli welcomes the results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the fourth quarter of 2024 released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) today. The survey revealed a positive trend in the South African labour force, with a decline in the unemployment rate.

According to the QLFS Q4: 2024 results, there was an increase of 132 000 in the number of employed persons to 17,1 million while there was a decrease of 20 000 in the number of unemployed persons to 8,0 million. This resulted in an increase of 112 000 (up by 0,4%) in the labour force during the same period.

The above changes in employment and unemployment resulted in the official unemployment rate decreasing by 0,2 of a percentage point from 32,1% in the third quarter of 2024 to 31,9% in the fourth quarter of 2024. 

Importantly, the results for the fourth quarter of 2024 show the total number of unemployed youths decreased by 133 000 to 4,7 million while employed youths recorded an increase of 37 000 to 5.8 million. As a result, the youth unemployment rate decreased from 45.5% in the third quarter 2024 to 44,6% in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The largest decreases were recorded in Northern Cape (3,0 percentage points), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (2,6 percentage points) and Mpumalanga (1,5 percentage points). Increases in the unemployment rate were recorded in North West (4,5 percentage points), Free State (1,9 percentage points) and Gauteng (0,4 of a percentage point), while Western Cape remained unchanged.

“As the President stated in his State of the Nation Address earlier this month,  government is committed to tackling unemployment through strategic investments, policy reforms, and enhanced private sector participation.  These results are showing a consecutive decrease in unemployment from quarter 3 proves that the various efforts are working,” said the Deputy Minister. 

"The reduction in the unemployment rate reflects the dedication and collaborative efforts of our government and key stakeholders. The Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) and Operation Vulindlela have played a crucial role in stimulating economic growth and job creation. We are encouraged to see these initiatives delivering positive outcomes,” stated the Deputy Minister.
 

Media enquiries: Mandisa Mbele, Head of Office – 0825802213, MandisaM@Presidency.gov.za 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria