Speaking points by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, during a meeting at the Huawei Regional Office, Shanghai, China

President of Public Affairs and Communication, Mr JEFF Wang;
CEO of Huawei South Africa, Mr WILL Meng;
Deputy CEO of Huawei South Africa, Mr KIAN Chan;
Ambasssor Dr Siyabonga Cwele;
Deputy Ministers;
Consul General, Ms Phuti Tsipa;
Executives of Huawei;
Senior Government Officials;
Ladies and gentlemen,

1. I would like to express my appreciation to Huawei for graciously hosting us on this occasion, and for your steadfast dedication to fostering innovation and collaborative efforts. 

2. In this regard, let me commend you for launching the Innovation Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, which was officially opened by President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa in July this year. 

3. The recently launched Innovation Centre promotes and facilitates collaborative innovation in the ICT sector among Huawei's South African partners, application developers, and SMMEs. 

4. The establishment of the Centre will facilitate the advancement of South Africa and the broader African continent in transitioning to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This is also aligned to the outcomes of the recent South Africa-China Bi-National Commission that I co-chaired with Vice President HAN Zheng in Beijing this past Friday.

5. Amongst others, South Africa and China are considering the establishment of Mega Focus Schools, funded by the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). 

6. It is envisaged that these schools will offer specialist education in identified fields linked to economic growth areas of South Africa. They are meant to be schools of excellence, at the forefront of curriculum development and best practice, with the highest concentration of quality human and material resources and equipment, utilised optimally to benefit the learners and the education system.

7. The South African government actively promotes and endorses these endeavours as they are aligned with our policy of building digital technologies for the benefit of economic development. 

8. Therefore, we appreciate the strong alliance between South Africa and Huawei because it has cultivated an environment of mutual growth and progress, instilling in me a sense of assurance that our relationship will continue to flourish for the development of our countries.

9. As we embark on this new era of technological advancements, it is essential for countries and organisations to work collectively and harness the power of innovation to address some of the most pressing global challenges. 

10. It is our strong conviction that the cooperation between our nations will serve as a catalyst in advancing our shared objectives of poverty reduction and job creation, as outlined in our National Developmental Goals.

11. South Africa is enthusiastic about the prospect of collaborating with Huawei and learning from the technological advancements that have revolutionised societies.  

12. Huawei is positioned at the vanguard of this revolutionary technological landscape, which is undergoing an unprecedented rate of change from artificial intelligence to fifth-generation (5G) networks.

13. As a country with rich cultural heritage and a diverse economy, we are eager to embrace these technological advancements and integrate them into our nation's development agenda. 

14. Our government is committed to creating an enabling environment for the digital economy to thrive, one that encourages investment, promotes innovation, and places cybersecurity at the forefront.

15. We recognise the significance of a digital ecosystem that is inclusive and provides benefits to all citizens, especially those living in underserved and rural regions. Through a collaborative partnership with Huawei, it is possible to ensure that all South Africans have equal access to the opportunities that the digital revolution presents by bridging the digital divide.

16. Furthermore, I am happy that Huawei and South Africa are both enthusiastic about engaging in collaborative endeavours encompassing research and development, capacity building, and skills development. 

17. South Africa is dedicated to ensuring that its citizens have the skills required to effectively engage in the digital economy and take advantage of developing technology.

18. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my appreciation to Huawei for their ongoing commitment and cooperation. 

19. We are excited to deepen our partnership with Huawei and contribute to the shared vision of a digitally connected and prosperous future.

I thank you