Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza,
Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane,
Deputy President Paul Mashatile,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Honourable Members,
 
I wish to thank the Honourable Members for their contributions to the debate on the State of the Nation Address.
 
I welcome in particular those contributions that sought to enrich our common understanding of the work that we need to do to drive more rapid and inclusive growth, to create employment and to end poverty.
 
Some speakers held firm to the denialism and distortions demanded by their party positions.
 
This debate illustrated the dangers of retreating to corners, isolating ourselves in ideological, cultural, racial and linguistic enclaves and hardly ever engaging beyond our immediate circles.
 
This is not conducive to nation-building in a situation like ours, where diverse people live side-by-side.
 
This is what makes the forthcoming National Dialogue so important.
 
South Africans, informed by their different lived experiences, can discuss the many challenges facing our nation and develop common solutions.
 
As South Africans, we have sat around the negotiating table and forged agreements under much more trying and fraught circumstances.
 
The journey we are embarking upon now through the National Dialogue will result in concrete processes to become a more united and stronger South Africa in the face of many political, social and economic challenges, both globally and locally.
 
The debate saw the expression of divergent views on various matters by parties that make up the Government of National Unity. Sometimes these views were harshly expressed.
 
It is to be expected that the 10 political parties that make up the GNU, with their very different political and ideological perspectives, will not always agree and will sometimes feel the need on platforms such as this to talk to their different constituencies.
 
Despite these differences, these political parties are working well together in the Government of National Unity. We are finding ways of mediating our differences and remain focused on the actions that we are all committed to undertake.
 
It is this that gives me confidence that the Government of National Unity will continue to promote stability and serve the people of South Africa, in accordance with our Statement of Intent and the Medium Term Development Plan.
 
It is encouraging that a great many of the contributions in the debate appreciated the progress we have made as a country over the last 30 years.
 
This progress is owned by the people of South Africa, not by any individual or grouping.
 
This South Africa has been built by its own people who have sought to change their lives. They have entrusted the stewardship of this process to all of us and not just to some of us.
 
Many of the speakers in the debate acknowledged the real challenges we face today and recognised the work that is underway to address these challenges.
 
They said that the nation we want to build must be fundamentally different from the country that we once were.
 
Even those who may well have been opposed to the foundational document of our Constitution, the Freedom Charter, now embrace its tenets.
 
That shows the growing political maturity in our country; that we are embracing the change that our forebearers dreamed of 70 years ago.
 
We are the first to acknowledge that we have not yet achieved a number of the aspirations set out in the Freedom Charter, but it is dishonest to say that no significant progress has been made
 
Honourable Members,
 
A number of the speakers during this debate spoke about the land question, which I have in the past said was the original sin that was committed against the people of our country.
 
Describing the Natives Land Act of 1913, Solomon T Plaatje described the Natives Land Act of 1913 as “an insidious law that rendered black South Africans pariahs in the land of their birth”.
 
It is this Natives Land Act that plunged millions of people into poverty and deprivation, whose impact endures to this day.
 
Despite the terrible deed that was perpetrated against black South Africans, here in the City of Cape Town, along the foothills of Table Mountain, lies a potent symbol of hope, change and progress.
 
Just a few kilometres up the hill from our Parliament is District Six.
 
It is here that one of the most painful chapters in the history of this country took place nearly 60 years ago.
 
In 1968, the apartheid regime began demolishing District Six to make way for a whites-only suburb.
 
More than 60,000 people were forcibly removed. Families were torn apart. An entire community and way of life was destroyed.
 
Over the course of two decades, the apartheid regime forcibly removed more than 3.5 million people in District Six, Sophiatown, Marabastad, Cato Manor, Kroonstad, Nelspruit and many other places across the country.
 
It was one of the largest mass removals of people in modern history.
 
There are some in this House today who have memories of their families being forcibly removed from their land.
 
There are millions more across the country who still experience the effects of this monstrous crime.
 
The people of this country know the pain of forced removals.
 
That is why we will never allow forced removals again.
 
That is why we have a Constitution that prohibits the arbitrary deprivation of property.
 
That is why we have a Constitution that requires just and equitable compensation be paid in the event of expropriation for a public purpose or in the public interest.
 
Our experience of forced removals also explains the Constitutional requirement that the state must take reasonable measures, within its available resources, to foster conditions which enable citizens to gain access to land on an equitable basis.
 
Today, District Six rings with the sounds of families who have been returned to the land that was taken from them.
 
Yet, like the transformation of our society, the process of restitution is not complete.
 
There is still much that needs to be done to heal the divisions of the past.
 
I reflect on this part of our history, Honourable Members, not only because issues of land and redress have featured prominently in this debate, but also because understanding this past is vital to understanding the nation that we are working to build today.
 
At this important moment in our country and in our world, we must ask ourselves what kind of a nation we want.
 
Surely we do not want a nation which is separated by race, language, income and geography?
 
We want a nation in which all people enjoy equal worth and equal opportunity.
 
We want a nation in which the rule of law is protected and upheld.
 
We want a dynamic and growing economy in which small businesses can emerge and expand.
 
It is my firm and enduring belief that all of us as South Africans, as fellow citizens bound together by our history and our present, want the same thing.
 
We have toiled long and hard to build a nation united in its diversity.
 
We are firmly committed to the fundamental principle that South Africa belongs to all who live in it.
 
We are firmly committed to a society that is non-racial and non-sexist.
 
We want to live together in peace, harmony and equality.
 
We want to see our country succeed and grow.
 
We must not allow others to define us or to divide us.
 
At a time like this, we need to stand united as a nation, particularly now when we are facing harsh global wind.
 
This is not the time for any of us to rush off to foreign lands to lay complaints about issues that we can solve ourselves in our country.
 
We need South African solutions to South African problems.
 
While there are many diverse and different voices in our society, we must strive to convey a common message.
 
We must say to our people and to the world that we are committed to work together to build a society in which all South Africans are free and equal.
 
To build a nation that works for all.
 
Together we should be better and weavers ready to build a nation working alongside each other.
 
This is what the programme of the Government of National Unity is about.
 
And we will not be diverted from the path that we have set out.
 
And I repeat, we will not be bullied from our intent to work together.
 
As a country, this is a moment of continuity and change.
 
It is a moment of continuity because we are building on the substantial advances made over 30 years of democracy and we are taking forward the far-reaching reforms that we embarked on in the previous administration.
 
While some speakers have sought to claim the progress that is being made and these reforms as new developments and their own makings, we nevertheless welcome the fact that they have embraced these initiatives and are working to ensure they succeed.
 
The structural reforms initiated under Operation Vulindlela are well underway led by The Presidency and National Treasury and executed through intergovernmental cooperation.
 
We will move with even greater urgency and determination to ensure that they are implemented.
 
Working with our partners – business, labour and community organisations – we are making considerable progress towards resolving challenges in our ports and rail, and in laying the groundwork for an energy secure future.
 
We are introducing competition and dynamism.
 
These reforms are not incidental. They are key to improving the business operating environment, to attracting new investment and to creating jobs.
 
This is also a time of change. Not only has the composition of Government changed, but there is a clear commitment to accelerate growth and transformation and to shift the trajectory of our economy.
 
There is a determination to be innovative. To expand programmes that work and have an impact and to end or redirect programmes that don’t work.
 
As we do so, we are building on the work that has been done in previous years, not discarding it.
 
There has been much debate about the laws that were passed in the previous Parliament, and the policy and legislative agenda of this Administration.
 
It is important to understand the powers and responsibilities of the President when it comes to assenting to legislation passed by Parliament.
 
We should be proud of our legislative process, which subjects every draft bill to several layers of debate, scrutiny and public consultation.
 
This process draws on the views of experts, the collective wisdom of Members of Parliament and the preferences of the South African public.
 
We should be proud that we are a democracy that is governed by such thorough processes and not the arbitrary whims of a ruler.
 
The Constitution is very clear: the President must assent to a Bill passed by Parliament unless the President has reservations about its constitutionality.
 
The Constitution does not permit that the act of assent by the President be subject to negotiation or to the terms of an agreement between parties.
 
The President must ultimately make a determination in line with the Constitution.
 
As we said in the State of the Nation Address – and as many speakers have emphasised in this debate – what we want above all is an economy that is growing, inclusive and sustainable.
 
We will work with all willing partners and we will mobilise whatever human, financial and other resources are necessary.
 
We will do the detailed work and the heavy lifting.
 
We will harness our country’s considerable competitive advantages to drive growth and job creation.
 
One of these is the immense potential of our tourism industry.
 
Last year the World Economic Forum ranked South Africa as the leading tourism destination on the continent, citing factors such as our business environment, information technology and tourism infrastructure and services.
 
We are attracting new visitors to our shores and improving our visa regime.
 
Beyond South Africa’s natural splendour, we have a vast and highly diversified agricultural sector that is a substantial contributor to our country’s GDP.
 
Farmers, both black and white, are the lifeblood of our economy.
 
Supporting the growth of agriculture is key to our goal of inclusive growth and to creating jobs in every part of our country.
 
We are resolving the challenges in our logistics system that have constrained the growth of the sector and are expanding markets for South African agricultural produce across the world.
 
As well as abundant natural resources, as in our mining industry, South Africa has advanced manufacturing capacity.
 
We have skills, experience and know-how that we need to harness not only to develop existing industries, but also to establish new industries.
 
This is at the heart of our industrial policy. It is part of our just transition to a low carbon economy and a climate resilient society.
 
We will put these capabilities to work to build industries in areas such as green hydrogen, electric vehicles and renewable energy.
 
We will seize the opportunities of rapidly changing technology to build a digital economy, a digital state and a digital society.
 
The industrialisation drive is underpinned by significant new investment in infrastructure.
 
The infrastructure drive is gaining momentum thanks to innovations such as Infrastructure SA and the Infrastructure Fund.
 
These efforts will be accelerated as a result of the changes introduced by National Treasury to encourage greater public-private partnership in infrastructure.
 
Even as we do so, it is worth pointing out that public sector infrastructure investment is on the rise for a second consecutive year.
 
As we were reminded in the debate, the focus on new infrastructure development must be accompanied by maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure.
 
Strengthening provincial and local economies is critical for inclusive growth.
 
Through the District Development Model, we are working to strengthen local economic development so that our municipalities should become the centre of economic growth and development and be well placed to provide better services to our people.
 
During this debate, we have heard from the Premiers about the vital work underway in our various provinces to stimulate provincial economic activity, attract higher levels of investment and create jobs.
 
Just listening to the work that is being done in our provinces gives a clear impression that indeed our country is on the move on a number of fronts.
 
We have said that infrastructure development is the flywheel of economic activity, and we are witnessing these multiplier effects on provincial GDP, local businesses and communities.
 
We welcome the massive infrastructure investment in several provinces covering projects in housing, bulk water supply, roads and other infrastructure.
 
Not only will these projects vastly improve the delivery of basic services, but they are also supporting job creation on a growing scale.
 
The visits by the national executive to our various provinces have shown great benefit and opportunities for synergy. We have been able to share best practice and give support to our provinces on a number of issues that they are dealing with.
 
Leveraging of public-private partnerships for infrastructure build in all provinces is proving to be highly effective in terms of pooling resources, sharing expertise and delivering mass infrastructure at scale.
 
We are seeing high-impact financial inflows into our provinces in mining, renewable energy, auto manufacturing, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and other key sectors.
 
This is a demonstration of ongoing confidence of domestic and international investors in these centres of economic activity.
 
For investment to grow, there must be a razor-sharp focus on improving the capacity of local government to deliver essential services that are critical to business activity, be they water, electricity or logistical infrastructure.
 
Strong municipalities are needed to achieve strong local economies.
 
We welcome the commitment of our Premiers to prioritise municipal governance and capacity building, and to support the financial sustainability of municipalities.
 
Clean water, proper sanitation, reliable electricity, effective waste management and well-maintained municipal infrastructure isn’t just good for communities; it is also good for business.
 
It reassures potential investors that are exploring investment opportunities in provinces.
 
We welcome the initiative taken by several provinces to hold local investment conferences that have raised considerable pledges.
 
We call on our respective Premiers to direct the same focus and energy towards local development at township, small town and village level.
 
We have seen, for example, how the potential of rural and eco-tourism has been effectively harnessed by several provinces to support job creation, poverty eradication, small business development and community ownership of tourism resources.
 
By leveraging their respective competitive economic advantages, our provinces are perfectly positioned to power growth, turning every metro, city, town and village into a hive of economic activity.
 
As several speakers said, we need to continue working with our traditional leaders as they continue to play an important role.
 
We are seeing an improvement in the growing cooperation between traditional leaders and local councils. We want to see more integration and more collaboration between traditional leaders and our local government entities.
 
Honourable Members,
 
A number of members spoke about the importance of education as a great instrument of transformation.
 
We welcome the suggestions and proposals that were made during this debate.
 
Education is at the heart of inclusive economic growth, job creation and social upliftment.
 
The World Bank recently released a report on South Africa’s economic performance and prospects for the medium term.
 
The report highlighted the role of education in strengthening our country’s human capital in pursuit of economic and social development.
 
Democratic South Africa inherited a legacy of Bantu Education and we have been steadily working to transform the education landscape and provide decent, quality basic education for all.
 
We are working to build an education system that produces the skills needed by the economy.
 
This means, among other things, that our children must have a strong literacy and numeracy base from the earliest years.
 
We therefore welcome the emphasis on the critical foundation years through expanding access to Early Childhood Development and improving learning outcomes in the foundational phase.
 
We concur with the sentiment expressed during this debate that technical and vocational training must be strengthened if we are to develop the skills pipeline needed for the vastly changing world of work.
 
We are committed to the development of entrepreneurship as a pathway to employment.
 
We must work to dispel the mindset that self-employment is only a route for those who cannot be absorbed by the formal economy.
 
Compared to the rest of the continent, South Africa’s rates of entrepreneurship are low and we must change this.
 
A thriving small business and cooperative sector is key to inclusive economic growth.
 
We welcome the ongoing efforts of the Department of Small Business Development to develop township and rural economies and enterprises, and the goal of creating one million new MSMEs by 2030.
 
We want a society that takes care of those in need.
 
As we drive economic growth and the creation of jobs, we are strengthening the social protection provided to poor and unemployed South Africans.
 
Despite severe financial constraints, we continue to implement pro-poor policies to uplift society’s most vulnerable in the form of social grants, school feeding schemes and free basic services for the poor.
 
This is not just about tackling poverty and improving the quality of life of South Africans.
 
It is about reducing inequality. It is about giving every person a fair chance.
 
It is about investing in the people of South Africa and enabling them to realise their potential.
 
What has also been clear in this debate is that we all want a country that is transformed, and that has shed the heavy burden of its past.
 
There is a broad consensus across the political spectrum and indeed across our society on the principle of non-racialism.
 
Our empowerment and transformation programmes recognise that to build a truly non-racial society, we must narrow inequality and redress the harmful legacy of apartheid.
 
That is why we remain committed to these programmes.
 
We will not relent in our drive to expand the participation of black and young South Africans in agriculture and other sectors of our economy.
 
We will ensure that the Transformation Fund achieves its objective of providing financial and non-financial support to black-owned enterprises to ensure their meaningful participation in the economy.
 
These policies are about eradicating the differences that still exist in our society, not entrenching them.
 
They are about empowering those who have been disempowered and protecting the rights of all.
 
Later today, we will gather at Air Force Base Swartkop in Pretoria to receive the remains of the 14 South African soldiers who lost their lives in the eastern DRC.
 
We will pay tribute to our fallen soldiers and honour their contribution to the struggle for peace on the African continent.
 
Much has been said in this House and in the debate in the National Assembly earlier in the week about the deployment of the SANDF in the eastern DRC.
 
It is a debate that is welcome and necessary because South Africa’s role in peace keeping missions is fundamental to the pursuit of peace, stability and development in our own country, in the region and across the continent.
 
The decision to deploy our armed forces is not taken lightly, particularly when that deployment may put our Defence Force members in harm’s way.
 
While South Africa has contributed to the SADC mission in the DRC, we have always maintained that an inclusive negotiated resolution is required to achieving lasting peace in the region.
 
We therefore welcome the outcome of the joint summit of SADC and the East African Community in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania over the weekend, which agreed that direct negotiations and dialogue resume between all state and non-state parties, including the M23.
 
The outcomes from the joint summit are in confidence-building measures towards a sustainable peace, which will finally lead to the drawdown of the SADC troops.
 
As South Africa, we will do whatever is within our means to support the peace effort so that this conflict will finally end and the people of the region will finally know peace.
 
This weekend, I will be travelling to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia for the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
 
The AU has designated the theme for 2025 as ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations’.
 
South Africa and Ghana have been nominated to champion this theme. 

We will focus on actively engaging the African diaspora to foster meaningful connections and encourage investment in our countries.
 
This initiative is about more than reparations; it is a powerful call for unity, empowerment and the upliftment of Africa.
 
Together, we will forge a resilient continent where hope thrives, allowing people of African descent to reconnect meaningfully with our continent.
 
We live in times of great uncertainty, impacted by geopolitical events way beyond our shores.
 
Closer to home we have considerable challenges to overcome if we are to build a country of freedom, true equality and shared prosperity for all.
 
This is a time of opportunity and hope.
 
The Government of National Unity represents the best of that hope.
 
We have demonstrated that we are prepared to put our political differences aside and work for the common good.
 
This government remains united in pursuit of a South Africa that improves the material prospects of every South African man, woman and child.
 
We are committed to upholding our hard won democracy.
 
We are committed to expanding the frontiers of opportunity for all our people.
 
As we do so, we are guided by our Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the rule of law.
 
As we rise from this debate, I am convinced that despite our differences, we share a common desire for a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it.
 
We share the vision of a nation that works for all.
 
I thank you.

Distinguished guests;
Members of the fourth estate, the media;
And fellow community members;

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you all to this media briefing on the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and the progress made during the third quarter of the 2024 financial year.

The PYEI remains a cornerstone of our national efforts to address the persistent challenge of youth unemployment, ensuring that young South Africans have access to meaningful economic opportunities.

Launched in 2020 by President Ramaphosa, the PYEI is a direct response to the challenge that too many young people are not transitioning from learning to earning.

The intervention sets out priority actions which together seek to stimulate and aggregate demand and provide a seamless mechanism for young people to be linked to the opportunities generated and receive support appropriate to their context and pathway.

The PYEI coordinates, accelerates, and enhances existing programmes while driving innovation and creating pathways to earning for young people at scale.

The PYEI is focused on Four Pillars:

- Implementation of the Pathway Management Network,
- Implementation of demand-led training through a ‘pay for performance’ model
- Rollout of the revitalised National Youth Service, 
- And Implementation of interventions to stimulate local economies through the establishment of Local Ecosystem Enablement Fund.

As we enter the fifth year of the PYEI, we are pleased to report that we continue to make significant strides in unlocking earning opportunities and equipping young people with the skills and resources necessary to succeed in the labour market.

Key Achievements in Quarter 3 (October – December 2024):

• Over 53,379 earning opportunities were secured through the National Pathway Management Network (NPMN), bringing the total to 1.57 million opportunities since the inception of the PYEI.

• More than 38,864 young people accessed earning opportunities via the SA Youth platform, and an additional 14,515 opportunities were secured through the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA).

• The Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative placed 10,337 youth in various workplace experiences across sectors.

• The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) supported over 14,600 young entrepreneurs with financial and non-financial enterprise opportunities.

• The Revitalised National Youth Service (NYS) Phase 3 was successfully launched, with 13,568 new recruits, adding to a total of 82,378 youth placed in service opportunities.

Beyond these numbers, I want to highlight the innovative funding mechanisms that have enhanced the effectiveness of the PYEI.

The Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund, a R300 million initiative continues to create pathways for employment in digital inclusion, enterprise development, and work-integrated learning.

The Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund, launched in November 2023, is an outcome-based instrument launched as a strategic response to unlock jobs for excluded young people by linking contracted payments with desired outcomes.

Unlike traditional approaches to job creation, which focus on inputs and activities like training and mentorship, the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund ensures that funds are allocated to implementing organisations upon the successful placement and sustained employment of excluded young people in quality jobs.

To date, 3,347 young people have been enrolled in training programmes, 1,603 young people have been placed in jobs, and 1,247 young people have sustained employment for three-months.

As President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his State of the Nation Address last week, “We are calling on business to use the SA Youth.mobi platform, which has some 4.5 million young people registered, for their hiring. We are calling on business to support the Youth Employment Service and to scale-up workplace experience opportunities over the coming year.”

These interventions align with our broader goal of transitioning young people from learning to earning in a way that is sustainable and impactful.

While we celebrate these achievements, we remain acutely aware of the work that still lies ahead. Our focus remains on scaling impactful programs, securing sustainable funding, and deepening strategic partnerships.

The road to eradicating youth unemployment is not a short one, but through continued collaboration and commitment, we will continue to break barriers and create real, lasting change.

In closing, I extend my gratitude to all stakeholders involved in making the PYEI a success.

To our young people, I reaffirm that this initiative exists for you—your ambitions, your growth, and your future. Let us continue working together to ensure that every young person in South Africa has access to the opportunities they need to thrive.

For more information on this programme and other youth focused initiatives, please visit SAYouth.Mobi which is a zero rated site.

I now invite my colleagues to provide further details on the progress we have made in this quarter.

I thank you.

Programme Director;
Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms Maropene Ramokgopa;
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie;
The Telkom Group CEO; Mr Serame Taukobong;
Chairperson of Inclusive Society Institute, Professor Zweli Ndevu; 
Dr. Georgi Dragolov, the lead researcher behind the South African Social Cohesion Index;
Senior Government Officials Present from the Presidency and Departments;
Our Esteemed Panellists;
Distinguished Attendees; 
Fellow South Africans;

Good Evening, 

No matter how hectic my schedule was, I would have never been able to ignore the invitation to be here tonight. 

This is not only because the President has delegated me with the responsibility to promote social cohesion and nation building in our country, but also because I am also of the opinion that the human species would not exist if it were not for social cohesiveness.

According to Peter Guber, a well-known author and film producer, humans are incapable of surviving without the methods, rules, and strategies that enable people to collaborate. In essence, those who unite in purpose resemble threads knitted together, crafting a tapestry of intricate design. In unity, we find our true nature.

Our true nature includes attributes like empathy, diversity, kindness, love, and care for one another, regardless of gender, socio-economic status, religious belief, and any forms of diversity.

As a people, if we can recognise these elements, we can gain a better understanding of ourselves and others, resulting in a more compassionate and inclusive society. Indeed, the Bill of Rights in our Constitution recognises the rights of all people in their diversity.

The founding father of our democracy, President Nelson Mandela, dreamt of a progressive and inclusive society. He began the vital process of creating a new national identity based on national unity, consistent with the Freedom Charter.

The Charter asserts, “We, the People of South Africa, declare for all our country and the world to know that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, Black and white, and that no government can justly claim authority unless it is based on the will of all the people.”

In the period following the 1994 elections, South Africans came together and started to forge the nation we want—the rainbow nation, as Desmond Tutu described it.

The important question we must ask ourselves is: how far along are we in the process of nation building, and how cohesive are we as a nation?

The launch of the 2024 South African Social Cohesion Index is timely because it will serve as a tool to address this subject as we approach another 30 years of our democracy. This will help us assess our society's current state and future direction.

The 2024 Index offers us a picture of where we stand in our collective journey towards social harmony. It provides us with insights into the strengths and challenges facing our nation, highlighting areas where progress has been made and areas that require urgent attention. By understanding these dynamics, we can develop targeted strategies and policies that promote inclusivity, equity, and tolerance among all our citizens.

Despite reflecting an overall moderately high level of social cohesion, the index indicates that much work remains. The overall score of 53.3 index points does not provide a complete picture. There are several areas that warrant serious concern.

1. Acceptance of diversity in the country has steadily declined from an already low 47.1 index points in 2021 to only 46.8 in 2024;
2. Trust in institutions has declined from 50.1 index points to 47.9;
3. Perceptions of fairness have declined from 42.4 index points to a mere 42.7; and
4. Respect for social rules has declined from 40.3 to an alarming 36.6 index points.

The study reveals that the most significant decline occurred in the cohesion dimension, which relates to respect for social rules. Other weakened dimensions include trust in institutions and perception of fairness. The level of solidarity and helpfulness remained stable, whereas civic participation and general trust in people have become slightly stronger.

Compatriots,

Our current reality is that the sentiment that the Rainbow Nation is drifting apart rather than coming together has become stronger.

Numerous challenges continue to test our democracy. For instance, state capture negatively impacted our efforts to promote reconciliation and advance our democratic values. It also resulted in a negative and divisive narrative in the country.

However, some of the recent events in our country have demonstrated that our people are able to stand united for the common purpose. Adversity and triumph have shaped our nation.

We have witnessed defining moments in our history that demonstrate our ability to unite across racial, cultural, and economic divides. We have seen that when South Africans stand together, we are capable of overcoming even the most enormous of challenges.

As South Africa transitioned from the brutal system of apartheid into a new era of democracy, the world gasped in shock. Despite the deep scars of oppression, we chose peace over conflict, reconciliation over revenge, and democracy over dictatorship. The first democratic election was more than a political event; it was a triumph of national unity.

Furthermore, when HIV/AIDS in the 2000s threatened the very fabric of our society, we were able to unite a country in the fight against this epidemic. In this regard, governments, civil society organisations, and ordinary citizens worked tirelessly to combat stigma and expand treatment provisions. Today, our successful HIV/AIDS response is a testament to our collective resilience.

The COVID-19 pandemic once again put our country to the test. However, South Africans showed remarkable solidarity and unity of purpose in overcoming the pandemic. The response to COVID-19 was led at many levels, including community-based leadership. 

And more recently, I have been encouraged by different political parties, business leaders, and South Africans to stand together to defend our country’s sovereignty and interests in the midst of recent negative utterances about our country.

These moments remind us of who we are: a resilient, united, and determined nation. We must continue to stand together to confront any other issue that threatens to tear our social fabric and our nation apart.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This South African Social Cohesion Index is important in that it points public policymakers to the areas that need focused interventions.

We are encouraged that the development of this index has been thoroughly shared and workshopped with the National Planning Commission. The NPC has indicated that it will use this tool, and others, to drive its development work. Specifically as it relates to:
- Addressing economic inequality through inclusive economic growth strategies.
- Improving public trust in institutions through governance reforms.
- Fostering a shared national identity by promoting social integration and cross-cultural engagement.

Building social cohesion in the country is not the responsibility of government alone or any one sector of society. All must work together to realise the dream we have for a united, prosperous, and cohesive South Africa.

We must all work to close the gap between what South Africans want, which is a united South Africa, and what they currently believe to be the case.

We do that by changing the narrative from a divisive tone to one that encourages nation-building.

We further achieve this by fostering trust in our institutions, cultivating a culture of adherence to social norms, and guaranteeing a sense of equity for all, where everyone contributes equally to the development of a united South Africa.

We are committed to building a united and reconciled South Africa. The constitutional vision of a united and prosperous South Africa drives our actions as a government. 

The more prosperous a country is, the higher the level of social cohesion. When people have hope, they look forward with optimism, they work together, and they unite around common goals. 
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we delve into the findings and implications of this important index, we must not be despondent or discouraged; we must use the findings as a valuable contribution towards a more unified and harmonious future.

The Index findings will be useful in planning the National Dialogue for South Africa's future. President Ramaphosa has announced that the government is working with various social partners to convene the dialogue.

The Dialogue aims, among others, to address poverty, unemployment, and inequality and forge a new social compact to achieve the National Development Plan's vision. This also in light of the political and economic shifts that have confronted our country and our governance systems. 

Compatriots, 

As a country we are embarking on this crucial endeavour towards a more socially cohesive South Africa. Let us all strive to create a society where every individual feels valued, respected, and heard.

What should remain in our minds is that social cohesion is the cornerstone of a thriving and inclusive society. It is the glue that binds us together, transcending our differences and fostering a sense of belonging and mutual respect.

Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have contributed to the 2024 South African Social Cohesion Index and to all those who continue to work tirelessly towards building a more cohesive and inclusive nation.

It is through collaboration, mutual support, and a shared sense of purpose that we will build a nation that is strong, united, and resilient.

I implore us all to not just treat this report as merely key findings of a research study, but instead treat this as the guiding light to how we chart our way to a better future, leaving no one behind. 

Thank You.
 

President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa has  this evening concluded his visit to the Federal Republic of Ethiopia to participate at the 38th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the Assembly of the African Union. 

The Assembly took place under the theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”. 

President Ramaphosa congratulated the newly elected Chairperson Mr Mahmoud Ali Yousouf and Deputy Chairperson Ambassador Salma Malika Haddadi who will lead the African Union during the next four years.

The Assembly also appointed the new Commissioners who will work as a collective in realising the aspirations of the Continent and its people. South Africa congratulates the new leadership cohort of the Union and is especially proud of Ms Lerato Mataboge as the new Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy.

The Assembly further deliberated on the state of peace and security on the Continent. It expressed grave concern for the evolving situation in the eastern DRC. The Heads of State called upon the M23 to cease fire to prevent additional loss of lives. The Assembly reaffirmed the urgent need for inclusive negotiations and political dialogue as the only solution to end conflicts on the Continent.

The Assembly took note of South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 and congratulated South Africa for being the first African country to host this important gathering. It expressed its support for the successful G20 Leaders Summit scheduled to take place later this year in Johannesburg.
The President also had bilateral meetings with a few countries on the Continent to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

The Assembly will continue till Sunday, 16 February 2025 to discuss the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), activities of the Africa Centre for Disease Control, infrastructure development and Institutional Reforms, amongst other matters.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to lead the South African delegation to the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Heads of State and Government.

This gathering of continental leadership will take place this weekend, 15 and 16 February 2025. 

The Assembly will take place under the  AU theme for 2025, “Justice for African and People of African Descent Through Reparations”.

In this context, it is expected that the Summit will review and assess what has been achieved in Africa’s efforts towards the attainment of long overdue justice and reparations and decades of colonialism and apartheid, slavery and the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

One of the highly anticipated responsibilities of the forthcoming Assembly will be to elect and appoint the AU Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson.

The Assembly takes place against a backdrop of a myriad of challenges, including threats to democratic governance, peace and security, through unconstitutional changes of government and post-election violence.

The Continent also suffers from inter and intra-state conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism, poverty, food and energy insecurity, the impact of climate change, inadequate infrastructure, low productivity, trade barriers and continued dependence on external aid and markets. 

The Assembly will elect new Members of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to replace the current members, whose three-year terms are set to expire.

South Africa is involved in a number of peacekeeping and mediation efforts across the Continent, notably of the AU Ad-hoc High-Level Committee on South Sudan; the AU Ad-Hoc High-Level Committee on Libya, and has deployed troops as part of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola; the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga; Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau; Minister in the Presidency, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Mr Dion George; Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina and Minister of Public Service and Administration, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Programme Director,
The Bereaved families of our fallen soldiers,
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga,
Minister of Defence of the DRC, H.E. Mr Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, 
Ambassador of the DRC to South Africa, H.E. Fidele Mulaja Binene,
Members of Parliament and Chairpersons of Committees,
Former First Lady Ms Zanele Mbeki,
Former Minister Mr Jeff Radebe, the Special Envoy to the Great Lakes,
Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya,
Members of the Military Command,
Members of the Plenary Defence Staff Council,
Generals, Admirals, Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers,
Fellow South Africans,

Allow me to begin by extending our condolences on behalf of the South African government and people to the families and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Malawi for the loss of their soldiers.

We extend our gratitude to the Ugandan government and the rest of the SADC community for their support at this time.  

Tonight we stand here with heavy hearts. 

Our nation is in mourning for these brave souls who lost their lives in defence of our brothers and sisters in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

On behalf of all the people of South Africa, I offer my profound and deepest sympathies to the families of our fallen soldiers.

They lost their lives in the name of duty, in pursuit of peace and in the cause of silencing the guns across our beloved continent Africa. 

They lost their lives in defence of the defenceless.

Indeed, the SANDF is for the brave, for the proud.

We have fulfilled our duty to bring our soldiers home. 

We must fulfil our duty to complete their mission.

I thank the Ministry of Defence and the leadership of the SANDF for making every effort to repatriate the remains of our fallen troops to their families.

Our thanks go to the United Nations, the Southern African Development Community and other  governments for their assistance. 

This was an operation involving considerable logistical challenges at a time when the security situation in the eastern DRC remains volatile. 

This solemn occasion is a stark reminder of the great cost of building peace, often paid in the lives of our finest.

And yet peace is an ideal for which we will forever strive.

As a troop contributing country to the SADC Mission in the DRC and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa remains firmly committed to supporting all processes to bring this terrible conflict to an end.

We are encouraged by the outcomes of last week’s joint summit of the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, which resolved to prioritise a political solution to the crisis in the eastern DRC.

South Africa reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire, for a cessation of hostilities and for all the warring parties to resume inclusive negotiations.

As Africans, we are one people. When one part of Africa bleeds, we feel its pain. 

The Congolese people cry out for protection, for an end to war and for dignity.

The gallant soldiers we receive home today answered that call. 

To the families, we say, take comfort that they were heroes. 

Their work in the DRC was not just about maintaining order. It was about building bridges, fostering understanding and creating pathways to lasting peace.

And so we say to you, in the words of S.E.K Mqhayi in his poem ‘The Sinking of the Mendi’:

“Be consoled, all you orphans
Be consoled, all you widows
Somebody has to die, so that something can be built,
Somebody has to serve, so that others can live,
With these words we say, be consoled,
This is how we build ourselves, as ourselves.”

We will not weaken in our resolve to realise the vision of an Africa free from war and conflict; an Africa free of poverty and underdevelopment; and an Africa at peace with itself and the world. 

The achievement of this vision is the most fitting tribute we can pay to our fallen heroes and the greatest honour to their memory.

Sons of the African soil, Amaqhawe:

Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola 
Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi 
Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe 
Corporal Matome Justice Malesa 
Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani 
Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo 
Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo 
Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi 
Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe 
Rifleman Derrick Maluleke 
Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele 
Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi 
Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe 
Private Peter Jacobus Strydom

Thank you for your sacrifice that others may be free.

You died on the battlefield, far from all you held dear.

But you are home now. 

You have come to your rest.

We are here to receive you with open arms.

I thank you.
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, as Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) officiate the handover of the mortal remains of SANDF members who lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the families who have lost loved ones.

President Ramaphosa will pay his respects to the families of the departed soldiers alongside Minister of Defence and Military Veterans  Angie Motshekga and Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya at the Air Force Base Swartkops.

Proceedings will start at 18h00 today, Thursday, 13 February 2025.

President Ramaphosa will deliver a tribute to the fallen troops at a memorial service at the same venue immediately after the handover ceremony.

President Cyril Ramaphosa  has directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations around the country for a period of seven days from Friday, 07 February 2025.

President Ramaphosa has issued this directive as the country mourns the tragic and devastating loss of the  South African soldiers who were part of a mission to bring peace to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 13 February 2025 
Time: 18h00
Venue: Air Force Base Swartkop 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assented to the Plant Health Bill which sets out measures to combat plant pests that are of concern to domestic agriculture and may have an impact on South Africa’s ability to export agricultural products.

Among its various impacts, the Bill signed by the President repeals the Agricultural Pests Act of 1983 which up to now regulated the national plant health  (phytosanitary) system.
 
The new law responds to the concern that the introduction and spread of potentially damaging pests in South Africa could have a significantly negative impact on South African biosecurity, agricultural production and food security as well as on market access.
 
The Bill provides for phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction, establishment and spread of regulated pests to safeguard South African agriculture and plant natural resources. It also provides for the control of regulated pests, regulation of the movement of plants, plant products and other regulated articles into, within and out of the Republic.
 
The law brings South Africa into compliance with the World Trade Organisation Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures as well as the International Plant Protection Convention.
 
This compliance will support South Africa’s efforts to enter new markets and maintain current export markets, which will have a positive impact on the South African agricultural sector in terms of job creation and sustainable use of land and other natural resources.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

The Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, has received with sadness news of the passing of a Member of the HRDC, one of South Africa’s few black female nuclear scientists, Ms. Senamile Masango, who passed away yesterday, 09 February 2025.

"Ms Masango's was a beacon of hope for many young people, especially women. Her passion for developing critical skills among the population and women in science in particular, will be sorely missed," said the Deputy President.

A PhD Candidate, Ms Masango was a globally recognised nuclear scientist, esteemed energy leader, and pioneering entrepreneur. As a trailblazer in nuclear science, she was widely respected for her groundbreaking research at among others the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).

Her global recognition was a source of pride, as she became the first African woman to conduct experiments at CERN. Her brilliance was further acknowledged on a global scale, earning her the prestigious Women in Science Award in 2022. Her impact extended beyond her scientific achievements as she was also a visionary entrepreneur, serving as the Founder and Executive Chair of Mphathisithele Consulting (Pty) Ltd, an energy consulting firm.

Ms Masango also served on a number of public sector science bodies, including the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation Ltd (NECSA), and recently became a Member of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC).

Owing to her pioneering work in empowering women through science, she earned a number of local and international honours, including recognition as one of the 50 Global Inspirational Women of 2020 and as a Women in Tech Global Awards finalist in 2021. Young as she was, Ms Masango made an  immeasurable contribution to the advancement of science and in particular the development of critical skills for our country.

"On behalf of Government and the HRDC, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Masango family, her immediate community and science fraternity at large. May her soul rest in eternal peace," said the Deputy President.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria