Your Excellency, President Vladimir Putin,
Your Excellency, President Azali Assoumani, Chair of the African Union and President of the Comoros,
Your Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chair of the African Union Commission
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Ministers,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Allow me to begin by thanking you, President Putin, as well as the government and people of the Russian Federation for receiving us here in St Petersburg.
 
Nearly three years ago in the city of Sochi, we pledged as leaders of African states and as the Russian Federation to cooperate in a manner that is mutually beneficial and that serves the interests of our peoples.
 
In the intervening years we have experienced strong geopolitical and economic crosswinds. We continue to count the human cost of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our economies.
 
As South Africa we are greatly encouraged by the Russian Federation’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the nations of Africa.
 
This is important as we chart a new course for economic recovery, growth and reconstruction, and strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
As South Africa, we remember with deep gratitude how the support of the people and the government of the then-Soviet Union sustained our struggle for liberation.
 
Today our bilateral relationship remains strong. We continue to collaborate in the political, economic, social, defence and security spheres. We work closely across multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, G20 and as members of BRICS.
 
As South Africa, our participation in forums such as this one is guided by our quest to realise the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of economic integration and inclusive socio-economic development.
 
South Africa will shortly be hosting the 15th BRICS Summit.
 
We see this Summit as an opportunity to promote enhanced global cooperation to achieve common prosperity for all the nations of Africa.
 
The BRICS partners are significant investors in Africa.
 
The upcoming summit will therefore give particular attention to infrastructure development, supported by the New Development Bank, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
 
The African Continental Free Trade Area, once fully operational, will unlock the benefits of the continental market and generate mutually beneficial opportunities for both African and BRICS countries.
 
As African countries we are shaping own destinies, as nation states and as a continent.
 
Our substantial resources are being harnessed first and foremost for Africa’s benefit, to grow African economies and to pursue sustainable development.
 
We seek reciprocal trade and investment, and for the goods, products and services from Africa to compete on an equal footing in the global economy.
 
Respect and mutual benefit underpin our international relations.
 
African countries should, as sovereign states, be able to pursue independent foreign policy approaches that are not beholden to any of the major global powers or blocs.
 
This second Russia-Africa Summit is an opportunity to further enhance and strengthen international cooperation and partnership for Africa’s development.
 
We welcome the focus on further cooperation between Russia and Africa to promote investment, facilitate the development of value chains and boost capacity to produce and export manufactured products.
 
The proposed Russia-Africa Action Plan for the coming years should align with the second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of the AU’s Agenda 2063. This will ensure better coherence and more action-orientated interventions.
 
We should also ensure joint monitoring and evaluation of the Action Plan. We need to jointly allocate the necessary funding for implementation and be accountable for concrete deliverables.
 
Geopolitical tensions are negatively affecting countries across Africa.
 
As part of Russia-Africa cooperation we must repeat our call for existing global institutional mechanisms to be both strengthened and reformed. Greater participation of countries of the Global South will promote inclusiveness and engender trust.
 
In this regard, the reform of the multilateral financial institutions and the UN Security Council remains a priority.
 
In our interconnected world, we are all affected by conflict and instability in other parts of the world.
 
We have a responsibility as nations to work for peace, to support peacebuilding and to lend our every effort to bring an end to conflict and war.
 
As South Africa, we are steadfast in our position that negotiation, dialogue and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter are necessary for the peaceful and just resolution of conflict.
 
It is our hope that constructive engagement and negotiation can bring about an end to the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
 
As South Africa our own history has taught us that this is indeed possible.
 
In conclusion, we look forward to this second Russia-Africa Summit playing a key role in supporting our objectives of African integration, economic growth, peace and common prosperity.
 
I thank you.
 

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Mr. Zizi Kodwa, 
Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Sisisi Tolashe,
Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Mr John Jefferys 
CEO of the South African National Deaf Association, Mr Jabulani Blose
Representatives of the PAN South African Language Board,
Representative of DEAFSA and SANDA,  
Representatives of the Presidential Working Group on Disabilities
Members of the Deaf Community
South African Sign Language Experts and Interpreters,
Distinguished Guests, 
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are gathered here this afternoon to witness a milestone in our democracy, the signing of a Constitutional Amendment to recognise Sign Language as the 12th official language of South Africa. 

On the 2nd of May 2023 Parliament voted for the Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill that amends Section 6 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

Today we are giving effect to that Amendment by signing the Bill into law.

Our Constitution enjoins on the state to take practical and positive measures to elevate the status and advance the use of the indigenous languages of the South African people. 

It further notes that that all official languages must enjoy parity of esteem and must be treated equitably.

We are also giving effect to the provision of the Bill of Rights that prohibits unfair discrimination on grounds such as disability, culture, race and gender.

South African Sign Language has served as an essential communication tool for our citizens living with disabilities, and this step will further empower the community.

By making sign language official, we aim to advance their rights to substantive equality, dignity and also their social inclusion.

To empower people to use their language is to affirm their humanity. 

This official recognition of Sign Language follows an intensive and extensive public consultation process.

A substantial number of submissions were made and considered very carefully to ensure that all issues were appropriately ventilated.

It has been a long road to get here. 

Having sign language recognised as an official language will address access to education, economic and other social opportunities as well as public participation.

People with hearing impairments will be able to also access more services, public information and a host other opportunities.  

Official recognition is just the beginning, much more work still needs to be done to support this language. 

It has to be standardised to collapse various geographical dialects into one standard official version which is the remit of the Pan South African Language Board. 

The fact that the first comprehensive electronic sign language dictionary has already been developed demonstrates the enthusiasm to develop this language. 

PanSALB has already convened its first workshop on lexical and grammatical standardisation and the recommendations of the report produced are currently being enacted.

The next standardisation workshop will convene in the last quarter of this financial year and will again include all relevant stakeholders.

It is reassuring therefore that even prior to this signing ceremony, processes to institutionalise sign language had already begun.  

The Department of Basic Education for example already provides teaching and learning for deaf learners.

Educators in schools are regularly undergoing training on sign language and we have learners who have completed matric using sign language.

Specialised schools for the deaf have to be increased in the country, factoring in geographic spread and need. They also have to be provided with qualified personnel.

It is also crucial that there are sign language interpreters to enable access to services for people who cannot hear or hear properly.  
 
For many years, lack of sign language interpreters at the courts, police stations, hospitals, clinics and many service centres or points has been compromising access to justice for victims of violence, including victims of gender-based violence and many other crimes.

Policies with fully resourced implementation plans are required to realize the Constitutional ideal of multilingualism.

Allow me to congratulate all stakeholders especially the DEAFSA and SANDA in line with the Disabled People of South Africa motto: “Nothing about us without us” - for all the efforts that they made to make this official recognition possible.

This includes the relevant Parliament Portfolio Committees involved, government departments, as well as every role-player on this great milestone in the history of South Africa. 

Yesterday we commemorated Nelson Mandela’s birthday. One of his most famous quotes was:
“I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.”

The signing into law of this Bill today, brings us all the closer to that ideal.

I thank you.

The Presidency welcomes the decision of the Johannesburg High Court ordering that the answering affidavit related to the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant matter be made public.

President Ramaphosa was never opposed to making the affidavits public; it was only in compliance with the ICC directive that the Presidency sought to maintain confidentiality on the affidavit.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed South Africa’s readiness to host the historic 15th Summit of BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It will be the first BRICS Summit to be hosted in person since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions. 

President Ramaphosa has in recent months and weeks held a number of consultations on the hosting of the Summit. The President’s most recent consultation in this regard took place last night, Tuesday, 18 July 2023, at the BRICS Political Party Dialogue in Gauteng.

The Summit will be attended by the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa.

By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the Summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister, Mr Sergey Lavrov.

In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the Summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued. 

President Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa - +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 21 July 2023, conduct an oversight visit to KwaZulu-Natal, to inspect water projects aimed at improving the provision of bulk water and the maintenance of bulk water infrastructure in the province.

The President will officially open the Darvill Wastewater Treatment Works and Sod Turning of the upgrade on the Phase 1 of the Vulindlela Bulk Water supply scheme.

The visit led by the Department of Water and Sanitation, will see the upgrading of the potable water schemes that will extend water services to communities of Vulindlela, west of Pietermaritzburg.

The upgrade of Phase 1 of the Vulindlela Bulk Water Supply Scheme will improve the availability and supply of drinking water to various communities in the uMgungundlovu District, including Msunduzi and the uMngeni Local Municipalities.

The upgrading of the scheme follows the growth of the population of Vulindlela over the past decade as well as the increased municipal demand for water. 

One of the key components of the Phase 1 upgrade will be the construction of a new reservoir to increase drinking water storage by an additional 20 mega litres per day to reach 35 mega litres per day.

The upgrades will also include the installation of new pipelines between different reservoirs and the construction of a new pump station to increase the supply of water and augmentation of power supply.

The Darvill Wastewater Treatment Works will expand treatment capacity of this plant, thereby providing the drive for further housing, business and industrial development within Msunduzi. It will also reduce the level of pollution of the Msunduzi River and improve the quality of water reaching the Inanda Dam.

The Department of Water and Sanitation together with the relevant operating entity, has recently completed the upgrade of the treatment plant which treats domestic and industrial sewage from areas within the Msunduzi Local Municipality’s jurisdiction from the treatment capacity of 65 mega litres per day to 100 mega litres per day.

The treatment plant upgrade has innovative technologies onsite for wastewater reclamation to drinking water standards and electricity cogeneration. The water treated to drinking standards is currently being used mainly for cleaning and sanitation purposes at the wastewater treatment site.

The upgrade of the Plant, has delivered significant benefits to the local community with close to 400 jobs created, as well as economic stimulation for Pietermaritzburg and parts of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The estimated number of people who are set to benefit directly from the upgrade of the Darvill treatment plant is 700 000, through proper and effective effluent treatment.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu and KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, along with several senior government officials in the province will conduct oversight inspections to these projects.

Following inspections, the leaders will deliver a progress report to the community through a community engagement programme.

The oversight visit will take place as follows:
PART A:
Visit to Darvill Wastewater Treatment plant
Time: 10h00

PART B:
Visit to Vulindlela Bulk Water scheme
Time: 11h45

PART C:
Community Engagement
Time: 12h30
Venue: Vulindlela Sports Ground, Vulindlela

For media accreditations and confirmations please contact Ms Lebogang Maseko on 083 661 7859/ masekoL2@dws.gov.za or Mr Siyabonga Maphumulo on 082 303 4243/ cmaphumulo@mhlathuze.co.za

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Wisane Mabasa, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation – 060 561 8935

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa chaired a meeting of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) on Thursday 20 July 2023.  
 
PEAC members commended President Ramaphosa and other African leaders for the steps that have been taken to advocate and work for an end to the destabilising Ukraine-Russia war, maintaining that a return to peace would be in the economic interests of Africa and other parts of the world.
 
PEAC members further supported President Ramaphosa’s efforts in sending envoys to the United States and other G7 economies to clarify South Africa’s role in working for peace. The meeting recognised that as South Africa seeks to deepen economic ties with BRICS countries, the country must at the same time continue to strengthen bonds with historical trade and investment partners.
 
The PEAC members welcomed the progress that has been made in implementing the reforms and encouraged the President to continue driving the reform agenda across the electricity, water, rail, ports, telecoms and skills sectors to revive economic growth and create the millions of jobs that are needed.  
 
It was reiterated that these economic reforms must be undertaken at the same time as the government works towards repairing the country’s weak fiscal position.
 
The meeting noted government’s ongoing efforts to push back against state-capture, corruption and violence that are damaging society and the country’s economic prospects.
 
The meeting further highlighted the importance of a comprehensive and well balanced approach in the execution of the Energy Action Plan that will promote significant levels of new investment for the fundamental modernisation and restructuring of the country’s electricity sector.
 
President Ramaphosa thanked the members of PEAC for their well-considered and crafted inputs and advice to government, providing assurance that government remains on track in the implementation of reforms in a purposeful manner, despite the enormity of the task that means significant results will take time to materialise. 
 
The PEAC members will continue to provide economic advice to the President in an ongoing manner. 
 
The purpose of the PEAC is to provide advice to the President on economic policy matters, to allow for detailed discussion on current economic developments, and to allow for the consideration of new economic proposals.
 
PEAC members, who were appointed on a purely voluntary basis from October 2019 for a three-year term, which has subsequently been extended until the first half of 2024, comprise a team of 19 local and international economic experts drawn from academia, policy and business circles.  The President invites members of his cabinet involved in economic policy matters to join the PEAC meetings.
 
A major focus of the PEAC work over the past few years has been to advise the President on reforms needed for inclusive, sustainable growth, and PEAC advice also played a significant role in shaping the South African government’s economic response to the Covid pandemic.
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will participate in the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit which takes place in St. Petersburg in the  Russian Federation on 27 and 28 July 2023.

The Summit, which aims to foster mutually beneficial cooperation and partnerships between Russia and the African continent, first convened in October 2019 with a commitment to continue meeting every three years. 

This 2nd Summit is expected to consider four declarations and a three-year Action Plan, which will be presented for consideration.

These submissions will focus on strengthening cooperation between Russia and African states in politics, security, trade, science, IT, humanitarian support, education, culture, sports, youth and the environment. 

The declarations also seek to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, the prevention of an arms race in outer space, and in information security.

Scheduled side events will include an exhibition to showcase investment opportunities in Russia and Africa, an innovation space to demonstrate new technologies, and a Business Development and Social Partnership Zone for networking between the heads of global corporations, government officials, business and the media.

The summit background will also offer an opportunity to African Heads of State who are part of the African Leaders Peace Mission to continue talks with President Putin on the confidence-building measures that will create conducive conditions for a path to peace between Russia and Ukraine.

South Africa will use the summit backdrop to further engage Russia at a bilateral level to finalise the contents and substance of the upcoming BRICS summit. 

President Ramaphosa will lead the South African delegation to the Summit, and will be accompanied by Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; and Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister in The Presidency. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa - +27 82 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director,
Mama Graça Machel, 
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr. Zizi Kodwa
Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Ms. Nocawe Mafu,
Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr. Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, 
Your Majesties Kings and Queens,
Other traditional leaders present,
MEC for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Ms. Nonceba Kontsiwe,
Executive Mayor of the OR Tambo District Municipality, Cllr. Mesuli Ngqondwana,
Executive Mayor of the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, Cllr. Nyaniso Nelani,
Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Museum, Dr. Vuyani Booi,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Fellow South Africans.

Molweni. Sanibonani. Dumelang, Goeie more, Kgotsong, Lotjhani, Ndi matsheloni, Nhlekanhi. Good Morning.

I greet you all wherever you may be on this Nelson Mandela Day.

To be here, eQunu where Tata grew up and that is his final resting place, is a great honour.

Qunu had a special place in Madiba’s heart. 

This was where he spent his boyhood being cared for by his family, tending cattle and listening to the stories of the elders about the bravery of his people. 

It has been said that the two most important days in your life are the day you are born - and the day you find out why.

It was here in Qunu that the first seeds of his political consciousness were planted, where Madiba’s imagination was first stirred, and where his great mind began to be shaped.

Madiba later said of this place that: 

“It was there in the hills and valleys of Qunu, in the rolling hills of KwaDlangezwa, in the Genadendal settlement, and long the Gariep, the Lekoa and the Luvuvhu rivers, that we first understood that we are not free.” 

In Long Walk to Freedom, he wrote that as he listened to the stories of the elders, he hoped to someday have the opportunity to serve his people, and to make his own humble contribution to the struggle for freedom.

Madiba’s was no humble contribution. He led our nation to freedom, and even today, many years since his passing, his legacy lives on. 

There are many monuments paying tribute to Madiba across South Africa, across Africa and in many parts of the world, from Palestine to the United Kingdom, Seychelles, Senegal, Cuba, the US, Brazil, China, France, and many other places.

But for us to be able to honour the father of our nation at this place that meant so much to him is something we have been working towards for some time.

Since 2021 the Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resource Agency, the Mandela family, the Nelson Mandela Museum and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture have been driving this process – a process that included public consultation.

As human beings we are the sum of many parts, and Madiba was no different. 

Our upbringing, our culture, and many other factors shape our lived experiences. 

The statue we unveiled earlier today in Mthatha depicts Madiba in the role for which he was most well-known, that of a statesman.

The statue here in Qunu depicts him in the attire of his Xhosa-Tembu culture, reminding us of the traditional values he lived by and that shaped his consciousness.

It is our hope that this homage to Madiba in his final resting place will serve as an inspiration especially to the young people in the community. 

It is to remind you that the seeds of greatness lie dormant within each one of us, and that it is up to us to make them germinate and bloom.

It is to remind you that being born in a rural area, or having humble beginnings, is no obstacle to achieving greatness, and to fulfilling your destiny.

It is to remind us of all our duty to do what we can to make the world a better place.

Monuments, statues, and museums have a key role to play in the political and cultural life of any country.

They are a means of giving recognition to those who suffered hardship, repression, exile, or death in pursuit of universal ideals such as human freedom. 

Monuments such as this one are the struggle of memory against forgetting.

These statues of Madiba are beacons of hope to individuals and communities that are still suffering from the evils of marginalisation, and the scourges of poverty, inequality and underdevelopment. 

This statue should serve as reminder to those of us elected to serve the South African people that we must redouble our efforts to build a better South Africa that leaves no-one behind. 

To quote Madiba’s own words, as long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality still exist in our world, none of us can truly rest.

I would like to thank you, Mama Graça Machel, and members of the family for agreeing to collaborate with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture on this project. 

Earlier today in Mthatha a library was handed over to the Zingisa Comprehensive School. I am told that the library project was sparked by a letter written to the authorities by a learner at the school requesting assistance, and I want to thank the provincial government for acceding to this request.

I call upon the people of Qunu to protect and look after these sites of memorialization and commemoration. I have no doubt they have the potential to attract tourists which will in turn support business and job creation.

Every Nelson Mandela Day we are called upon to dedicate 67 minutes to performing acts of goodwill towards others as part of making our world a better place.

If you have not yet done so, I encourage each South African to do their bit of good today, wherever they may be.

Madiba built bridges of peace, and mobilised people of the world to fight against social injustice and oppression. 

Let us strive to emulate his example, today and every day. I wish you all a Happy Nelson Mandela Day.

I thank you.

Programme Director,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
His Excellency Ambassador Chen of the People’s Republic of China,
President of Huawei Southern Africa, Mr Leo Chen,
Chief Executive Officer of Huawei South Africa, Mr Will Meng,
Deputy CEO of Huawei South Africa, Mr Kan Chen,
Partners from business, including the Open Lab Local SMME partners,
Winners of the ICT Competition present here today,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

What I have seen and heard this morning is both impressive and encouraging.

This Centre brings together Huawei’s different business units in a collaboration hub with local partners, app developers and ICT-focused SMMEs.

For South Africa, expanding digital infrastructure is one of the primary engines of economic growth. The development of information technology is key to the competitiveness of our economy.

Ambassador Chen,

In October last year, President Xi Jinping described science and technology as “a primary productive force, talent as a primary resource, and innovation as a primary driver of growth”.

This is a sentiment that we share.

Digital innovation is inextricably linked to a nation’s development.

Not only can new digital technologies such as AI, Big Data and machine learning provide a platform for economic growth, job creation and self-employment; they can also vastly improve Government service delivery.

The application of digital technologies to improve production processes spans a broad range of economic sectors from mining to ports to transportation and others.

Last year, for example, the first 5G coal mine was launched in South Africa through a partnership with Huawei, its carrier and industry partners.

This centre is a signal of Huawei’s confidence in the South African economy and its potential.

The digital technology and business services sectors are key pillars of South Africa’s investment strategy.

To stimulate investment in these sectors, we have focused on several structural reforms.

The actions we have taken include the auction of high-demand spectrum that took place last year, which – alongside digital migration – will significantly expand access to broadband and bring down data costs.

Other priorities include the development of an ICT and Digital Economy Masterplan and National Data and Cloud Policy.

South Africa has a robust and sophisticated ICT sector with expertise in data centres, cloud computing and storage, and rapidly expanding wireless and fibre infrastructure.

We have strong regulatory frameworks around cybersecurity, intellectual property, the protection of personal information and others.

According to the 2023 State of the ICT Sector in South Africa, published by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, the sector’s revenue continues to increase, by approximately R25.5 billion over a five-year period.

This makes the ICT sector one of our most attractive industries for investment, with substantial growth potential.

As we grow the digital economy it is our expectation that this growth in revenue should be matched by an increase in the number of jobs the sector creates.

It is, therefore, encouraging that this Innovation Centre will be focusing on knowledge and skills transfer, as well as SMME development.

I congratulate Huawei for the work it is doing to cultivate local digital talent through the LEAP programme, ICT academies and DigiSchool projects.

We welcome indications by Huawei that the company plans to invest substantially in data centres and cyber security industries in Africa.

By adopting the range of cutting-edge technologies being pioneered by companies such as Huawei, South Africa and the continent will be able to leapfrog into the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

I look forward to receiving updates on the innovation and collaborative partnerships that will be forged here.

It is our hope that this Innovation Centre will be a springboard for the launch of new local ICT enterprises that create jobs. We hope it will be a springboard to new business processes that grow our economy and support our national developmental goals.

I wish Huawei and its partners every success with this Innovation Centre.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in St. Petersburg in the Russian Federation to lead South Africa’s participation in the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit which takes on 27 and 28 July 2023.

The Summit, which aims to foster mutually beneficial cooperation and partnerships between Russia and the African continent, first convened in October 2019 with a commitment to continue meeting every three years. 

This 2nd Summit is expected to consider four declarations and a three-year Action Plan, which will be presented for consideration.

These submissions will focus on strengthening cooperation between Russia and African states in politics, security, trade, science, IT, humanitarian support, education, culture, sports, youth and the environment. 

The declarations also seek to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, the prevention of an arms race in outer space, and in information security.

Scheduled side events will include an exhibition to showcase investment opportunities in Russia and Africa, an innovation space to demonstrate new technologies, and a Business Development and Social Partnership Zone for networking between the heads of global corporations, government officials, business and the media.

The summit background will also offer an opportunity to African Heads of State who are part of the African Leaders Peace Mission to continue talks with President Putin on the confidence-building measures that will create conducive conditions for a path to peace between Russia and Ukraine.

South Africa will use the summit backdrop to further engage Russia at a bilateral level to finalise the contents and substance of the upcoming BRICS summit. 

President Ramaphosa will lead the South African delegation to the Summit, and will be accompanied by Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and Ms  Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister in the Presidency. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa - +27 82 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria