President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning, 21 January 2025, arrived in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland where he will lead the South African delegation during the 55th World Economic Forum (WEF).

The annual meeting is taking place from 20-24 January 2025 under the theme; “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age”.

The meeting will convene global leaders to address key global and regional challenges, which include responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding a just and inclusive energy transition.

President Ramaphosa supported by his delegation will commence his programme this afternoon by holding a bilateral meeting with Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum, Mr Klaus Schwab.

During the G20 Presidency, South Africa will endeavour to create equitable opportunities for all by addressing systemic disparities and promoting unity and mutual support to address shared global challenges collaboratively.

In this regard, President Ramaphosa will this afternoon deliver a Special Address to the World Economic Forum, where he will present the economic priorities of South Africa’s Government of National Unity and advance the country’s G20 Presidency which is themed "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.

The Special Address will take place at 15h50 (CEST) and live streamed on wef.ch/wef25 and PresidencyZA Social media platforms.

The President will during the course of the week undertake numerous bilateral meetings with Heads of State and Government and Heads of International Organisations, and will participate in diverse activities in different sectors of the WEF annual meeting.

The President will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Mr Ronald Lamola; Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Mr Parks Tau; Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande; Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Mr Solly Malatsi; Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment Mr Dion George; Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Minister of Agriculture Mr John Steenhuisen.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the South African delegation to the 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting that will take place from 20 to 24 January 2025 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

The meeting, convened under the theme “Collaboration in the Intelligent Age”, will foster new partnerships and insights to shape a more sustainable, inclusive future in an era of rapidly advancing technology.

WEF convenes global leaders to address key global and regional challenges. These include responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding a just and inclusive energy transition.

South Africa’s innovation and technology is crucial in driving economic development and addressing societal challenges, thus aiming to leverage technological advancements to promote inclusive growth and enhance global competitiveness. This would be achieved by modernising industries, advancing skill development, and improving public services.

President Ramaphosa will deliver a special address to the World Economic Forum, where he will present the economic priorities of South Africa’s Government of National Unity and advance the country’s G20 Presidency which is themed "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.

South Africa is committed to leveraging the G20 platform to highlight the significance of fostering economic growth while ensuring social inclusion and environmental stewardship.

During the G20 Presidency, South Africa will endeavour to create equitable opportunities for all by addressing systemic disparities and promoting unity and mutual support to address shared global challenges collaboratively.

The WEF Annual Meeting is a valuable opportunity for South Africa to demonstrate its potential as a hub for global investments and its ongoing structural reforms.

South Africa’s delegation, which includes key government and business leaders, will engage with international stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and advance South Africa’s economic and social agenda.

Through these engagements, South Africa aims to reaffirm its role as a key player in the global community, contributing meaningfully to discussions on sustainable development and collaborative solutions for a better future.

The President will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Mr Ronald Lamola; Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Mr Parks Tau; Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande; Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Mr Solly Malatsi; Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment Mr Dion George; Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Minister of Agriculture Mr John Steenhuisen.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Tuesday, 21 January 2025, address the Annual NEDLAC Organised Labour School, taking place at Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate in Pretoria.

Convened under the theme “Building unity of workers to defend labour rights and advance decent work for all”, the NEDLAC Organised Labour School is held annually to take stock of the state of the labour market and the challenges facing workers in the country.

The Annual Labour School is attended by delegations from the Federations together with invited guests from the International Labour Organisation and government departments.

Members of the media are invited to cover the Deputy President’s address as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Time : 09:00am (Media to arrive at 8:00am)
Venue : Kievits Kroon, Plot 41, Reier Road, Kameeldrift, Pretoria.

Members of the media are requested to RSVP to Ms Tshiamo Selomo on 066 118 1505.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, 16 January 2025, convened with ministers and senior business leaders to reaffirm the Government Business Partnership’s commitment to achieving their shared ambition of significantly growing the economy. 
 
The focus for 2025 is on accelerating the crucial reforms, operational improvements, and key interventions in the areas of energy, transport and logistics, crime and corruption, and youth employment. In addition to the achievements of Phase 1 of the partnership, the most significant being the successful reduction of load shedding, the partners cited the promulgation of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act (ERA) and the release of the Transnet Network Statement in December as notable examples of policy steps taken by government.
 
The full implementation of these interventions, in addition to the reforms already underway through Operation Vulindlela, have the potential to lift GDP growth to above 3%, which is essential to reduce unemployment.
 
South Africa needs to attract the substantial investment needed to help drive more robust and inclusive economic growth. The partners acknowledged that while considerable progress has been made there is a need to accelerate efforts to deliver on their ambitious plans.
 
The partnership is based on a clear set of principles, exceptional governance, a well-defined delineation of roles between government and business, and a results-driven approach to achieving meaningful progress. As host of the G20 summit, and the B20, South Africa will be able to showcase the partnership as a uniquely successful public-private collaboration model. The partnership provides a compelling case study for many emerging and developed markets, demonstrating how business can leverage its expertise and resources to help implement government’s policy agenda in areas where key reforms are required to foster economic growth. 
 
The year ahead presents an important opportunity to craft a more optimistic "SA Inc" narrative and drive increased investment, economic growth, and job creation. The partners emphasised the importance of seizing this moment to achieve meaningful progress.
 
As President Cyril Ramaphosa remarked: “As we begin what promises to be a momentous year, there is much progress to build on. We know that to achieve a goal of 3% economic growth will require an extraordinary effort, not just from this partnership but from all stakeholders and all South Africans. This means we have to remain focused and purpose-driven and accelerate implementation. Together we are moving ever closer to the promise of a thriving and inclusive economy that meets the needs of all our people.”

Media contacts / interviews: 
 
The Presidency: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, at media@presidency.gov.za
 
Business for South Africa (B4SA): Sandra Sowray, B4SA media, on 079 167 6863 /sandra@prologconsulting.co.za OR Dani Cohen, B4SA media, on 082 897 0443 / dani@prologconsulting.co.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Maputo today, 15 January 2025, to attend the inauguration of the President-Elect of the Republic of Moçambique, His Excellency Daniel Chapo, following the Presidential, Legislative and Provincial Elections which were held in Moçambique on 9 October 2024. 

The inauguration of President-Elect Chapo provides an opportunity for all the people of Moçambique to work together towards peace, democracy and development. 

President Ramaphosa is looking forward to working closely with President-Elect Chapo in further strengthening the existing strong fraternal relations between the two countries and looks forward to seeing Mozambicans come together in the spirit of unity and cooperation as they build a brighter future.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, and Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

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

Issued by: The Presidency

President Cyril Ramaphosa chaired the inaugural meeting of the newly appointed Presidential Economic Advisory Council for the Seventh Administration today, 14 January 2025, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.  

President Ramaphosa welcomed the new and returning members of the Council, which was appointed in November 2024, and highlighted the important role that the Council will play as the Government of National Unity looks to reignite economic growth and tackle poverty and inequality.

The meeting reaffirmed the necessity of structural transformation and economic reforms to accelerate economic growth, and discussed forward-looking policy proposals in areas such as green industrial policy, skills development, and macroeconomic policy.

Members of the Council discussed the need to position South Africa for growth in a rapidly changing global environment, in which technological advances in artificial intelligence and the imperative of tackling climate change will lead to structural changes in economies.  

A key topic of discussion was South Africa’s role in advancing the global economic policy agenda as it assumes the Presidency of the G20. President Ramaphosa has outlined a set of clear and actionable priorities for the G20 Presidency which include  mobilising finance to support a just transition, addressing the unsustainable debt burden on developing countries, strengthening disaster resilience and response, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The meeting discussed proposals to advance these priorities, building on the progress made on issues such as international taxation, reform of multilateral development banks, and climate finance.

President Ramaphosa said: “The Presidential Economic Advisory Council will play an important role in providing independent advice as we seek to ensure that our economic policy is informed by sound evidence, by innovation, and by a diversity of views and opinions.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa commends the Matric Class of 2024 on multiple unprecedented achievements that bear testimony to learners’ personal commitment and advances in the basic education sector.
 
In 2024, 615 429 learners passed the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, surpassing the pass rate at any other time in the country’s history.
 
The national pass rate for the National Senior Certificate increased from 82.9% in 2023 to 87.3% last year.
 
Nearly half of learners who wrote the NSC examinations received a Bachelor pass, while nearly 320 000 distinctions were achieved.
 
President Ramaphosa said: “The achievements of the Class of 2024 are a proud contribution to and evidence of our progress as a nation during 30 years of freedom and democracy.
 
“These results reinforce our resolute development of our nation’s most valuable resource, our young people. They also provide proof that we are undoing apartheid’s planned legacy of intergenerational indignity, disadvantage and poverty for the majority of South Africans.
 
“These results demonstrate the agency, resilience and pride of the youth of our nation in creating a better future for themselves and for all of us.
 
“In the public and private basic education sectors, our learners, teachers and parents or caregivers deserve our appreciation, alongside school governing bodies, partners in the private sector, trade unions and academia.
 
“The doors of learning have swung wide open and we will celebrate each new generation that passes through these doors successfully.
 
“As Government and our partners in civil society, we must all work together to ensure that learners such as the Class of 2024 are able to take up as many opportunities as we can create for them to succeed.
 
“This must include the space and inspiration for young people to set their own course as entrepreneurs, innovators, inventors and other embodiments of creativity and self-reliance.
 
“The achievements of the Class of 2024 must also sharpen our resolve to attend to challenges affecting the education sector and our economic performance. We are confident the Class of 2024 will itself produce some of the answers to these challenges.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria