Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Honourable Ministers, 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
We have reached the conclusion of an important session of our organisation. 
 
The decisions we have taken today on the political and security situation in the Republic of Madagascar reflect both the gravity of the challenges before us and the clarity of our collective commitment to peace, constitutional order and democratic governance.
 
Let me express our appreciation for the comprehensive work undertaken by the Panel of Elders, led by Her Excellency Dr Joyce Banda, supported by the Mediation Reference Group and the SADC Secretariat. 
 
We approved the Reports of the three Shuttle Diplomacy Missions as submitted to the Extraordinary Troika Summit of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. 
 
We commend the Organ Troika for providing the necessary support and guidance to the work of the Shuttle Diplomacy Mission.
 
We urge the Organ Troika to convene at shorter intervals to assess the work of the Shuttle Diplomacy Mission and deploy the necessary interventions as the reform process progresses in our sister country, Madagascar. 
 
We commended the Panel and all those involved for executing the mandate of this Summit with diligence, impartiality and dedication under complex circumstances. 
 
Their work has provided us with a clear, evidence-based understanding of developments on the ground and the state of the reform process.
 
As we have reaffirmed today, any reform or refoundation process must be understood as a transitional pathway, not an open-ended arrangement. 
 
It must lead, within a defined and reasonable timeframe, to the restoration of full constitutional order and the holding of democratic elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Malagasy people. 
 
Our region cannot afford cycles of transition without resolution. Stability is not sustained by indefinite processes, but by credible institutions and legitimate, elected governance.
 
We have agreed that SADC shall remain seized with the situation in Madagascar and will continue to accompany the Malagasy people on this journey. 
 
In doing so, we reaffirm our unwavering support for a process that is inclusive, transparent, and nationally owned.
 
We reaffirm our support for a process that addresses the political, security, economic and institutional causes of instability.
 
Today’s decisions send a clear message to all stakeholders in Madagascar. 
 
First, that the success of the national consultation and reform process depends on the participation and good faith of all actors. We therefore urge all parties – government, political actors, civil society, youth, women, traditional leaders and all sectors of society – to engage constructively, exercise restraint and place national interests above narrow considerations.
 
Second, we emphasise that inclusivity and transparency are essential conditions for legitimacy. We call on the Government of Madagascar to ensure that consultations are genuinely representative and that implementation is guided by impartiality and neutrality. 
 
Third, we have strengthened the SADC engagement architecture. The expanded mandate of the Panel of Elders, under Her Excellency Dr Joyce Banda, including facilitation and reconciliation functions, will ensure sustained political accompaniment. 
 
The approval of a SADC Liaison Office in Antananarivo will further enhance our capacity to support coordination on the ground, in close collaboration with national authorities and partners. 
 
These mechanisms are designed to ensure that SADC remains present, responsive and effective.
 
Finally, we have reinforced accountability. 
 
Regular reporting through the Secretariat, including quarterly updates and immediate escalation of any deterioration or deviation from agreed milestones to the Organ Troika, will ensure that we remain fully informed and able to respond decisively where necessary. 
 
This is essential for maintaining confidence in the process and credibility in our collective decisions.
 
We reiterate our call for the release of political prisoners, an end to arbitrary arrests and the facilitation of the return of political exiles. 
 
These measures are not only humanitarian in nature; they are fundamental to building trust and creating an environment conducive to genuine national dialogue and reconciliation.
 
What we have decided today is a reaffirmation of our collective responsibility to defend constitutional governance, to prevent the recurrence of instability and to stand in solidarity with the people of Madagascar as they seek a more stable and democratic future.
 
Let us therefore remain guided by unity of purpose that underpins the existence of our organisation, consistency in principle and values upon which SADC was founded, and firmness in implementation of our decisions. 
 
The credibility of SADC depends on our ability to ensure that we all respect the decisions that we collectively take.
 
I thank you once again for your participation and attention to this critical matter. 
 
I thank you.
 

Your Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe and Outgoing Chairperson of SADC,
Your Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia and Interim Incoming Chairperson of SADC,
Your Excellency President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi and the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation,
Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Honourable Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Chairperson of the Council of Ministers,
Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon
 
Allow me to welcome you all to this important Virtual Extraordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government. Thank you for availing yourselves at short notice.
 
We meet at a decisive moment for our region and, most urgently, for the Republic of Madagascar. 
 
We recall the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of SADC, held virtually on 17 December 2025. 
 
Upon receiving a comprehensive report from the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, following the Technical Fact-Finding Mission to Madagascar undertaken in October 2025, that Summit took far-reaching decisions. 
 
Today’s session will assess the extent to which those decisions have been implemented.
 
Having carefully considered the political and security developments that culminated in a change of government in Madagascar in 2025, the Summit in December last year noted the restoration of relative calm and the launch of national consultations by the Transitional Authorities. 
 
We reaffirmed a clear and collective position: SADC will remain actively engaged in Madagascar until our sister country restores constitutional order. 
 
We further committed that the reform process must be inclusive, time-bound and nationally owned. The reform process must create space for all stakeholders, including political exiles, to participate meaningfully in shaping Madagascar’s future.
 
Importantly, the Summit had urged Madagascar to submit a dialogue readiness report and a draft National Roadmap by 28 February 2026, with regular updates thereafter. 
 
These are not procedural formalities – they are essential benchmarks for accountability, transparency and trust in a process that must lead to credible elections within an agreed framework. 
 
We further approved the deployment of the SADC Panel of Elders, led by former President Dr Joyce Banda, supported by the Mediation Reference Group and the Secretariat, to accompany Madagascar’s reform process. 
 
We also directed the Secretariat to work closely with the African Union and international partners to mobilise financial, technical and logistical support in a coordinated manner, ensuring coherence and avoiding fragmentation of efforts. 
 
The message from the Summit was unequivocal: regional and international support must reinforce Malagasy-led solutions, not replace them.
 
The report of the Mission before us today will indicate whether Madagascar has seized the window of opportunity afforded by our regional organisation. 
 
It will indicate if calm continues to prevail, if the nation is fully engaged in inclusive national consultations, if institutions are becoming more representative, and if reforms are taking firm root. 
 
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of all actors – government, opposition, civil society, youth, women and traditional leaders – to act in good faith and place national interest above partisan considerations. 
 
In this journey, SADC must remain engaged, vigilant and principled.
 
We are looking forward to the report of the Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit held on the 22nd of June 2026 on the political and security situation in the Republic of Madagascar.
 
I thank you.
 

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will, on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, deliver a keynote address at the launch of BrainSAT South Africa’s satellite services and the unveiling of the next-generation Thuraya satellite phone in Sandton, Johannesburg.

The launch comes as part of the outcome of the Deputy President’s visit to the UAE in April 2024, where he met with various companies that provide satellite technology. One of the key results of those engagements was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Space42 and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies. Space42 is partnering with BrainSAT South Africa to enable this MOU.

BrainSAT South Africa provides integrated satellite communication solutions to government, business, and industry, delivering secure voice, broadband, and data connectivity services across a range of sectors.

Through its strategic partnership with Space42, a leading global SpaceTech company, BrainSAT South Africa leverages advanced satellite infrastructure and technologies to extend world-class satellite communication services throughout South Africa and the African continent.

The launch marks an important milestone in advancing South Africa’s digital connectivity agenda by expanding access to secure and reliable satellite communication services that support socio-economic development, innovation, and improved connectivity, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

In his keynote address, the Deputy President is expected to underscore the importance of digital transformation as a catalyst for economic growth, investment, and job creation. He will further highlight the strategic role of satellite communications in strengthening national connectivity, bridging the digital divide, and improving access to services in remote communities.

Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Time: 17:00
Venue: Polo Room, Inanda Club, Sandton

Members of the media interested in covering the launch are kindly requested to submit their details (Full Name, Media house, ID/Passport Number and Role) to Ms Linah Ledwaba on 066 240 7635.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile, has today, Saturday 27 June 2026, successfully concluded his Working Visit to the People’s Republic of China, undertaken at the invitation of the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Mr Ren Hongbin.

The Working Visit was aimed at strengthening trade, investment and industrial cooperation between South Africa and China.

Chairman Ren Hongbin welcomed the Deputy President and the South African delegation and highlighted the importance of South Africa’s participation at CISCE.
The Deputy President thanked CCPIT for the invitation and for hosting the Expo, and reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment cooperation with China.

Both sides discussed opportunities to improve market access, expand business participation, and deepen cooperation on trade and investment platforms.

The Deputy President participated in the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) for the second time, reflecting the strengthening and continuity of South Africa’s engagement with this important global platform. 

The Deputy President's address at the Expo highlighted the importance of resilient, diversified and sustainable global supply chains in a changing global economy, and reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to deepening its comprehensive strategic partnership with China.

" South Africa is an attractive investment destination, supported by sophisticated industrial capabilities, a world-class financial sector, and well-established logistics infrastructure. We remain committed to reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, accelerating infrastructure development, and strengthening industrial competitiveness" said the Deputy President.

During the Expo, the Deputy President conducted a walkabout of the exhibition, where he engaged exhibitors showcasing developments in digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, green energy, agriculture, smart mobility and supply chain services.

As part of the Working Visit, the Deputy President also held a bilateral meeting with Vice President Han Zheng of the People’s Republic of China. The two leaders reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship between South Africa and China and discussed cooperation in trade, investment, industrial development and multilateral engagement.

In an effort to strengthen economic cooperation and attract investment, the Deputy President engaged with a number of leading Chinese companies, including China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), Geely Automobile, Chery Automobile, Green Minerals and Metals (GMM Holding), Beijing GeoEnviron Engineering & Technology and SANY Group.

The engagements focused on infrastructure development, automotive manufacturing, mineral beneficiation, environmental management, healthcare, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, skills development and localisation. 

The Deputy President encouraged the companies to invest in South Africa and invited them to participate in the next South Africa Investment Conference.

In addition, the Deputy President participated in a South Africa Networking Session hosted at the South African Embassy in Beijing, which brought together government, business and investment stakeholders to strengthen economic cooperation and promote South Africa as an investment destination.

On the second leg of the Working Visit, Deputy President Mashatile traveled to Shenzhen, in the Nanshan District of Guangdong Province where he further engaged in the China (Shenzhen Nanshan)- South Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange at the Go Global Center, a guided tour of the facilities and a number of high-level engagements with Representatives from Government, Business and China Communist Party, the governing party of the People's Republic of China.

The engagements included  a bilateral meeting with Mr Huang Xiangyue, Secretary of CPC Nanshan District Committee Shenzhen and his delegation; a bilateral meeting with the China Everbright Environment and Delegation led by Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr Wang Silian; a bilateral meeting with the Shenzhen Yujiaocheng Technology Co (YJC Group) and Jiangsu Joylong Automobile Co, led by Mr Derrick Zho and Mr Ni Haifei respectively; a meeting with Ms Shirley Chan, Deputy Secretary General of the South Africa-China Shenzhen Chamber of Commerce and her delegation; a guided tour and bilateral engagement with the Senior Leadership of Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics.

On the final day of his Working Visit, Deputy President Mashatile held a bilateral meeting with the China Communist Party Secretary of Shenzhen, Mr Jin Lei and his delegation as well as traveled to Dongguan for a guided tour of the South Africa Commodity China Exhibition and Trade Centre (SACC), a platform for strengthening commercial and economic relations between South Africa and China through imports and exports.

"South Africa values institutions that create practical mechanisms for expanding trade, attracting investment, and facilitating business partnerships between our two Republics," said the Deputy President as he concluded the Working Visit.

He was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Zuko Godlimpi and senior Government officials.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Your Majesties, Kings and Queens,
Ministers,
Officials,
Colleagues, 

Thank you for accepting my invitation to this meeting to discuss a matter that concerns all our people: the issue of migration.

We would like to brief you on government’s approach on this issue.

We would also like to be informed by the wisdom, experiences and concerns of those who lead our people and who are the custodians of our customs and our traditions. 

For generations, the peoples of our region have been bound together by ties of kinship, culture and history that pay no heed to the borders drawn on maps. 

Many of the people you lead share ancestry, language and customs with people in neighbouring countries. 

Over recent months, South Africans from every walk of life have raised concerns about migration, and illegal immigration in particular. 

These concerns arise in conditions of persistently high unemployment, poverty and hardship. 

They arise in communities that are plagued by crime, violence and corruption, and where there is increasing pressure on public services. 

Yet illegal immigration is not the cause of our social and economic difficulties. 

To tackle the challenges our country faces, we need faster and more inclusive growth, job creation and development. 

Migration is not the cause of our problems, but it is something that we must manage constructively and collectively.

We must do so while always holding firm to our Constitutional principles and shared values. 

We are mindful that the recent mobilisation against foreign nationals carries real risks for our communities and for our country. 

Unrest, violence and intimidation tear at the social fabric of our communities.

They endanger lives and they damage the standing and the reputation our country has worked hard to build. 

We have seen how some other African countries have raised concerns about the mobilisation of anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa. 

This has been worsened by the spread of misinformation and disinformation. 

These developments strain the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood that unite us with our neighbours on the African continent. 

When I addressed the nation on the 7th of June to outline government’s Comprehensive Approach to Managing Migration, I said that every person within our borders must be here lawfully. 

I said that responsibility for enforcing our laws rests with the state, and that no individual may stop another to demand documentation or proof of nationality. 

I said that there is no place for racism, sexism, tribalism, xenophobia, Afrophobia or any other form of intolerance. 

The comprehensive approach adopted by Cabinet rests upon five pillars. 

Firstly, we are cracking down on violations of immigration, labour and other laws. 

Secondly, we are securing our borders. 

Thirdly, we are strengthening our immigration system by rooting out corruption and deploying advanced technology. 

Fourthly, we are closing the gaps in our laws and policies. 

Fifthly, we are working with our sister countries through SADC and the African Union to address the conditions that compel people to migrate. 

As a country, we need to have a common view and to take a common approach to managing migration. 

Our Kings and Queens have a vital role to play in this effort. 

As the traditional sovereigns of many of our people, as leaders who command deep trust and moral authority, you are well placed to speak out against intolerance and instability.

You can use your standing to calm tensions, resolve disputes through dialogue and prevent communities from being mobilised for violence and disorder. 

Through the spirit of Ubuntu that you embody and protect, you can remind our people that we are defined by our humanity towards one another. 

You continue to guide and unite your communities, working with government and other social partners to address the very conditions of poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment in which these tensions take root. 

I hope that we can emerge from this meeting with a clear sense of how government, our traditional monarchs and the institution of traditional leadership more broadly can work together to address this challenge. 

While there are immediate pressures, the issue of migration is something that we must remain engaged with not only now, but into the future.

Thank you again for accepting my invitation and I look forward to our discussion. 

I thank you.

Programme Director Cllr Rebecca Lenstsoane,
Organisers of the Expo led by Sello Malatji
Deputy Minister, Dr Regina Mhaule,
Hon Member of Parliament Ms Joy Maimela,
Executive Mayor of Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality Cllr Moimana,
Educators and Community Leaders,
Representatives of the Private Sector and Civil Society,
Learners present
Programme Director,
Happy birthday to the Mayor of Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality. We will not ask how old the mayor is, but we certainly wish him many more years of service and leadership. Allow me to acknowledge all councillors present, our distinguished guests, representatives from the Department of Basic Education, educators, organisers of this Career Expo, and most importantly, the learners gathered here today. I also wish to recognise the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education. She plays a critical role in overseeing the work of the Department of Basic Education and ensuring that learners across South Africa receive quality education, textbooks on time, and the support they need to succeed.

My name is Ms Nonceba Mhlauli, Deputy Minister in the Presidency. In simple terms, that means I work in the Office of the President, and it is a privilege to be with you here today.

Today is a significant day in the history of our country. Exactly 71 years ago, on 26 June 1955, the Freedom Charter was adopted at the Congress of the People in Kliptown. The Freedom Charter became the foundation upon which our democratic Constitution was built. It was there that ordinary South Africans declared that "The People Shall Govern" and affirmed their vision of a free, equal, and democratic society. This year is also significant because we celebrate 30 years since the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the supreme law of our land. The Constitution protects our rights, guides our democracy, and reminds us of our responsibilities as citizens.

Career expos are much more than events on a calendar. They are opportunities that can change lives. I know this from personal experience. I became interested in journalism after attending an event where I came across a newspaper. I became curious about how stories are written, edited, printed, and distributed. That curiosity eventually led me to study journalism. Today, I hope this Career Expo sparks that same curiosity in each of you. As you walk through the exhibition stands, ask questions. Explore careers you may never have considered before. Learn about bursaries, training opportunities, entrepreneurship, and higher education. Allow your imagination to be awakened.

Many of you attend no-fee schools. Some people may see that as a disadvantage. I do not. Over the past 32 years of democracy, South Africa has made significant progress in expanding access to quality education and opportunities for young people. Next year, many of you will enter universities, colleges, and training institutions. You will sit in classrooms alongside students from different backgrounds and different parts of the country. What will determine your success is not where you come from, but your commitment, discipline, and determination. I stand before you today as someone who attended a township school. Others standing here come from village schools. Yet today we serve our country in positions of leadership. That should tell you one thing: your background does not define your future.

Success begins with discipline. Discipline is reflected in how you conduct yourself, how seriously you take your studies, how you respect your teachers, and how committed you are to achieving your goals. Good results do not happen by chance. They require consistency, hard work, and sacrifice. The future you want starts with the choices you make today.

One of the most important messages I want to leave with you today is this: apply now. Applications for universities, TVET colleges and other institutions of higher learning are already open. Do not wait for your final matric results before applying. Submit your applications now. Secure your student number. As your marks improve through the year, you can update your application accordingly. If you wait until January, many programmes may already be full. We want every learner here today to leave matric knowing that they have already taken the first step towards their future.

This year is also an election year. Many of you are already 18 years old or will soon reach voting age. Every councillor, mayor, Member of Parliament, Minister, and President serves because citizens exercised their democratic right to vote. I encourage each of you to register to vote through the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Participating in democracy is not only about voting; it is about shaping the future of your community, your province, and your country. Who knows? The next mayor, minister, member of parliament or even president may very well be sitting in this audience today.

As I conclude, I want to thank each of you for being here today. Do not see this Career Expo as simply a day away from the classroom. See it as an opportunity to invest in your future. Be curious. Ask questions. Explore possibilities. Learn about bursaries, careers, and opportunities. Most importantly, believe in your potential. We must continue changing the narrative of our communities, our schools, our municipality, our province, and our country.

The future of South Africa is sitting under this tent today.

Go out and make that future a reality.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a Working Visit to France from 10-12 July 2026. 

The visit comes at the invitation of the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Khaled El-Enany, to co-chair the UNESCO High-Level Steering Committee on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG4) on education, which will be held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 10 July 2026.

This will be followed by the Transforming Education Summit (TES) Stocktake.

On 12 July, President Ramaphosa is expected to attend the 110th Commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood which will be held at the South African Memorial in Longueval, approximately two hours from Paris.

The historic commemoration will honour South African soldiers who lost their lives during World War I.

The commemoration will include a wreath-laying ceremony and the unveiling of the UNESCO plaque. 

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by various Ministers and senior government officials.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Your Majesty, Your Excellencies,
Honourable Ministers
Members of the SACU Council,
Executive Secretary of SACU, Mr Dumisani Masilela,
Officials,

This has been a productive Summit. We conducted our discussions in a frank and open manner, which enabled us to reach consensus on the key strategic issues on our Agenda.

I wish to express my appreciation to Your Majesty and Your Excellencies for your contributions and guidance. 

The 9th Summit reflected on the regional and global developments that have an impact on the SACU economic agenda. These developments include the changing trade climate and the rise in protectionist measures.
 
We considered a Report from the SACU Council of Ministers and endorsed the recommendations from the SACU Ministerial Retreat held on the 24th of June 2026 here in Cape Town. 

We also noted progress on the implementation of the SACU Strategic Plan for the period 2022-2027. 

The Summit noted that work in areas such as industrialisation, investment promotion and export promotion has greatly advanced.
There has also been progress in trade facilitation, logistics and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. 
On the industrialisation pillar, work has commenced on fertilizers, agro-chemicals and seed production. 

Work is also advanced on the auto and battery value chains. A regional investment roundtable is planned later this year to mobilise investment.

The regional joint enforcement operations targeting illicit tobacco and tobacco products have yielded significant results. This includes the seizure of illicit goods, arrests, penalties and the recovery of excise duties and Value Added Tax. 

We have also noted that work is being initiated on the critical sectors of automotives and minerals beneficiation, as well as development of a long-term strategy on industrialisation.

All SACU Member States are implementing the tariff concessions under the African Continental Free Trade Area. We agreed on the need for an export strategy to enhance intra-Africa trade and ensure better use of all trade agreements.

We also emphasised the need to fast-track trade negotiations to diversify markets and build resilience in the context of geopolitical tensions and shifts in global trade.

We noted the progress made in the development of a financing mechanism for cross-border industrialisation and infrastructure projects.
The Summit further noted and commended our efforts to diversify trade as a resilience-building strategy. 

The Summit emphasised the need for a unified approach to preserve our Union.
 
The Summit commends the Council of Ministers on the progress in the implementation of the Strategic Plan. 

We must now redouble our efforts and avail the requisite human and financial resources to the Secretariat to achieve the objectives and milestones we have set for ourselves. 

We have guided the Council of Ministers to finalise the SACU re-imagination process. 

This is critical if we are to have a SACU that can respond to the current challenges facing the global economy and leverage the opportunities that arise. 

South Africa’s term as the Chair of SACU ends on the 14th of July 2026. 

I am honoured to have served as the Chairperson of the Summit. It is my hope that the progress registered during South Africa’s tenure will provide a solid foundation to move us forward. 

Allow me to congratulate His Excellency President Boko as the incoming Chairperson of the SACU Summit. 

We pledge our continued support, Your Excellency, as you take over and steer us in this important role. 

We trust in your stewardship as SACU navigates the challenging times.

We thank you all for honouring our invitation to this Summit and wish you safe journeys as you return home. 

I thank you.

Chairperson,
Distinguished Executives of the South Africa Commodity Centre,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for meeting with us today and for the important work you continue to undertake in strengthening commercial and economic relations between South Africa and China.

South Africa values institutions that create practical mechanisms for expanding trade, attracting investment, and facilitating business partnerships. The South Africa Commodity Centre represents exactly this type of strategic platform.

We are encouraged by the vision of SACC as a comprehensive China–South Africa economic cooperation hub that promotes two-way trade, industrial collaboration, and market integration. 

Your investment in a permanent South Africa National Pavilion demonstrates confidence in South Africa's products, industries, and long-term economic potential. 

We note the significant opportunities being developed through your four core business areas:

- Two-way commodity exhibition and trade
- Cross-border e-commerce
- Industrial incubation
- Skills and talent development.

South Africa possesses a rich portfolio of products and industries that align strongly with growing demand in China, including:

- Critical minerals and mineral beneficiation
- Agricultural products and agro-processing 
- Premium wines and beverages
- Citrus, avocados, and fresh produce 
- Seafood and aquaculture products
- Jewellery and precious metals
- Advanced manufacturing and industrial products.

We are particularly interested in expanding market access opportunities for South African exporters and strengthening participation by South African companies in digital commerce platforms and integrated supply chains.

The Centre's focus on cross-border e-commerce and digital trade presents exciting opportunities for South African SMEs and exporters seeking direct access to Chinese consumers and business partners. 

We would welcome further collaboration in developing e-commerce channels, digital trade platforms and market-entry programmes that support South African businesses. 

We are equally encouraged by your industrial incubation and talent development initiatives, which support enterprise growth, knowledge sharing and skills transfer between our two countries.

South Africa views SACC as a strategic platform capable of supporting broader cooperation in investment promotion, manufacturing partnerships, industrial development, and value-added trade.

I therefore invite the South Africa Commodity Centre and its partner enterprises to participate in the next South Africa Investment Conference and engage directly with investment opportunities across priority sectors of our economy.

I also encourage your investors and business partners to explore opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area, which provides access to one of the world's largest emerging markets and positions South Africa as a gateway to the African continent.

Finally, I encourage your organisation and affiliated companies to work closely with InvestSA and our One Stop Shop mechanisms, which are specifically designed to facilitate investment establishment, resolve bottlenecks and accelerate project implementation.

We look forward to strengthening this partnership and creating new opportunities for trade, investment and shared prosperity between South Africa and China.

Thank you, Xie Xie.

Programme Director,
Your Majesty,
Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
Honourable Ministers and Members of the SACU Council,
Executive Secretary of SACU, Mr Dumisani Masilela,
Members of Parliament and members of the diplomatic corps,
Officials,
Distinguished guests, 
Ladies and gentlemen, 
Good morning.
 
Allow me to begin by thanking you, Your Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, for your stewardship during your term as SACU Chair. Due to your leadership, we assume the chairship of a stronger, more resilient SACU. 

We warmly welcome His Excellency Duma Gideon Boko of the Republic of Botswana who is participating in our Summit for the first time.

I would ask that we observe a moment of silence in memory of our departed leaders: Dr Hage Geingob, who passed away in 2024, and Dr Festus Mogae, who passed away in May this year. 

They were both steadfast champions of pan-African solidarity and advocates for regional economic integration. We are comforted by the knowledge that their legacies live on.

Your Majesty, Your Excellencies,

At our last Summit in June 2023 in the Kingdom of Eswatini, we reflected on the global economic challenges that had emerged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We agreed on the need for a coordinated response to tackle supply chain disruptions as well as food and energy market volatility. The Re-imagined SACU Agenda emanated from that Summit. 

We gather today at a moment when the global economy is being reshaped before our eyes. Trade patterns are changing. New technologies are redrawing industrial competitiveness. Supply chains are being reconfigured. Around the world nations are reorganising themselves for a far more uncertain future. 

In such a world, no African country, regardless of its size, can prosper alone. Our strength will increasingly depend on the strength of our region. 

It is at this moment when a Re-imagined SACU Agenda matters. SACU has lived through empire, two world wars, the Great Depression, the struggle against colonialism and apartheid, the birth of independent African states and the transformation of our own region. Few institutions anywhere in the world have demonstrated such endurance. 

Three years on, the global economic environment remains precarious and uncertain. It is marked by trade tensions, tariff disputes, supply chain disruptions and growing economic fragmentation. 

In this increasingly contested global trading system, the need for Africa to strengthen its economic resilience has become all the greater. A Re-imagined SACU therefore becomes the vehicle which would enable our region to navigate the turbulent economic environment but the current moment continues to present us with. 

Through frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and mechanisms like SACU we want to enhance intra-African commerce and trade. 

We need to build resilience and reduce the economic dependencies that render African economies vulnerable to the whims of international trade. The certainties upon which the international trading system rested for decades are steadily giving way to uncertainty. The decline in official development assistance has affected members of our Union. 

The World Bank estimates that global growth will slow to 2.5 percent this year because of the conflict in the Middle East. 

The SACU economies have, however, proven to be resilient against external shocks, supported by stronger regional integration, the diversification of export destinations and effective risk-mitigation measures. It is through regional integration that our region will continue to strengthen economic sovereignty. 

The overall GDP growth in SACU is expected to grow to 2.64 percent in 2026 and 2.1 percent in 2027. 
Ours is the world’s oldest customs union, established in 1910. It has evolved from being an instrument serving colonial interests to one that advances regional economic integration, development and shared prosperity among member states. 

Since the SACU Agreement of 2002, this Union has served as a crucial building block for broader regional integration efforts. At the same time, the revenue transfers support the delivery of public services and infrastructure development. 

Yet, we have not fully unleashed SACU’s potential. 

Our Union has the potential to be more than a fiscal instrument. It must be a catalyst for development. 

We therefore welcome the progress towards establishing a Regional Development Fund in partnership with the African Development Bank.

SACU must be able to adapt its frameworks and instruments to advance industrialisation, strengthen regional value chains, promote economic diversification, attract investment and improve the economic competitiveness of member states. 

It is time to move away from the traditional role of SACU as a customs arrangement and towards being the premier platform for regional economic resilience and self-reliance. This is essential because institutions that fail to adapt to changing realities ultimately become custodians of the past rather than architects of the future. 

Commendable progress has been made in a number of areas. Our ambition must be nothing less than building Southern Africa into one of the world's most competitive regional production hubs. 

In agriculture, for example, there has been valuable cooperation by farmers across member states on citrus and sugar cane production. There has been important cooperation between South Africa and Botswana on Foot and Mouth vaccines. 

We acknowledge the work of the SACU Task Team on Automotive and Mineral Beneficiation that convened in April in Maseru. Its focus is on the development of the battery value chain and cross-border component manufacturing in the auto and mining sectors.
 
Eswatini’s manufacturing base, Lesotho’s textile sector, Namibia’s green hydrogen and uranium processing potential, Botswana’s diamond beneficiation experience and South Africa’s automotive and steel capacity should be harnessed towards a regional industrial ecosystem that can compete in the global economy. 

Industrialisation is the only durable path from commodity dependence to an economy capable of sustaining our growing populations. The next chapter in SACU's history must be written not in customs schedules alone, but in factories that produce, laboratories that innovate, railways that connect our economies and young people whose talents are fully realised. 

With Africa holding approximately 30 percent of the world’s mineral reserves, SACU needs to leverage the growing global demand for critical minerals to support our own regional value chains and to fast-track the beneficiation of our raw materials. 

To make use of these opportunities, we must continue to invest in shared infrastructure. We need roads, railways, ports, energy grids, digital networks and water systems that don’t just serve individual national economies, but that serve an integrated regional economy. 

The Trans-Kalahari Railway, which Botswana and Namibia have been advancing, is precisely the kind of transformative infrastructure that the region needs. 

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a model of shared infrastructure that has served both Lesotho and South Africa for decades. Eswatini’s energy interconnections with South Africa and Mozambique demonstrate the same value. 

We are also launching cross-border special economic zones that will serve as nodal points for regional industrialisation. 

Shared infrastructure requires shared investment. We must attract private investment by creating conditions in our region that are conducive to both international and domestic investment. 

On this great continent lies everything the world needs for the next century of human development. The question is whether we will be the architects of that development or merely suppliers of raw materials. 

This is the challenge we must address at this Summit. 

Our meeting would not be possible without the efforts of our Ministers, officials and the Executive Secretary and his team at the Secretariat. We thank you for your hard work and support to all the institutions of the Union.

South Africa affirms its commitment to the objectives of this Summit and to the advancement of SACU’s strategic objectives. We are grateful for the collegiality and shared resolve that have always characterised the work of the Customs Union. 

One hundred and sixteen years ago, the nations of this region were bound together not by choice, but by the instruments of colonial power.

Today, we choose this Customs Union. We renew it freely. We deepen it deliberately.

Because we understand that economic sovereignty and regional solidarity are not mutually exclusive. They complement each other. 

One hundred and sixteen years ago this Union was created to serve an empire.Today it must serve the aspirations of free African nations. 

Its original purpose was to move goods. Its future purpose must be to create opportunity. Its past was shaped by history. Its future must be shaped by our choices. 

We should therefore choose a re-imagined SACU and stronger SACU over fragmentation.

We choose industrialisation over dependence.

We must together work for a shared prosperity over narrow national interest. 

In the end let history record that this generation of African leaders transformed the world's oldest customs union into one of its most dynamic engines of regional development. 

It is now my great honour to declare the 9th Summit of the SACU Heads of State and Government officially open. 

I thank you.