Programme Directors, Mr. Ndlelantle Pinyana and Ms. Yonela Tukwayo;
Vice-Chancellor Professor Rushiella Nolundi Songca and Members of the Executive Management of Walter Sisulu University;
The Executive Mayor of OR Tambo District Municipality, Councillor Mesuli Ngqondwana;
The Executive Mayor of King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, Councillor Nyaniso Nelani;
Representatives of the Mthatha Business Chamber, including Mr. Wellington Mbalo;
Student leaders and representatives of the Walter Sisulu University community;
Distinguished guests, faculty members, and most importantly, the student body of Walter Sisulu University;

Good afternoon, 

It is a great honour to stand before you today at this esteemed institution, named after one of our greatest liberation leaders, Walter Sisulu. His legacy reminds us that education and activism must always go hand in hand and that knowledge is not only for personal advancement, but for the upliftment of communities and the pursuit of justice.

We meet here at an exciting and historic moment for our country. For the first time, South Africa and indeed Africa holds the Presidency of the G20. From December last year until November 2025, we carry the responsibility of leading one of the most influential gatherings in the world.

Why is the G20 important? The G20 represents 85% of global GDP, 75% of global trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.

The decisions taken within this forum reverberate in every corner of the globe, including right here in Mthatha. From the jobs we seek, to the cost of food, to the technologies shaping our future global choices matter, and the G20 is where many of those choices are debated and decided.

This year’s theme is Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. These three words capture the vision we want to see for the world and for our people.

• Solidarity means working together across nations and communities, because the crises of today whether climate change, pandemics, or economic shocks cannot be solved by one country alone.
• Equality reminds us that fairness and justice must underpin our economic systems, so that the accident of where you are born, your gender, or your race does not limit your life chances.
• Sustainability is about securing our planet for future generations by using our resources wisely and ensuring development does not destroy the environment we depend on. 

But as important as the G20 is, let me be clear: the G20 cannot be a meeting of leaders alone. 

It must be a People’s G20. It is for this reason that government is engaging across the country, ensuring that the voices of ordinary South Africans are heard as we prepare to host the G20 Summit in Johannesburg this November. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa said we must take the G20 to all corners of our country. Over 134 G20 Ministerial and Technical Meetings have taken place in various parts of our country since December 2024. These meetings will continue until South Africa hosts the Leader’s Summit on 22nd to 23rd November 2025. 

The Eastern Cape Province hosted, among others, the First Employment Group Working Group Meeting and the Second Digital Economy Working Group Meetings. The province will, on 10th to 11th of October host the Fourth Trade and Investment Working Group Meeting. These meetings provide an opportunity to showcase South Africa to world and for G20 delegates to engage with South Africans in finding solutions to key issues facing the world.

And it is also the reason I am here today - Because you, the students of Walter Sisulu University, must not stand aside from these conversations. Your ideas, your innovations, and your perspectives matter. When we talk about the future of work, about Artificial Intelligence, about sustainable growth, about tackling inequality - We are talking about your future.

We have just hosted the Y20, the official youth engagement group of the G20. It brought together young leaders from across the world to debate solutions and to feed their recommendations into the G20 Leaders’ Summit. 

 The Y20 showed us the power of youth voices in shaping global policy. I want to encourage each of you here to follow the work of the Y20, to join the debates, and to add your voice. Because if we are to build a fairer, greener and more equal world, your generation must be at the table.

South Africa’s G20 Presidency is also about unlocking opportunities for you. We are using this platform to push for inclusive growth, industrialisation, youth employment, closing the gender gap, and harnessing the potential of technology. The message we are taking to the world is that South Africa is open for business, rich in talent, and determined to reduce inequality while building prosperity.

I know that for many students, the question is: how does this affect me directly? The answer is simple by participating, you shape the future that will affect your lives. The policies agreed at the G20 on trade, jobs, food security, and climate will filter down into the opportunities available in South Africa. When you engage, you make sure that these policies reflect your realities and aspirations.

Walter Sisulu once said, “It is a law of life that problems arise when conditions are there for their solution.” 

We are living in a time of global challenges, but also in a time of unprecedented possibility. As young people of South Africa, you are not only witnesses to these changes, you are leaders in shaping the solutions.

So my call to you today is simple:
• See yourselves as part of the global conversation.
• Take up the opportunities to engage through platforms like the Y20.
• Challenge us as leaders to ensure that this G20 is truly a People’s G20 — one that does not speak over you, but speaks with you.

Fellow compatriots, 

South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 is first and foremost about advancing our national interests in a rapidly changing global environment. By chairing this powerful grouping, we are placing inclusive and sustainable economic growth at the centre of the global agenda, while ensuring that the benefits flow to our own citizens. 

South Africa’s G20 Presidency also comes with distinct advantages as an attractive investment destination. Our business services sector is globally competitive, and our digital infrastructure is among the most sophisticated on the continent. 

With widespread mobile networks and rapidly expanding high-speed broadband, we are well-positioned to take advantage of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

By presenting these strengths to the G20 community, we can deepen trade partnerships, attract technology investment, and further establish South Africa as a hub for innovation and digital services. 

Food security and hunger remain global challenges that directly affect millions of households across our continent. South Africa is therefore using its G20 Presidency to push for collective solutions that strengthen food systems, stabilise agricultural markets, and promote resilience against climate shocks. Ensuring that people have access to affordable and nutritious food is not only a moral imperative, but also a cornerstone of stability and economic progress. 

Our Presidency further seeks to unlock new possibilities in Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation. We are engaging G20 partners to ensure that AI becomes a tool for inclusive development driving economic growth, creating jobs, and providing solutions to social challenges. 

By positioning ourselves at the forefront of these discussions, we aim to harness technology not as a threat but as a powerful enabler of opportunity for South Africans.

Colleagues, 

Our government is determined that South Africa’s G20 Presidency is not be an elite exercise, but one that includes the voices of ordinary citizens.

That is why we are hosting outreach engagements across the country to bring the G20 closer to the people. These dialogues ensure that our Presidency is informed by the perspectives and concerns of South Africans in all provinces, not just by policy-makers in Pretoria.

Such outreach events are vital in fostering public dialogue and encouraging participation in our G20 Presidency. They allow communities, businesses, youth, and civil society to engage with global issues in a local context, ensuring that the benefits of international cooperation translate into opportunities that people can feel in their daily lives.

They also help strengthen partnerships across sectors and deepen collaboration between government, industry, and civil society. 

By building these relationships, South Africa ensures that the G20’s outcomes are not abstract global statements, but practical commitments that support national development goals.

Before I conclude, let me give you a glimpse of the work that we have done as a country since taking over the Presidency of the G20 in December last year. 

South Africa has convened a series of high-level G20 meetings in preparation for the Summit in November. These meetings have enabled us to reach consensus on key issues and ensure that our proposals are well represented in G20 Working Documents. 

Several of our proposals have already been reflected in the discussions on inclusive growth, sustainable development, and equitable trade. This shows that South Africa is not just hosting, but actively shaping the agenda in ways that matter for us and for the wider Global South.

The meetings we have hosted span a broad range of issues: 
- Sherpa meetings on Summit readiness; 
- The Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group on poverty, employment, and sustainable goals; 
- The Framework Working Group on the global economic outlook and fiscal risks;
- The Digital Economy Working Group on AI; 
- The Employment Working Group on gender disparities and labour income; 
- The Development Working Group on inequality and partnerships; and 
- The Trade and Investment Working Group on inclusive growth, green industrialisation, and trade reform. 

Each of these discussions has been crucial in laying the groundwork for a strong Leaders’ Declaration in November.

Through these engagements, we are ensuring that South Africa’s Presidency leaves a lasting mark. They demonstrate our capacity to convene, to lead, and to influence global decision-making in ways that resonate with our national priorities. The G20 Summit itself will be the culmination of this process, but the legacy will be in the policies and practices that endure long after the Summit has concluded.

As we move towards the G20 Summit in November, let us do so with the spirit of solidarity, with the fight for equality in our hearts, and with the vision of a sustainable world for generations to come.

I thank you. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a meeting of the National Executive with the Provincial Executive Council of the North West. 

The engagement was held under the theme “A Nation that Works for All,” formed part of a series of engagements between the President and provinces aimed at enhancing intergovernmental coordination and improve service delivery in line with the priorities of the 7th Administration.

In accordance with the constitutional imperative for deepening cooperative governance, the meeting affirmed close cooperation in ensuring the successful delivery of critical infrastructure such as the rebuilding of roads, provision of water infrastructure and energy availability for powering the province’s industrial ambitions. 

The meeting recognised the improvements that have been achieved in the governance of the province. The national executive pledged to work closely with the provincial government to ensure the resolution of challenges currently plaguing municipalities in the province. 

President Ramaphosa welcomed the demonstrated level of developmental ambition by the province. The President encouraged the province to exploit public-private sector partnerships in the furtherance of development in the province. 

Previous sessions between the national and provincial executives include meetings with the Executive Councils of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and most recently, the Northen Cape. 

It is envisaged that the National Executive would have met with the leadership of the remaining two provinces, Free State and Western Cape, by the end of this financial year. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa, on media@presidency.gov.za / Sello Tatai, Spokesperson to the Premier of North West Province / Mr Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi on 082 450 7842

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director, Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa,
Premier of the North West, Mr Lazarus Mokgosi,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Members of the Executive Council (MECs),
Executive Mayors and members of councils,
Officials,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning,
 
As the National Executive, we are pleased to be in the North West.
 
This is our seventh formal engagement with a provincial executive.
 
We have previously met with the Executive Councils of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and, most recently, the Northern Cape.
 
We hope to have met with the leadership of the remaining two provinces, Free State and Western Cape, by the end of this financial year.
 
The Constitution mandates cooperative governance.
 
As the Government of National Unity, we see this as an important part of building a capable, ethical and developmental state.
 
One of the driving forces behind the District Development Model that we established in 2019 was to ultimately do away with three persistent challenges.
 
The first of these is the challenge of working in silos, which has contributed to a disjointed approach by national, provincial and local spheres of Government.
 
The second challenge is what I have termed on a previous occasion as ‘parachuted development’.
 
Here, I am referring to the approach of initiating, scoping and budgeting for projects and programmes without proper project preparation and consultation with relevant stakeholders and, most importantly, the affected communities.

The third challenge has been how projects are funded in the wake of the fiscal challenges our country is going through. The DDM was initiated to enhance co-operation amongst all stakeholders. In addressing the challenge of funding projects we need to identify innovative ways of funding many projects. This we can do through more effective co-operation amongst all stakeholders.
 
These challenges have contributed to projects not being initiated nor implemented, when they are implemented being dogged by huge cost over-runs, projects being discontinued, and communities losing interest in development that does not materialise.
 
These challenges have contributed to a trust deficit between Government and communities.
 
These two challenges have been holding back our progress as a country.
 
Today’s engagement is designed to narrow and ultimately close these gaps.
 
This engagement is meant to help us work together more efficiently, to resolve challenges together and to plan smarter.
 
We hope that this engagement will come up with innovative ideas and lead to tangible action to address problems and challenges.
 
Chairperson,
 
While the provincial executive and municipalities should be commended for growing public infrastructure in this Province, challenges remain.
 
Communities are bearing the brunt of instability at local government level.
 
Municipalities have repeatedly been placed under administration, the Ditsobotla Local Municipality being the most recent of these.
 
The National Executive, working with the Provincial Government, is determined to arrest the current situation and turn the municipality around so that it once again delivers consistent services and enjoys the respect of communities.
 
We were all elected to serve the people and not our own interests.
 
Failure to deliver services is an infringement of the basic rights of citizens.
 
Let me address the issue of running water as an example.
 
No one should go more than a day without running water while there is a deafening silence from the municipal offices about when water will be restored.
 
We must remind ourselves of the National Treasury’s 2024 provincial socio-economic review which points to an increase in the percentage of people living in poverty.
 
It also points to a drop in the number of households with access to basic services like water.
 
We need to recognise that fiscal constraints are holding back a number of projects and programmes, particularly at a municipal level.
 
But nothing can excuse poor governance, maladministration, financial mismanagement, wastage and corruption.
 
If a municipality is put under administration, we need to know what the elected representatives and municipal officials are doing to earn their salaries.
 
The impact of tariffs and other developments on the country’s economy mean that we must intensify our efforts to deliver on the Government of National Unity’s three strategic priorities.
 
These priorities are to drive inclusive growth and job creation; to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living; and to build a capable, ethical and developmental state.
 
These priorities must find expression in plans for action at both provincial and local government.
 
We need to unlock the blockages in establishing a Special Economic Zone in Moses Kotane Municipality, reintroduce the use of railway routes, and expand the airports in Mahikeng and Pilanesberg.
 
We need an urgent relook at the current delivery model to enable more efficient regulatory approval and investment activation.
 
With regard to infrastructure development, we will need to find ways to support high impact projects in the four corridors and elsewhere in the Province.
 
We need to seize on the great opportunities that exist to develop agriculture, tourism and manufacturing in this Province.
 
These are among the issues that we will deliberate on today.
 
Premier Mokgosi, working together with your Executive Council and the municipal leadership here, I am confident that we can drive development in the Platinum Province.
 
In this effort, no person, no community and no industry should be left behind.
 
Once again thank you all for your attendance. I look forward to our discussions.
 
I thank you.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli will on Friday 12th September 2025, host a University community dialogue at the Walter Sisulu University Mthatha main campus Eastern Cape. The G20 plays an influential role in shaping the global discussions on economic governance, youth and skills development initiatives relevant to the 21st century.  

The dialogue forms part of year-long G20 awareness outreach programmes by Government Communications and Information System aimed at different stakeholders across the country which among others include civil society, traditional leadership, business and academia.

This programme will kick-start with information exhibition wherein identified government and non-government organizations will provide services and information to the students

Members of the media are invited to cover the event to be held as follows:
Date: 12 September 2025
Time: 14H00
Venue: WSU - Nelson Mandela drive campus
RSVP's: Ms Phiwokuhle Zouma GCIS - 073 315 2655 / Phiwokuhle@gcis.gov.za OR Ms Yonela Tukwayo WSU - 060 997 4431/ Ytukwayo@wsu.ac.za 

 
Media enquiries: Ms Mandisa Mbele, 082 580 2213 / mandisam@presidency.gov.za or Mr Ndlelantle Pinyana GCIS 076 142 8606 / Ndlelantle@gcis.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Members of the media,
CEO and Co-Founder of BlueLever, Adam Collier,
Programme Director, 
Distinguished colleagues from Government, 
Representatives of the private sector,
Leaders of civil society organisations,
Development partners, 
And most importantly, the young people of South Africa,

It is an honour to stand before you this morning as we reflect on the progress we are making in tackling one of the greatest challenges of our generation: youth unemployment.

We are gathered here, for the third media briefing since taking office, not only to share updates on the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and the Jobs Boost programme, but also to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where every young South African has the opportunity to thrive.

Progress under the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention

Since its launch in 2020, the PYEI has become the central mechanism through which we bring together government, the private sector, civil society, and development partners to respond to the crisis of youth unemployment.

By the end of the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, more than 5.64 million young people had registered on the National Pathway Management Network. This is a powerful sign of the hunger among our youth for opportunities, and a testament to the trust they are placing in this platform as their gateway to work and learning.

Through this system, more than 1.91 million opportunities have been made accessible to young people since inception. These are not just numbers each one represents a life being transformed, a family being supported, and a community being uplifted.

In Q1, more than 234,000 opportunities were taken up by young South Africans. This tells us two things: firstly, that young people are ready and willing to work, and secondly, that our collective efforts are beginning to bear fruit.

Revitalised National Youth Service

Among the most significant milestones of this quarter was the launch of Phase 4 of the Revitalised National Youth Service. At the beginning of September, 40,000 young people across the country began their paid community service opportunities across our country.

The NYS supports service delivery efforts and improves the lives of marginalised communities. It prioritises focus areas that benefit children and young people at large.

These include sports, arts and culture; the restoration and maintenance of public spaces used by young people; support to early childhood development and school learners and the promotion of antenatal care and child nutrition.

Organisations such as Spotlite Education Foundation, Seriti Institute, Cricket South Africa, and the Sport for Social Change Network are among those delivering these opportunities nationwide, ensuring young people gain both community service experience and work readiness skills while contributing to social development.

The National Youth Service is about more than work experience. It is about nurturing a spirit of active citizenship, giving young people the chance to contribute to their communities while gaining valuable skills, confidence, and networks.

Through this programme, young South Africans are repairing schools, greening public spaces, supporting early childhood development centres, and working with municipalities to improve service delivery. In doing so, they are building both the country and themselves.

Jobs Boost: Outcomes-Based Employment

Equally significant is the progress of the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund. This programme is a pioneering effort that places outcomes at the centre of funding. In other words, money flows when jobs are created and sustained.

To date, more than 8,100 young people have been enrolled in Jobs Boost, and over 5,400 have already been placed into quality jobs. More than R115 million has been disbursed to implementing partners, directly linked to verified outcomes. Bear in mind colleagues that this is a pilot project and we will be scaling after the pilot.

This is a fundamental shift in how we think about development financing and it is working. Jobs Boost has already attracted global recognition, being selected as one of only ten initiatives worldwide supported by the Outcomes Finance Alliance’s Outcomes Accelerator. This demonstrates that South Africa is not only addressing its challenges but also innovating in ways that inspire the global community.

Partnerships in Action

Jobs Boost is not just about numbers. It is about the partnerships that make change possible. One example is BluLever Education, which is training the next generation of artisans. With bursaries, stipends, and job placements, BluLever has supported over 200 apprentices to date. Already, 135 have been placed into jobs, with the remainder on track to enter sustainable employment.

But what is equally important is how this work is strengthening small businesses and formalising the informal sector. By incentivising quality training and real job placement, Jobs Boost is changing the way employers, training providers, and funders think about youth employment.

Broader Vision and Next Steps

Colleagues, these achievements should inspire us, but they must not make us complacent. The scale of youth unemployment remains daunting. Millions of young South Africans are still without work or prospects.

This is why our work must continue with urgency. Our focus for the coming months will be on three critical priorities:

1. Scaling Innovation: Expanding programmes like Jobs Boost and the Revitalised National Youth Service so that they reach more young people in more communities.

2. Strengthening Systems: Improving the efficiency of the National Pathway Management Network, ensuring it is not only accessible but also responsive to the needs of both young people and employers.

3. Ensuring Inclusion: We must leave no young person behind. This means paying special attention to rural youth, young women, and young people with disabilities who often face multiple barriers to accessing opportunities.

4. If your organisation has programs offering learning, work experience, or earning opportunities, you can register these opportunities on the SAYouth.mobi platform. This allows PYEI to integrate your offerings into the broader National Pathway Management Network (NPMN), connecting you with young people ready to participate.

Colleagues, the story of the PYEI and Jobs Boost is the story of young South Africans refusing to be defined by statistics. It is the story of a government willing to innovate, and of partners across sectors stepping up to do things differently.

Most importantly, it is the story of possibility.

As we reflect on the progress made in the first quarter, let us recommit ourselves to building a society where every young person has the dignity of work and the agency to shape their own future.
Together, we can ensure that South Africa is not only a country of potential, but a country of realised opportunity.

I thank you.

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will this afternoon, Thursday, 11 September 2025, respond to Questions for Oral Reply from Members of Parliament in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Cape Town. 

In terms of the Constitution and Parliamentary Programme, the Deputy President appears periodically in the NCOP to answer questions posed by Delegates to the NCOP, particularly on matters related to his Delegated Responsibilities by the President as well as to account for the work of the Executive, especially in areas that affect the Provinces, and also facilitate cooperative governance by engaging with Provincial Representatives in Parliament on issues that require national-provincial coordination and intervention.

In this regard, Deputy President Mashatile will answer questions on issues related to Government's three-sphere coordinated process of the District Development Model; Municipalities owing Water Boards; Increase in unemployment rate reported by StatsSA and government's plans to address it; Government's efforts to empower and support Non-Profit Organisations as well as processes established by Government to address challenges identified by the South African Human Rights Commission on a number of municipalities.

Details of the Question & Answer session are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 11 September 2025
Time: 14h00 
Venue: Old Assembly NCOP Chambers, Parliament, Cape Town

Livestreaming on DSTV Parliamentary Channel 408 and YouTube Parliamentary channel.  

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 12 September 2025, lead an engagement between the National Executive and the Provincial Executive of North West.

The President will meet with the Premier of North West, Mr Lazarus Mokgosi and the Provincial Government Executive.

The Joint National and North West Provincial Executive engagement which will be held under the theme “A Nation that Works for All”, forms part of a series of engagements between the President and provinces aimed at enhancing intergovernmental coordination and improve service delivery in line with the priorities of the 7th Administration.

The meeting will be the seventh engagement between the National Executive and Provinces following interactions between the President and the Provincial Governments of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape.

The meeting will discuss various approaches to service delivery issues including interventions to improve service delivery at local government level.

The Provincial Executive Committee is expected to present the recently adopted Growth and Development Strategy which is aimed at addressing challenges of unemployment and poverty in the province.

The provincial leadership will also present its Accelerated Service Delivery initiative, Thuntsha Lerole, which aims to assist municipalities address various service delivery challenges impacting their administrative and developmental trajectory. 

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

Media will be able to cover the President's opening address.

Accredited members of the media are invited as follows:
Joint Government Meeting
Date: Friday, 12 September 2025 
Time: 11h00 (media to arrive from 10h00)
Venue: Municipal Chambers of the Rustenburg Civic Centre, North West Province

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa, on media@presidency.gov.za OR Sello Tatai, Spokesperson to the Premier of North West Province, Mr Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi on 082 450 7842

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Ms Nonceba Mhlauli, will deliver the keynote address at the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) Q1 2025/26 Results Media Briefing. The event will showcase the progress of the initiative, highlight outcomes from the past quarter, and provide a platform for engagement with key stakeholders, young opportunity holders, and the media.

The PYEI, a flagship intervention aimed at addressing youth unemployment, continues to drive opportunities for young South Africans through innovative partnerships and programmes such as Jobs Boost and skills development initiatives.

The media briefing will feature a presentation of the PYEI results, insights from implementing partners, and testimonies from youth who have benefited from the programme. It will also include an overview of BluLever Education’s contribution to technical training and employment pathways, followed by a tour of the facilities.

Details of the media briefing:

Date: Thursday, 11 September 2025
Time: 10h00 – 12h00
Venue: BluLever Education, 39 Smit Service Road, Braamfontein, Johannesburg

Programme Highlights:

- Opening remarks by Deputy Minister Nonceba Mhlauli

- Presentation of PYEI Q1 Results by PYEI Director, Ms Tshego Walker

- Overview of BluLever Education and Jobs Boost by CEO and Co-Founder, Ms Jess Roussos

- Testimonies from PYEI youth beneficiaries and apprentices

- Media Q&A session and facility tour

Members of the media are invited to attend.

Media Enquiries & RSVP: Mandisa Mbele, Head: Office of the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, on 082 580 2213 / mandisam@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Founders of Project Blue, Mr Jack Bedder, Mr Nils Backerberg and Mr Steve Segete, 
Captains of the mining, manufacturing and finance industries, 
Government officials
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my honour to join you this evening at the Ferroalloys 2025 Conference Gala Dinner. We would have loved to honour your invitation at your inaugural conference in 2024 but equally happy that we meet a year later, with your platform having grown bigger and better. 

We gather here not only as government, industry, and labour, but as custodians of South Africa’s future. A future that is being shaped by the choices we make today in mining, manufacturing, and industrial development.

For more than a century, South Africa’s mining industry has been the backbone of our economy. From the discovery of gold and diamonds to the development of platinum group metals, manganese, and chrome - mining has fuelled industrialisation, built cities, and created millions of jobs. It has generated the revenues that funded infrastructure, schools, and hospitals, while positioning South Africa as a global player in mineral production.

In fact, just today Statistics South Africa released the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for the 2nd Quarter of 2025 which indicates that the economy grew by 0,8% with mining being amongst the most significant positive contributor adding 0,2 percentage point to GDP growth. 

Mining output grew by 3,7%, the fastest pace since the first quarter of 2021 (4,4%). Platinum group metals, gold and chromium ore were the main positive contributors. This is testament to the fact that this sector continues to play a crucial role in the growth and development of our economy. 

Colleagues, we find ourselves in a new era. An era defined by green industrialisation, the global push towards decarbonisation, and rapid digital transformation. At the heart of these shifts lies an increasing demand for critical minerals. These are the building blocks of the technologies that will drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

It is within this context that South Africa undertook a comprehensive study on the state of our mining industry, culminating in the development of a Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy. This strategy provides a clear roadmap to leverage our mineral endowments for inclusive growth, industrialisation, job creation, and economic transformation.

Manganese and chrome, which are essential inputs into ferroalloy production, have been identified as high-criticality minerals. The manganese sector alone employs over 14 000 South Africans, contributes billions in tax revenue and foreign exchange, and in 2023 recorded production of 21 million tonnes, with more than 90% destined for export markets.

Chrome too, continues to be a strategic asset, positioning South Africa as a significant exporter and reinforcing our leadership in ferroalloys. 

In 2023, our country produced an estimated 4.34 million tonnes of ferroalloys, consolidating our status as one of major producers. In the same year, export revenues from ferroalloys reached R8.3 billion, driven by strong demand from the global steel industry, infrastructure projects, and industrialisation in emerging markets.

However, these successes are not without challenges. The ferroalloys industry continues to face: 
• Declining global market share in the face of stiff competition;
• High input costs, particularly electricity and labour;
• Infrastructure bottlenecks in rail and ports;
• And limited domestic demand due to subdued local steel production.

These challenges are compounded by global market dynamics, especially the evolution of steel production in China, and the rising demand in emerging economies such as India and Vietnam.

As government, we are not passive observers of these dynamics. Guided by our Critical Minerals Strategy and the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, government is implementing catalytic interventions to unlock growth in ferroalloys and allied industries.

Through Operation Vulindlela, we are:
• Addressing electricity supply constraints, including reforms to enable greater private sector participation in generation;
• Modernising our rail and port infrastructure to reduce congestion, improve efficiency, and lower export costs;
• Reviewing administered prices to enhance the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries such as ferroalloys; and
• Designing sector-wide incentives that support investment, localisation, and beneficiation.

At the same time, we are working closely with industry players to strengthen value chains, encourage innovation, and build skills for the future. The ferroalloys industry has the potential to be a springboard for downstream manufacturing, from stainless steel to specialised alloys, creating new industries and decent jobs for our people.

The future is not only about exporting raw materials. It is about capturing more value here at home. South Africa must position itself not just as a supplier of minerals, but as a global leader in sustainable mineral beneficiation and advanced manufacturing. We must stop being a point of extraction but a point of production. 

Ferroalloys will play a decisive role in this transformation. They are indispensable in steelmaking, which in turn is the backbone of infrastructure, smart cities, and modern construction. In this sense, ferroalloys are not just a commodity, they are a strategic enabler of the transition to a low carbon economy. 

To achieve this vision, we must deepen partnerships:
• Between government and industry,
• Between investors and workers,
• And between South Africa and our regional and global partners, including SADC, BRICS, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

By working together, we can unlock markets, mobilise investment, and build the skills base that will empower the next generation.

Ladies and gentlemen, the ferroalloys industry is at a crossroads. The choices we make today will determine whether South Africa remains a global leader or falls behind in a rapidly changing world.

Let us work together and place the needs of our people at the centre of our mineral wealth.

We also recognise that trust is not built on words alone but on concrete action. Government is committed to listening to the concerns of industry, acting on them, and demonstrating that this is a partnership for growth.

Our approach is rooted in transparency, accountability, and continuous dialogue. We want to create more spaces like this conference where government, business, and global partners can meet openly, exchange ideas honestly, and commit to solving problems together. 

By working together, we will build the foundations for a more competitive, resilient, and inclusive ferroalloys industry.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am conscious that this is a gala dinner and I do not wish to stand too long between you and your meal, or indeed between you and the excellent South African wine that has been carefully chosen for this occasion. 

Allow me then to close by saying that South Africa has the resources, the talent, and the vision to be a global leader in the ferroalloys industry. What we need is to act with purpose and in partnership.

I thank the organisers of Ferroalloys 2025 for convening this significant gathering, and I acknowledge the founders of Project Blue and all the industry leaders present tonight for their continued leadership and commitment. 

May this evening mark not only a celebration of what has been achieved but also a renewal of our collective resolve to build an industry that is globally competitive, environmentally sustainable, and beneficial to all South Africans as we build A Nation That Works For All. 

I thank you. 
 

The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Ms Nonceba Mhlauli, will deliver remarks at the Gala Dinner of the Ferroalloys 2025 Critical Materials Conference, hosted in Johannesburg.

The Ferroalloys 2025 Conference brings together leaders from Government, industry, and finance to exchange insights, build partnerships, and explore opportunities in South Africa’s mining and ferroalloys sector. This year’s programme includes discussions on manganese, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum, silicon, logistics, and the global outlook on supply and demand in critical materials.

The Gala Dinner, an official part of the conference, provides a unique platform to celebrate collaboration across the ferroalloys value chain while showcasing South Africa’s cultural richness and hospitality.

Deputy Minister Mhlauli will address delegates from across the globe, reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to strengthening the mining sector, promoting investment, and advancing inclusive growth in the critical materials industry.

Event details:

Occasion: Ferroalloys 2025 Gala Dinner
Date: Tuesday, 09 September 2025
Time: 19h00
Venue: Sandton Hotel, Johannesburg

Media RSVP & enquiries: Mandisa Mbele, Head: Office of the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, on 082 580 2213 / mandisam@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria