Programme Director,
President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Asheen Magjee,
Chief Executive Officer of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms Palesa Phili,
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Thami Ntuli,
Executive Mayor of eThekwini, Cllr Cyril Xaba,
Members of the Board and Council of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Sanibonani.

Thank you to the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry for this invitation.
It is a privilege to celebrate this occasion with the oldest and largest metropolitan chamber of commerce on the African continent.
This milestone is a testament to resilience.
For 170 years, the Chamber has weathered profound political, social and economic change.
Tonight we are paying tribute to a proud legacy of enterprise.

It is a legacy that has championed the interests of business in this city under colonial rule, through the rise and fall of apartheid and now under democracy.
The Chamber has adapted to the demands of each new era.

And it has remained a strong presence in the commercial life of this city.
This tribute would not be complete without recognising the leadership of the Chamber after the unrest of July 2021.

When I testified before the South African Human Rights Commission in 2022, I said that time would show that we stood as one.
We refused to be divided.

And we were determined to rebuild.
The Chamber was at the forefront of that effort.
It mobilised the business community, supported businesses that had been badly affected and worked with government to restore economic activity.

Barely nine months later, this province was struck by catastrophic floods.
Once more, the Chamber stepped forward.
We worked together – government, business and other social partners – to repair infrastructure, support distressed businesses and restore operations at the Port of Durban.
A great strength over all these years has been the Chamber’s willingness to rally in the face of uncertainty.

This is evident in its commitment to partnering with government.
It is evident in the results of our joint efforts to place Durban and KwaZulu-Natal on a firm path to recovery.

The Presidential eThekwini Working Group has played a significant role in the work to turn the metro around. 

The progress made through the working group is due in large measure to strong political and administrative leadership from the municipality and the province and the active engagement of national departments and public entities.

Vitally, the progress is also due to the involvement of key partners and stakeholders, and central among these is the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Through this partnership, we have seen improved metrics in areas such as municipal utility collections, non-revenue water and spending on repairs and maintenance.
Operation Shanela continues to outperform targets, contributing to improved visible policing and overall safety in eThekwini.

Yet service delivery problems in the metro, especially with water, continue to hold back recovery.

There is still a significant infrastructure backlog that is constraining greater investment and better services for the people of the city.

That is why we commend the eThekwini Metro Council on the adoption of the Development and Service Delivery Partnering Policy Framework in response to concerns about the delays and red tape associated with implementing public-private partnerships.

We now need to put that framework to use to implement key infrastructure projects.
We need to take forward the work to revitalise the city’s manufacturing and industrial zones and reduce the costs of doing business.

As we tackle these and other challenges, we must take encouragement from what has been achieved.

This includes the record R124.5 billion in investment commitments secured at the recent KwaZulu-Natal Investment Conference.
The eThekwini metro accounts for the bulk of that investment.

These commitments span manufacturing, automotive, infrastructure, logistics and tourism.
We have also seen the rebound of the tourism economy.

Nationally, tourism numbers are up. Much of this growth is being led by KwaZulu-Natal and Durban.
Last festive season, around 1.2 million visitors came to the city.

This year Durban was ranked 14th in Time Out’s Best Places to Travel in 2026.

The city has become a sought-after host for major events, including Africa’s Travel Indaba and the 46th SADC Summit this year.
It is significant that more jobs are being created here.

The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows that eThekwini has the lowest unemployment rate of the country’s eight metros.
It was also the only metro to record a decrease in unemployment both quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year.

Employment in the metro now stands at 1.29 million, around 90,000 more than a year ago.
While we still have much work to do, our efforts to improve efficiency at Transnet and at our ports are delivering results.
Durban remains the busiest container port in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Durban Gateway Terminal handles nearly half of the country’s containerised freight.
The port has faced very real challenges – the unrest of 2021, the floods of 2022, load shedding and insecurity on the freight rail network.

Yet we are seeing steady progress.
Rail volumes continue to recover.
Security incidents and cable theft on the network have declined.

Transnet is procuring additional security to protect the central corridor that feeds the Port of Durban.

The latest World Bank and S&P Global Container Port Performance Index has named the Port of Durban the most improved port in the world.
Out of around 400 container ports, Durban recorded the greatest gains in efficiency.

We are aware of the serious disruptions at the Durban Gateway Terminal following the migration of its terminal operating system.
The Minister of Transport visited the terminal earlier this month to meet its management, and government will continue to monitor the situation closely until operations are fully restored.

We thank the Chamber for working with government and other stakeholders to support the recovery of the port and of freight rail.
As expansion plans for the Port of Durban move ahead, Transnet and the municipality need coordinated plans and solutions.
The Chamber can help forge practical solutions that serve both development and the communities of Durban.

The signs of Durban’s recovery are clear.
They paint a picture of a city regaining its momentum.

That is owed in no small part to the hard work, perseverance and commitment of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
This progress must be sustained and built upon as we work together to resolve outstanding challenges.

The latest Durban Business Confidence Index showed a slight decline in the second quarter of this year.

It reflects concerns about both domestic and external pressures.

Even as the economy of the city and province mends, many businesses are still struggling.
They face high electricity costs, rising fuel prices and supply chain disruptions.

We are taking decisive steps to protect Durban’s manufacturing base and safeguard local jobs.
Businesses that have invested in this city must be able to compete on a fair and level playing field.

We have sought to balance consumer choice with the protection of local manufacturers, including clamping down on imports of poor-quality and unsafe goods.

The revenue service and the South African Police Service continue to conduct major anti-counterfeit operations, including at the Port of Durban.

The Chamber has raised concern about the growing number of business closures in the metro, particularly among small and medium enterprises.

We look forward to the results of the survey the Chamber has commissioned with the Human Sciences Research Council.

It is critical that we understand exactly what is driving these closures and to refine the support we provide to businesses accordingly.
We are just days away from an election and the political climate is charged.

There are those who are exploiting public sentiment around illegal migration to stir up communities and to provide cover for criminality.
In recent weeks, a number of small businesses in the metro have been hit by looting and vandalism.

An investigation is underway into the killing of a man in the Durban CBD last week.
We understand that this has created uncertainty for business, for whom the memories of 2021 are still fresh.

While these incidents have been isolated, we are taking no chances.

I have authorised the deployment of the South African National Defence Force in the province until the end of November.

This demands vigilance from all of us, including the business community.

Just as we refused to be turned against each other before, we will refuse to be divided now.
On 4 November, we go to the polls.
This metro is the economic heart of KwaZulu-Natal.

It needs capable, visionary leadership to build on the progress achieved after an extremely difficult period.

I call on all of you to go out and vote.
Let it be a vote for progress.
Let it be a vote for recovery.
Let it be a vote for shared prosperity for the people of eThekwini.

Building confidence is a collective effort.
The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry has shown leadership when it mattered most.
May you continue to grow from strength to strength.

And may you always count on government as your committed partner.

I thank you.
 

Programme Director and Speaker of Council, Councillor John Senona;

The Tambo Family;

Premier of Gauteng Province, Mr Panyaza Lesufi;

Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza;

Whip of Council, Alderman Pelisa Nkunjana;

Distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good Morning,

The Holy Scripture remind us in Genesis 3:19: "For dust you are, and to dust you shall return."

These words reflect the transient nature of human existence, highlighting that our lives are temporary, and compelling us to do the best we can while we are on earth. 

When our journey comes to an end, it is not our status, possessions, or titles that remain. What endures is the example we set, the principles we uphold, and the contribution we make to the lives of others.

It is in that spirit that we gather today at this sacred resting place of one of South Africa's greatest sons, President Oliver Reginald Tambo.

We gather not only to honour the memory of O.R Tambo, but also to reflect on the enduring legacy of a man whose life was dedicated to the service of humanity, the pursuit of justice, and the liberation of his people.

Although O.R Tambo rests here, his legacy lives on in the constitutional democracy we enjoy, in the freedoms we exercise, and in the values of non-racialism, equality, unity, and justice that continue to shape our nation.

For three decades in exile, O.R Tambo carried the enormous responsibility of leading the African National Congress during some of the most difficult years of our liberation struggle. 

With remarkable courage, wisdom, and humility, he held together a diverse movement, mobilised international solidarity, and kept alive the hope of a free and democratic South Africa.

The sad reality is that O.R Tambo devoted his entire life to the struggle for a free democratic and prosperous South Africa but never enjoyed it in his lifetime. 

Like biblical Moses, who led the people out of captivity into the promised land, OR Tambo championed the struggle against apartheid captivity, but departed this world before he could fully experience the freedom and democracy for which he had sacrificed so much.

He died in April 1993, just one year before South Africans of every race and gender cast their votes in the first democratic elections of 1994.

O.R. Tambo dedicated his life to securing freedoms that he would never fully enjoy. 

He was not alone. 

Thousands of men and women sacrificed their lives, so that future generations could determine their own destiny through the ballot box.

As we continue to honour the life and legacy of President O.R. Tambo, I invite us all to reflect deeply on this year's theme and on the important message it conveys to each of us:
"Honouring O.R. Tambo's Legacy: Inspiring Active Citizenship and Responsible Voting."

This theme speaks directly to the values that defined O.R. Tambo's life and leadership. It calls on us not only to remember his contribution, but also to demonstrate through our actions a commitment to active citizenship, democratic participation, and responsible voting.

This theme speaks directly to the values that defined O.R. Tambo's life. He believed in democracy, ethical leadership, justice, equality, and above all, the power of ordinary people to shape the future of their country.

His passing on the eve of democracy is a powerful reminder that the right to vote should never be taken for granted.

Every election is an opportunity to honour those who fought, suffered, and died for the freedoms we enjoy today. Every vote cast is a tribute to their sacrifice.

Responsible voting is therefore an act of remembrance. It is an acknowledgement that our democracy was won through struggle and sacrifice, and that preserving it requires active participation from every citizen.

O.R. Tambo understood that democracy could not begin and end at the ballot box.

He recognised that true freedom requires citizens who are actively involved in the life of their communities. Citizens who care about what happens around them. Citizens who participate in community initiatives, protect public resources, hold leaders accountable, and work together to solve shared challenges.

That message remains as relevant today as it was during his lifetime.
South Africa continues to confront serious challenges, including poverty, unemployment, inequality, crime, and gender-based violence. Government has an important responsibility to address these challenges, but the task of building a better South Africa cannot rest on Government alone.

Nation-building is a shared responsibility. Each of us has a role to play in shaping the future of our country. I firmly believe that just as you have a responsibility to contribute to building stronger communities, so do I.

We cannot afford to be spectators in the project of building our nation. We must all be active participants. The South Africa we want will not be built by a few individuals acting alone; it will be built by citizens who are prepared to work together, take responsibility, and contribute to the common good.

Those of us entrusted with positions of leadership in Government have a particular responsibility to lead this journey. We must provide vision, direction, and service to the people. we have a duty to lead from the front.

But lasting progress will only be achieved when Government, communities, civil society, business, and citizens work hand in hand to build a better South Africa for all.

Active citizenship is demonstrated whenever citizens volunteer their time to uplift their communities; whenever they stand against corruption and criminality; whenever they assist the vulnerable; and whenever they choose unity over division.

These everyday acts of service are the building blocks of the South Africa that O.R. Tambo envisioned.

As we stand at his graveside today, we should each ask ourselves: What am I doing to advance the South Africa for which O.R. Tambo and countless others sacrificed so much?
How am I contributing to the development of my community?
How am I strengthening democracy?
How am I advancing justice, equality, and human dignity?
The answers to these questions will not be found in our words alone. They will be found in our actions.

The greatest tribute we can pay to O.R. Tambo is not simply to remember him each year. It is to live by the values he embodied.

Let us embrace our roles as active, informed, and responsible citizens, engaging thoughtfully in public life and serving our communities.

Let us be responsible citizens who exercise the right to vote thoughtfully and conscientiously.

Voting remains one of the most powerful tools available to citizens in a democracy. Through it, people shape the future of their country, strengthen democratic institutions, and ensure that leaders remain accountable to those they serve.

Active citizenship also requires us to uphold the values of peace, tolerance, and respect throughout the electoral process. As we exercise our democratic right to vote, we must encourage peaceful elections and reject any form of violence, intimidation, or lawlessness.

Democracy thrives when political differences are expressed through debate and the ballot box, not through conflict and division. Equally important, once the people have spoken and the results have been declared, we must respect the outcome and allow our democratic institutions to function as they were intended.

O.R. Tambo believed in democratic participation and constitutionalism. We honour his legacy when we engage peacefully, vote responsibly, and respect the will of the people, even when the outcome may not be the one we had hoped for.

If we do this, O.R. Tambo's legacy will live not only in monuments, museums, and annual commemorations. It will live in the daily choices and actions of South Africans committed to building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous nation.

Today, as we lay this wreath and bow our heads in remembrance, let us renew our commitment to the values for which O.R. Tambo lived and sacrificed.

Let us honour his memory through active citizenship, responsible voting, ethical leadership, and service to others.

In doing so, we will ensure that his legacy remains a living force in the life of our nation and an enduring source of inspiration for generations to come.

As we gather at his final resting place, let us draw inspiration from his unwavering commitment to justice, freedom, human dignity, and shared prosperity for all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, or creed.

We must remain steadfast in advancing the full promise of freedom. Our task is not complete until we have overcome the inequalities, poverty, unemployment, and social divisions that continue to confront many of our people.

President O.R Tambo understood that every generation has a responsibility to advance the struggle of its time. The challenge before our generation is to deepen democracy, strengthen social cohesion, grow our economy, create opportunities for all, and build a society founded on justice and equal opportunity.

As we leave here today, let us do so with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility. 

Let us build stronger communities and work together to realise the South Africa for which O.R. Tambo and countless others sacrificed so much.

We are the custodians of his legacy. 

We are the beneficiaries of the freedom for which he fought, and we bear the responsibility of ensuring that future generations inherit a country that is more secure and more prosperous than the one we inherited.

As long as we uphold the values he championed, defend our democracy, and we place the interests of our country above our own, Oliver Reginald Tambo lives on.

May his legacy continue to inspire us. May his example continue to guide us. 

May his dream of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa continue to live through each one of us.

Amandla!

Long Live the Spirit of Oliver Reginald Tambo, Long Live!

I thank you.
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed the Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Thoko Didiza and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Honourable Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane of his decision to deploy five hundred and ten (510) members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), for the service of cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in support of Operation Prosper. 

The members of the SANDF will assist the SAPS in maintaining law and order in KZN, especially in light of recent violent actions arising from a campaign of misinformation about the Constitutional Court judgment on the Refugee Act.  The members of the SANDF will be on standby to support the police for any eventuality that may occur. 

The deployment authorised in accordance with section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996, is for the period commencing the 9th of October 2026 until the 30th of November 2026.

The expected expenditure to be incurred amounts to R34 082 720. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the panel report instituted to investigate the naval “Exercise MOSI III Will of Peace”. The President instituted the probe in February 2026, following circumstances surrounding the exercise that showed a failure to heed the President’s instruction that the navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran must no longer participate in the Chinese-led Exercise Will of Peace 2026 that took place in the South African waters.

The panel that conducted the probe was led by Justice Ngoepe, assisted by Justice M.M. Leeuw and R. Adm (JG) P.T. Duze. President Ramaphosa had directed the panel to finish its work and report to him within one (1) calendar month of its establishment. However, the panel was able to present a compelling cause for the period of its work to be extended.

President Ramaphosa has expressed his gratitude to Justice Ngoepe and all members of the panel for their dedication and diligence in carrying out their assigned mandate.

The President will be processing the report and carefully consider its recommendations. Due to national security considerations the work of the Panel including the report remains confidential.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 29 October 2026, lead the Cornubia Integrated Human Settlements Project Milestone Celebration in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal.

The milestone celebration will highlight progress in developing integrated human settlements that provide dignified housing, bring communities closer to economic opportunities and essential services, and address spatial inequalities inherited from apartheid-era planning.

The Cornubia Integrated Human Settlements Project is expected to deliver a total of 12,593 housing units through various housing programmes, including fully subsidised Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing, First Home Finance for the “missing middle” and social housing.

Since its launch more than a decade ago, the project has delivered close to 3,000 fully subsidised housing units, alongside supporting social infrastructure and amenities, including a school, retail outlets and recreational facilities.

The development continues to contribute to government’s efforts to build integrated communities and expand access to adequate housing. Recently, Cornubia welcomed the first group of survivors of the 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods into their permanent homes. Construction of an additional 146 housing units is expected to be completed by December 2026.

The President will also visit Montclaire Lodge, the first government-owned Temporary Emergency Accommodation (TEA) facility.

President Ramaphosa will be joined by, among others, the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane; KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thami Ntuli; KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma; and eThekwini Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba.

The milestone celebration underscores the importance of sustained collaboration among national, provincial and local government in accelerating housing delivery, strengthening communities and ensuring that more South Africans have access to dignified living conditions.

Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 29 October 2026
Time: 09h00
Venue: Cornubia Integrated Human Settlements Project, Ward 2, eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal

MEDIA ACCREDITATION
NB: Accreditation closed on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at 12h00.

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

Ministry of Human Settlements: Tsekiso Machike, Spokesperson to the Minister, 077 410 5050/Tsekiso.machike@dhs.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria