Honourable Executive Mayor, Cllr Kazi
Programme Director, Mrs Mazaleni
Principal of Paballelo High School, Gudula
Representatives from the School Governing Body
Distinguished representatives from HUAWEI, especially Deputy CEO Mr Charles Cheng
Representatives from the School District Office
Educators and staff members
Parents and guardians
Members of the Representative Council of Learners
Learners of Paballelo Senior Secondary School
Ladies and gentlemen
Good afternoon,

It is a true honour and deeply personal privilege for me to stand before you today at Paballelo High School.

This school holds a very special place in my heart because this is the very school from which I matriculated. Returning here today, as Deputy Minister in the Presidency, is both humbling and emotional. I am very glad to be back at the institution that helped shape my journey and laid the foundation for my future.

Coming back to these grounds reminds me of the dreams we carried as young learners, the challenges we faced, and the educators who believed in us and encouraged us to aim higher.

And today is no ordinary day, Programme Director. Today marks 30 years since the South African Constitution was adopted by the National Assembly and formally laid the foundation for the democratic South Africa we know today.

This milestone invites all of us, especially young people, to reflect on where this country comes from and where it is going. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom, dignity, equality, and justice so that future generations could enjoy opportunities that many were once denied.

It is for this reason that the ongoing review of the history curriculum by the Department of Basic Education is so important. As a country, we must ensure that our young people understand the full story of our nation, our struggles, our triumphs, and the lessons of our past. History is not only about remembering where we come from, it is also about shaping the kind of future we want to build together as South Africans.
 
Today’s handover ceremony is therefore more than just an official event. It is a meaningful investment in the future of the young people of this community.
I would like to extend sincere appreciation to HUAWEI for partnering with government and the school in support of education and development. Partnerships such as these demonstrate the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in creating opportunities for our learners.

Education remains one of the most powerful tools we have to transform lives, fight inequality, and build a capable generation that can contribute meaningfully to our country’s development.

To the learners of Paballelo High School, I want to say this:
Your circumstances do not define your destiny. I stand before you today as proof that greatness can emerge from this very school and this very community. 
Remain disciplined, work hard, respect your educators and parents, and never stop believing in your potential.

South Africa needs your energy, your ideas, your innovation, and your leadership.

To the educators and staff, thank you for the critical role you continue to play in shaping young minds, often under difficult circumstances. Your commitment does not go unnoticed.

I would also like to encourage all learners here today who are 16 years and older to register to vote. Your voice matters, your future matters, and your participation in our democracy matters. Young people must play an active role in shaping the future of our country. Do not wait until others make decisions on your behalf. Register, participate, and make your voices heard.

To the matric class of 2026, I want to encourage you to make full use of the opportunities that this new lab and its resources will provide. Use this facility to research career opportunities, apply to universities and colleges on time, and prepare yourselves for the future economy. Technology is a gateway to opportunity, and you must use it to unlock your full potential.

Allow me also to extend a sincere word of gratitude to HUAWEI Deputy CEO, Mr Charles Cheng, for your support and commitment to education development in our country. Your contribution today will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many learners at Paballelo High School. We value this partnership and your investment in the future of our young people.
 
As government, we remain committed to improving educational outcomes and ensuring that learners, particularly in underserved communities, have access to opportunities and resources that prepare them for the future.

I once again thank everyone who made today possible and congratulate Paballelo Senior Secondary School on this important occasion.

I am proud to be home.

I thank you.

Programme Directors;
Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Honourable Mzwanele Nyhontso;
Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Honourable Stanley Mathabatha;
Deputy Minister of COGTA, Honourable Zolile Burns-Ncamashe; 
Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality; Cllr Nthatisi;
Members of the Executive at National, Provincial and Local Government level;
The Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, Kgosi Thabo Milton Seatlholo;
Reigning Monarch of the Barolong Boo Seleka, Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka;
The President of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Councillor Bheki Stofile;
The Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency, AUDA-NEPAD, Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas;
Representatives of Organised Labour, Business, Civil Society, Academia, and Development Finance Institutions;
Acting Director-General of the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mr. Clinton Heimann, and all senior Government Officials;
Distinguished Panellists, Commissioners, Rapporteurs and Moderators;
Members of the community, in whose honour we gather today;
Members of the media;

Dumelang! Lotshani! Sanibonani! Molweni!  Avuxeni! Ndaa! Goeie Middag!

Ladies and gentlemen,

Firstly, let me congratulate the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development for successfully hosting this important and timely engagement that brings together all stakeholders that are key to rural development and reform in South Africa.

Let me also take this opportunity to thank the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development for the North West Province, Mr. Madoda Sambatha, for officially opening this National Rural Development Indaba yesterday on behalf of Minister Nyhontso.

I have been informed that in his opening remarks, a number of specific proposals were made about how the Government can make rural development a tangible reality. I hope these proposals, along with others from the two-day discussions, will be consolidated into concrete recommendations for implementation.

Notably, there was robust and forward-looking engagement focused on advancing rural development, strengthening infrastructure, and fostering inclusive economic growth in our country over the past two days.

This Indaba has pointed out the importance of collaborative efforts among government, business, civil society, and communities in forging constructive routes towards renewal, dignity, and shared prosperity.

It emphasised that rural development encompasses economic, social, environmental, and cultural dimensions, playing a crucial role in South Africa's democratic agenda to protect the well-being and rights of both present and future generations.

This focus aligns with the Constitution, specifically Chapter 2, which emphasises equality and human dignity. Section 152 mandates local governments to promote social and economic growth while empowering communities.

Moreover, Chapter 6 of the National Development Plan 2030 emphasises rural development as critical to promoting an inclusive economy, with a goal of revitalising rural areas by 2030. As of 2024, it is reported that of the sixty-two million citizens of South Africa, approximately 19.7 million reside in rural areas, representing 30.7% of the entire population, marking a slight decline from 31.18% in 2023.

The slow growth of rural economies leads to migration towards cities, as rural communities struggle with limited access to infrastructure, economic opportunities, and essential services, driving people to urban centers for better prospects. This calls for targeted, coordinated action by civil society, government, and private partners to rebalance urban and rural development.

While urbanisation is a global trend, in our context it often reflects uneven development and limited economic prospects in rural regions. Addressing these spatial and economic imbalances requires a shift toward an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to development.

The Government's 30-Year Review emphasises that our strategy should integrate agriculture, tourism, mining, natural resources, and forestry while being backed by strong economic infrastructure, including roads, water and sanitation, public facilities, and telecommunications. By prioritising the vibrancy of rural economies, the government aims not only to improve local livelihoods but also to curb the increasing migration pressures on urban centres.

It is important to acknowledge yesterday’s deliberations, which looked at important issues contributing to an integrated and inclusive rural economy such as:

• Rural development policy: strengthening institutional coordination and financing to ensure impactful results.

• Economic transformation: driving industrialisation, massifying job creation, and supporting enterprise development.

• Rural infrastructure investment: laying the foundations for connectivity, productivity, and renewal.

• Sustainable development: embedding environmental stewardship, climate resilience, human capital and skills development at the heart of our progress.

Thirty years of our development-based democracy has taught us that we cannot develop rural and urban economies separately. Our rural areas supply food, labour, energy, and natural resources. Our urban centres provide markets, technology, finance, and services. These are bound together in a single economic system.

We must therefore abandon the false choice between rural and urban development and embrace integrated spatial planning, aligned infrastructure investment, and regional value-chain development. Sustainable rural development depends on strong, connected urban centres just as urban prosperity depends on strong rural producers.

At the heart of many rural economies lies agriculture. But we must be frank: subsistence farming alone cannot lift rural communities out of poverty. Our task is to build a productive, competitive, and transformed agricultural sector that creates jobs; supports agro-processing and rural industrialisation; integrates emerging farmers into value chains; and strengthens food security while growing the economy.

This requires secure land tenure, post-settlement support, access to inputs and finance, and real market participation. It is within this context that the work of strategic coordinating departments such as the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, the Department of Small Business Development, and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition assumes strategic national importance.

These departments, along with the various institutions and partners they collaborate with, remain essential in ensuring that the country capitalises on its competitive advantages and the growth opportunities it presents.

For emerging farmers and rural entrepreneurs, there is a need to remain ahead of the curve in terms of adapting to new technologies, climate-smart practices, mechanisation, and improving access to markets.

It is for this reason that it is important for the coordination and inter-linkages between government and all sectors of society to be prioritised because transformation cannot succeed in a vacuum. Many of the institutions and representative sectors here today are playing a key role in facilitating dialogue between government and producers, thus supporting partnerships between established and emerging farmers, and ensuring that transformation strengthens rather than weakens productivity and food security.

This Indaba has again made it clear that our people in rural areas are repositioned not as beneficiaries of development, but as critical economic actors, producers, and entrepreneurs. This is the transformation we seek: market-based, inclusive, and sustainable.

It is our shared responsibility to end the dualistic rural economy, where a few commercial farmers dominate output while millions of smallholders remain excluded. We must link subsistence farmers to markets, foster partnerships, and build value chains that unite rather than divide so agriculture becomes a driver of shared prosperity.

Yet even as we strive for unity in our fields, we are reminded of another pressing challenge. Volatile weather such as heavy rains, damaging winds, and prolonged droughts has exposed our climate vulnerability. These shocks threaten harvests and undermine our National Food and Nutrition Security Programme, placing millions of households at risk. We cannot ignore this reality. We must build resilience, embrace climate-smart agriculture, and ensure rural communities are protected.

It is against this backdrop of economic transformation and climate resilience that we can reduce vulnerability to extreme weather, increase productivity, and safeguard the livelihoods of rural populations reliant on agriculture.

Several indicators show a shift toward the vibrant and inclusive rural areas envisioned in the NDP 2030 that this Indaba has highlighted as part of the resolutions and action plan. These include:

• Digital Financial Inclusion: The growth of mobile banking and fintech in enabling rural entrepreneurs to bypass traditional barriers and participate in local trade.

• Renewable Energy Hubs: Rural areas, particularly in the Northern and Eastern Cape, are being leveraged for solar and wind projects, with community ownership creating sustainable income streams.

• Agri-Parks and Industrial Parks: Investment in shared processing and packaging facilities is helping shift rural economies from primary production to value-added agro-processing.

• Leveraging the Green Economy and Tourism: Expanding ecotourism and community-owned renewable energy projects allows rural land to generate economic value while preserving communal tenure.

• Human Capital Development and Rural Women and Youth Integration: Targeted, localised training is central to empowering women, youth and other vulnerable groups, reducing migration to urban areas.

Compatriots,

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development is ceased with ensuring that recommendations of the 2019 Presidential High-Level Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture, and the resolutions of the 2022 Land Summit are implemented by all the departments whose mandate relates to those resolutions.

A progress update on some of the tasks is recorded as follows:

• Since 1998, over 88,300 land claims have been settled. Efforts are underway to fast-track the resolution of the remaining claims.

• Approximately 659,602 hectares of state land have been allocated, nearly fulfilling the Presidential commitment to release 700,000 hectares. This allocation prioritises 50% of land and economic support for women and 40% for youth. 

• The Land Court Act 6 of 2023, a specialised court with jurisdiction to address land rights injustices and streamline resolution, was established and is operational.

• Regulation of foreign land ownership is at an advanced stage, which includes a report on land audits of long-term occupiers by large institutional owners and immediate land donation offers.

• The Land Donation Policy will soon be considered by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) meeting.

• Ongoing consultations with traditional authorities are underway to inform the revised Equitable Access to Land Bill, which prioritises a state-led, pro-poor approach, prioritising allocation to women and 40% to youth, allowing the state to acquire land for equitable distribution as envisioned in section 25(5)(8) of the Constitution.

These are just some of the success stories that the sector can claim thus far.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As I conclude, I would like to highlight a matter that is very important to me: security, specifically rural safety and social cohesion. Development cannot take root where people live in fear. Rural crime, stock theft, gender-based violence, and insecurity discourage investment and weaken the bonds of our communities.

Addressing rural safety requires a comprehensive strategy beyond policing. Key actions include strengthening rural policing through specialised units, empowering community safety structures (like neighbourhood watches and youth forums), and fostering collaboration among SAPS, traditional leaders, and local government.

The strategy should also leverage technology for rural communication and surveillance while prioritising social cohesion programmes to combat gender-based violence and restore confidence in rural communities.

Safety must never be treated as an afterthought. It is an integral pillar of rural development. Without safety, there is no stability; without stability, there is no investment; and without investment, there is no renewal.

Minister Nyhontso, Deputy Minister Mathabatha, and the leadership of the Department,

As we close this session, we look forward to an implementation programme of action to operationalise the resolutions of this National Rural Development Indaba. This should be done through a coordinated and integrated approach at technical and political platforms, across levels of government, in collaboration with communities, the private sector, research institutions, development finance institutions, and international partners.

Let us leave here today with the renewed commitment to building rural communities that are safe, productive, connected, and fully active in the economy. In doing so, we will honour the promise of our Constitution and ensure that democracy reaches every village, every farm, and every rural household in South Africa.

May you travel safely, with a weekend of rest and reflection. As you return home, carry the spirit of dialogue and shared resolve. Let the lessons of this Indaba guide you and inspire renewed action.

I thank you, Ke a leboga, Inkomu.

The Presidency has noted the judgment of the Constitutional Court in the case brought by the Economic Freedom Fighters challenging the National Assembly’s decision with respect to Section 89 proceedings against the President.

President Cyril Ramaphosa respects the Constitutional Court’s judgment and reaffirms his commitment to the Constitution, the independence of the Judiciary and the rule of law.

President Ramaphosa has been consistent in providing his full assistance to the various enquiries into this matter.

President Ramaphosa maintains that no person is above the law and that any allegations should be subjected to due process without fear, favour or prejudice.

The President calls on all South Africans to respect the Constitutional Court judgment and all judicial institutions.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Thami Ntuli,
Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau
Deputy Ministers,
MECs,
Executive Mayor of the King Cetshwayo District Municipality, Cllr Sikhumbuzo Dlamini,
Mayor of the uMhlathuze Local Municipality, Cllr Xolani Ngwezi,
Chief Executive Officer of South32, Mr Graham Kerr, 
Chief Operating Officer of South32, Mr Noel Pillay
Representatives of state-owned enterprises,
Members of the diplomatic community,
Representatives of business and organised labour,
Traditional, community and faith leaders,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

It is my privilege to be here to mark the 30th anniversary of the Hillside Aluminium smelter and to pay tribute to South32 for its sustained commitment to investing in the provincial and national economy. 

Since its operations began in 1996, Hillside Aluminium has contributed significantly to our country’s industrial capabilities. 

When President Nelson Mandela opened the smelter in April 1996 he said: “The ultimate yardstick by which we must measure our efforts is the extent to which they promote sustained economic growth and development, create jobs and eliminate poverty.” 

Today, we can say that Hillside Aluminium has delivered. 

It is reported that the smelter currently supports 3,650 direct and indirect jobs, contributes to an estimated 29,000 jobs across the economy, and plays a key role in supplying aluminium to the local downstream industry. 

Hillside Aluminium is not only a smelter; it is a producer of skills. 

It is known for its highly skilled artisans, rigorous engineering, tight process control and an uncompromising safety culture. 

The apprenticeships, bursaries and learnerships provided by Hillside Aluminium are more than corporate programmes. 

They have strengthened South Africa’s national skills pipeline. They prepare young people for the high-demand jobs of future industries, from advanced manufacturing to the green economy. 

Hillside Aluminum has shown that its roots are firmly planted in the community through sustained community and social investment, strengthening education, economic participation, health and well-being. 

These programmes have reinforced the principle that large industrial operations should create shared value with host communities. 

This is seen through the smelter’s community and social investment programmes.

We commend the company’s support for health services at the Ngwelezana Hospital through the establishment of a dedicated paediatric burns unit. 

There is also its support for water projects in the King Cetshwayo District, which has
helped connect over 1,200 households to safe, clean water, and the school refurbishment project at Aquadene Secondary School.

All of these projects make a real and lasting difference in the lives of thousands of people in this area.

South32 demonstrated its confidence in the South African economy at this year’s South Africa Investment Conference, where it pledged R3.9 billion to upgrade rail infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape. 

It has been a difficult operating environment for smelters in recent years, with many having been forced to close due to rising costs and adverse market conditions. 

We commend Eskom for its constructive and proactive efforts to work with the industry to address rising electricity costs. 

We welcome the discussions between Eskom and South32 about a long-term electricity solution for the Hillside Aluminium when the current contract ends in 2031. 

We are encouraged by the commitment by South32 and Eskom to develop an energy solution that supports the smelter’s competitiveness and brings renewable energy into the national grid. 

Smelters are anchor investments that catalyse downstream manufacturing clusters like fabrication, transport, construction inputs, packaging and components for the renewable energy supply chain. 

They enable the development of a wide array of supporting industries and jobs. 

Hillside Aluminium’s export footprint is a practical demonstration that South African industries can meet demanding global standards and hold their own in world markets. 

Hillside Aluminium’s participation in global market systems, such as being listed on the London Metals Exchange and meeting certificate requirements, underscores the confidence in South Africa’s quality and traceability. 

As we look to the future, our planning must be informed by the realities of climate change. 

Customers and markets are increasingly rewarding lower carbon, responsibly produced materials and more circular manufacturing.

Our industry needs to respond accordingly if we are to sustain our competitiveness in increasingly demanding international markets. 

Increasing the competitiveness of South African industries will continue to depend on reliable enabling infrastructure in energy and logistics. 

That calls for ongoing collaboration between industry and key public partners to support investment and jobs. 

I am happy that South32 recognises the importance of strong, practical working relationships with Eskom and Transnet to sustain production, exports and investment confidence. 

Transnet has turned the corner and has moved from decline to recovery, and from planning to implementation. 

Investment, reform and delivery are now firmly underway in rail and port infrastructure.

There is clear progress in our quest to restore rail volumes, implement structural reform and crowd in private sector investment.

South Africa is transitioning to the early stages of a multi-operator rail system, with 11 private train operating companies having been granted access to freight rail lines. 

We have also seen tangible improvements on the iron ore and coal export corridors, including improved network reliability and reduced operational disruptions.

This will enable companies like South32 to plan ahead. 

The momentum of the structural reform agenda we embarked upon in 2018 continues to grow and by a number of indicators our economy is steadily recovering. 

As I said in the State of the Nation Address earlier this year, our foremost priority is to deliver inclusive growth and job creation.

Sustained domestic investment, including the investment by South32, is essential to advance this priority. 

Through a combination of structural reform and infrastructure development, notably in key sectors such as logistics and water, we remain committed to creating an enabling business environment that supports such investments. 

Once again, I congratulate South32 on reaching this milestone. 

Your longevity is a story of South Africans choosing excellence, shift after shift and year after year. 

You are demonstrating what can be achieved when long-term investment, operational excellence and partnership between industry, labour, communities and the state come together. 

We wish Hillside Aluminium many more years of safe production, shared prosperity and success. 

I thank you.
 

Programme Director;
Premier of North-West, Honourable Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi;
Ministers and Deputy Ministers here present;
MECs, Councillors and Officials of Ditsobotla Municipality;
President of SALGA;
DiKgosi tsa rona and all Traditional Leaders present;,
Directors General, Heads of Departments, the NCR led by Ntate Ralinkontsane, former Director General of Free State;
All Government Officials;
Community members;
Batho ba Ditsobotla;

Dumelang! I greet you with respect and humility!

I stand before you today not just as deputy president, but also as a servant of a democratic legacy established in struggle and sacrifice. That legacy was written by countless men and women who endured hardship, many of whom lived in the impoverished areas once designated as Bantustans or so-called “homelands.”

From the liberation struggle to the dawn of democracy, our people have always demanded nothing less than dignity, accountability, and delivery. They demanded that freedom must mean more than the right to vote, that it must mean the right to live with dignity, to work with security, and to raise families in communities where services function and opportunities exist.

Today, here in Ditsobotla, that demand continues.

It continues in the voices of residents in this community who ask for clean drinkable water, reliable electricity, passable roads, and opportunities that are real. It continues in the determination of young people who want skills and jobs, not promises and delays.

I stand here fully aware of the frustration, the anger, and the fatigue felt by the people of Ditsobotla. This municipality has endured too much instability and too little delivery, and it would be dishonest to pretend otherwise. You have indeed waited for too long for the delivery of your constitutional promises.

Government has noticed this and decided to deal with this end this by appointing a National Cabinet Representative (the NCR) in this municipality, through whom the cabinet will attend to the situation in this municipality on a day-to-day basis. The NCR is a Multi-Disciplinary team under the supervision of COGTA and Treasury.

We are here today members of Cabinet and Parliament to support the team on the ground.

When I was here in January 2026, the team and the Premier of the province provided me with an overview of the obstacles they were facing, and I assured them that I would engage with Ministers Hlabisa and Gondongwane, as well as connect with other pertinent ministers, which the premier also committed to doing.

Since then, the teams have been actively working on their initiatives to bring change in Ditsobotla. 

Today, we reconvene not to revisit the information previously presented in January, but to monitor and provide feedback on the progress achieved to date, identify what remains to be addressed, and strategise our approach moving forward. 

I have already met with Ministers, the Premier, and district leadership, and we all agreed on the need for bold action to address the community's daily challenges.

The last time we were here, you said the following should be a priority:

- Stabilise governance of the municipality and refocussing the municipality and its leadership on the mandate the municipality was established for: serving the people and ensuring delivery of services and stopping self-serving tendencies with immediate effect.

- Water and sanitation, which strike at dignity and public health.

- Electricity connections, which affect households and businesses.

- Road infrastructure, with specific attention to Beyers Naudé Road, a strategic economic artery.

- Economic support, by bringing the Department of Small Business Development and SETAs to support local entrepreneurs and invest in skills development.

No one among my team members and colleagues present here should ever say your demands are unreasonable. They are constitutional; they are just; they are time-sensitive; and they are achievable. Delivery must be felt in your homes, in your streets, and in your lives.

Ditsobotla must be turned from being an example of all that resembles the worst in our democratic dispensation to an epitome of greatness, good governance, excellence in the delivery of services, and the best example of collaboration amongst all stakeholders and residents of municipalities.

Ditsobotla’s challenges are not technical mysteries. They are the result of governance breakdown, execution failure, and instability. In short, we can say that the issues arose from our failure to maintain high standards of accountability and consequences management.

To our officials who provide technical support to our political leadership, we must recognise that when plans exist without implementation, when funds are spent without visible outcomes, and when institutions collapse without intervention, the people ultimately pay the price. That cannot continue, and it will not continue.

We are going to maintain sustained presence and accountability. In other words, this trip is not a once-off visit. National Government will remain present in action.

We have already deployed a seasoned technocrat, the former Director General of the Free State, Ntate Ralikontsane, to work on the ground and ensure that this municipality is stabilised, rebuilt, and turned around. We will continue to be here with you until:

- Water systems are  stabilised.

- Electricity revenue is protected and reinvested in ensuring the security of supply.

- Roads are repaired, and nonperforming contractors are reprimanded, put to terms, and terminated.

- Economic support must reach local entrepreneurs.

- Skills development is aligned to our local, national, and global economic environment so that our young people are properly skilled for real work.

We want to assure everybody that if systems work, they will be supported and scaled. If they fail repeatedly, intervention will follow without delay. This is not about playing politics. It is about restoring basic functionality to people’s lives.

Ditsobotla does not need more meetings. Ditsobotla does not need more fighting. What this community needs is action. What this community needs is delivery.

I, for one, would have been tired of meetings without implementation, tired of plans without execution, and tired of promises without speed. The time for endless discussions is over. The time for decisive action has come.

Now is the time to have qualified officials, clear authority, and firm accountability. We want councillors, management, and staff to be united in supporting the intervention. Officials must be empowered to deliver and held accountable when they do not.

Let us prepare Ditsobotla to enter the new municipal term as the epitome of best municipal governance practices and cast its past bad image in the dustbin of history.

As Government, we aim to improve cooperative governance by ensuring alignment and integration of national, provincial, and local Government plans. Through the DDM approach, we are accelerating service delivery, enhancing accountability, and ensuring that communities receive coordinated and sustainable support.

Our intervention in Ditsobotla is concrete, targeted, and already underway. We are acting decisively to restore governance, rebuild services, and renew hope. Among others, these interventions include:

- Working with National Treasury, we are utilising the Financial Recovery Plan process to secure and reprioritise funds.

- The Department of Water and Sanitation is supporting the Ngaka Modiri Molema District and Ditsobotla Local Municipality in reviewing the MOU, finalising a business plan for water infrastructure refurbishment and expansion, and facilitating access to bulk water.

- Provincial Public Works is rehabilitating Dr Beyers Naude Drive. SANRAL partnerships and the Vala Zonke programme are addressing potholes.

- Waste management is being stabilised. Funding has been reprioritised to procure waste vehicles, while EPWP teams are being deployed to clean and manage landfill sites.

These communities deserve the best. To the residents of this municipality, let me say this once again: Your frustration is justified. Your demands are reasonable, and your municipality will not be abandoned.

Some of the interventions mean a change will not happen overnight, but visible change must begin, and it must be sustained.

This visit is about restoring presence, action, and accountability. We are serious about fixing local government in real time, accelerating delivery, and ensuring visible improvements. 

My office remains open to you as we work toward addressing your challenges, and we will stay engaged until Ditsobotla works.

I thank you.

WORKING VISIT TO ZIMBABWE 
On Sunday, 03 May 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa undertook a working visit to the Republic of Zimbabwe at the invitation of HE President Emmerson Mnangangwa. The visit was an opportunity for both heads of state to engage over a wide range of issues of mutual and bilateral interests.

South Africa and Zimbabwe maintain a deeply historical relationship of bonds formed during their respective struggles against colonialism and apartheid. The two countries further enjoy a political and dynamic trade relationship. In 2025, South African exports totaled about U$4,30 billion with agricultural products and machinery dominating most traded goods. 

Both President’s agreed to retreat to President Mnangagwa’s farm where they would engage in a relaxed environment and outside of the constraints of Presidential formality and protocol. Over and above the planned meeting, President Ramaphosa was interested in learning how President Mnangangwa is assisting local farmers in the area neighboring his farm.  

The Presidency has noted with concern the reports that have surfaced following the President’s visit to Zimbabwe, identifying an individual who is a person of interest to our law enforcement, who was also present during the visit.

President Ramaphosa had no prior knowledge of who will be present during the visit nor was he familiar with the said individual.

The President flew to Zimbabwe for a meeting with his counterpart and nothing else. 

President Ramaphosa encourages our law enforcement agencies to continue with pursuing the matters that are under investigation involving these individuals and to do so with no fear or hesitation.

WATERCOM UPDATE
Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the National Water Crisis Committee (WATERCOM) to provide coordinated national leadership in addressing the water crisis. The committee is chaired by the President and incorporates the existing Inter-Ministerial Committee on Water (also known as the Water Task Team).

It includes the Department of Water and Sanitation, National Treasury, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Department of Human Settlements, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and the South African Police Service.

It is chaired at a technical level by the Director-General in the Presidency, Ms Phindile Baleni, and supported by a secretariat comprising a joint team from Operation Vulindlela (OV) and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). 

The key task of WATERCOM is to oversee the implementation of a National Water Action Plan (NWAP) which outlines urgent actions to address water supply disruptions in several parts of the country as well as to accelerate the implementation of institutional reforms across all levels of government.

The National Water Action Plan is focused on five interventions, namely; 

1. Water service delivery, overseeing targeted interventions to address water supply disruptions in prioritised areas.
 
2. Institutional and financing reforms, coordinating reforms to the system of water service delivery at local government level. 

3. Unlocking water infrastructure investments and mobilising private investment. 

4. Legal and regulatory mechanisms to improve service delivery. 

5. Addressing corruption and criminality in the water sector, including corruption associated with the use of water tankers. 

To date the National Water Action Plan has been presented and discussed with provincial and local government structures, including engagements at the level of the President with Mayors.

 Further engagements will be held with business, labour, and civil society to ensure a collaborative approach across levels of government and with social partners. A process is underway to establish an advisory group of water experts from universities and other bodies that will provide input on the plan and its implementation. 

PUBLIC PROGRAMME OF THE PRESIDENT 

THURSDAY, 7 MAY 2026
SOUTH32 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF PRODUCTION

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow Thursday, 07 May 2026, take a tour on the South32 Hillside Aluminium, marking the 30th Anniversary celebrations of the company’s operations in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.

Hillside Aluminium was part of an ambitious vision by South Africa’s new democratic government on the role additional industrial capacity could have in creating jobs, bolstering international trade and contributing to local downstream beneficiation. 

Hillside Aluminium smelter is the largest in the southern hemisphere and only producer in South Africa, largely producing high-quality, primary aluminium for domestic and export markets.

Through the aluminium value chain, the company provides the foundation for an estimated 29,000 jobs across the economy. In the last 10 years, South32 has contributed around R35 billion to South Africa’s gross domestic product.

TUESDAY, 12 MAY 2026 
AFRICA TRAVEL INDABA 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, officially open and address the Africa’s Travel Indaba at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

The Indaba is a platform for leaders of the African tourism industry, investors, media, international tour operators, bookers and government leaders, whose mandate is to grow and develop tourism on the continent. 

The Indaba provides an 
opportunity for buyers from around the world to purchase a variety of tourism products available in South Africa and across the continent.

Africa’s biggest tourism trade gathering also allows industry leaders to deliberate on new policies, emerging trends, and the opportunities and threats facing the tourism sector from both African and global perspectives. Tourism is a critical driver of investment and job creation for the eThekwini Municipality, the rest of the province, and South Africa. The Indaba will run from 12 to 14 May 2026

WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 2026
BLACKROCK INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT CONFERENCE

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, address the opening of the BlackRock Infrastructure Investment Conference in Cape Town, engaging with key global investors.

The conference forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen investor relations, following the 6th South Africa Investment Conference held on 31 March 2026, which mobilised substantial investment commitments and underscored the country’s focus on infrastructure-led growth.

Discussions at the conference will centre on critical sectors, including energy infrastructure; transport, port and rail systems; digital and data infrastructure; and water infrastructure.

NOTE TO MEDIA: The conference is not open to media, however the President’s address will be live streamed on Presidency Digital platforms.

THURSDAY, 14 MAY 2026
ORAL REPLIES IN NA

On Thursday, 14 May 2026, the President will respond to Questions for Oral Replies by Members of the National Assembly.

Questions for Oral Reply is one of the mechanisms Parliament uses to hold the Executive to account.

The session will cover amongst other issues, the Skills Development among the Youth; benefits of various investments conferences in boosting employment opportunities in the country; roll out plan of the Operation Prosper and government’s plans to address students’ debt.

TUESDAY 19 MAY 2026
NATIONAL ORDERS

President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Grand Patron of the National Orders, will on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, bestow the 2024 National Orders Awards on distinguished citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans. 

National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its President, bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals.

The Director- General in the Presidency and Chancellor of the National Orders, Ms Phindile Baleni , will in due course announce the recipients of the National Orders. 

The President will bestow on deserving recipients the Order of Mendi for Bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe, and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.

WEDNESDAY 20 MAY 2026
WORKING VISIT TO BOTSWANA FOR THE SOUTH AFRICA-BOTSWANA BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION
 
President Ramaphosa will on 20 May 2026, travel to Botswana for the South Africa and Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC), which is a high-level framework that is co-chaired by both heads of state. It serves to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries on various issues such as trade, security, energy, as well as infrastructure. 

On a strategic level, the South Africa and Botswana BNC focuses on reinforcing ties in areas such as agriculture, health, education, transport, and mining. 

South Africa remains a key major trading partner with the neighbouring Botswana. The 5th Session in 2022 discussed addressing trade barriers and strengthening industrialization. Key focus includes major projects between the two countries as well as cooperation on security issues, which includes cross-border crimes. 

The President will be accompanied by Ministers and Senior Government Officials.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, will on Friday, 8 May 2026, officially hand over a Cyber Lab at Paballelo Senior Secondary School in Upington, Northern Cape.

The handover forms part of government’s intervention and efforts to advance digital inclusion, improve access to technology in schools, and equip learners with critical digital skills for the future economy.

The event is as follows:
Date: Friday, 8 May 2026
Time: 12:30
Venue: Paballelo Senior Secondary School, Upington, Northern Cape.

Media enquiries: Mandisa Mbele, MandisaM@Presidency.gov.za  082 580 2213

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Friday, 08 May 2026, deliver closing remarks at the National Rural Development Indaba taking place at Lemo Green Park in Bloemfontein, Free State Province.

The two-day Indaba, held from 7–8 May 2026 and led by the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, brings together key stakeholders to advance dialogue on rural development and land reform.

The Deputy President’s participation is in line with his role as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Land Reform, where he leads Government’s efforts to ensure the accelerated and effective implementation of land reform initiatives. 

Under the theme Policy, Investment and Community Action for Inclusive and Sustainable Rural Development, the Indaba aims to ensure that representatives from grassroots rural communities, together with other stakeholders, meaningfully participate in and take ownership of local economic development and rural infrastructure initiatives.

These efforts are aimed at addressing the specific needs of communities and advancing an integrated and inclusive rural economy towards sustainable development.

Details of the Deputy President’s participation are as follows:
Date: Friday, 08 May
Time: 09h00
Venue: Lemo Green Park, Bloemfontein, Free State Province 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 7 May 2026, undertake a tour of the South32 Hillside Aluminium smelter in Richards Bay as part of the 30th anniversary celebration of South Africa’s primary aluminium producer.

President Ramaphosa will also attend a gala dinner highlighting the company’s role in industrialisation, job creation and in supporting the local and national economy.

In 1996, Hillside Aluminium was part of an ambitious vision by South Africa’s new democratic government and industry on the role additional industrial capacity could play in creating jobs, bolstering international trade and contributing to local downstream beneficiation. 

The Hillside Aluminium smelter is the largest in the southern hemisphere and the only primary producer in South Africa, largely producing high-quality, primary aluminium for domestic and export markets.

Through the aluminium value chain, Hillside provides the foundation for an estimated 29,000 jobs across the economy. 

In the last 10 years, it contributed around R35 billion to South Africa’s gross domestic product.

Being the largest aluminium smelter in the southern hemisphere, the company is pivotal in South Africa’s aluminium value chain.

The President’s visit will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 7 May 2026
Time: 15h00
Venue: 9 West Central Arterial, Richards Bay, KwaZulu Natal 

South32 Hillside Aluminium has handled the accreditation process and made arrangement for the accredited media crew Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) gear.

Note that only accredited media, with the required credentials, will be given access.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, will on Thursday, 7 May 2026, conduct an Oversight Visit to Ditsobotla Local Municipality (DLM) in the North-West Province, as part of Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of municipalities to effectively deliver basic services to communities.

The Visit follows concerns raised by residents of the DLM during the Deputy President’s recent engagement with the community in January 2026. Among the key issues highlighted by community members, were inadequate access to water and sanitation, unreliable electricity supply, poor road infrastructure, and broader service delivery challenges affecting their quality of life.

This Oversight Visit forms part of the implementation of the District Development Model (DDM), which aims to improve cooperative governance by ensuring alignment and integration of national, provincial, and local Government plans. Through the DDM approach, Government seeks to accelerate service delivery, enhance accountability, and ensure that communities receive coordinated and sustainable support.

The DLM has been facing persistent governance and service delivery challenges, which led to the National Cabinet placing it under administration in terms of Section 139 of the Constitution. These challenges include financial mismanagement, instability in political and administrative leadership, failure to provide consistent basic services, and deteriorating infrastructure. Therefore, this intervention aims to restore functionality, strengthen institutional capacity, and ensure improved service delivery outcomes.

The programme of the Deputy President’s Visit will be preceded by an engagement between the Deputy President and the local Traditional Leadership as well as an engagement with business fora, spearheaded by Ministers.

Furthermore, as part of the Clean Cities and Towns Campaign, Ministers will undertake a cleaning Campaign at Matlaba Primary School and Tau Rapulana Secondary School, in the Bodibe Village.

During the visit, Deputy President Mashatile is expected to engage with local leadership, including the provincial Government, municipal administrators, and other key stakeholders, to assess progress made since the intervention and to identify areas requiring urgent attention. The Deputy President will also interact with community members to provide feedback on Government’s interventions thus far.

The Deputy President will be joined by the Premier of North-West and supported by Ministers and/ Deputy Ministers of Mining and Petroleum Resources; Sport, Arts and Culture, Public Works and Infrastructure; Higher Education; Finance; Agriculture; Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; Water and Sanitation; Transport; Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Electricity and Energy; Communications and Digital Technologies (DDM Champion); as well as Mayors, Councillors and senior Government officials.

Details of the Oversight Visit are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 07 May 2026
Time: 10:00 to 12:00 (visiting 3 sites)

MEDIA PROGRAMME
Site Visit 1:
Klipveld Water Treatment Plant

Site Visit 2:
Road D933

Site Visit 3:
Nelson Mandela road 

Community Engagement:
Time: 13h00 
Itekeng Biesiesvlei Sports Ground

Members of the media interested in covering the Visit are kindly requested to submit their details (Full Name, Media house, ID/Passport Number and Role) to Ms Linah Ledwaba (The Presidency) on 066 240 7635 or Mr Pius Batsile (DLM) on 082 526 3616.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria