President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 17 October 2025, address the 7th Social Justice Summit at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

The multi-stakeholder Summit is hosted by Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Social Justice.

The Summit brings together policymakers, legislators, civil society, traditional leaders, academics and the Judiciary to engage in high-level dialogue under the theme: “Social Justice, Food Security and Peace: Pathways to Equality, Solidarity, Sustainability and Climate Resilience.”

The Summit leverages the country’s G20 leadership to champion the African agenda and global cooperation. 

As a platform for inter-sectoral collaboration, the Summit will deliberate constitutional commitments and policy outcomes, including the positioning of food justice as a transformative driver of social cohesion, regional food security and global solidarity.

Details of the Summit are as follows:

Date: Friday, 17 October 2025
Time: 08h30
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre, Western Cape

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended the Inspector-General of Intelligence, Mr Imtiaz Fazel, pending a decision in an investigation by Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) into the Inspector-General’s conduct.

The JSCI has informed President Ramaphosa that it has received a complaint on the conduct of the Inspector-General and that the Committee will conduct an investigation in line with section 7(4) and 7(5) of the Intelligence Services Act (Act 40 of 1994).

Section 7(5) of the Act provides that "if the Inspector-General is the subject of an investigation by the (JSCI) in terms of subsection (4), he or she may be suspended by the President pending a decision in such investigation".

Mr Fazel has been suspended with immediate effect.

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director;
High Commissioner of South Africa to the UK, Mr Jeremiah Mamabolo;
Minister of Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Dean McPherson;
The entire South African Delegation;
The Investor Community;
Distinguished delegates;
Investors, Development partners;

Good morning.

It is with a great sense of privilege that I represent The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa at this conference: a platform that seeks to match African opportunity with global capital.

I bring you warm greetings from President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa and from a nation that is proudly forging ahead, breaking new ground, and inspiring new ways, in spite of the many geopolitical and economic headwinds. 

Resilience, reinvention and opportunities for all, are the hallmarks of the unfolding South African story. It is a story of a country that continues to reform, diversify, and digitise its economy while driving investment into sectors that power sustainable and inclusive growth.

Programme Director,

South Africa remains Africa’s most globally integrated and diversified economy, with a Gross Domestic Product of approximately R7 trillion (about €348.5 billion). South Africa, hosts the continent’s most advanced and diversified digital economy. 

It has consistently proven itself as a trusted investment destination, with a diversified economy, strong governance, and over 180 Fortune Global 500 companies already headquartered in our country.

Its economy is underpinned by world-class infrastructure, a sophisticated financial services sector, and a rapidly expanding startup ecosystem.

The digital economy is projected to contribute between 15–20% of GDP in 2025, up from 8–10% in 2020, reflecting double-digit annual growth rates across e-commerce, fintech, and digital services.

Other sectoral contributions underpinning our economy are:

- Finance, Real Estate, and Business Services – 28%,
- Manufacturing – 17%,
- Trade, Catering, and Accommodation – 17%,
- General Government Services – 10%,
- Personal Services – 19%,
- Transport, Storage, and Communication – 9%.

South Africa’s merchandise exports are valued at approximately R2.04 trillion (€101.7 billion), and imports at R1.94 trillion (€97.1 billion). This trade balance reflects our diversified industrial base and global competitiveness.

Ours is an economy that offers great opportunities, where manufacturing, financial services, mining, agriculture, energy, and digital industries intersect to create a vibrant and investment ready environment.

Distinguished delegates,

Technological infrastructure significantly influences South Africa's economic development by driving innovation, enhancing productivity, and improving access to global markets. However, its full potential is constrained by a persistent digital divide, especially between urban and rural areas.

Investment into tech infrastructure boosts several positive spin-offs, and that includes the following:

I. Boosts and promotes trade and investment:

- Enhances global integration: Reliable and high-speed ICT infrastructure is crucial for businesses to connect, trade, and compete internationally. South Africa is positioned as a regional digital hub, with submarine fibre optic cables providing high-speed international connectivity and attracting data center investments from global cloud providers like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.

- Fosters e-commerce: Robust digital infrastructure supports the growth of e-commerce, allowing businesses of all sizes to reach broader markets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this sector accelerated rapidly, driving sales for major platforms like Takealot.

- Attracts foreign investment: High-quality ICT infrastructure is a key factor for foreign companies looking to invest and set up operations in the country. A favourable digital environment supports the growth of technology hubs and startups, attracting venture capital. 

II. Driving job creation and innovation:

- Supports a growing digital economy: As a major ICT market in Africa, South Africa's tech sector is a significant contributor to the nation's GDP and a source of new jobs. The platform economy, including services like Uber Eats and Mr. D, is also a rapidly growing source of employment.

- Fosters an entrepreneurial ecosystem: Reliable connectivity and access to digital tools enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to innovate, streamline operations, and overcome geographical barriers to market entry. Tech hubs in cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg nurture startup ecosystems in fields such as fintech, health tech, and edtech.

- Increases productivity: Technology drives efficiency across all sectors of the economy. For instance, the Internet of Things (IoT) is used in mining, agriculture, and manufacturing to monitor and optimise operations. 

III. Improving public services and social inclusion:

Enhanced digital infrastructure allows for the digitisation of public services, such as health, education, and social grants. E-government services improve accessibility, transparency, and administrative efficiency for citizens, especially in remote areas.

- Enables skills development: The expansion of digital infrastructure and e-learning platforms helps to upskill the population, equipping them with the digital skills necessary to participate in the modern economy.

- Boosts financial inclusion: Digital payment systems and mobile banking allow unbanked and underbanked populations to access financial services, fostering entrepreneurship and economic activity.

Programme Director,

South Africa has invested significantly in digital infrastructure, anchored by submarine cable systems such as Seacom 2.0, Equiano, and 2Africa, which connect the country to Europe, Asia, and the Americas. These cables, together with the West African Cable System (WACS), position South Africa as a regional hub for digital traffic. 

Our State-owned digital infrastructure company, Broadband Infraco, is a Tier-1 investor and responsible for supporting 70% of key projects of national interest, as well as extensive terrestrial fibre networks. It plays a strategic role in ensuring sustainable and cost-effective international bandwidth for Government and national projects, while also extending connectivity into all neighbouring SADC countries. 

The expansion of 4G and 5G networks, coupled with last-mile connectivity initiatives such as SA Connect, continues to drive access, affordability, and digital inclusion.

The data centre market is also expanding rapidly, with facilities established by Teraco, Equinix, Africa Data Centres, Vantage, and NTT. These hubs are critical to supporting hyperscale cloud services, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence applications, ensuring South Africa’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

South Africa has one of the largest and most advanced information and communications technology (ICT) markets in Africa, firmly positioning itself as a technological and innovation hub for the continent. The sector spans software development, hardware manufacturing, telecommunications, cybersecurity, digital services, fintech, and digital payments. It is a growing contributor to GDP and is recognised as both sophisticated and rapidly developing.

Several international corporations have established African headquarters or subsidiaries in South Africa, including IBM, Google, Microsoft, Intel, SAP, Dell, Amazon Web Services, Novell, Meta, and HP. 

These firms view the country as a regional hub and a supply base for the region. In parallel, South Africa is home to vibrant startup communities in Cape Town and Johannesburg, with active ecosystems in fintech, healthtech, edtech, and agritech that are attracting increasing amounts of venture capital.

Distinguished delegates,

E-commerce has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the digital economy. Sales reached $4.1 billion (R71 billion) in 2023, up 29% from 2022, driven by local platforms such as Takealot, Superbalist, and OneDayOnly, as well as the entry of global players like Amazon, Alibaba, Shein, and Temu. Food delivery platforms such as Uber Eats and Mr D have further embedded digital consumer behaviour, particularly in urban areas.

Cloud computing is projected to grow at an annual rate of 25% in 2025, while the number of IoT connections is expected to rise to 43 million by 2025 this will be up from 17 million in 2020, enabling new efficiencies in manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics.

For its part, the South African Government has set four national priorities:

- Universal access to internet – extend high-speed broadband to all households and schools, leveraging submarine cables, national fibre, and last-mile solutions (5G, fixed wireless, satellite).

- Digital skills development – expand intermediate and advanced skills through national training programmes and talent visas to support innovation.

- Productive digital use – shift usage from social media to e-commerce, e-government, and digital finance, raising GDP impact.

- Supportive environment for investment and innovation – continue spectrum licensing, improve regulatory clarity for AI and cybersecurity, and streamline approvals for infrastructure projects.

South Africa’s combination of having the most advanced banking systems on the continent, fintech hubs, ICT infrastructure, and data centres provides a springboard for scaling innovation across the AfCFTA.

It is uniquely positioned to enable the next generation of integrated, cloud-based platforms that connect banks, fintechs, regulators, and entrepreneurs across the continent through shared and secure digital infrastructure.

Africa’s digital economy is projected to reach $712 billion by 2050, supported by over 1.1 billion mobile money accounts and a young, connected population. By leveraging its comparative advantages, South Africa is poised to serve as both a regional digital hub and a gateway for AfCFTA-driven digital trade and investment.

Delegates,

I am certain that you now want to know: what are the available opportunities in South Africa’s Digital Economy and Tech Infrastructure?

- Data Centres and Cloud Services: South Africa offers significant opportunities in the expansion of hyperscale and edge facilities, with growing demand for renewable-powered operations and interconnect platforms.

- Metro Fibre and Last-Mile Broadband: Investors can participate in closing the rural and township connectivity gap through fibre networks, 5G fixed wireless solutions, and satellite technologies.

- 5G Rollout and Smart Infrastructure: The rollout of 5G enables new opportunities in industrial IoT applications across mining, manufacturing, and agriculture.

- Digital Trade and Government Services: There is strong potential to invest in e-customs, licensing, digital identity, and trade-tech platforms aligned with AfCFTA integration.

- Fintech and Digital Payments: The market continues to expand in mobile wallets, merchant acquiring, SME credit, and cross-border payment services.

- E-Commerce and Logistics Enablement: Growth in online retail is driving investment opportunities in warehousing, fulfilment centres, and last-mile logistics.

- Digital Skills and Talent Platforms: There is demand for scalable training and certification in areas such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science.

- Renewable Energy for Digital Infrastructure: Linking renewable energy generation to data centres and telecom towers creates opportunities to stabilise operations while meeting ESG requirements.

Why should you invest in South Africa?

There are five enduring reasons for investors choose South Africa, despite the economic headwinds.

1. Infrastructure – With R900 billion committed to transport and energy infrastructure by 2027, our logistics ecosystem is among the most advanced in Africa.

2. Market Access – As the most industrialized economy in Africa, South Africa provides a natural entry point to the AfCFTA’s 1.3 billion consumers and the SADC region’s integrated markets.

3. Presence of Multinationals – Over 180 Fortune Global 500 companies operate in South Africa, and half of all multinationals headquartered in Africa are based in our country.

4. Human Capital – A young, tech-savvy population and world-class universities make South Africa an ideal location for digital talent and R&D.

5. Policy Certainty – Our Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, coupled with investment-friendly reforms, ensures stability and predictability for investors.

The rule of law and our stable democratic system provides sufficient tailwinds to propel the growth and stability of our economy.
.
Ladies and gentlemen,

As we invest in South Africa, we are also investing in Africa’s shared prosperity. Through AfCFTA, we are driving regional industrialisation, digital trade, and green growth.

We envision an Africa that trades not only in minerals and commodities but in data, design, and digital value. South Africa’s partnerships across energy, logistics, and technology are guided by this vision: to build a better Africa, and a better world.

Programme Director,

South Africa is not merely open for business: we are open and ready for sustainable partnerships. We invite investors to join us in transforming African markets through digital innovation, infrastructure connectivity, and sustainable industry.

As we stand at the intersection of the digital and green revolutions, let us together shape a future where South Africa is not just the gateway to Africa, but the engine of Africa’s digital and industrial renaissance.

Thank you very much!

On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa extends his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Kenya on the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Mr Odinga, who led Kenya from 2008 to 2013, has passed away at the age of 80 in India, where he was receiving medical treatment.

President Ramaphosa’s thoughts and prayers are with the Odinga family and friends and associates of the late former Prime Minister, including the Orange Democratic Movement.

President Ramaphosa said: “The nation of Kenya and our continent have lost a patriotic and selfless leader whom I knew and worked with as a friend and brother.

“Raila Odinga was committed to the development of his own nation as well prosperity and the silencing of the guns on our Continent, as evidenced by his appointment by the African Union to advance peace in Côte d’Ivoire in 2010.

“He remained unwaveringly true to his principles and vision in the face of deep personal sacrifice and obstacles and remained a leader who placed the interests of his country and continent first.”

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Ms Nonceba Mhlauli, will on Thursday, 16 October 2025 at 09h00 host a G20 Community Leaders Dialogue at the Roodepan community's Roman Catholic Church in the Sol Plaatje Municipality, Frances Baard District, Northern Cape.
 
This activity will form part of the Government’s country-wide G20 outreach programme. The objectives of the outreach are to:

- Create awareness about South Africa’s membership to the G20;

- Inform the public about South Africa’s role as the Presidency of G20 through profiling lead roles and achievements of South Africa’s contribution to the continent and the African Union through trade and financial policy statements;

- Solicit stakeholder engagement and advocacy for South Africa’s role in the G20 with various stakeholders; and,

- Profile the outcomes of the 130 identified G20 meetings, including the summit through both the Sherpa and Finance tracks.
 
The dialogue will be preceded by the visit of the Deputy Minister and other leadership to housing project in Roodepan at 09h00, and then proceed to the Roman Catholic Church for engagement with the community leadership that will commence at 10h00.
 
Deputy Minister Mhlauli, as the District Development Model (DDM) Champion for the France Baard District, will use the opportunity to engage the Roodepan leadership on the District Development Model in general and how it will better the lives of the people.

 

Media enquiries: Ms Mandisa Mbele, Office of the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, on 082 580 2213 / mandisam@presidency.gov.za OR Mr Ofentse Moeti, GCIS Northern Cape Provincial Director, on 084 390 4330 / ofentse@gcis.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director,
Public Protector of the Republic of South Africa, Adv Kholeka Gcaleka,
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Andries Nel,
Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Cllr Geordin Hill-Lewis,
Members of Parliament,
Former Public Protectors,
Members of the Judiciary and Magistracy,
Ombudspersons, mediators and anti-corruption institutions from across the world,
Representatives of the legal fraternity and academia,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good Evening.

It is an honour and a privilege to be here to celebrate thirty remarkable years of the Office of the Public Protector, a symbol of the endurance of our constitutional order.

The Office of the Public Protector was enshrined in the Constitution to fulfil a number of vital purposes which i would like to allude to in a while.

The Office of the Public Protector has played a vital part in the revolutionary act of fundamentally changing the relationship between the citizens and the state.

As a country, we aspire to a society where government and national institutions treat citizens justly and with compassion, always and in all their affairs.

In reflecting on our Constitution, the late Chief Justice Ismail Mahomed wrote:

“All Constitutions seek to articulate, with differing degrees of intensity and detail, the shared aspirations of a nation; the values which bind its people and which discipline its government and its national institutions;… and the moral and ethical direction which the nation has identified for its future.”

Yet, in pursuit of that future, in pursuit of those shared aspirations, we know that failings can occur. Power can be misused and abused.

Public institutions and public officials can neglect the needs of those they are meant to serve.

When they do, they have to be held accountable. The deficiency needs to be remedied.

That is why we need the guardians. We need those institutions that will safeguard the vision of a South Africa that is equal, united, democratic, prosperous and free.

We need those institutions that ensure that the exercise of state power is restrained by law and rooted in accountability.

When the Chapter 9 institutions came into being, the drafters of our Constitution were clear in their intent and formulation.

They were clear that those institutions would be given substantial powers and a great responsibility to support and strengthen constitutional democracy.

They would be given a mandate to operate without fear, favour or prejudice.

The Office of the Public Protector was envisioned as, and remains, the moral mirror of the state. The public protector is that guardian of the public interest, a shield for the citizen against state excess, and a key mechanism for ensuring that the government serves the people, not the other way around. Its effectiveness is often a key indicator of the health of a nation's democracy.

The Public Protector is responsible for setting a standard for governance and service delivery that is the right of every South African man, woman and child.

Over the past 30 years, the Office of the Public Protector has been the pride of our constitutional order.

This is so because the public protector has fulfilled many roles but I want to single out five of its important roles:

Firstly, the real cornerstone of the public protector role is to uphold accountability and the rule of law. The executive as in the president, ministers, departments and officials wield significant power. The public protector provides a crucial check on this power ensuring it is exercised legally, fairly, and without corruption. The other role of the PP is to investigate actions or decisions by government bodies that are unlawful, unreasonable, unfair, or otherwise improper. This could include delays, bias, negligence, or not following proper procedures.

Secondly, the public protector strengthens democracy and good governance. A healthy democracy requires more than just elections; it requires ongoing oversight.

The PP promotes ethical conduct by exposing corruption, nepotism, and unethical behaviour through this the Public Protector helps to foster a culture of integrity within the public service. Consequently the PP through investigations and recommendations to changes, making them more efficient thus making government more transparent, and responsive to the public's needs.

Thirdly the PP protects the human rights of the citizens of our country. Many complaints brought to the Public Protector involve the violation of socio-economic rights.

When a citizen is denied a social grant, their housing application is unfairly rejected, or they receive poor service from a state-owned enterprise, they may not have the resources to sue the government. The Public Protector provides a free and accessible avenue for seeking redress. This the office ensures that all citizens are treated fairly and equitably by the state machinery.

Fourthly, The role of the PP gives a voice to the voiceless. As a free service, the PP is accessible to the poorest and most vulnerable members of society who would otherwise have no recourse against a powerful state institution.

When citizens see that there is an independent body that can hold the government to account, it helps to restore and maintain public trust in democratic institutions, which is essential for social stability.

Fifthly, the PP acts as an Agent of Social Justice.

The Public Protector often tackles issues that have a broad impact on society. Investigates systemic Issues. While they handle individual complaints, their work often uncovers widespread problems affecting many people. Their reports can lead to policy changes that benefit the entire population.

The PP’s office Holds the Powerful to Account. The office has the authority to investigate the highest levels of government, including presidents, ministers, and senior officials, demonstrating that no one is immune from scrutiny.

These roles remind us that a Constitution only has worth if the rights of the weakest and most vulnerable are defended as much as those of the strong.

The PP’s work often that take place far from the glare of the cameras, into the systems that are failing victims of gender-based violence and into the bureaucratic failures that are holding back our people’s chances of leading lives of dignity.

The Office of the Public Protector, commands great influence – the public’s trust.

The Public Protector stands with the people, and for this, the people trust this office.

The PP is seen as impartial and independent.

In State vs Glenister, the Constitutional Court held that “public confidence in mechanisms that are designed to secure independence is indispensable.”

If government creates an institution that does not appear, from a reasonable person’s point of view, to be independent, it has failed to meet a critical benchmark.

That is why we all carry a responsibility to both safeguard the independence of the Office of the Public Protector and affirm the binding nature of its remedial action.

We know that as much as the influence of the Office of the Public Protector lies in the faith it inspires, budgets do matter.

The Office of the Public Protector, like most public bodies, faces challenges of capacity and resources.

The institution needs both capacity and resources to keep people’s faith in it alive.

We have been able to direct additional funds to the baseline of the budget of the Public Protector and use funds from the Criminal Asset Recovery Account. This is part of our commitment to ensure the institution is independent and that it has the capacity and capability to prevent corruption.

Over 30 years, the Office of the Public Protector has forged a bond with the citizens of this country.

At the same time, it has forged relationships with institutions across the arms of state and throughout society.

It has sought to promote cooperation and collaboration, understanding that an efficient, effective and ethical state is an aspiration that we all share and a responsibility that we all have to carry.

It is essential for all organs of state to see the Public Protector as a partner in serving the people of this country.

It is true that all organs of state and all public officials must abide by and enforce the Public Protector’s remedial action. But they must do more. They must support the Office of the Public Protector in its work and must create awareness about its role.

The Public Protector has also built strong relations – and shares best practice – with its counterparts in other parts of the African continent and across the world.

It is a matter of great pride that the OR Tambo Minimum Standards for Effective Ombudsman Institutions were adopted here in South Africa, and that these standards prioritise the independence and autonomy of such institutions.

The Office of the Public Protector has been working tirelessly for the past 30 years towards a future where no citizen would need to ever knock on its door needing help.

This office does not seek power or influence. It seeks change.

It seeks a better government, better laws, better regulations and a better society.

As we mark this milestone, we extend our thanks to all the Public Protectors and Deputy Public Protectors who have served our democratic nation.

We thank the staff of the Office of the Public Protector for their resilience and integrity even during difficult times.

As the Office of the Public Protector enters the next era in its remarkable existence, on behalf of all South Africans, we wish it well, we wish it strength and we assure all those who work within it of our abiding support and appreciation.

I thank you.

Programme Director, Ms Yolisa Blom;
Executive Mayor of Mangaung, Cllr Gregory Nthatisi;
Principal of Motheo TVET College, Professor M. D. Phutsisi;
Representatives from SETAs and the Free State Development Corporation;
Leaders of student organisations, the SRC, and alumni;
Distinguished guests, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen;
Good morning;

It is a pleasure and an honour to join you today at this important G20 Outreach Programme, held at one of South Africa’s most dynamic institutions of learning, Motheo TVET College. I wish to begin by expressing my gratitude to the college leadership, staff, and students for hosting us with such warmth and enthusiasm.

We are gathered here at a time of great significance in our country’s history. South Africa is leading the G20, the world’s premier platform for international economic cooperation, for the very first time. This is a proud moment not only for South Africa but also for the entire African continent. Our Presidency of the G20, under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” marks an opportunity for us to demonstrate leadership, vision, and unity on the global stage.

The G20 brings together the world’s largest developed and emerging economies. Together, these nations represent about 85 percent of global economic output, 75 percent of international trade, and nearly two-thirds of the world’s population. This means that decisions taken within the G20 have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of billions of people, influencing global financial systems, food security, climate policy, job creation, and technological development.

The Significance of South Africa’s G20 Presidency

For South Africa, holding the G20 Presidency is both an immense honour and a serious responsibility. It allows us to bring the priorities of Africa and the Global South into the heart of global decision-making. Through this Presidency, we are not only representing ourselves but also carrying the aspirations of a continent that has for too long been on the margins of global economic policy.

Our theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability is a reflection of South Africa’s vision for a fairer, more inclusive, and more resilient world. Solidarity means standing together to address global challenges that no nation can solve alone, whether it be climate change, pandemics, or debt crises. Equality speaks to creating fair opportunities for all countries and all people to participate fully in the global economy. Sustainability calls on us to pursue economic growth that protects the environment, uplifts communities, and ensures that future generations can thrive.

Through our Presidency, South Africa seeks to drive practical outcomes on issues that matter deeply to our people. We are prioritising inclusive and sustainable economic growth, job creation, industrialisation, digital transformation, and the empowerment of women and youth. We are championing fair access to finance, energy security, and climate resilience. We are also working to ensure that the benefits of global growth are shared more equitably across all regions of the world, including Africa.

Why We Are Here

We gather today as part of a series of dialogues taking place across the country under the banner of the G20 Outreach Programme, a nationwide initiative that brings South Africa’s G20 Presidency closer to its people. This is our third student dialogue, following successful engagements with young people at the Tshwane University of Technology and Walter Sisulu University. Each of these conversations helps us deepen the link between global discussions and local realities.

Through these student dialogues, we want to ensure that South Africa’s G20 Presidency is not a distant, diplomatic event, but a living platform that speaks to the daily aspirations of our citizens particularly our youth, students, and emerging entrepreneurs.

Tangible Results for the Free State and Rural Communities

Over the past few months, the Free State province and the Mangaung Metro have played an active role in advancing South Africa’s G20 Presidency by hosting several engagements that connected global priorities to local action.

In February 2025, the University of the Free State (UFS), in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, hosted the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group and Bioeconomy Meetings in Bloemfontein. These sessions brought together scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders to strengthen South Africa’s role in driving inclusive innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable bio-industrial growth. 

In August 2025, the province hosted the G20 Cultural Diplomacy Roadshow in Bloemfontein as part of the MACUFE Festival. The event showcased South Africa’s creative economy and promoted cultural exchange under the G20 theme of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability. Local SMMEs, artists, and entrepreneurs participated in exhibitions and performances.

In September 2025, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) led a G20 Community Mobile Service Outreach in QwaQwa, Free State. This two-day initiative brought essential communication and digital services closer to rural residents, advancing the Presidency’s goal of bridging the digital divide and expanding access to information.

Together, these events demonstrate that the Free State is not a bystander in South Africa’s G20 Presidency. It has been an active platform for dialogue, innovation, and community participation showing how global cooperation can translate into practical outcomes for local development.

Opportunities for Students and TVET Graduates

Motheo TVET College is at the heart of the skills revolution that South Africa needs. The G20’s focus on youth empowerment, skills development, and digital innovation speaks directly to your reality as students preparing to enter the workforce.

Through the G20 Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Innovation for Sustainable Development, South Africa is working with global partners to expand digital infrastructure, improve data access, and promote ethical use of AI. The aim is to create opportunities for young people to participate in the digital economy not as consumers, but as creators, technicians, developers, and entrepreneurs.

In the TVET sector, we are aligning our skills programmes with these priorities. For example:

•    The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, in collaboration with industry partners, is introducing Digital Skills Academies in selected TVET colleges to train students in coding, drone technology, and renewable energy maintenance.

•    The Department of Higher Education and Training is expanding work-based learning partnerships with local industries to give students practical experience while studying.

•    Through the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, opportunities are being created for TVET graduates to enter internships linked to public infrastructure, energy, and technology projects that are consistent with the G20’s sustainability goals.

These initiatives are not abstract ideas; they are pathways to meaningful work and entrepreneurship for students in institutions like Motheo.

How the G20 Benefits SMMEs and Entrepreneurs

Another frequent question we receive is how the G20 benefits small businesses and entrepreneurs, especially in towns and townships. This is an important conversation, because small enterprises are the backbone of job creation and innovation in South Africa.

The G20’s agenda on inclusive growth and sustainable development recognises that economic transformation cannot happen without small and medium enterprises.

Through South Africa’s leadership, we have pushed for measures that enable SMMEs to participate in green supply chains, access affordable financing, and benefit from technology transfer.

Here in the Free State, the G20 Outreach Programme is already connecting local SMMEs with national and international development finance institutions. These include the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), and private sector partners who are providing technical support to small manufacturers, agri-processors, and digital entrepreneurs.

Africa’s Voice on the Global Stage

For far too long, Africa has been a subject of global discussions rather than a participant in shaping them. South Africa’s G20 Presidency changes that narrative. It allows us to bring African solutions to global challenges and to highlight the innovation, resilience, and creativity that define our continent.

Through our leadership, we are also working to strengthen the partnership between the G20 and the African Union, which is now a permanent member of the G20. This is a historic step towards global governance that reflects true inclusivity. It means that the concerns of African farmers, entrepreneurs, workers, and young people can now inform the policies that drive the world economy.

Creating Opportunities for South Africa

Hosting the G20 is not only a matter of prestige. It is an opportunity to strengthen our economy and build national pride. The Presidency brings increased international attention to South Africa, opening doors for investment, tourism, and trade. It stimulates sectors such as transport, hospitality, and technology. Most importantly, it positions

South Africa as a confident, forward-looking country capable of leading global dialogue on complex challenges.

The Presidency also enables us to showcase the best of who we are: a nation that values democracy, equality, and human solidarity. It gives us a platform to share our story of resilience, transformation, and hope.

Conclusion

As I conclude, I want to return to the importance of gatherings like this one. The G20 Outreach Programme is about connecting the global to the local and ensuring that every South African, regardless of background, can see their place in the country’s global journey. It is about showing that diplomacy is not distant from development, and that international cooperation can directly improve lives here at home.

To the students of Motheo TVET College, I urge you to see yourselves as active participants in South Africa’s G20 story. The future belongs to you. The world is changing rapidly, but it is also opening up new possibilities for those who are prepared, skilled, and determined. Continue to learn, innovate, and lead with purpose.

Let us continue to build a South Africa that embodies the values of solidarity, equality, and sustainability. Let us work together to ensure that our G20 Presidency leaves a legacy of inclusion, innovation, and global cooperation. Let us use this moment to lift our people, strengthen our continent, and shape a world that truly leaves no one behind.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Tuesday, 14 October 2025, deliver the keynote address during a dinner of the Public Protector South Africa 30-year Anniversary International Conference held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Western Cape Province.

The Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) is celebrating 30 years of strengthening constitutional democracy with a high-level international conference taking place from the 13th to the 15th of October 2025 under the theme: “30 Years of strengthening constitutional democracy-a transformative journey.”

This historic event is going to bring together experts and leaders from across South Africa, Africa and the globe, including ombuds institutions, Public Protectors, Ant-Corruption Institutions, civil society, academia, and faith-based leaders, to reflect on the three decades of the PPSA supporting and strengthening constitutional democracy, and to assist in charting the way forward for implementing ethical governance and strengthening accountability in public institutions.

The program is packed with reflections of the transformative journey and discussions on combating maladministration, corruption, enhancing ethical governance, and shaping a resilient future for democracy and service delivery in public administration.

The PPSA has released several impactful reports that have impacted public administration in South Africa. The conference will also showcase the PPSA’s milestones, including landmark investigations, which have influenced governance reforms and accountability measures across the state and feature keynote addresses by global ombudsman leaders and discussions on administrative justice, public accountability, and international collaboration in oversight institutions.

The dinner will take place as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Time: 18h00
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre ( CTICC2)

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Ms Nonceba Mhlauli, together with the Northern Cape MEC for (MEC) for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Ms Limakatso Koloi, and the Executive Mayor of the Frances Baard District Municipality, Cllr Wende Marekwa, will convene the Second District Development Model (DDM) Meeting on Wednesday, 15 October 2025 at the Frances Baard District Municipality Lecture Rooms.
 
The meeting forms part of Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination and alignment between the three spheres of Government to ensure integrated planning, service delivery, and accountability in line with the DDM’s “One District, One Plan” approach.

This engagement will review progress on the implementation of the District One Plan, assess catalytic projects under execution, and identify emerging challenges that require multi-sectoral intervention.

The session will also set out the roadmap towards Imbizos in the district and ensure that Government programmes respond effectively to the developmental priorities of local communities.

Details of the Meeting:
 
Date: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Time: 09h00 – 13h00
Venue: Frances Baard District Municipality Lecture Rooms, Northern Cape

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, brief the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, Cape Town, on various national developments including efforts to better monitor service delivery and the quality of services offered by all Government spheres.

In his response to NCOP Questions for Oral Reply, President Ramaphosa will also address the issue of criminality and corruption in South Africa.

The President will speak on Government’s revival of local industries and the strengthening the manufacturing sector through localisation.

This includes supporting the automotive and agricultural industries to strengthen their capacity to create more employment opportunities for local communities.

President Ramaphosa will outline Government’s plans to revive the rail sector that will contribute to job creation and economic growth.

President Ramaphosa will also provide an update on South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against the state of Israel.

Details of the engagement are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Time: 14h00
Venue: National Council of Provinces, Cape Town

 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria