Programme Director,
Your Excellency President Van der Bellen,
Vice President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Ms Martha Schultz, 
Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni,
Ministers,
Ambassadors,
Business and industry leaders,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to address the South Africa-Austria Business Forum at this important time, as we seek to further deepen economic ties between our countries. 

Austria and South Africa enjoy strong bilateral trade and investment relations spanning energy, industrial technology, pharmaceuticals and vocational training.

Bilateral trade between South Africa and Austria has been steadily increasing.

A number of leading Austrian companies are involved in South Africa, through direct investments, distribution and sales offices, or in projects and other services.

There are many more opportunities for investment by Austrian companies in South Africa.

There are opportunities in areas such as renewable energy generation, agro-processing and component manufacturing opportunities. 

There are also opportunities in critical minerals beneficiations, pharmaceuticals, technology and innovation, among others. 

South Africa has shown signs of recovery from its economic challenges.

Our electricity supply has improved. Inflation has shown signs of moderation. 

We have embarked on a massive infrastructure drive, with key investments concentrated in energy, transport and logistics, water and sanitation, and digital infrastructure. 

We established an Infrastructure Fund to leverage blended financing from private investors and multilateral development banks. 

The Fund has a pipeline of projects in water, sanitation, energy, transport, digital infrastructure, agriculture, agro-processing and housing.

We are on course to complete the transformation of our energy and logistics sectors to make them more efficient and competitive. 

More rapid and inclusive growth will be driven by the country’s advantage in the green and digital economy.

South Africa has developed a regulatory framework to harness the potential of the hydrogen economy.

South Africa is actively developing an industrial plan to support the growth of electric vehicle and battery production. 

The plan includes incentives for manufacturers, investment in charging infrastructure and localisation of components. 

We have a supportive and enabling industrial policy.

This policy involves the expansion of special economic zones and harnessing the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

Our special economic zones offer an internationally competitive value proposition with an attractive suite of incentives.

These special economic zones are located across the country, each with unique offerings for investors.

The African Continental Free Trade Area will remove trade barriers and unlock opportunities for trade and investment for local and global businesses.

It will drive a wave of industrialisation and create dynamic regional value chains. 

This presents opportunities for Austrian businesses and investors. It opens up new markets for their goods, products and services. 

South Africa is an anchor for regional value chains in the continent.

Our manufacturing sector sources inputs from many countries in the region. 

These are then exported as final products to foreign markets. 

The far-reaching structural reforms we have implemented over the past six years have opened up the country to increased levels of investment. 

This is evident in the renewable energy sector, which has attracted significant investment following reforms in the electricity regulatory environment.

South Africa has significant reserves of critical energy transition minerals as we position ourselves to be at the forefront of the green energy revolution. 

We hold the world’s largest reserves of platinum group metals, giving us a competitive advantage for the production of sustainable energy technologies.

South African businesses are also eager to explore opportunities in Austria, an economy that offers EU single market access, has high purchasing power and is a stable, innovation-driven economy.

There is high demand for our agricultural products in the EU, including high-quality South African wines and speciality foods like rooibos. 

South Africa’s network of eco-certified producers continues to grow and can tap into opportunities in Austria in the organic and sustainable food production markets. 

South African mining, mineral processing, automotive and other manufacturing sectors are eager to link into Austrian supply chains and increase value-added exports.

With Austria investing heavily in renewable energy, there are many opportunities to explore in green hydrogen production, hydrogen storage and green transition technologies. 

We want to see more Austrian tourists coming to South Africa and more South Africans visiting Austria. We are particularly keen to explore eco, sports and heritage tourism. 

Earlier today we signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of technical and vocational training. 

We want to learn from Austria on how to achieve the delicate balance between building the workforce of the future and growing the skills needed by the economy today.

As the South African government, we have consistently affirmed the importance of collaboration with the private sector to drive economic growth and job creation.

By working together with all social partners, we have embarked on a new era of growth, progress and inclusive, shared prosperity.

I am confident that the engagements, discussions and networking sessions from this forum will yield great benefits for both South African and Austrian companies. 

Once again, I thank you all for joining us here and for your continued interest in South Africa. 

We will continue to support Austrian investors and partners in unlocking the great value in our country.

Over many years, we have built a firm foundation for mutually-beneficial cooperation.

It is clear from this Business Forum that there are abundant opportunities for even greater partnership, progress and shared prosperity.

I thank you.

Your Excellency, President Alexander Van der Bellen,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Ambassadors,
Senior officials,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen,

As you are aware, Your Excellency, South Africans are today mourning the passing of our former Deputy President David Dabede Mabuza. 

He served as the Deputy President of the Republic from 2018 to 2023 and before that as Premier of the province of Mpumalanga.

It is appropriate that we pay tribute to him on this occasion, both for his contribution to the development of our democracy and to the quest for peace and stability on the African continent.

He was deeply committed to the cause of the South African people and to building bonds of friendship and cooperation with peoples from across the world.

I ask that we observe a moment of silence in his memory.

Your Excellency, allow me once again to welcome you to South Africa. 

This is the first visit by an Austrian Head of State to democratic South Africa.

In our Official Talks, we took the opportunity to thank the Austrian people for their support during our struggle for democracy.

We believe that this solidarity laid a firm basis for our bilateral cooperation. 

President Van der Bellen’s visit marks a new chapter for relations between Austria and South Africa as we seek to deepen investment and trade between our two countries. 

South Africa is Austria’s largest trading partner on the continent and accounts for almost a third of Austria’s total exports to the continent. 

More than a quarter of all African imports to Austria are from South Africa. 

We have acknowledged the presence of more than 70 Austrian companies with subsidiaries and agencies in South Africa. 

Later today, President Van der Bellen and I will be participating in a high-level business forum that will explore the numerous avenues for deepening bilateral investment and trade. 

South Africa welcomes the Republic of Austria’s ongoing commitment to our country’s development and to our efforts to drive inclusive growth and job creation.

Today we signed two Memoranda of Understanding. 

The first on cooperation in consular affairs and the second on technical vocational education and work-based training, which will support South Africa’s efforts to produce the skills our economy needs.

President Van der Bellen and I discussed the impact of geopolitical events. 

We affirmed the importance of multilateralism as we strive to realise a world free from conflict and war. 

We share the belief that the institutions of global governance, and particularly the United Nations Security Council, must be reformed to meet the challenges and realities of the world today. 

We took this opportunity to discuss the theme we have chosen for South Africa’s G20 Presidency, namely ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’. 

It envisages a world order in which every person, every community and every country has equal opportunity to progress and to thrive.

From our discussions today, it is clear that this is an aspiration that Austria and South Africa share.

Austria is a valued partner of South Africa. This state visit will further deepen our longstanding cooperation and strengthen the ties between our two peoples.

I thank you.

Your Excellency, President Alexander van der Bellen,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Ambassadors,
Members of delegations,
Senior officials,

On behalf of the people and Government of the Republic of South Africa, it is my pleasure to welcome you on this historic State Visit. 

Our two countries have ties of friendship and cooperation that go back many years.

We recall the role of Austrian anti-apartheid movement in supporting our struggle for democracy.

We have not forgotten this solidarity, which laid a firm basis for our bilateral relationship.

Your visit today marks a new chapter in relations between Austria and South Africa. 

Through the Bilateral Consultations we have maintained cordial relations rooted in mutual respect, shared values and a common commitment to multilateralism.

We are also committed to deepening investment and trade between our two countries. 

South Africa is Austria’s largest economic and trade partner in Africa. Our country accounts for almost a third of Austria’s total exports to the continent. 

There are more than 70 Austrian companies with subsidiaries or agencies in South Africa across a range of sectors.

There is significant potential to deepen investment and trade links in areas such as the green economy, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure development and tourism. 

We share a common commitment to transition our respective economies along a low-carbon, inclusive, climate resilient path.

As South Africa strives to achieve energy security through investment in renewable and clean energy, we look forward to expanding our cooperation with Austria.

We noted with interest the launch of Austria’s first green hydrogen production facility in 2023. We are eager to share our Green Hydrogen Economy Strategy and explore avenues for cooperation.

We are interested to hear more about Austria’s comprehensive national Africa Strategy, which we understand is intended to expand cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, digitalisation, energy, environmental and climate technologies.

The momentum of South Africa’s structural reform process and our efforts to boost economic growth present unique opportunities for Austrian firms wishing to invest here. 

I look forward to our participation in the high-level business forum later today, where we will be able to engage with these opportunities in depth.

We meet at a time of heightened global insecurity, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, the climate emergency and conflicts in many parts of the world. 

These events reinforce the need for multilateralism to remain at the centre of world affairs. 

They further underscore the need for the urgent reform of the institutions of global governance, including the United Nations Security Council.

South Africa and Austria share a common commitment to a world free of conflict and war, where sustainable development is a reality for all.

For our G20 Presidency, South Africa has chosen the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’.

It reflects our commitment to advancing the African Agenda, multilateral cooperation and the interests of all countries and peoples.

Austria is a valued partner of South Africa and we look forward to taking this partnership to even greater heights.

I now invite you, Your Excellency, to deliver your remarks.

I thank you.

I have learned with deep sadness of the passing of former Deputy President and former Premier of Mpumalanga, David Dabede Mabuza.

Deputy President Mabuza passed away today, Thursday, 3 July 2025, at a hospital following a short illness. He was 64 years of age.

On behalf of Government and the nation, I offer my profound condolences to the late Deputy President’s wife, Mrs Mabuza, and the children.

I extend my condolences to Deputy President Mabuza’s friends and the people of Mpumalanga whom he served as Premier from 2009 to 2018, and previously as a Member of the Executive Council of Mpumalanga across a range of portfolios.

My thoughts are also with Deputy President Mabuza’s comrades in his political home, the African National Congress, where he was elected as the organisation’s Deputy President in December 2017.

During his service as Deputy President of the Republic, Deputy President Mabuza applied his leadership and mobilisation abilities to his role as the Leader of Government Business in Parliament; leading the South African National Aids Council; coordinating anti-poverty initiatives in the form of Public Employment Programmes, Integrated Service Delivery and Enterprise Development.

Deputy President Mabuza also represented South Africa on global platforms and consolidated relations between South Africa and its closest partners.

As Deputy President, he chaired the Cabinet Committees of Governance, State Capacity and Institutional Development (GSCID) as well as Justice, Crime-Prevention and Security (JCPS).

We are saddened today by the loss of a leader who was grounded in activism at the early stages of his political career and who came to lead our nation and shape South Africa’s engagement with our continental compatriots and the international community in his role as Deputy President.

The former Deputy President deserves our appreciation for his deep commitment to the liberation struggle and to the nation’s development as an inclusive, prosperous, democratic state.

Further announcements will be made in due course on memorial arrangements and the honours with which the country will pay its final respects to the former Deputy President.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Honourable Chairperson of the Session;
Minister in The Presidency, Honourable Khumbudzo Ntshavheni;
Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Honourable Kenny Morolong;
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Honourable Thelisa Mgweba;
Honourable Members of Parliament;
Our Statistician General, Risenga Maluleka;
Our Chairperson of the Statistics Council, Dr Nompumelelo Mbele;
Fellow South Africans!

I want to start by recalling the words of English philosopher and physician, John Locke, when he said - “Our assent ought to be regulated by the grounds of probability.”

This timeless insight by Locke reminds us that belief, judgment and ultimately policy must be guided NOT by sentiment or speculation, but by evidence. And in the context of a democratic and developmental state such as ours, that evidence is found in official statistics - carefully produced, neutrally presented, and made available to all.

It is, therefore, both an honour and a duty for me to rise today in support of the Minister in the Presidency, Honourable Ntshavheni, as she tables Budget Vote 14 for Statistics South Africa, our country’s national statistical office, simple known as Stats SA.

Stats SA carries a profound responsibility: to ensure that our country has the statistical evidence it needs to make informed, transformative decisions.

As Members of Parliament and as policymakers, we cannot legislate in the dark. We must see the full picture - clearly, accurately, and regularly. That is why Stats SA’s advocacy mantra remains as relevant as ever: “Evidence-based decision-making.”

Honourable Members,

We debate this Budget Vote under the banner of a Government of National Unity -a collective political commitment to work together, across differences, to advance the aspirations of all South Africans. For this unity to succeed, it must be grounded in a shared understanding of the facts. That shared understanding can only come from a trusted and independent source of information such as Stats SA.

The department’s 2025/26 Work Programme is bold in scope and vital to our progress. It commits to the release of more than 290 statistical reports and publications, spanning the economic, social, and environmental domains. These outputs will help us understand the country we are building - its strengths, its fault lines, and its opportunities.

Among the most significant innovations in the year ahead is the continued development of the Continuous Population Survey - an ambitious re-engineering of household data collection into a modular system, enabling more detailed, localised data that aligns with our District Development Model.

This will be underpinned by updates to Stats SA’s geographic information frame, a technical but critical building block for precision in sampling and coverage.

However, Honourable Members, innovation alone is not enough. We need the public to understand and participate in Stats SA’s work. Increasingly, fieldworkers are finding it difficult to access sampled households due to rising mistrust and lack of awareness.

That is why public engagement campaigns must be prioritised. They help foster trust and improve response rates; without which our statistics lose accuracy and legitimacy.

We began our day early this morning with a community outreach initiative not far from these Chambers - in Gugulethu and Nyanga. This was not just a symbolic gesture. It was a deliberate effort to bring Statistics South Africa closer to the people, where it belongs. We engaged with commuters, distributed information, and most importantly, listened. Because statistics are not just numbers - they are our stories, our struggles, our progress or even failures.

That outreach was part of our broader mission: to demystify the work of Stats SA, encourage public participation in surveys, and remind communities that data is only powerful when it is shared, protected, and understood.

We are also mindful of the devastating floods that have impacted parts of our country. Natural disasters do not only destroy infrastructure - but they also displace lives, break routines, and often hit the poorest hardest. In times like these, Stats SA plays a critical role.

By providing accurate data on household vulnerability, migration patterns, service delivery, and access to housing, the national statistics office helps government and relief agencies respond better and faster. Data enables targeted disaster response and long-term recovery planning. In short, stats save lives.

Let us also salute the youth - not just as future leaders, but as present-day champions of change. 
We are a young nation with a median age of 28. This youthful population presents a powerful opportunity - a potential demographic dividend - that could drive economic growth and social progress. But this dividend is not automatic.

To unlock it, we must ensure our youth are well-educated, gainfully employed, and in good health. Only then can their energy, innovation, and numbers become the engine of our nation's future.
So, as the Minister tables Budget Vote 14 before this House, we carry the voices of people from Gugulethu and Nyanga and the rest of the country we meet earlier today. Our engagements this morning reinforces a vital truth: that national progress starts with local trust. Stats SA does not work from afar.

The work of the national statistics office reinforces a simple fact – the interconnected of data collection, community participation, and policy formulation.

Together, let us keep building South Africa on facts - not fear.

Let me be clear:

A well-funded, capacitated Stats SA is not a luxury. It is an essential endowment to our democracy and our developmental state. Reliable data is the bedrock of reducing inequality, targeting services, and measuring progress.

Inadequate funding and persistent vacancies at Stats SA risk weakening one of the very tools meant to strengthen our country.

Honourable Members,

Recent debates around unemployment statistics remind us of the need for clarity about Stats SA’s mandate. The department is guided by the Statistics Act of 1999, now strengthened through the amendments signed into law in December 2024. The new Statistics Amendment Act (No. 29 of 2024) enables improved coordination across government and enshrines the professional independence required for statistical credibility.

Let us not forget:

Stats SA does not create unemployment. It measures it.
Stats SA does not make policy. It informs it.
It is for us - the policymakers, the lawmakers, the executive - to use these insights wisely.

Chairperson,

I would like to bring to your attention the operating environment of statistics offices worldwide. 

National statistics offices - including our own Stats SA - face modern challenges that demand innovation and resilience. These include growing mistrust in institutions, misinformation spreading faster than facts, declining survey response rates, digital exclusion in poor and rural communities, and the increasing cost and complexity of collecting reliable data. 

In this environment, we must adapt by embracing digital tools, investing in data literacy among our people, strengthening partnerships with community leaders, and reaffirming the independence and credibility of our statistical systems. Only then can we ensure that evidence-based decision-making remains the cornerstone of democracy and development.

I close by acknowledging the thousands of hardworking professionals at Stats SA, from fieldworkers to statisticians, whose quiet dedication helps all of us see South Africa more clearly. May we match their commitment with the resources, legislation, and support they require to do their work effectively.

As this House considers and adopts Budget Vote 14, let it be said that we chose not to govern by instinct, nor by ideology alone - but by truth, by facts, and by evidence.

Ke a leboga. Enkosi. Thank you.

Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, will tomorrow participate in “Taking Stats to the People” activation programme alongside the Statistician-General, Mr Risenga Maluleke, and the Executive Committee of Statistics South Africa.

This early morning engagement aims to showcase how data drives development and strengthens communities. The activation, taking place in Gugulethu, Cape Town, will provide commuters and residents with accessible and practical insights on how statistics are used to inform policy, allocate resources, and improve lives.

This community-focused initiative precedes the Statistics South Africa budget vote, which will be delivered in Parliament later the same day.

Details of the Activation:

Date: Wednesday, 02 July 2025
Time: 07h00
Venue: Gugulethu Train Station to Cape Town Station

Details of the Stats SA Budget Vote:

Time: 14h00
Venue: Good Hope Chamber, Parliament of South Africa

Join the Deputy Minister in demonstrating how data is not just numbers but a powerful tool for change.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 04 July 2025, host President Alexander van der Bellen of Austria at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. 

The State Visit presents an opportunity to consolidate the long-standing and strong relationship between South Africa and Austria, particularly in the fields of arts and culture, higher education, renewable energy, trade and investment, and waste management.

South Africa and Austria maintain cordial and cooperative bilateral relations that are rooted in mutual respect, shared values on multilateralism, and growing economic and cultural exchanges. Though geographically distant and differing significantly in size and economic structure, the two nations have found common ground in international cooperation, trade, and sustainable development

President Ramaphosa and President van der Bellen will also address a plenary session of the Business Forum on the afternoon of the State Visit on 4 July 2025. 

Media is invited to apply for media accreditation to cover the incoming State Visit and the Business Forum by completing the accreditation form below. 

The accreditation form for the State Visit can be sent to Ndivhuwo@presidency.gov.za and for the Business Forum, it can be sent to Cmnisi@thedtic.gov.za  by 15h00, Tuesday 01 July 2025. 

STATE VISIT DETAILS: 
Date: Friday, 04 July 2025
Time: 10h00 (media to arrive at 08h00)
Venue: Union Buildings, Pretoria 

SA-AUSTRIA BUSINESS FORUM :
Date: Friday, 04 July 2025
Time: 14:15
Venue: Colab Hotel
Address: Ext 2, Menlyn Maine, 194 Bancor Avenue Park Lane West Building

STRICTLY NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokersperson to President Ramaphosa - media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria