Programme Director,
Honourable Speaker of the Saldanha Bay Municipality Cllr Olwene Daniels,
Principal of Louwville High School Emile Petrus,
Representatives from Kumba Iron Ore, Transnet, and RuraTech,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

It is both an honour and a privilege to stand before you today at Louwville High School for the official launch and handover of the Mobile Digital Library. This moment represents not just the unveiling of a resource, but the opening of opportunity.

We gather here at a significant time in our national calendar. Just days ago, South Africa commemorated Human Rights Day on the 21st of March. This day reminds us of the sacrifices made in Sharpeville and across our country so that all South Africans may enjoy dignity, equality, and freedom.

This year also marks 30 years of our democratic Constitution, a living document that enshrines the rights to education, access to information, and human dignity.

Today, we give practical expression to those rights.

Because access to education, access to information, and access to opportunity are not abstract ideals. They are fundamental human rights. And in today’s world, those rights are deeply connected to digital access.
 
South Africa continues to grapple with deep inequalities, especially within our education system. Too many of our young people, particularly in underserved communities, remain excluded from the digital world that increasingly defines success in the 21st century.

This Mobile Digital Library is a direct intervention in that reality.

It says to every learner here that you matter. Your potential matters. And your access to the tools of the future matters.

Because in today’s world, digital access is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity. It is the foundation upon which education, innovation, and economic participation are built.
 
Programme director, this initiative is a powerful example of what can be achieved when government, the private sector, and communities work together with a shared purpose.

I would like to commend our partners Kumba Iron Ore, Transnet, and RuraTech for their commitment to investing in young people and in the future of this country.

This is what meaningful partnership looks like. It is not only about corporate social responsibility. It is about co-creating solutions that have lasting impact.

When we align resources, expertise, and intent, we move faster and we move further.
 
To the learners of Louwville High School:
This library is for you.
It is a space where curiosity must be encouraged, where questions must be asked, and where dreams must be nurtured.
Use it fully. Use it boldly.
Explore subjects beyond your textbooks. Learn new skills. Discover careers you may never have imagined. Teach yourselves to code, to research, to think critically, and to innovate.
Because the future economy will reward those who create, who solve problems, and who lead.
 
To the teachers and the broader community:
This facility will only succeed if it becomes integrated into the daily life of the school.
Let it not stand as a symbol. Let it function as a tool.
Encourage its use in classrooms. Embed it into teaching and learning. Support learners in navigating this digital space responsibly and productively.
To parents and community members, protect it, support it, and take pride in it. This is a shared asset, and its success belongs to all of you.
 
As government, we remain committed to building a capable, inclusive, and digitally enabled society.

Human Rights Day reminds us that rights must be lived, not only remembered. The 30 years of our Constitution remind us that those rights must be protected, deepened, and made real in the lives of our people.

Initiatives such as this one are aligned with our broader vision of ensuring that no young person is left behind in the digital age.

Through this Mobile Digital Library, we take a meaningful step toward ensuring that the right to education and access to information is realised in practice.

Because when we invest in young people, we invest in the future of our economy, our democracy, and our nation.

Ladies and gentlemen, Today marks a beginning.

A beginning of expanded horizons.

A beginning of new opportunities.

A beginning of a future where every learner, regardless of where they are born, has the tools to succeed.

Let us work together to ensure that this Mobile Digital Library becomes not just a resource, but a catalyst for transformation.

I thank you.
 

Programme Directors, Deputy Minister Steve Letsike and Provincial Civil Society Chairperson Ms. Amelia Mfiki;

Our host, Health MEC, Mireille Wenger representing the Western Cape 

Premier;
Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi;
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities of South Africa, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga;
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla;
Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture Ms. Peace Mabe;
Deputy Minister of Social Development Mr Ganief Hendricks;
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Andries Nel;
Chairperson of the SANAC Civil Society Forum, Mr. Solly Nduku; Deputy Chairperson of the SANAC Private Sector Forum, Dr. Thuthula Balfour;
SANAC CEO Dr. Thembisile Xulu;
Deputy Mayor of Overberg District Cllr. Ald Helen Coetzee;
Deputy Mayor of Theewaterskloof Municipality Cllr. Cynthia Clayton;
SALGA President, Mr. Bheki Stofile;
Cosatu President, Ms. Zingiswa Losi;
The Civil Society TB Ambassador, Ms. Sarah Bakamela;
Mrs Humile Mashatile, South African Patron of the Global Alliance to End Aids in Children;
WHO Country Representative, Ms. Shenaaz El-Halabi;
STOP TB Partnership Executive Director, Dr. Lucica Ditiu;
Traditional Leaders present,
Members of the media;
Fellow South Africans;

Greetings to you all,

Firstly, thank you for joining us today as we reflect on South Africa's ongoing fight against tuberculosis (TB). A disease that has stolen too many breaths from our people. It has silenced voices in our homes, emptied chairs at our tables, and left permanent scars in our communities.
Yet today, we gather not in despair, but in defiance because as a country we are proving that TB can be defeated. 

Each life saved, each infection prevented, is a victory for dignity, and hope for the future.

I remember last year, during our commemoration in KwaZulu-Natal, a young man named Sibusiso approached me to share his challenging journey. He spoke about his journey of poverty, stigma, and the fear that others held towards him. 

This encounter highlighted the struggles faced by individuals in similar situations and the impact of societal perceptions on their lives.
He further told me how he had battled drug-resistant TB and how the road was marked by pain, doubt, and isolation. 

Yet he also spoke of the courage it took to keep going and the hope that sustained him when everything else seemed lost. With tearful eyes, he said he no longer has chest pain or excessive breathing difficulties, no more persistent cough, no more night sweats, and most importantly, he can freely play with his kids.

I am sharing his story because his recovery was a triumph. A victory for himself, his family, his community, and indeed, a victory for our nation. His journey reminds us that public health is a collective mission. When one life is reclaimed, the fabric of society is strengthened. His story also speaks directly to our adapted call, in line with the global community: “Yes! You and I can end TB."

We have deliberately taken the “WE” from the global theme and transformed it to “You and I”, because true change begins with personal responsibility and shared purpose. It is a powerful declaration that reminds us that each one of us has a part in ending TB. We must use our voices to break stigma, to tell stories that humanise the struggle, and to ensure policies translate into real access to treatment. 

On the other hand, a family should be the primary support for a person with Active TB Disease by providing encouragement, ensuring treatment adherence, and creating a conducive environment for recovery. This responsibility extends to our communities. Communitiesmust organise awareness campaigns, support clinics, and create spaces where TB survivors are celebrated, not shunned.

Most importantly, our institutions must guarantee access to diagnostics, medicines, and social support. But beyond that, we must invest in prevention, research, and the strengthening of health systems that leave no one behind.

There is urgent need for our collective action to act against TB, encourage individuals to take charge of their health. Our actions should complement the goals of our Cheka ImpiloProgramme and strengthens national efforts aimed at identifying and assisting the undiagnosed population, often known as the missing TB clients.

Compatriots, 

As we reflect on our progress against TB response, let me start with the good news: year after year, we continue to see a steady decline in the number of people contracting TB. Compared to our 2015 baseline, this is a story we can proudly tell as a nation.

Our national TB programme has achieved remarkable success in reducing the TB incidence rate, which is, the number of new cases each year. In fact, by 2024, we have seen a 61% reduction in that incidence rate.
Treatment outcomes for drug-resistant TB patients have improved significantly. We are now seeing a 79% treatment success rate, and for the first time ever, lost-to-follow-up rates for Drug Resistant TB are in single digits. This breakthrough is a result of our accelerated efforts in scaling up the introduction of shorter, more effective regimens.

This progress is worth celebrating, as it not only saves lives but also restores hope. It exemplifies that through unity, strengthened partnerships, and innovation, we can effectively combat disease, reclaim futures, rebuild communities, and revitalize our national spirit.

However, at the same time, we must be honest about where we stand. While we have made strides, there is still room for improvement. The proportion of estimated TB cases successfully placed on treatment has dipped from 79% to 74% this past year. This is not a statistic to ignore; it is a call to action!

It tells us that we must double our efforts, close the gap, and ensure that every person who needs care receives it promptly. For progress is not measured only in victories achieved, but in the determination to reach those who remain waiting.

Our End TB campaign is showing strong momentum. This year, we've achieved 70% of our ambitious testing target, over 3.5 million tests have been conducted since the launch of the End TB Campaign we unveiled at last year’s World TB Day in KwaZulu-Natal.

This is the highest number ever recorded in a single year for our TB programme. It stands as a testament to the tireless dedication of our health workers, the resilience of our communities, and the steadfast support of our partners.

But we cannot stop there.

Progress is a journey rather than a destination. Every accomplishment should motivate us to keep going, put in more effort, and make sure that no one is left behind. For every victory achieved, there is another battle to be fought.

I say this because TB remains a major public health concern and is still the leading cause of death, particularly for People Living with HIV. Despite a slight decrease in overall TB deaths, we have only managed a 17% reductioncompared to 2015, far short of the 75% target we set for ourselves.  

This gap reminds us that lives are still being lost unnecessarily, and we must do much more to turn the tide.
Another harsh reality: the 2021 TB Survey showed that 56% of people affected by TB in our country continue to face catastrophic socio-economic constraints that push families into poverty. 

We cannot ignore this human and economic toll. We need to make our response more patient-centred meeting people where they are and removing all barriers against access to testing and treatment.

We must find TB, to end TB. 

Early detection is the key to breaking the cycle of infection and protecting families and communities. When we diagnose and treat TB sooner, we save lives and prevent further spread.
We can draw valuable lessons from our COVID-19 response: rapid action, community engagement, and strong leadership. We must apply those same principles to TB.

I want to make a special call today to men: please get tested for TB. Our data shows clearly that many of the missing cases are among men. In the past 11 months, even though fewer men have been tested, their positivity rate is much higher. Testing more men will help us find those hidden cases and protect everyone.

I also urge anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has TB to visit their nearest health facility right away. Get tested. If you test positive, start treatment immediately and finish it as prescribed by a health practitioner. If you test negative, ask about TB Preventive Therapy (TPT) to protect yourself and stop the spread.

The promise of new vaccines offers a critical turning point in our fight to end TB. The leading candidate, the M72/AS01E vaccine, is in late-stage trials, with the majority of trial sites and a significant proportion of participants drawn from South Africa. This places our country at the centre of this scientific breakthrough.

With efficacy results expected in 2027, we have not waited idly. In June 2025, we convened a national stakeholder workshop to begin preparing for vaccine introduction and later that year leveraged the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting to advocate for sustainable financing and equitable access to TB vaccines.

Building on this momentum, we have now developed a country vaccine preparedness roadmap. We must be ready to implement at pace and at scale, because when an effective vaccine becomes available, delays will cost lives. South Africa must lead from the front in ensuring rapid, equitable access for all who need it.

Disease management requires accurate and accessible real-time data. This information informs programme design and enables targeted interventions. Last year, the Minister of Health launched the public-facing TB Dashboard to specifically track progress against the End TB Campaign. It provides near real-time data on TB testing, helping us identify "hotspots" where testing coverage may be lagging so that we can reallocate resources, such as mobile screening units.

The SANAC Situation Room, an inclusive and comprehensive data visualisation hub continues to expand by incorporating additional datasets and providing a unified, one-stop shop for what were previously stand-alone data sources. This enhances programme data availability and supports more sustainable programming. These tools improve transparency and strengthen data-driven decision-making. 

South Africa has come far, but the journey is not over. Let us keep pushing forward with urgency, compassion, and unity. To truly end TB, we need a whole-of-society approach.Researchers must continue to develop new diagnostics, medicines, and vaccines. 

Implementers must ensure these tools reach every clinic and community, so patients receive care that is timely, safe, and effective.

I am particularly pleased to announce that, following the new WHO guidance, South Africa is going to launch its pilot project for near-point-of-care diagnostic tests by July 2026. This essential step will move high-quality testing out of centralised labs and closer to the communities where our people live and work, supporting our drive towards universal health coverage.

As I have mentioned, civil society and communities carry a crucial responsibility in responding to TB and HIV by raising awareness, reducing stigma, advocating for policy change, and amplifying the voices of those affected. Our shared goal is to build a South Africa where testing is simple, treatment is accessible, and support is strong. In doing so, we multiply victories like that of Sibusiso, spreading hope and resilience across the nation.

Let us commit ourselves anew: to get tested, to seek treatment promptly, to complete treatment if infected, to support one another, and to build a healthier, TB-free South Africa.
TB is preventable.  

TB is curable. 

“Yes! You and I can end TB.”

I Thank You.
 

Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, will deliver the opening remarks at the Outcomes Finance Alliance Summit 2026 on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.

The Summit brings together global leaders, development partners, investors, and policymakers to advance outcomes-based financing solutions aimed at improving social and economic development outcomes.

The Deputy Minister’s opening address will set the tone for discussions focused on innovative financing mechanisms to accelerate impact in key priority areas such as education, healthcare, youth development, and job creation. Her participation highlights South Africa’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and leveraging innovative funding models to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Details are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 25 March 2026
Time: 09h00 – 13h00
Venue: South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)

Members of the media are invited to attend the opening session. 

For more information on the Summit, please visit https://www.ofasummit.org/en/ofa2026

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

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has noted claims made by Sergeant Fannie Nkosi at the Madlanga Commission earlier today to the effect that the Deputy President met with Mr. Vusimuzi Cat Matlala or that the latter intended to meet with him.

Deputy President Mashatile categorically denies the claims. Of significance is that the Deputy President does not know the individuals referenced in the testimony and has never had any association or dealings with them. Of greater significance is that the Deputy President  was out of the country at the time that Mr. Matlala purportedly met with him or intended to do so.

Deputy President Mashatile categorically rejects Sergeant Nkosi's claims and is prepared to  cooperate with the Madlanga Commission fully should the Commission require any clarity or assistance from him. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director,
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr. Gayton Mckenzie,
Premier of the Northern Cape, Mr. Zamani Saul,
All traditional leaders present here today,
Representatives of the descendant communities,
MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr. Mangaliso Matika,
Executive Mayor of the Namakwa District Municipality, Cllr Alinda Beukus,
Mayor of the Nama Khoi Local Municipality, Cllr Rodney Krtizinger,
The leadership and members of the Northern Cape Reburial Task Team,
Representatives from The Hunterian Museum, Dr. Steph Scholten and Dr. Andy Mills,
Representatives of political parties and civil society organisations,
Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Goeie môre. Dumelang. Molweni. Sanibonani. Avuxeni. Ndi Matsheloni. Lotjhani. 

It is an honour to be here today as we lay our ancestors to rest.

A dignified burial is but the least we can do as the democratic government to honour these, our countrymen and countrywomen, who were victims of a terrible past. 

The Nama, Khoi, Korana, Griqua and San people bore the brunt of European conquest of southern Africa. They were dispossessed of their lands, and unimaginable violence was unleashed upon them. 

In life, they were robbed of their names, their culture, and their very humanity.

During a dark period of scientific racism in the late 18th century and 19th century, many of our people were coerced to leave southern Africa for Europe; where their physical features made them exotic specimens for exhibition, study and exploitation. 

Not even death would spare them from indignity. 

Their remains were dug up from graves and sold to museums and medical institutions in Europe. The sale of human remains of indigenous peoples for study in Europe was rooted in racism and used to advance theories of European racial superiority.

Others, like Sara Baartman, died sick and alone in these faraway lands.

Today, as their remains are finally returned to the land from which they were taken, we restore the dignity that was so cruelly denied to them in life and even in death.

It is a culmination of a long journey and a collaborative partnership between government and various stakeholders. They include the Iziko Museum, formerly the South African Museum, the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), and the Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. 

I would like to welcome the representatives from the Hunterian Museum who are with us today. 

Following discussions that began in 2022, last year we successfully repatriated the remains of five individuals, together with two plaster face-casts and a smoking pipe that was excavated from a burial ground. 

These remains were unethically exhumed between 1868 and 1924 from graves in the Northern Cape and were donated to the university.

The other remains that will be buried today had been housed at the Iziko Museum since the 1920’s.

The return of our ancestors to their descendant communities is a vital act of restoration and restitution that goes beyond acknowledging the colonial legacy, it is also a manifestation of ubuntu – a recognition of our common humanity. 

Today, we accompany them to their final rest here at Kinderlê, a place with a tragic history. 

It was here, in 1867 that 32 Nama children were murdered while their parents were away at a church service. 

The Northern Cape Reburial Task Team has chosen this site as an act of reconciliation, and as a reminder that despite the deep divisions in our past, we are one people.

The greater tragedy of the erasure of the indigenous peoples of southern Africa is that much of it went unacknowledged. 

It was only in the late 20th century that European countries began to seriously confront their colonial legacies, and even then, it has only been some of them. 

Even amidst the emergence of serious critiques on the part of these European powers in the late 1970’s, many have avoided a deeper reckoning. 

Some of these countries have apologized for specific atrocities, but in the main they have fallen short of full, unqualified apologies for colonialism as a whole. 

As democratic South Africa, we do not linger in the shadow of unspoken apologies or deferred reckonings.

We will restore dignity - on our own terms.

This year marks thirty years since our democratic Constitution was signed into law. 

The preamble of the Constitution calls on us to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights. 

Our Constitution obliges us to advance restitution for all those who were the victims of colonial and apartheid atrocities.

Since 1994 we have actively implemented legislative and policy reforms to address the historical exclusion of our indigenous communities. We have done this through land restitution and redress, legal recognition of leadership structures, and support for cultural revival and language preservation.

Through the National Policy on Repatriation of Human Remains and Heritage Objects we will continue to forge partnerships with institutions and individuals across the world to recover ancestral human remains that were illegally taken from South Africa.

I would like to thank the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture, the Northern Cape Reburial Task Team, the Iziko Museums of South Africa and the South African Heritage Resources Agency for their ongoing work in this regard.

We thank the traditional leadership who are with us today for being part of this important act of redress that we hope will bring a measure of closure to the affected communities. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Human dignity is not dependent on who you are, what language you speak, what colour your skin is, where you were born or how much or how little you have. 

Human dignity is inherent. We claim it for ourselves. 

It cannot be deferred. And it cannot be erased.

The illegal exhumation of our ancestors for sale in faraway lands exposed the depths of depravity to which human beings could descend.

They were dug up and turned into commodities and specimens, displayed under the cold gaze of pseudoscience. 

Their restless spirits were left to wander here in the Northern Cape, the land where they once lived.

Today we welcome their mortal remains, that they may at last be reunited with their spirits.

They were not nobodies. 

They came from communities. They had families. Each and every one of their lives had meaning and purpose.

They were our people. 

They came from this land, to which we now return them.

And we have brought them home to be buried here alongside the children of Kinderlê.

In the words of our great legend Diana Ferrus:

“I have come to take you home, where the ancient mountains shout your name. I have made your bed at the foot of the hill. Your blankets are covered in buchu and mint. The proteas stand in yellow and white.

I have come to take you home where I will sing for you, for you have brought me peace. For you have brought us peace.”

We honour you. We remember your precious lives. We pray that you may finally rest in peace. 

I thank you.

Once again on this day, 23 March 2026, we celebrate the Southern Africa Liberation Day – one of the most significant milestones in our shared journey toward freedom and independence as a regional community. We honour, with deep respect and gratitude, the brave men and women who stood at the forefront of the struggle to liberate the Southern African region. Through their unwavering commitment and resilience, many freedom fighters and ordinary citizens made immense sacrifices in the fight against colonial rule and apartheid, laying the foundation for the peace, dignity, and sovereignty we uphold today.

We also recall, with profound appreciation, the solidarity and support of our international partners – most notably the people and government of Cuba – who deployed their military forces to stand alongside regional liberation movements and independent states. Together, they confronted the South African Defence Force of the apartheid regime in the historic Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola. This decisive confrontation marked a turning point in the struggle for liberation in Southern Africa, contributing significantly to the independence of Namibia in 1990, and paving the way for the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994.

We continue to draw inspiration for our regional integration and development agenda from the vision and determination of the Founders of SADC. While we mark this seminal moment in our region's history annually, it is far from an empty ritual performed merely to acknowledge a date on the calendar. Rather, it serves as an important opportunity for reflection on where we stand today in relation to our historical struggles that sought to secure for our people the right to determine their own systems of governance, to exercise control over their economies and ultimately to reclaim their dignity and collective destiny.

In addition to commemorating the Southern Africa Liberation Day, we are reminded of the 38th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit held in August 2018 in Windhoek, Republic of Namibia, where the region’s Leadership approved the establishment of a regional working group of curriculum experts tasked with determining the requirements for teaching Southern African Liberation History and its integration into the school curricula of SADC Member States. We look forward to the most noble endeavour to take root across our region.

May we continue to demonstrate solidarity and honour our liberation heritage and interconnected communities through meaningful and enduring cooperation, including the naming of heritage sites, museums, monuments, streets, buildings, and other institutions after the fallen heroes and heroines of our liberation struggles. In doing so, we preserve their legacy, inspire future generations, and reaffirm our collective commitment to the values of freedom, unity, and dignity for which they so selflessly stood.

As we navigate the realities of an increasingly unpredictable global environment, I urge all of us, as independent nations and citizens of SADC, to remain vigilant in the face of emerging challenges that may threaten our hard-won independence and the stability of our region. Let us remain focused, united, and steadfast in advancing our common regional agenda, guided by the enduring principles of solidarity, resilience, and collective self-determination.

The liberation we commemorate will remain incomplete as long as some of our fellow Africans continue to yearn for self-determination. We therefore stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, who continue to be denied the fundamental right to determine their own destiny.

As with the SADC Founders and many who fought tirelessly for our liberation, we reaffirm that it is neither the colour of our skin, nor the size of our military arsenals, nor the magnitude of our national budgets that should determine our humanity or the sustainability of the human race as a whole. May dialogue and peace be our most righteous armour to safeguard the freedom we continue to enjoy and work collectively toward a more just and equitable world.

Let us ensure that SADC, the cradle of humanity, realises its hopes towards regional and universal integration.

I wish the SADC family a blessed, peaceful and commemorative Liberation Day.

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Hon. Nonceba Mhlauli, will hand over a Mobile Digital Library at Louwville High School in Vredenburg, West Coast, Western Cape.

The handover forms part of ongoing efforts to expand access to digital learning resources, enhance teaching and learning outcomes, and promote digital inclusion, particularly in schools with limited connectivity and infrastructure. 

The Mobile Digital Library provides learners and educators with access to curriculum-aligned content through offline digital platforms, enabling interactive and technology-enabled education.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Time: 11:30 – 12:00
Venue: Louwville High School, Vredenburg, West Coast, Western Cape

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the handover.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, will on Thursday, 26 March 2026, host his counterpart from the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Vice President Han Zheng, at Tuynhuys, Cape Town in the Western Cape Province. 

The two leaders will co-chair the 9th South Africa-China Bi-National Commission (BNC), under the theme: "South Africa-China Relations in an Era of Global Transformation: Advancing Shared Modernisation".

South Africa and China enjoy strong diplomatic relations, anchored in the All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era. The BNC at the Deputy Presidential level was established in 2000 as the highest-structured bilateral mechanism for consolidating diplomatic, economic, and sectoral cooperation between the two nations. 

Other Bilateral Structured Mechanisms with China to implement the 10-Year Strategic Programme on Cooperation (2020–2029), and monitor cooperation, include the Strategic Dialogue (SD) at Ministerial level DIRCO, the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETC) at Minister of Trade level, the People-to-People Exchange Mechanism (PPEM) at Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture level, and the Joint Working Group at Deputy Ministerial level DIRCO. 

Additionally, reciprocal State Visits and exchange of visits across Government Ministries, Parliament and Provinces reflect the depth of the relations and advance South Africa’s foreign policy and development priorities.

Details of the SA-China BNC are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 26 March 2026
Time: 10h00 (Media to arrive and obtain accreditation at 08h00)
Venue: Tuynhuys, Parliament, Cape Town

Members of the media wishing to cover the BNC are requested to RSVP by Tuesday, 24 March 2026.

RSVP: Bongani Majola (Presidency) on 082 339 1993 / bonganim@presidency.gov.za or Nelson Kgwete (DIRCO) on 076 431 3078 / kgweten@dirco.gov.za 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this afternoon attend South Africa’s LIV Golf tournament at Steyn City, in Johannesburg’s “new north”.

This marks the first time LIV Golf is being held on African soil, and the first edition in South Africa, making it a historic new addition to the continent’s growing schedule of international events.

The LIV Golf League is a revolutionary professional golf format that complements traditional golf while bringing new levels of excitement and engagement to fans and players alike.

With events across the world, LIV Golf aims to revitalise the sport, attract new audiences, and create innovative traditions while remaining rooted in the sport’s heritage. 

Its global social programs also seek to positively impact the lives of young people across communities.

The South African edition represents a unique opportunity to showcase the country as a premier sporting destination while inspiring a new generation of golfers and sporting enthusiasts.

The four-day Steyn City competition features top international players, including first-rate South Africans.

President Ramaphosa will attend the event as follows:
Date: Sunday, 22 March 2026
Time: 13h30
Venue: Steyn City, Johannesburg 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Programme Director,
Organised Labour Overall Convenor, Mr Gerald Mkhomazi Twala;
Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Ms Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala;
Leaders of our trade union federations, Zingiswa Losi, President of COSATU, and GS Solly Phetoe; Comrade, Godfrey Selamastela of FEDUSA; Comrade Steve Manganye of NACTU, and Comrade Maredi, Acting President of SAFTU, led by President Maredi;
Fellow compatriots,

Good Morning,

Comrades, leaders of our great federations, we gather at a decisive moment in our nation’s journey, a moment where the choices we make, and the actions we take, will profoundly shape the future of South Africa.

Today, I invite you to return to the roots of our struggle, to the spirit of activism anchored in three enduring pillars: mobilisation, education, and unity. These pillars must guide us as we confront the defining challenges of our time: global economic instability, widening inequality, and the disruptive impact of technological change.

These challenges call on us to reignite the fire of activism. The fire that blazed in Durban in 1973, when mass strikes revived black unionism. The fire that forced recognition of black unions in 1979.

The fire that gave birth to COSATU in 1985, whose courage helped cripple the apartheid economy and advance our liberation.

And indeed, COSATU was not alone.

The National Council of Trade Unions carried forward unity and resistance. The Federation of Unions of South Africa brought diverse voices together. In our democratic era, SAFTU emerged to continue the fight against job losses, inequality, and poverty.

From apartheid’s crucible to democracy’s promise, trade unions have been more than defenders of workers’ rights, they have been architects of a just society.

Today, as unemployment and inequality continue to scar our nation, we draw strength from the resilience of leaders such as Elijah Barayi and James Mndaweni, who ensured that the worker’s voice became the voice of dignity and transformation. Their legacy must guide us as we confront urgent challenges:

Unemployment, especially among the youth, is a challenge that must never be normalised. Inequality is deepening, with the risk that digital economies benefit a few while excluding many. Poverty continues to undermine dignity and opportunity. 

These challenges demand a unified response bringing together workers, unions, communities, government, and society at large.

The 7th Administration has prioritised three strategic objectives: Driving inclusive growth and job creation; Reducing poverty and the cost of living; Building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.

In the 2026/27 Budget, social protection remains central, with the social wage accounting for over 60% of non-interest spending.

At the same time, we are expanding employment through infrastructure investment and the Presidential Employment Stimulus, particularly targeting young people and women.

Through Operation Vulindlela, we are addressing structural constraints in energy and logistics, laying the foundation for sustained, inclusive growth. Encouragingly, the economy grew by 1.1% in 2025, with inflation easing to 3.0% in February 2026. But we must be clear: growth without jobs is not enough.

Our task is to ensure that growth is inclusive—that it reaches: The young jobseeker in Muyexe; the discouraged worker in Ntabankulu; the struggling family in every corner of our country. True progress is measured not in statistics, but in lives uplifted, dignity restored and hope renewed.

However, our public employment programmes must not entrench dependency. They must create pathways to skills, work experience, and long-term opportunities. This is how a capable state acts, protecting the vulnerable today while building productive capacity for tomorrow.

Comrades,

International experience reinforces this approach. For instance, China has reduced poverty through targeted reforms and skills development, and the United Kingdom has demonstrated how public institutions can be both compassionate and efficient.

Here at home, our reforms are guided by the same objective: to build a state that is the greatest ally of the worker. Yet we must confront a difficult reality: the labour market is changing.

Formal employment is shrinking. Precarious work is rising. Too many workers live with uncertainty. We must therefore act decisively: to protect workers from exploitation; expand access to secure employment; and enforce health and safety standards without compromise. No worker should lose their life or livelihood due to non-compliance.

Compatriots, our trade unions must also evolve! Beyond wage negotiations, unions must: shape macroeconomic policy; support labour-intensive investment; and drive skills development and job creation.

This perspective also brings us to the discussion around the future of work. Workers with access to skills and training should be able to secure better wages, stability, and dignity. The Human Resource Development Council remains central in aligning education with labour market needs. As Chair of the HRDC, I reaffirm our commitment to this agenda.

We must also confront the rise of Artificial Intelligence. AI is already transforming sectors from freight logistics at Transnet to predictive maintenance at Eskom. While these innovations improve efficiency, they also reshape jobs and demand new skills.

Our responsibility is clear: no worker must be managed or dismissed by an algorithm alone; workers must share in productivity gains; displaced workers must be retrained and supported. Technology must empower workers, not replace them and their dignity!

Comrades,

This Labour School must be more than a forum; it must be a platform for shaping the future. I challenge our federations to develop a Digital Workers’ Charter, grounded in the right to retraining; data sovereignty; digital dignity; human oversight in all automated systems.

Regarding the issue of the urgent housing needs of workers, we acknowledge that too many public servants fall into a gap where they earn too much for RDP housing, yet too little to access mortgage finance. 

This is unacceptable. Minister of Human Settlements is We developing innovative housing solutions that ensure access to affordable, quality housing. Supporting public servants in this way is not just social policy, it is an investment in the capability of the state.

Compatriots,

We cannot achieve our goals without organised labour.
Through NEDLAC, in the upcoming National Dialogue, we have an opportunity to forge a new social compact that unites government, business, labour, and civil society. But dialogue alone is not enough. Dialogue must lead to action!

As I conclude, allow me to make a point at the geopolitical level. Firstly, South Africa posture remains of being non-aligned, in the interests of promoting a multipolar world order and defending national interests. 

Secondly, South Africa will continue to stand for peace in the Middle East and other parts of the world. We are committed to silencing the guns on our continent and promoting peace and cooperation across the world. We condemn the unprovoked attack on Iran by the US and call for de-escalation from both sides. This is primarily because development cannot exist without peace.

Compatriots, 

May we see this platform as an opportunity to continue standing in solidarity with the people – workers, women, youth, and other marginalised groups. Let us not act as isolated voices, but as one chorus for dignity, justice, and opportunity. Only together can we bend the arc of our nation toward hope and renewal.

Let us continue working together to build a South Africa where every worker enjoys dignity, security, and opportunity, as promised in the Freedom Charter: “The people shall share in the country’s wealth. There shall be work and security for all.” 

Aluta Continua!

I thank you.