President Cyril Ramaphosa will host His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands on a State Visit on Thursday, 19 October 2023, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. 

Media is invited to apply for media accreditation to cover the Incoming Netherlands  State Visit by filling in the attached media accreditation application form - MEDIA ACCREDITATION - INCOMING NETHERLANDS STATE VISIT.xlsx - in full. 

Media Accreditation application for the Netherlands  State Visit is open from today, 09 October  2023, and will close on Friday, 13 October 2023, at 16h00. Strictly no late applications will be considered. 

The Netherlands  State Visit media accreditation application form can be sent to Khutjo Sebata at khutjo@presidency.gov.za and Makungu Mbetse at Makungu@presidency.gov.za.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
MEDIA ACCREDITATION - INCOMING NETHERLANDS STATE VISIT.xlsx

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 10 October 2023, receive South Africa's Census 2022 national results from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

The Statistician-General, Mr Risenga Maluleke, will officially handover the report to the President and announce the results of the population and housing count to the country.

Census 2022 was the fourth population and housing count in post-apartheid South Africa, with the first conducted in 1996, with subsequent censuses being conducted in 2001 and 2011.

The population and housing census was conducted in February 2022, and will provide comprehensive data on population size, demographic trends, and other service delivery related information.

Stats SA will be following the trend adopted by many countries and data will be released in phases. For phase one, the Census 2022 launch will only cover reports and indicators at national, provincial, district and local municipality level.

Census data is an important data source used for planning and evidence based decision making by government and various sectors of society. The census population count provides data on the demographic, economic and social makeup of the country. Furthermore, findings from censuses are key in tracking service delivery programmes over time.

THE OFFICIAL HANDOVER OF THE CENSUS 2022 REPORT

Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Time: 15h30
Venue: Media Centre, The Union Buildings, Pretoria

MEDIA RSVP: Members of the media wishing to cover the event are requested to RSVP with Mr Makungu Mbetse on makungu@presidency.gov.za on or before Monday, 09 October 2023 at 14h00.

Media enquiries:

Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za
Mr Sivuyile Mangxamba, Stats SA Director: Media Relations - 082 888 2372

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Your Excellency, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi,
Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres 
Your Majesties
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Representatives and Officials,

President Sisi thank you for convening this important summit that will hopefully raise the awareness of the world of what is happening in this part of the world and hopefully come up with a roadmap to a meaningful solution.

We gather here united by our deep concern at the unprecedented conflict that has engulfed Gaza and Israel and our distress at the depth and extent of human suffering.

As South Africa, we hold the firm view that the attack on civilians in Israel, the ongoing siege of Gaza and the decision to forcibly move the people of Gaza, together with the indiscriminate use of force through bombing, are violations of international law. More than that, these acts are an affront to our common humanity.

We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of hostages, the lifting of the siege of Gaza, opening of humanitarian corridors and the urgent provision of humanitarian aid on the required scale to the people of Gaza. We also call for a United Nations-led negotiation process towards resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The international community has a responsibility and a duty to support peace and to create favourable conditions for negotiation and dialogue.

As South Africans we can relate to what is happening to Palestinians. Our people waged a brave and courageous struggle to achieve their freedom and were subjected to untold suffering just like the Palestinians are going through. The nightmare of apartheid was only brought to an end by the relentless struggle of our people and the courage and foresight of leaders who put aside their differences and sought peace rather than revenge.

We believe that peace is the only option to bring about peace between between Israel and Palestine. To achieve this, steps must be taken now. We therefore call on all parties to exercise restraint and on all state actors to desist from providing weapons to either of the sides to the conflict.

We are concerned that the response of the Israeli government to the attack on its citizens will further deepen a conflict that has engulfed the region for many decades and will make the attainment of a just and lasting peace even more difficult. We are also concerned that this conflict can spread to include other countries in the region. This must be avoided at all costs.

The only way to bring about peace is the fulfilment of the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to human rights, dignity and statehood.

This is in line with the decisions that have been taken by the United Nations that guarantees statehood for both Israel and Palestine based on the 1967 borders.

Only through a negotiated settlement supported by the international community can the people of Israel achieve the security they seek and the people of Palestine realise the freedom they deserve.

As the international community, we must call for a ceasefire, find a sustainable solution to this conflict and stand on the side of peace, justice and human rights for all.

I thank you.

Your Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands,
Honourable Ministers of the Netherlands and South Africa,
Ambassadors,
Officials,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is my privilege to welcome you, Your Majesties, on this, your first state visit to South Africa.

South Africa and the Netherlands have long-established historical ties going back to the arrival of the first Dutch settlers in the Cape in 1652. 

In the post-colonial era, the Netherlands played an important role in the anti-apartheid struggle with active and committed anti-apartheid organisations.

More than 200 years since the Dutch ceded sovereignty of the Cape, there are a number of Dutch influences that still play an important part in the cultural and linguistic life of many South African communities. 

The Afrikaans language has much of its origins in Dutch and is the third most widely spoken national language of South Africa. Our country’s Muslim community can trace its origins to the arrival in 1658 of free labourers and political exiles from the-then Dutch East Indies. There are distinct Dutch influences in the cuisine and customs of our country.

The strength of our bilateral relations today and the bonds between our respective peoples reflect a commitment to acknowledge and confront the injustices of our past. 

We are determined to forge a new path for our respective countries based on shared values, and a common commitment to human rights, equality, development and prosperity for all. 

We are determined to build the bridges of tolerance and understanding in pursuit of a better future and better world.

In this regard, Your Majesty, I wish to acknowledge the apology that you have made for your country’s role in the slave trade, including in South Africa. This was an important step towards promoting reconciliation, restoration and healing old wounds.

We are meeting at a time when our resolve to build a peaceful, equal future is being sorely tested, and where reconciliation and healing is most sorely needed.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the devastating events unfolding in Israel and Palestine have left many of us saddened. They have left us fearful for the future of international cooperation and for our common aspiration to realise a world free of conflict.

As South Africa we have reiterated that there should be an immediate cessation of hostilities between the warring parties, that the tenets of international law should be upheld, and that the international community has a responsibility to help bring about favourable conditions for negotiation and dialogue. 

As a country that chose the path of reconciliation over conflict, and peace over war, we believe it is indeed possible for adversaries, even those that share bitter histories, to come together for the sake of peace. We believe change can never come too late, and that it is indeed possible. 

The relationship between our two countries is testament to this. The Netherlands is a former colonial power but is now supporting development and economic growth across the developing world, including in former Dutch colonies.

We are grateful to the Netherlands for its support during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the provision of personal protective equipment and a substantial contribution to our Solidarity Fund.

As South Africa, we derive great benefit from our relationship with the Netherlands. This is something I underscored in my engagement with Prime Minister Rutte during his visit a few months ago.

Our countries have been able to collaborate in international fora on the promotion of democratic values, human rights, and the role of women in peace and security. I have been fortunate to engage Her Majesty the Queen on our shared interest in the promotion of financial inclusion for women on the African continent.

The Netherlands is one of our major trading partners. Our total trade has doubled between 2019 and 2022 and the Netherlands remains one of the most important investors in this country. South Africa is also a leading destination for Dutch tourists.

You are accompanied by a large business delegation, and I am confident they will have constructive engagements with their South African counterparts. 

Our bilateral relationship spans agriculture, education and skills development, transport and logistics, science and innovation, water management and others. 

Our energy cooperation is increasing, notably in the fields of green hydrogen and renewable energy.

I understand that our Foreign Ministers held a successful meeting of our Joint Commission yesterday and we look forward to receiving their report.

I am pleased to note that your delegation includes a large academic component, because cooperation between our universities has shown great growth since the advent of democracy in our country.

Ours is a strategic partnership that we can be proud of. It has evolved, matured and is increasingly of mutual benefit. May our shared values and common commitment to development guide us as we write a new history for South Africa-Dutch relations.

We look forward to expanding the horizons of this relationship well into the future. 

I now invite you, Your Majesty, to make your opening statement.

I thank you.

Programme Directors, Ms Basetsana Kumalo and Ms Charmaine Houvet,
Founder and Patron of the International Women’s Forum South Africa Chapter, Ms Zanele Mbeki,
IWF-SA President Ms Irene Charnley,
IWF-SA Deputy President, Ms Nolitha Fakude,
Chairperson of the Standard Bank Group, Ms Nonkululeko Nyembezi, I
WF-SA board members and members,
Distinguished Honourees,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to address this wonderful celebration of trailblazing women who are making an indelible mark in society.

Your works are shattering barriers and inspiring others with your determination, compassion and visionary leadership in various facets of life.

We are gathered here tonight to celebrate, honour and pay tribute to three remarkable women who have devoted their lives and their careers to uplifting and empowering others.

You have each set a great example for women’s leadership on the African continent. Gender equality is a constitutionally enshrined principle, a fundamental human right and an economic imperative.

We can only achieve sustainable and inclusive growth in South Africa and in Africa when women are socially, politically and economically empowered.

The International Women’s Forum South Africa has a proud tradition of honouring, acknowledging and celebrating women who have made a meaningful difference to our nation, our continent and the wider world.

As the IWF-SA you call us to action, remind us of our shortcomings and hold us accountable for advancing women’s empowerment whether as legislators, policymakers, corporations or as employees.

You stand up for women, not just as a representative organisation and a voice for change, but as active agents for upliftment and empowerment.

Despite important advances we are still some way off from achieving true gender equality.

We continue to grapple with the feminisation of poverty, the impact of HIV and AIDS on women, gender-based violence, high unemployment rates amongst women, teenage pregnancy, and others.

The leaders we are honouring this evening have worked to change our country and continent for the better. Their works demonstrate that we can only have a fairer, more equal and more peaceful world when there is gender equality.

The theme – Pay It Forward – is at the heart of this evening’s celebrations.

We come from a past that ignored women’s important role in society.

The historic Women’s March of 1956 was the culmination of a campaign to force an illegitimate regime to recognise that women’s rights are human rights.

Today, under democracy, women are paying it forward so all our children can live in a world where opportunities are equally available and accessible to them.

Allow me to begin by acknowledging the outstanding work of our first honouree, Ms Winnie Byanyima, who is an aeronautical engineer, politician, human rights activist, feminist and diplomat.

She is the director of UNAIDS and was previously an executive director at Oxfam.

For over 30 years, Ms Byanyima has fought for equality and justice in her home country Uganda and around the world. She is a globally recognised leader on women’s rights, democratic governance and peace-building.

Today, she highlights how we need to continue to fight to end AIDS.

Our second honouree tonight is a familiar name to South Africans, Dr Brigalia Bam.

Dr Bam is the former chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission.

Many people retire from this rigorous role to take it easy. That is not the case with Dr Bam who is intent on paying it forward wherever and whenever she can.

For her efforts to build a better country and for her distinguished contribution to the empowerment of women and to building democracy in South Africa, she has been awarded the Order of the Baobab in Silver.

Our third honouree tonight is also a name many South Africans are familiar with.

Advocate Mojanku Gumbi served as a special advisor to former President Thabo Mbeki and is currently the UN Special Advisor for Addressing Racism in the Workplace.

Advocate Gumbi has been involved in peace making initiatives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Comoros, Sudan, Lesotho, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Iran and the Middle East.

She has advised on domestic policy issues including reform of the healthcare industry, the expansion of South African industries to the rest of Africa and the world, as well as on banking and mining sector reforms.

These leaders continue to inspire other women and young girls to achieve their goals and change the world for the better.

We extend our gratitude to each of you for your contributions and congratulate you on the prestigious honour being bestowed on you this evening.

We call on other organisations to emulate the ethos of the International Women’s Forum, which is firmly rooted in the belief that empowering visionary women and fostering a culture of mentorship encourages support to women from all walks of life.

This support emboldens women to challenge conventional norms, redefine leadership and carve paths to success.

Through initiatives like the FASSET Women’s Legacy Programme, the organisation promotes an environment that moulds, educates and mentors the next generation of ethical women leaders.

A partnership with the Financial and Accounting SETA and Duke Corporate Education, this programme will have mentored and developed 1,000 women in the financial sector alone by 2025.

Paying it forward, those one thousand will become ten thousand, a hundred thousand, and in time, one million and more.

They will be a rising brigade of young professional women of great skill, acumen and ambition, empowered to be whatever they want to be.

It has been my privilege over the years to work closely with members of the IWF-SA and other organisations in the quest to build a more equitable society, where women will no longer encounter barriers to their personal growth and progress.

We salute your efforts to galvanise your membership base to foster alliances, to promote mentorship and to champion exemplary ethical women’s leadership at the global level.

Thank you to the IWF, to IWF-SA and to the Standard Bank Group for making this event possible, and for supporting our distinguished honourees.

May you continue to be an influential voice for gender equality, leading the charge towards a more equal and just world.

I thank you.

Programme Director,
Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
It gives me great pleasure to address this second South African Green Hydrogen Summit. I am sorry that I am unable to be there in person.
 
This is an extremely important summit for our country.
 
South Africa aims to position itself as a globally competitive player in this dynamic and growing industry.
 
The South Africa Investment Strategy approved by Cabinet earlier this year lists green hydrogen as one of the big frontier strategic sectors expected to attract foreign and domestic direct investment.
 
The hydrogen economy has a prominent role to play in our country’s just energy transition, providing employment and support to vulnerable workers, communities and small businesses.
 
It has been estimated that the hydrogen economy has the potential to add 3.6 percent to our GDP by 2050 and approximately 370,000 jobs.
 
We must act with purpose to harness the potential of the green hydrogen economy.
 
Some 64 countries accounting for 89 per cent of global emissions have announced net zero targets by 2050.
 
It is anticipated that global green hydrogen demand will increase sevenfold by 2050.
 
For the world to limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees, green hydrogen will need to constitute 10 to 20 per cent of the global energy mix.
 
South Africa has committed to ambitious emission reduction targets. Our own estimates indicate that green hydrogen has the potential to remove 10 to 15 percent of our domestic emissions and contribute to our nation’s long-term energy security.
 
The inaugural South Africa Green Hydrogen Summit last year focused on scaling up regional cooperation around green hydrogen.
 
This is being done through the African Green Hydrogen Alliance, which includes Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Ethiopia, Angola and South Africa.
 
The alliance aims to harness Africa’s potential in developing green hydrogen industries. It aims to make joint calls for technical support, funding and market access to international public and private sector partners.
 
The inaugural summit laid a strong policy foundation. This year’s summit has a dedicated project focus, providing an opportunity to demonstrate the degree to which projects have matured and advanced.
 
This is also an opportunity to demonstrate technological developments and advancements in the green hydrogen space.
 
Close cooperation between public, private and financial partners will be key to unlocking Africa’s green hydrogen potential.
 
This will enable mass-scale domestic and international demand for green hydrogen and increase cooperation on green hydrogen production, storage and distribution infrastructure.
 
If investment is significantly scaled-up, green hydrogen can deliver the equivalent of more than one third of Africa’s current energy consumption, increase our collective GDP, improve our clean water supply and empower our communities.
 
Proper planning, regulation and incentive schemes are critical to mobilise private sector investment.
 
South Africa has deep capital markets with world-class conditions for generating renewable energy through solar and wind power, which are key drivers of the production of green hydrogen.
 
Funding green hydrogen projects will require innovative financing structures sourced from multiple stakeholders.
 
In June 2023, South Africa concluded a Heads of Agreement with the intention to launch the SA-H2 Fund. This is an innovative blended finance fund that will facilitate the development of a green hydrogen sector and circular economy in South Africa.
 
SA-H2 aims to secure $1 billion in funding raised directly in South Africa or via indirect channels. The Fund is a partnership of private and public enterprises, locally and globally.
 
Since the last Summit, we have made advances towards building the green hydrogen industry in the country.
 
These include a Joint Declaration of Intent with the German government focusing on market access, off-take opportunities and value-additive benefits in the production of green steel and green fertiliser.
 
South Africa has also signed an MOU with the Netherlands as an off-taker for green hydrogen derivative products.
 
It is encouraging to note that a Memorandum of Cooperation will be signed at this conference by three multinationals in the green hydrogen mobility space, namely Sasol, Anglo American and BMW.
 
Sasol will serve as a supplier to Anglo and BMW as part of their focus on commercial and passenger fleet transformation. These are important initiatives within the context of carbon border adjustment mechanisms.
 
As I conclude, allow me to thank all the partners and sponsors that have made this summit possible. A special mention should go to Anglo American, BMW, Sasol, the IDC and GIZ. 
 
I wish business and government delegations at this summit well as we work to shape Africa’s green hydrogen agenda for the benefit of our economies and societies, now and into the future.
 
I thank you.

Your Excellency, President Geingob,
Honourable Ministers,
Our respective High Commissioners, 
Senior Government Officials,

We have come to the end of the 3rd Session of the Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Namibia.

The Ministerial Report that we have just considered and approved has over 170 decisions across various areas of cooperation. This is testament to the thorough and commendable work of our respective Ministers and Officials.

The audit of our legal instruments has helped the BNC to determine the relevance of our Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, and to establish which instruments require further negotiation and finalisation. 

We are emerging from this BNC with renewed vigour to further deepen our bilateral relations.

We look forward to addressing the Business Forum later today and receiving a report from South African and Namibian business people on the potential opportunities for trade and investment they have explored. 

Namibia is South Africa’s largest trading partner in the region. There is capacity to increase our exports to Namibia beyond current products such as chemicals, machinery, vehicles and steel. 

Similarly, Namibia could go beyond exporting precious metals, iron and steel products, live animals and other goods to South Africa. 

We have directed our ministers of trade and investment to finalise the draft agreement of cooperation to promote investment, industrial development, cross-border value chains and infrastructure development by March 2024.
 
This will enhance trade between the two countries and further contribute to the realisation of our regional and continental economic integration agenda. It will give more impetus to implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

We have agreed on the importance of an agreement on energy so that we can cooperate on the immediate challenges of energy and electricity supply.

I am satisfied that we emphasised the importance of mutual benefit and stronger collaboration in water security. 

We will ensure that impediments that may arise in the implementation of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project are speedily resolved. This is because we need sustainable water supply amid unpredictable climatic conditions. 

We spent a considerable amount of time reflecting on the peace and security issues in our region. Our regional efforts are bearing fruits in the north of Mozambique, and we hope that peace is sustained for development to take place in that area. 

The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo deserve to cast their votes in December 2023 in a peaceful environment. 

Our freedom is not complete for as long as the people of Western Sahara and Palestine continue to yearn for their own freedom and justice. 

We will continue to support their struggles so that they too are accorded their right to self-determination and to exist as independent nations. 

I wish to conclude by once again thanking you, Your Excellency, for convening and co-chairing the 3rd Session of our Bi-National Commission. 

It is my honour and a privilege to extend an invitation to you, my Dear Brother, to the 4th Session of the South Africa-Namibia BNC, which will be held in South Africa on a date to be mutually agreed upon. 

I thank you.

Programme Directors,
His Excellency President Dr Hage Geingob,
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Mr Ebrahim Patel,
Minister of Industrialisation and Trade of Namibia, Ms Lucia Lipumbu,
Ministers,
High Commissioners,
Members of the diplomatic corps,
Leaders of business from Namibia and South Africa,
Guests,

It is my pleasure to join the business communities of Namibia and South Africa today.

Namibia and South Africa share a common culture and history, beautiful landscapes, and strong political and business ties.

We have common histories and must confront the common legacy of colonialism and apartheid, including substantial levels of poverty, inequality, unemployment and under-development.

And yet we are both resilient nations.

Our economic relationship, although strong, needs to be substantially deepened.

Our vision for the bilateral relationship is to move it into a higher gear.

Namibia and South Africa can use the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area to position ourselves as an industrialising hub for the continent, focused on increasing our trade with the rest of the continent through a stronger partnership.

I wish to highlight four areas of partnership.
The first is on green hydrogen.

South Africa is in the process of considering and finalising a Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy that seeks to unlock the opportunity for green hydrogen to strengthen our industrialisation efforts.

Namibia too is implementing its green hydrogen strategy.

We can either go it alone as South Africa and Namibia or we can position this part of the west coast of the African continent as a key green hydrogen region.

We have a number of strengths we can draw on, from abundant wind and solar resources to platinum. This means we can be a major exporter of green hydrogen.

We should now put forward a Southern African green hydrogen value-proposition, initially drawing in the three countries on the west coast, Namibia, Angola and South Africa, to provide green hydrogen to the rest of the world.

The second area of partnership is on developing cross-border value-chains to boost industrialisation and economic development.

Between our two countries, we have the key elements of success.

We have raw materials, ranging from critical minerals to agricultural raw materials. We have technology, capital, an increasingly skilled and educated workforce and infrastructure.

A number of value chains can be identified.

One of these relate to our use of critical minerals to ensure that manufacturing takes place on the African continent.

Africa has remained poor because we sell our raw materials to the factories of Europe, Asia and the Americas, instead of selling to each other.

There are opportunities for partnerships in areas such as green technologies, including battery manufacturing.

Another area relates to the use of agricultural raw materials.

To use the example of leather: instead of exporting raw hides and skins to other parts of the world, let us use our resources and capabilities to build a strong regional value-chain.

The hides can be processed through tanneries and then made into footwear, handbags, leather clothing and other products.

We can work together to identify opportunities in other value chains such as automotives.

By working together, we can identify commercially viable projects that are consistent with our policy frameworks and that have high levels of regional content.

Our industrialisation programme must be rooted in setting high African content targets. If we fail, if we settle for weak rules of origin, then we are simply facilitating the old economic model in which Africans do not advance.

We must therefore speed up our work on regional trade, through SACU, SADC, the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement and, of course, the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The AfCFTA gives us an opportunity to broaden our horizons and be more ambitious in our outlook.

I therefore welcome the decision we took today in the Bi-National Commission to request our ministers to explore and identify areas of cooperation for the development of cross-border industrial and automotive value chains.

Value chains need infrastructure, from simple border-crossing arrangements to transport corridors that facilitate trade.

Regional value chains require greater cooperation on trade facilitation and logistics, and addressing non-tariff barriers that hinder the movement of goods across borders.

The third area of partnership is in promoting higher levels of investment in each other’s economies.

South Africa is a favourable investment destination, with strong regulatory frameworks, a well-developed financial services sector and favourable company tax regime, world-class infrastructure and an educated workforce.

I want to invite Namibian businesses who want to expand their operations to set up businesses in our country. 

Similarly, South African companies can work with the government of Namibia and local business partners to set up operations here.

In order to boost investment, we agreed earlier today to request our ministers of trade and industry to work towards establishing a financing facility for industrial and productive development projects.

This includes cross-border value chains between Namibia and South Africa in the strategic areas of our respective economies.

The fourth area of partnership is in facilitating deeper private sector relations.

The Business Forum is an example of the platforms we must create to strengthen dialogue and stimulate joint ventures.

Namibian businesses must see benefits from the involvement of South African firms in Namibia, and vice versa.

I wish to welcome two key decisions we made at the Binational Commission today.

They are, firstly, to deepen cooperation to attract private sector investment in agreed areas of cooperation.

Secondly, to establish a South Africa-Namibia Business Council to serve as a public-private sector platform for coordinated and concerted actions.

I note with appreciation the outcomes of today’s Business Forum. Our Ministers will carefully study these outcomes and see how we can use the insights to help grow our economies.

We are greatly encouraged that the success of our Bi-National Commission is mirrored in the success of this Business Forum.

These successes provide confidence and encouragement for the further growth of the firm relationship between our two nations.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, as Commander-in-Chief of the nation’s armed forces, expressed his sadness at the death of six soldiers who died in a Northern Cape fire that struck the SA Army Combat Training Centre at the Lohatla military base. The troops were part of a military exercise named Vukuhlome.

The South African National Defence Force announced on Saturday, 07 October that a wildfire that had originated in Khathu in the Gamagara local municipality had reached the military base where six soldiers died in the blaze while three were injured and the army lost equipment including vehicles.

President Ramaphosa offers his deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased SANDF members.

The President wishes the injured SANDF members a speedy and comfortable recovery and his thoughts are with survivors who witnessed this tragedy.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Your Excellency, President Dr Hage Geingob,
Honourable Ministers,
High Commissioner, 
Senior Officials,
Members of the media from Namibia and South Africa,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning.

Your Excellency President Geingob, thank you for receiving us in Windhoek. 

We are pleased that we have been able to honour your invitation to come to Namibia following your own visit to South Africa in April this year. 

The convening of the 3rd South Africa Namibia Bi-National Commission has afforded us the perfect opportunity to exchange views on issues impacting our countries.

We meet to discuss issues of mutual interest at a time when events far beyond our borders have left us shaken and deeply troubled.

The escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict lays bare the devastation and suffering that results when the international, rules-based order is disregarded. 

We are deeply concerned about the targeting of civilians, the destruction of homes, the displacement of thousands of people, the deprivation of basic services and denial of access to humanitarian aid.

South Africa has called for the urgent cessation of hostilities to avoid further carnage and for favourable conditions for dialogue to be created. 

We have reaffirmed our support for a viable Palestinian state, existing side-by-side with Israel, and within the 1967 internationally accepted borders. 

We are all too aware that failure to fully implement various United Nations resolutions and decisions have played a major part in the resurgence of hostilities. 

As countries that ascribe to the tenets of progressive internationalism, we remain firm on our commitment to a world free from violence, conflict, misery and want.

We must do what we can to support reconciliation and peace.

The Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Namibia is an important structured mechanism for the pursuit of our shared future. 

I commend our respective Ministers and senior officials for their hard work in preparing for this Bi-National Commission.

I am told that there has been progress in implementing certain decisions since your State Visit to South Africa earlier this year, one of which is the audit of our legal instruments.

It is important that we track the implementation of the various legal instruments between our countries, and address impediments as and when they arise. 

We look forward to the Business Forum that is taking place on the margins of this Bi-National Commission.

Deepening investment and trade between South Africa and Namibia is a priority. 

We need to expedite the establishment of the proposed South Africa-Nambia Business Council because there are substantial trade and investment opportunities in both countries. 

We welcome your invitation to cooperate with Namibia in the energy sector, including in oil, gas and green hydrogen. 

We are confident that Namibia’s recent hydrocarbon discoveries will contribute to job creation, industrialisation and energy security. 

We must take advantage of several energy projects in our respective countries that hold promise for cross-border collaboration.

The same holds true for cooperation around water security. 

South Africa, Nambia and much of the continent is being negatively affected by extreme weather caused by climate change.

The Orange River is an integral part of trilateral collaboration with the government of Lesotho to successfully implement Phase Two of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

On intra-African trade and continental economic integration, the African Continental Free Trade Area will contribute to greater self-reliance and the sustainability of our economic development endeavours.

The extraction of raw materials for export from our continent without beneficiation has had a detrimental effect on the development of our people. 

We need to step up efforts to build manufacturing capacity and beneficial regional and continental value chains. 

South Africa and Nambia continue to collaborate at bilateral and multilateral levels to ensure there is sustainable peace in the region and beyond.

Alongside regional partners, we are playing our part in combating terrorism and extremism in Northern Mozambique. It is critical that this situation is resolved with urgency so that those who have been displaced will be able to return to their homes and their livelihoods and the process of reconstruction can commence.

As African countries we are also playing our part in supporting peacebuilding efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where conflict in the country’s east continues to cause untold hardship and destruction.

The achievement of the Africa We Want as articulated in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 requires that we reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism and the strengthening of institutions of global governance.

As South Africa and Namibia we reaffirm our calls for the reform of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, and for reform of the entire global financial architecture. 

As progressive internationalists we are united behind the cause of the people of Western Sahara and their quest for self-determination. 

We reiterate the importance of the declaration and commitments of the SADC Solidarity Conference with Western Sahara that we co-hosted in March 2019. We must ensure that these are fully implemented.

It is disheartening that most UN resolutions on the referendum for Western Sahara are not being implemented. Now, more than ever, we need institutions of global governance that are responsive, progressive and representative.

With these few words, I thank you once again Your Excellency for your warm welcome and hospitality and look forward to our engagement today.

I thank you.