As the Presidency, we wish to address the public discussion, including media coverage, of President Ramaphosa’s schedule and health during the course of this past week.
 
But we would like to start this session by saying the President is deeply saddened by the passing of Free State MEC for Education, Mr Tate Makgoe and a member of his security detail in a vehicle accident near Winburg in the Free State early today.
 
The President’s thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of the MEC and his protector and we wish the surviving driver a speedy and full recovery.
 
The President also expresses his condolences to the families of the 19 people who died in incidents on roads in Limpopo on Friday the 3rd of March.
 
We must all do what we can and need to, to stay safe on our roads.
 
I would now like to turn to the matter at hand.
 
At issue is the public discussion around the President’s schedule this past week and the President’s appearance at a Ntaba Nyoni Cattle Stud event on Friday evening, 3 February 2023.
 
Let me once again emphasise that the President is fully seized with and committed to his oath of office and the day-to-day tasks of leading the nation out of the difficulties we face.
 
In the State of the Nation Address on 9 February, the President said, “The people of South Africa want action, they want solutions and they want government to work for them.”
 
This is exactly the President’s attitude as he goes about his work day and night.
 
And this is his stance as he mobilises all of government, civil society and our international partners to ensure that in this year, we address the following challenges: 
Load-shedding.
Unemployment.
Poverty and the rising cost of living, and lastly,
Crime and corruption.
 
This context is important as we look back over the past few days.
 
Throughout this week, the President has attended to his duties while treating a common cold.
 
You may recall the President’s discomfort was visible during his public appearances as part of the State Visit by His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni of the Republic of Uganda.
 
Among the tasks the President undertook this week was continued consultation around forthcoming changes to the National Executive.
 
But contrary to media coverage and speculation on social platforms, there was no plan for the President to announce changes to Cabinet on Thursday, the 2nd of March.
 
As a result, there was no postponement or cancellation of such an announcement.
 
On Friday the 3rd of March, President Ramaphosa honoured an engagement of the Ntaba Nyoni Cattle Stud.
 
This was a dinner preceding an annual auction. The dates for these events were scheduled a number of months ago.
 
In view of his discomfort, the President made a brief stop at Friday’s dinner –  to greet guests. President Ramaphosa did not attend the auction itself the following day as his cold persisted and required that he should rest.
 
The accusations and misinformation we have seen around this matter are therefore completely unjustified.
 
While he is still nursing his common cold, the President is finalising his reconfiguration of the National Executive. Furthermore, there have been parliamentary processes such as the swearing in of certain members of Parliament that the president needed to take account of whilst he is finalising the formation of the executive.
 
The President appreciates the importance of putting in place a National Executive that will build on the commitments government has made for faster growth through our investment drive, economic reforms, public employment programmes and an expanding infrastructure programme.
 
Having exercised his constitutional prerogative, the President will announce the new National Executive at 7pm tomorrow, Monday, 6 March 2023.
 
This will reinforce government’s focus – as the President said in SONA - on those actions that will make a meaningful difference now, that will enable real progress within the next year and that will lay a foundation for a sustained recovery into the future.
 
I thank you.

Your Excellency, my dear brother President Yoweri Museveni,
High Commissioners of South Africa and Uganda,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Members of delegations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome, Mr President, to you and your delegation.

South Africa is proud of its deep fraternal ties with Uganda that date back to the struggles against colonialism and apartheid.

At great risk and sacrifice, Uganda stood firm in its support for the goals of our liberation struggle and contributed materially to help us achieve them. 

On behalf of all South Africans allow me to express our appreciation to the people of Uganda for their contribution to our freedom.

Relations between our two countries are based on the principles of mutual respect, the promotion of pan-Africanism and a commitment to the emancipation of women and the attainment of gender equality.

This State Visit is taking place after the successful Second Joint Commission for Cooperation held in Kampala in July 2022. 

We have an opportunity to assess the state of these relations and evaluate progress on the implementation of decisions taken at that meeting.

I am advised that steady progress has been made in resolving some of the challenges relating to trade and investment between our countries. Our government ministries are in regular contact with each other.

As further demonstration of our strong relations, today we will sign several Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements, covering social, economic, legal and scientific cooperation. 

It is our wish that our excellent and enduring political relations must translate into development and prosperity for our peoples and countries. 

By increasing trade and investment, our economies will grow, become more productive and diverse, and create more job opportunities. 

We therefore welcome the South Africa-Uganda Business Forum that is currently underway and that we will attend later today.

The business forum brings together our respective private sectors and state-owned companies to explore new opportunities for trade and investment in each other’s economies.

I sincerely hope that the Ugandan delegates are showcasing opportunities for investment and procurement in Uganda’s burgeoning oil and gas sector.

South Africa would most certainly be interested in being part of this economic development in Uganda.

It does not make economic nor political sense for African countries to trade with and procure from countries abroad when the services, finances, commodities, and products are available right here on the continent.

Current global developments clearly illustrate the urgent need to fully operationalise the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

The AfCFTA presents huge economic opportunities to grow intra-Africa trade and deepen bilateral cooperation and continental integration. 

Increased intra-Africa trade will propel the growth of our economies and contribute towards continental stability and prosperity. 

We need to ensure that the outstanding signatories to the Tripartite Free Trade Area come on board to ensure the TFTA comes into force so that countries can start reaping its benefits.

South Africa sees Uganda as an important partner in East Africa. We appreciate your contribution to regional economic and political integration as well as regional peace and stability. 

As a continent we need to continue to work towards the peaceful resolution of conflict and emphasise dialogue over military confrontation. 

South Africa remains deeply concerned about recent developments in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We strongly condemn the upsurge of conflict, being fuelled by armed groups. We call on all parties involved to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC. 

South Africa strongly believes in African solutions to African problems. 

In this respect, we welcome efforts and initiatives of the East African Community to restore peace and stability to the eastern DRC. 

We support the call for dialogue among Member States of the EAC and SADC that have deployed forces to the DRC. 

We further support the call for the establishment of mechanisms to effectively coordinate continental interventions in the DRC. 

The historical peace agreement signed in Pretoria on the 2nd of November 2022 to end the two-year conflict that racked the Tigray region of Ethiopia shows what is possible.

The agreement marks an important milestone in the AU-led mediation process in pursuit of peaceful resolution of conflict. 

South Africa looks forward to continuing good cooperation at the African Union Peace and Security Council, as both our countries are members until 2024. 

It is vital that like-minded countries such as South Africa and Uganda work together in the Peace and Security Council and on other multilateral platforms.

This conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused volatility in the global economy and has had a negative impact on the developing world. 

We need to ensure that the resultant shift in global dynamics does not distract us from pursing our developmental agendas. 

South Africa continues to advocate for global solidarity, for the primacy of multilateralism, for the reform of the United Nations system, in particular the UN Security Council, and for a rules-based international order.

We wish Uganda well in implementing its Vision 2040 and the Uganda National Plan. This will lead to prosperity not only for Uganda, but also for the East African region and the continent. 

Your Excellency, I wish to welcome you once again to South Africa. I look forward to our discussions.

I thank you.

Your Excellency, President Yoweri Museveni,
High Commissioners of South Africa and Uganda,
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Mr Ebrahim Patel,
Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives of Uganda, Mr Francis Mwebesa,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Leaders of business and industry from Uganda and South Africa,
Representatives of business organisations,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Thank you for the opportunity to address this inaugural South Africa-Uganda Business Forum.
 
It is my pleasure to welcome His Excellency President Museveni back to South Africa.
 
Earlier today we held productive discussions on how to re-invigorate and boost our trade and investment relations. We considered a number of challenges in the landscape but also opportunities.

This Business Forum is an opportunity for business exchanges and sectoral conversations that will enable us to intensify our efforts on several fronts.
 
It is particularly important that we inject vigour into the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. I hope to see a strong showing from Ugandan and South African business at the inaugural AfCFTA Business Forum that will be hosted in Cape Town in a few months’ time.
 
When it comes to trade and investment linkages between South Africa and Uganda there is certainly room for improvement.
 
Last year, 2022, saw a decline in volumes of trade between our two countries compared to the preceding year.
 
In 2022, our two-way trade amounted to US$ 130 million, or just over R1.8 billion at the time.
 
We should aim to more than double this to at least R4 billion within the next five years.
 
South Africa is open to increasing the quantity and diversity of products we source from Uganda, because the success of intra-Africa trade hinges on each of us sourcing from one another and prioritising “made and grown in Africa” products and services.
 
To do so, we need to focus on two aspects in particular: increasing the level of reciprocal investment and increasing the levels of trade.
 
The confectionary industry is one example of opportunities for the creation of new value chains.
 
Building relationships between major South African food producers and Ugandan suppliers of inputs like vanilla, coffee and cocoa could provide a route to expanding into the broader consumer goods market.
 
Global food supply disruptions and changing climatic conditions have underscored the need for improved irrigation in farming.
 
South African irrigation equipment producers and services providers can assist to enable a more resilient Ugandan agricultural industry.
 
Uganda’s infrastructure-build programme offers opportunities for partnership, drawing on the expertise of South African firms to help achieve Uganda’s national objectives.
 
Uganda’s construction drive and increasing urbanisation offer substantial opportunities in the supply of electro-technical equipment by South African manufacturers.
 
I am hopeful, Mr President, that we will see an improvement in two-way sourcing of goods and services between our two countries.
 
Challenges at ports and the regulatory red tape that delays logistics and supply-chains will have to be addressed.
 
When it comes to investment, we share a common aspiration to see more South African companies in Uganda and more Ugandan companies in South Africa.
 
South African corporations such as ABSA, Stanbic, Multichoice, Eskom, Woolworths, MTN and the IDC all have a footprint in Uganda. 
 
We are proud that they add tremendous value to the national economy and tax base.
 
It is a concern, however, that South Africa’s investments in Uganda have declined from 70 firms before the Covid-19 pandemic to 36 at present.
 
At the same time the appetite of South African firms to expand into East Africa is considerable.
 
To unlock the potential, and ensure that Uganda benefits from the outward investment drive, we will need to deepen our collaboration to address the challenges and concerns facing investors.

Like Uganda, South Africa has identified agriculture, infrastructure, mining, energy, transport and logistics and manufacturing as some of the key growth areas that will aid economic reconstruction and recovery.
 
We are therefore implementing structural reforms in key network industries such as electricity, ports, rail, telecommunications and water.
 
We are working to improve the business operating environment, including setting up a red tape reduction team in the Presidency to coordinate efforts to remove bureaucratic hurdles investors face.
 
Resolving South Africa’s debilitating electricity crisis is our foremost priority.
 
Our focus is on improving the availability of supply from existing coal-fired power stations; accelerating private investment in generation capacity; producing new capacity from renewables, gas and battery storage; incentivising investment in rooftop solar; and transforming the electricity sector to achieve long-term energy security.
 
One of the most far-reaching reforms we have implemented is removing the licensing requirements for self-generation and we now have more than 100 projects in the pipeline.
 
Our renewable energy programme is also forging ahead, with a number of new projects expected to enter construction soon.
 
The increasing effects of climate change on our countries make the decarbonisation of our respective economies all the more important.
 
Last year, South Africa released a Just Energy Transition Investment Plan that outlines the investments that will be required to meet our decarbonisation commitments.
 
Low-carbon, climate change resilient and sustainable development isn’t just about people and planet. It also makes sound business sense.
 
There are therefore numerous opportunities for Ugandan investors in South Africa’s clean energy and green economy space.
 
The Just Energy Transition must be a catalyst for development, job creation, beneficiation and localisation and business expansion for both countries.
 
The opportunities for both private and public investment in our respective countries is indeed immense. 
 
I certainly forward to seeing Ugandan investors at the 5th South Africa Investment Conference in April this year.
 
In conclusion, I urge that throughout our interactions, we must promote the principles of mutual benefit and empowerment.
 
We must foster industrialisation in Africa and use African products and raw materials.
 
We must invest more in our people, particularly women and youth, and in rural enterprises. 
 
We must work together to improve the conditions of Africa’s workers.

I look forward to a new era of trade, commerce and investment between South Africa and Uganda.
 
I thank you.

Your Excellency, my dear brother President Yoweri Museveni,
High Commissioners of South Africa and Uganda,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Members of delegations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome, Mr President, to you and your delegation.

South Africa is proud of its deep fraternal ties with Uganda that date back to the struggles against colonialism and apartheid.

At great risk and sacrifice, Uganda stood firm in its support for the goals of our liberation struggle and contributed materially to help us achieve them. 

On behalf of all South Africans allow me to express our appreciation to the people of Uganda for their contribution to our freedom.

Relations between our two countries are based on the principles of mutual respect, the promotion of pan-Africanism and a commitment to the emancipation of women and the attainment of gender equality.

This State Visit is taking place after the successful Second Joint Commission for Cooperation held in Kampala in July 2022. 

We have an opportunity to assess the state of these relations and evaluate progress on the implementation of decisions taken at that meeting.

I am advised that steady progress has been made in resolving some of the challenges relating to trade and investment between our countries. Our government ministries are in regular contact with each other.

As further demonstration of our strong relations, today we will sign several Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements, covering social, economic, legal and scientific cooperation. 

It is our wish that our excellent and enduring political relations must translate into development and prosperity for our peoples and countries. 

By increasing trade and investment, our economies will grow, become more productive and diverse, and create more job opportunities. 

We therefore welcome the South Africa-Uganda Business Forum that is currently underway and that we will attend later today.

The business forum brings together our respective private sectors and state-owned companies to explore new opportunities for trade and investment in each other’s economies.

I sincerely hope that the Ugandan delegates are showcasing opportunities for investment and procurement in Uganda’s burgeoning oil and gas sector.

South Africa would most certainly be interested in being part of this economic development in Uganda.

It does not make economic nor political sense for African countries to trade with and procure from countries abroad when the services, finances, commodities, and products are available right here on the continent.

Current global developments clearly illustrate the urgent need to fully operationalise the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

The AfCFTA presents huge economic opportunities to grow intra-Africa trade and deepen bilateral cooperation and continental integration. 

Increased intra-Africa trade will propel the growth of our economies and contribute towards continental stability and prosperity. 

We need to ensure that the outstanding signatories to the Tripartite Free Trade Area come on board to ensure the TFTA comes into force so that countries can start reaping its benefits.

South Africa sees Uganda as an important partner in East Africa. We appreciate your contribution to regional economic and political integration as well as regional peace and stability. 

As a continent we need to continue to work towards the peaceful resolution of conflict and emphasise dialogue over military confrontation. 

South Africa remains deeply concerned about recent developments in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We strongly condemn the upsurge of conflict, being fuelled by armed groups. We call on all parties involved to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC. 

South Africa strongly believes in African solutions to African problems. 

In this respect, we welcome efforts and initiatives of the East African Community to restore peace and stability to the eastern DRC. 

We support the call for dialogue among Member States of the EAC and SADC that have deployed forces to the DRC. 

We further support the call for the establishment of mechanisms to effectively coordinate continental interventions in the DRC. 

The historical peace agreement signed in Pretoria on the 2nd of November 2022 to end the two-year conflict that racked the Tigray region of Ethiopia shows what is possible.

The agreement marks an important milestone in the AU-led mediation process in pursuit of peaceful resolution of conflict. 

South Africa looks forward to continuing good cooperation at the African Union Peace and Security Council, as both our countries are members until 2024. 

It is vital that like-minded countries such as South Africa and Uganda work together in the Peace and Security Council and on other multilateral platforms.

This conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused volatility in the global economy and has had a negative impact on the developing world. 

We need to ensure that the resultant shift in global dynamics does not distract us from pursing our developmental agendas. 

South Africa continues to advocate for global solidarity, for the primacy of multilateralism, for the reform of the United Nations system, in particular the UN Security Council, and for a rules-based international order.

We wish Uganda well in implementing its Vision 2040 and the Uganda National Plan. This will lead to prosperity not only for Uganda, but also for the East African region and the continent. 

Your Excellency, I wish to welcome you once again to South Africa. I look forward to our discussions.

I thank you.

Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi Milton Seatlholo, Rapulana,
Deputy Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Inkosi Mavuso Langa, Ah! Zwelidumile,
Your Majesties, Kings and Queens,
Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Amos Masondo,
Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula,
President of the Pan African Parliament, The Right Honourable Mambo Fortune Charumbira,
Delegations from Botswana and Lesotho,
Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Premiers,
Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Provincial Houses of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders,
Leaders of political parties,
President of Contralesa, Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena,
Chairperson of the National Khoi-San Council, Mr Cecil le Fleur,
Directors-General and officials,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
I am humbled to address the opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
 
As this is the first time we meet since the reconstitution of this House in October 2022, allow me to begin by congratulating all those who have assumed positions of leadership.
 
We particularly congratulate the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson.
 
We pay tribute and thank Inkosikazi Nomandla Mhlauli, who served this house and country with commitment, diligence and selflessness. Aaah Nomandla, you leave a formidable legacy and a strong foundation on which to build the South Africa we want.
 
It is my hope that this House will continue to advance the empowerment of women and the achievement of gender equality within this institution.
 
We should be inspired by our country’s many pioneering women leaders, such as Hosi N’wamitwa wa Valoyi, whose determined struggle against gender discrimination is a testament to the obstacles that women must conquer to secure their dignity and what is rightfully theirs.
 
Her story confirms that we are a democratic and empowering society. The heroic contributions of women leaders should not be relegated to fireside stories or to the fading culture of oral history.
 
Women’s emancipation and empowerment should remain one of the priority programmes of this House. We should approach the next reconstitution of the House with the assurance that women representation will increase, and significantly so.
 
Honourable Members,
 
You take office at a time when our country is facing many challenges. These include poverty, unemployment, inequality, the rising cost of living, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating floods, and the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide.
 
While these challenges may at times appear insurmountable and overwhelming, we must take to heart the Guinean proverb which says: “No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.”
 
We see this house as an important platform to address these challenges, now and into the future.
 
We pledge to work with you and support you in leading national recovery and reconstruction, and to build a South Africa that leaves no-one behind.
 
Over the years, I have greatly appreciated and benefited from the wise counsel of this House. I am convinced that if we work together, act boldly and decisively, we will be able to resolve our challenges as we did many times in the past.
 
As we reflect on what we need to move forward together we recall the words of the great Pan Africanist and son of the soil, Anton Muziwakhe Lembede, who said:
 
“We have to go out as apostles to preach the New Gospel of Africanism and to hasten and bring about the birth of a new nation. Such minor insignificant differences of languages, customs, etcetera, will not hinder or stop the irresistible onward surge of the African spirit.”
 
As representatives and leaders within our communities, it is up to us to carry with us that African spirit as we pursue an inclusive and just society.
 
Chairperson,
 
I wish to add my voice to the call for the formalisation and strengthening of the functioning of a Kings and Queens Forum.
 
We see it as an important platform to tap into the collective wisdom of our Majesties. The Forum will help us to address disputes around traditional leadership, gender-based violence and other social ills, initiation challenges and others.
 
The Forum will help us to document the history of our nation and the role of traditional leaders in our struggle and development as a nation.
 
In the 2023 State of the Nation Address we emphasised the importance of forging a consensus among all sectors of our society to rebuild our economy and address the developmental needs of our communities.
 
Our local economic development efforts will no doubt be enhanced by the work that the institution of traditional and Khoi-San leadership has come up with in the form of the Invest Rural Masterplan.
 
We welcome the plan’s focus on converting rural development challenges into investable opportunities, covering such critical areas as infrastructure development, agriculture, service delivery, financial inclusion and rural enterprise development.
 
I recall the late Inkosi Sipho Mahlangu sharing a copy of the Masterplan with me. He said we should use it as a blueprint for partnering to deepen socio-economic development in rural communities. May Inkosi Mahlangu’s soul continue to rest in peace and in honour of his memory may we ensure that we make effective rural development a reality.
 
One of the resolutions taken at the Local Government Summit last year was that the Masterplan should be shared with all municipalities so that it can inform their plans. Such an approach should complement and reinforce the District Development Model.
 
We will need the counsel of traditional leaders in identifying the endowments, competitive advantages and potential industrial opportunities of each of the localities with traditional leadership.
 
These are critical building blocks in building resilient, safe, sustainable, prosperous, cohesive, connected and climate smart communities.
 
Skilling our people is critical. In doing so we must harness indigenous knowledge systems.
 
We should use resources such as land. Communal land should be leveraged as capital that can support investment in community development.
 
I am pleased that the long-awaited Communal Land Administration and Tenure Summit finally took place in May last year.
 
The Summit came after a series of consultations coordinated under the leadership of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform chaired by Deputy President David Mabuza. Very rich discussions took place at the Summit leading to insightful outcomes on the direction the country should be taking.
 
Some of the pertinent issues require policy interventions and will still need to be subjected to public participation as they take shape. The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform remains seized with the outcomes of the Summit to ensure that they are indeed taken forward.
 
The scourge of gender-based violence and femicide shows no signs of abating.
 
As leaders, as people of standing in our communities, we have to play our part.
 
We should make it impossible for perpetrators to live, work and socialise amongst us. We must shape the way boys and girls relate with each other. Let us nurture young men and women who see each other as equals and as partners in development and growth.
 
Those of us who are men ought to be found at the forefront of this fight, as we confront toxic masculinity and patriarchal practices that seek to oppress and supress women.
 
We take this opportunity to recognise the valuable contributions of progressive men and women. These include the National Men’s Parliament programme, of which this House is a partner, alongside Parliament and the SANAC Men’s Sector. Let us support programmes of this nature to drive collective action against patriarchy and all that is represents.
 
Another issue that is slowly reaching epidemic proportions is the deaths of initiates.
 
As part of the effort to address this problem, the Customary Initiation Act came into effect in 2021. The Act aims to protect lives, set norms and standards, and ensure that initiation takes place in a controlled and safe environment.
 
The 2022 summer initiation has just concluded in some of the provinces that practice summer initiation.
 
Based on preliminary information the challenges of illegal initiation schools and initiation casualties are still a big problem. Nonetheless, there are thousands of initiates who underwent this customary rite of passage successfully and safely.
 
Indeed, it is possible to have safe initiation practices. We congratulate the parents, initiation school principals, guardians and provinces that made this possible.
 
We also congratulate provinces that took decisive action to close illegal initiation schools. It is through such action and partnerships with parents and communities that we will achieve safe initiation practices and the realisation of the rallying call of “Mabaye bephila babuye bephila”.
 
AmaKhosi should continue to ensure the effective implementation of the Act. Those found to be on the wrong side of the law should be prosecuted and we should not be lenient on this. The lives of our sons and brothers depend on this.
 
Honourable Members,
 
We have made good progress in creating a sound legal basis for the institution of traditional and Khoi-San leadership to function. The Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act has now been signed into law. To give effect to this provision, government has appointed a Commission on Khoi-San Matters, and the Commission is currently receiving applications for recognition.
 
On the 2nd of February 2022, I took a decision to establish an Inter-Ministerial Task Team led by the Deputy President to resolve all matters raised by traditional and Khoi-San leaders.
 
It is pleasing to note that the Inter-Ministerial Task Team is gaining momentum, particularly on issues relating to communal land policy, and that there has been collaboration with Communal Property Associations.
 
The workstreams have been attending to matters around heritage promotion, and the Spatial Planning, Land Utilisation and Management Act, known as SPLUMA.
 
Proposals on the provision of administration grants to Traditional Councils and the recognition of headmen and headwomen are also under serious consideration.
 
I wish to thank Deputy President David Mabuza for leading this process.
 
Chairperson,
 
As I conclude please allow me to single out the importance of culture in our society. As the institution of traditional and Khoi-San leadership, we regard you as the custodians of our culture.
 
Culture does not discriminate, whether you are a person with a disability or not, whether you are a person with albinism or not.
 
Culture does not kill, whether you choose to undergo customary initiation or not.
 
Culture does not humiliate, whether you or are part of the LGBTQI+ community or not.

Culture does not promote unlawfulness. It certainly does not promote the abduction of young girls in the name of ukuthwala. Culture does not violate human rights, just because you are a woman in a traditional community.
 
The institution of traditional leadership must stand firm against the abuse of culture.
 
At the same time, the institution of traditional leadership must promote and safeguard the cultural practices and traditions that have held our people together over many centuries.
 
As we look to our future, let us remain firmly tethered to all that is noble and worthy in our past.
 
Let us draw on our rich history and enduring heritage as we focus on what must be done: building a better future for South Africa and for all its people.
 
I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his congratulations to the Matric Class of 2022 for outstanding individual and collective performances in the face of challenges arising from two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The National Senior Certificate results announced by Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga on 19 January 2023 highlighted numerous advances in the basic education system, including:
 
- An overall pass rate of 80.1 percent;
- An increase of just under 9 percent, compared to 2021, in the number of learners qualifying for Bachelor studies;
- A 77.2 percent pass rate among candidates from no-fee schools;
- A 91.5 percent pass rate in independent schools;
- Nearly two-thirds of distinctions have been achieved by female candidates, as evidence of growing gender equity in education,and
- A 10 percent increase in the number of female candidates obtaining Bachelor passes.
 
President Ramaphosa said: “The Class of 2022 deserves the congratulations and respect of the nation for rising above the challenges of COVID-19, loadshedding and a period of unrest.
 
“We must all work together to build a society where learners are not measured only by their resilience in testing times but where they can fulfil their potential in conducive conditions.
 
“The Class of 2022 has through its commendable performance made our future more hopeful; a future in which this generation of young South Africans will take our country to new heights.
 
“As much as we celebrate individual achievement, the Class of 2022 also constitutes a pass for our education system; it vindicates the extensive and unwavering investment we have made in education during nearly 30 years of freedom.
 
“We owe the achievements of 2022 to the diligence of learners alongside the commitment and support of teachers, who also endured the challenges of the year, as well as education officials.
 
“For the relatively small proportion of unsuccessful candidates, this is not the end of the road; you can pick yourself up and take advantage of a number of options that will empower you to continue your journey to success.”
 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa extends his best wishes to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year and Annual Spring Festival.

President Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, expressed his wish that the advent of the Year of the Rabbit will indeed endow citizens of the People’s Republic of China with the longevity, peace and prosperity associated with the zodiac sign for the year ahead.

South Africa values the vibrant economic relations and political cooperation that characterise its partnership with the People’s Republic of China.

President Ramaphosa said: “My dear brothers and sisters from China and all Chinese communities around the world: I wish you all a happy Lunar New Year and a prosperous Spring Festival 2023.

“On behalf of the Government and People of South Africa, I wish the Government and the people of China, including here in South Africa, a happy and fulfilling time of goodwill, celebration and friendship, as you renew the bonds between friends or reunite with family during this period.”

“As we enter the New Year, we are also celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of South Africa and the People’s Republic of China in 1998.

“In addition, South Africa will succeed China as Chair and host of the next BRICS Summit, during which we hope to receive His Excellency, President Xi Jinping in South Africa. These occasions provide ample cause for celebration.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa - +27 82 835 6325

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a period of mourning for seven days from Tuesday, 17 January 2023, in honour of Dr Frene Ginwala, the late founding Speaker of South Africa’s democratic Parliament.

Dr Ginwala, an Esteemed Member of the Order of Luthuli, passed away at her at home in Cape Town on Thursday night, 12 January 2023, at the age of 90, following a stroke two weeks earlier.

In 2005, Dr Ginwala was honoured with the Order of Luthuli in Silver for her excellent contribution to the struggle against gender oppression and her tireless contribution to the struggle for a non-sexist, non-racial, just and democratic South Africa.

President Ramaphosa has directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations around the country until the evening of Tuesday, 24 January 2023.

The Presidency will in the coming days announce details of an official memorial service that will take place in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 24 January. This event will serve as a national tribute to the late Speaker.

Media enquiries: The Presidency: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the decision handed down by the South Gauteng High Court Division to interdict the private prosecution brought against him by Former President Jacob Zuma from proceeding until the application to set aside the private prosecution is heard.  

The court affirmed all of the President’s key contentions, namely on jurisdiction of the court to hear the interdict application, the urgency of the matter against a court appearance date based on a prima facie unlawful nolle prosequi. The court further found in the President’s favour on the violation of rights to personal freedom based on a prima facie defective summons.  

The judgement confirms the positon of the President that the private prosecution is motivated by the ulterior purpose based on spurious and unfounded charges, constitutes an abuse of private prosecution provisions and demonstrates flagrant disregard for the law.

Media enquiries: The Presidency: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa wishes to announce, with great sadness, that Dr. Frene Ginwala, founding Speaker of South Africa’s democratic Parliament and Esteemed Member of the Order of Luthuli, has passed away.

Dr Ginwala passed away at her at home on Thursday night, 12 January 2023, at the age of 90, following a stroke two weeks ago.

On behalf of the nation and of the legislative, executive and judicial components of the State, the President offers his sincere condolences to Dr. Ginwala’s family, her nephews Cyrus, Sohrab and Zavareh, and their families.

The President extends his condolences to Dr. Ginwala’s friends, colleagues and associates in South Africa and beyond.

Born on 25 April 1932, Frene Noshir Ginwala served the anti-apartheid struggle and South Africa’s democratic dispensation in a diversity of roles as a lawyer, academic, political leader, activist and journalist.

In 2005, she was honoured with the Order of Luthuli in Silver for her excellent contribution to the struggle against gender oppression and her tireless contribution to the struggle for a non-sexist, non-racial, just and democratic South Africa.

President Ramaphosa said: “Today we mourn the passing of a formidable patriot and leader of our nation, and an internationalist to whom justice and democracy around the globe remained an impassioned objective to her last days.

“Among the many roles she adopted in the course of a life she led to the full, we are duty-bound to recall her establishment of our democratic Parliament which exercised the task of undoing decades-old apartheid legislation and fashioning the legislative foundations of the free and democratic South Africa.

“Many of the rights and material benefits South Africans enjoy today have their origins in the legislative programme of the inaugural democratic Parliament under Dr. Ginwala’s leadership, with Nelson Mandela occupying the seat of the first President to be elected by the democratic Parliament.

“Frene Ginwala epitomised the ethos and expectations of our then fledgling Constitution and played an important role in building the capacity of Parliament through the transformation of activists and leaders into lawmakers who were in turn able to transform our country.

“Dr. Ginwala was similarly influential and instrumental in shaping the advancement of democracy and the entrenchment of democratic political processes and fundamental socio-economic rights in the Southern African Development Community and the continent at large.

“Beyond African shores, she positioned our young democracy both as one that had as much to contribute to as it had to learn from global precedents and experience.

“We have lost another giant among a special generation of leaders to whom we owe our freedom and to whom we owe our commitment to keep building the South Africa to which they devoted their all.”

Government respects the family’s wishes for a private funeral.

Details of an official memorial event will be announced in due course.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria