Programme Director;
Minister of Trade Industry and Competition, Mr Ebrahim Patel
Chairman of the Proudly SA Board, Mr. Howard Gabriels and the Board Directors of the Proudly SA;
CEO of Proudly SA, Mr Eustace Mashimbye;
CEO of Southern Sun, Mr Marcel von Aulock; 
CEO of ABSA, Mr Arrie Rautenbach;   
The CEO of Business Leadership South Africa, Ms Busisiwe Mavuso
All CEO’s and Captains of Industry present here this evening;
The recipient of The Order of Ikhamanga, Dr John Kani;  
Leaders of Civil Society and Organised Labour; 
Distinguished Guests; 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Let me first convey the apology on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who would have loved to be here with you tonight, however due clashing government commitments, he has asked me to represent him at this important occasion.
 
We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of this localisation gala dinner, which brings together a group of industry professionals to discuss the next steps for expertise driven solutions, in creating much needed jobs in our country. 
You may recall that in 1998, President Nelson Mandela called a Presidential Jobs Summit under the auspices of NEDLAC to bring together all social partners and determine how jobs could be created within the South African economy.
 
One of the interventions resulting from the 1998 Summit was the establishment of a 'Buy Local Campaign’, a targeted initiative to encourage all sectors of society to support locally produced goods when making procurement decisions.
 
This is what gave birth to Proudly South African, whose role and mandate is to lobby and advocate for increased procurement and consumption of locally made products and services. This campaign will help contribute to the companies that manufacture these products and provide services, while remaining operational, retaining the jobs they have created, potentially creating new opportunities, and ensuring meaningful economic growth.
 
Additionally, we are pleased that the Proudly South African Buy Local Conference and Expo has successfully carried that baton by striving to teach, educate, and empower business owners to help them rebuild our economy.
 
As South Africans, we must be proud of our locally produced goods and take the initiative to support the small businesses who produce them. We must make our products the first choice.
 
SHOPPING LOCALLY HAS AN INCREDIBLE RIPPLE EFFECT
 
This is because every local transaction has a ripple effect that extends beyond our comprehension. By purchasing locally produced food and other goods, consumers support their local economy, families, communities, and promote the culture of entrepreneurship. 
 
Moreover, supporting local businesses can stimulate the local economy, since it redirects funds back into the community rather than into the coffers of ambiguous national chains and corporations.
 
We have also observed that money circulated throughout a community has the potential to finance public infrastructure such as schools, libraries, roads, and parks. 
 
For this reason, as Government, during the 2018 Presidential Summit, together with our social partners, reaffirmed the commitment to localisation. We need to ensure that we support the investments being made in the country by improving the uptake of those products and services that will flow from these investments in new and existing production plants. 
 
This coincided with the investment drive that has been introduced at the time, including through the commitments made at the newly introduced SA Investment Conference.
 
On the other hand, localisation can play a crucial role in achieving Goal 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals of promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
 
By encouraging the use of local products in government contracts, we can create jobs in areas critical to economic growth, such as manufacturing and agriculture, which have historically been vital to economic progress.
We support local businesses because they offer the most significant untapped potential for growth, and economic transformation. 
 
Studies have shown that local businesses recirculate a more significant share of every Rand as they create locally owned supply chains and invest in their employees, something that needs our collective encouragement.
 
We therefore call on businesses and other sectors of society that do procurement to support government policies that encourage and promote the localisation of supply chains. Organisations should change their inclusiveness and localisation delivery models to increase partnership with the local market.
 
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
 
Ladies and gentlemen
 
As the Government, we cannot call on others to do what we are not doing. It is, therefore, imperative that, as the Government, we support localisation by improving the ease of doing business in oaaur country and procuring goods and services from local manufacturers. 
 
During the 2023 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa will host the 5th South Africa Investment Conference in April 2023. Linked to this investment drive, South Africa has further committed a new target to mobilise more than R2 trillion in new investment by year 2028. 
 
However, according to the most recent annual rankings by the World Bank as of December 2022, South Africa ranks 84 out of 190 economies on the ease of doing business index. If we want to attract more foreign direct investment, we must improve our ranking to encourage more investments that concurrently combat underdevelopment and youth unemployment.
 
In this regard, urgent work is being finalised by Government to create an enabling regulatory framework, attract foreign investment, reducing red tape, and improve ease of doing business. 
 
Further, the Red Tape Reduction Team, which resides in the Office of the President has made headway in reducing complex regulations, procedures and processes that impede economic growth and job creation in important sectors of the economy. 
 
In February 2020, Cabinet approved the publication of the Public Procurement Bill for public comment, setting in motion legislation for procurement strategies that support Government’s socio-economic objectives.
 
The draft bill aims to introduce a single regulatory framework for local, provincial and national governments and state-owned enterprises. The draft bill proposes the creation of institutions necessary to ensure the procurement system's integrity and address potential violations. 
 
To this end, the National Treasury has conducted a public participation process in relation to the amendment of the Public Procurement Bill, and the Bill has been included in the 2023 Legislative programme as a priority Bill for Cabinet approval, and for introduction to Parliament.
 
We are also pleased that during the 2018 Presidential Jobs Summit, more than 20 large corporations made firm commitments to improve their levels of local procurement in their respective supply and value chains.
 
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges. The pandemic disrupted global supply chains and created economic uncertainty, making it difficult for businesses to invest in local production.
It has had a devastating effect on many small firms, resulting in massive employment losses. 
 
On the other hand, the pandemic opened opportunities for those who were unemployed and forced to get creative to make ends meet by starting their own businesses. 
 
Moreover, the pandemic and the subsequent necessity to respond appropriately to its demands led to the introduction of many interventions that required substantial localisation.
 
The ventilator localisation programme is one such example, and the work done by Business For South Africa (B4SA), spearheaded by organised business, working together with Government, organised labour and civil society representatives, saw capacity being built up for medical grade sanitisers, respiratory masks, face shields, medical gloves and other items required during that time, where most of these had been largely imported at the commencement of the pandemic period. 
 
This was a clear demonstration of the power of collaboration and an example of what can be achieved if those leading the country across all sectors of society work together towards a common goal. 
 
This ensured supply security for our country and region, not just during the initial years, but also if global supply chain disruptions affecting products entering the country occurred again.
 
During this period, many companies refocused and repurposed their businesses to survive, as most of them could not produce and supply their usual products due to the extremely necessary restrictions imposed on the country at the time.
 
Once again, one such company is Sanath Trading, which traditionally supplies décor products to the events and entertainment industries. They had recently invested in machinery for manufacturing events and décor linen, but due to restrictions on the hosting of events during that time, they decided to use these newly acquired machines to produce face masks.
 
The company was able to keep its doors open and keep all their jobs due to orders from various private sector entities.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen
 
The current constraints, such as a lack of dependable electricity, significantly impact localisation initiatives. As we all know, businesses rely on a consistent supply of energy to run their operations, and the availability of electricity is a significant element in determining where companies choose to invest.
 
Without dependable electricity, businesses may struggle to operate and may be forced to invest in costly generators or other backup power sources. This might increase prices and make it difficult for firms to compete internationally.
 
Correspondingly, if power outages are frequent, local factories may be unable to produce goods that are up to par with South African Bureau of Standards requirements as well as global norms.
 
To address this issue, the Government is investing in reliable energy infrastructure, such as renewable energy sources, to give businesses the electricity they need to grow.
 
President Cyril Ramaphosa presented solutions in the 2023 State of the Nation Address. They include declaring a national state of disaster and creating a Ministry within the Presidency to accelerate the implementation of the agreed-upon strategy to reduce and terminate load-shedding.
 
While the grid's energy constraints threaten businesses and regional development, they also present an opportunity. This pertains to the production of wind turbines, solar panels, and other forms of energy storage, among other things. 
 
By producing it domestically, we may avoid paying import taxes on similar machinery, and the current energy crisis presents an opportunity to expand employment opportunities in a field with significant demand.
 
Compatriots, it is still the State’s intention to support all industries that remain competitive, as well as those where capacity has been built up over the years, because of the designation of sectors for local procurement by the Government. 
 
Significant investments were made by current and new producers of these designated products in the country due to this instrument and policy of designating sectors for local procurement by the Government. This is highly welcomed and is much needed at this time.
 
As a result of this, the modification of procurement legislation, in this regard that came about because of a ruling by the Constitutional Court should not lead to the loss of this capacity and investments because of the State's new preference for imported products, even in situations where these products can be sourced locally.
 
We are thus making a concerted effort to ensure that we remind all procurement authorities and decision-makers in the public sector of this dynamic. As part of this effort, we ask them to maintain local content standards in their preferential procurement policies.
 
During this 11th edition of the Proudly SA Buy Local and Expo, a public-sector procurement session was hosted. An engagement in this regard was held with senior representatives from all public sector spheres, and we have been assured that this work will continue beyond this conference.
 
If we keep moving in this direction, our economy will reap the rewards not just in terms of new jobs, but also in terms of new tax income collected from citizens and the businesses that stand to gain from increased local procurement by the public and private sectors. 
 
We cannot have economic growth without localisation. The study, commissioned by Proudly SA and done by Dr Iraj Abedian's PAIRS outfit, confirms the link between localisation and economic growth and the different steps that the private and public sectors need to take in this area.
 
Some of the most important things in the report are the positive effects of domestic manufacturing investment on the GDP, fiscal revenue, real wages, and consumer inflation.
 
Moreover, the report showed that the SA economy could benefit from an increase of just 10 percent in investment spending in the manufacturing sector. 
 
This is what would happen if investments in this labour-intensive industry went up by 10 percent: 
• 13% GDP growth
• 8% more jobs created
• 8.3% overall boost to investment across the economy
• 9% jump in tax revenues
 
The same goes for the private sector as a strategic partner of the Government whose buying power can help turn the economy around. We want to see consolidations at the industry level, so that ailing industries or industries threatened by illegal and sometimes legal imports can be helped by local procurement policies and preferences that companies in those industries choose to follow.
 
LET'S COLLABORATE TO MEET LOCALISATION TARGETS
 
Ladies and gentlemen
 
As we put the spotlight on the value of local procurement and localisation tonight, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the businesses that have emerged as leaders in this area around the country.
 
These are companies that have walked this journey with us, from when we first introduced the first set of localisation commitments, and publicly proclaimed their commitments at the 2018 Presidential Jobs Summit. 
 
These companies set localisation targets for themselves, some informed by the sectoral masterplans driven by Government. They continue to be brave enough to report these annually, review and improve on the targets where possible and are impacting many other enterprises as part of their respective supply and value chains. 
 
This group of businesses will be recognised tonight as the first batch to publicly announce their localisation efforts, establish goals and work towards them, and agree to be held accountable for meeting those goals by the dates they have established. According to the goals of these businesses, localisation takes the shape of:
 
· Favouring locally made products over imported goods/services, i.e., increasing their local procurement spend.
· Investing in an Enterprise/Supplier Development Programme (and/or including a localisation condition for companies that may or have benefitted from their respective Enterprise and Supplier Development programmes).
· Expansion plans (building additional factories or adding more production capacity).
· Introducing additional product/service offerings in their local manufacturing facilities.
· Increasing levels of local content in raw materials and/or components utilised for producing their products and rendering their services.
· It could also be to give more “shelf space” or “target more” local manufacturers. 
 
Through the localisation commitments given, the companies also highlight the medium to long-term impact their commitments will have, especially in growing the economy and job creation and retention.
 
The collaboration between Proudly SA, South Africa's national Buy Local campaign, and Business Leadership South Africa exemplifies the dedication we seek from the private sector, where businesses continue to localise their supply and value chains, with a clear focus on growing those industries in which we have a competitive advantage.
 
One way the social partners have been able to work together to maximise the potential of identified industries is by introducing Sectoral Masterplans. 
 
These plans focus on specific industries, such as the automotive, steel, furniture, sugar, clothing, textiles, leather, and footwear industries, and they do so by capitalising on the existing demand, which comes primarily from the private sector.
 
On that note, we urge all South Africans to support Proudly SA's call to "buy local to create jobs" and make this mantra a rallying call as we work together to boost our economy.
 
Finally, on behalf of the Government and all South Africans, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the companies that have contributed to the success of the Proudly SA Buy Local Summit and Expo, including Southern Sun, ABSA, Coca-Cola, and SAB, as well as Sasol, Brand South Africa, Aspen, and Sizwe IT. 
 
These patriotic companies have successfully illustrated the partnership between the private and public sectors in working together to turn around the fortunes of our economy. Their deeds must be emulated by all of us.
 
We wish you all a successful and productive Proudly South African evening.
 
I thank you.

Programme Directors (North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha & Provincial Civil Society Chairperson Mr Pinampi Maano);
Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla;
Chairperson of the SANAC Civil Society Forum, Ms Steve Letsike;
Chairperson of the SANAC Private Sector Forum, Dr Tshegofatso Gopane;
Our gracious host, the Premier of the North West Province, Mr Bushy Maape;
Our esteemed Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders present
US Consul General in South Africa, Mr Vincent Spera,
Esteemed members of the US Government delegation;
UNAIDS South Africa Country Director, Ms Eva Kiwango;
WHO Country Director, Dr. Owen Kahlua,
Esteemed members of the UN Delegation;
Leaders of our Inter-Faith Communities;
Other Development Partners here present;
SANAC CEO, Dr Thembisile Xulu;
Members of the Media
Honoured Guests, fellow South Africans,
Dumelang! Sanibonani! Avhuxeni!
 
On behalf of the SANAC Community, I would like, first and foremost, to convey my sincere gratitude to former Deputy President David Mabuza for the leadership he provided as Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council as well as leading the process towards the National Strategic Plan 2023-2028 that we will be launching today.
 
His vision and leadership helped to forge stronger ties with key partners in the fight to end HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.  These valued partners include our esteemed Traditional and Khoi-San leaders, the business community and civil society. His efforts ultimately ensured that all sectors join and put all their efforts to make the SANAC family a success. We must continue to strengthen collaboration with all national and international stakeholders.
 
Programme Director,

As all of us are aware, tuberculosis remains one of the leading causes of ill health and death in South Africa. This is exacerbated by the fact that some TB patients do not complete their treatment while others remain “missing;” which means that they are either undiagnosed or are unreported even as they are diagnosed.
 
Today, our country joins the rest of the world in observing World TB Day under the country theme: “Yes! You and I Can End TB!” The theme is aimed at encouraging individual action to strengthen the national strategy against Tuberculosis. It underlines the significance of taking personal responsibility and joining forces to eradicate Tuberculosis as a public health threat by 2030.
 
We must recommit ourselves to raising greater levels of awareness about the disease alongside its terrible health, social, economic implications and strengthen other efforts to prevent the further spread of the disease in our communities.
 
This province faces specific challenges in the fight against Tuberculosis due to mining activities and a high number of informal settlements which result in overcrowding and unfavourable living conditions which expose people to health hazards.
 
However, the province has made noteworthy progress in the reconstitution of its Provincial Council on Aids with the involvement of all stakeholders. Other provinces can learn valuable lessons from this positive step.
 
The Government is determined to build a world free from the devastation of preventable and curable diseases such as TB. We must continue to embark on Tuberculosis catch-up programmes as we continue to pursue shortened treatment after infectious diseases took a backseat due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
However, regardless of the setback, we have made conscious efforts to rebuild and intensify TB interventions across the country.
 
Through the ‘You and I” statement of intent, we seek to encourage individuals to take charge of their health in line with the objectives of the “Cheka Impilo” National Wellness Campaign, as well as the country’s endeavour towards finding the Missing TB Patients.
 
It is critical that everyone infected with TB is aware of the infection, is introduced to treatment and goes on to complete their treatment. Finishing the course is important in order to avoid developing Multidrug-resistant TB and Extensively drug-resistant TB which are both very difficult to treat, life-threatening and fatal.  
 
We must promote awareness for personal responsibility in the eradication of TB.  This will undoubtedly deliver better progress in the fight against TB. Together, we can recover the ground lost by the TB response as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
We should bear in mind that our country is mostly off-track in terms of attaining the set TB targets, including those related to the 2018 United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB.
 
It concerning that the last SA TB Prevalence Survey positioned our country as one of the 30 high TB burden countries accounting for 87% of the burden. It is one of 10 countries with a triple burden of TB, TB/HIV and MDR-TB.
 
We shall accelerate interventions to eliminate TB by fast-tracking the implementation of the TB Recovery Plan launched in 2022.
 
We have already started finding undiagnosed people with TB through interventions that scale up community screening, introduce Targeted Universal TB Testing, and the use of other technologies.
 
One of the useful approaches to mobilising political will for TB response, is the strengthening of the South African TB Caucuses in all our Provincial Legislatures. The Caucuses provide a platform for elected public representatives to champion the TB response in their provinces and constituencies, led by the Speakers of the Provincial Legislatures.
 
We are pleased to report that five out of the nine provinces have successfully launched their TB Caucuses.  These are the North West, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape Provinces. The National TB Caucus in Parliament is due to be relaunched this year. We congratulate all these provinces and urge the remaining others to follow suit.
 
Programme Directors,

A few days ago, we observed the Human Rights Day. As we continue to observe Human Rights Month, we should remember that access to health care services is a basic human right guaranteed by our Constitution.
 
Stigma and discrimination remain some of the hardest social and structural barriers that limit access to TB screening, treatment and care – thus compromising the lives of people who are infected and affected by TB. We think it is unacceptable that in year 2023, we are still talking about stigma!
 
We should therefore collectively champion interventions against social isolation associated with TB at community level. We must also continuously maintain well-coordinated multi-sectoral interventions against stigma and discrimination in our communities.
 
We will continue to work together to look at how to strengthen the systems that link people to care, strengthen the systems that keep them in care, and scale up initiatives that encourage the use of TB prevention therapy.
 
In September this year, world leaders will gather at the United Nations General Assembly for the United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB. The last meeting was held in 2018 during South Africa endorsed the Political Declaration on TB.
 
Key among the targets committed to in that declaration were the following:
 
•​Treat 40 million people with TB between 2018 and 2022;
•​Treat 3,5 million children with TB;
•​Treat 1,5 million people with drug-resistant TB; and
•​At least 30 million people put on TB Preventive Treatment.
 
We cannot over-emphasise the importance of collaboration in the TB response. We can do more by leveraging our combined strengths and resources.
 
The active roles of civil society, private sector, development partners, research institutions, community members, TB survivors and people infected with TB, all remain paramount in our fight to end TB.
 
To that effect, through the fourth National Strategic Plan (NSP), we continued to guide our collective response to HIV, Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Infections. Viewed together, the plans set out in the NSP provide insight into the path we have travelled as a nation to overcome one of the most devastating human challenges of our time.
 
The previous NSP is a clear demonstration of the outstanding progress we have made. It is also a stark reminder of how far we still need to go.
 
Indeed our response to HIV, TB and STIs has evolved over the last two decades as we have come to understand the nature and impact of the epidemics, the factors that contribute to their spread, and the interventions that work best in reducing infection, morbidity and mortality.
 
In this regard, we are pleased to launch today the fifth National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs for the period 2023 to 2028 as adopted by Cabinet.
 
The new NSP is a blueprint and roadmap for a multi-sectoral, people-centred approach to eliminate HIV, TB and STIs as public health threats by 2030.
 
It emphasises the need to break down barriers and maximise equitable and equal access to services, through resilient and integrated health systems, to guarantee the health and social protection of all South Africans.
 
The successful implementation of this NSP will require strong governance and leadership, and the involvement of all sectors of society including government, business, organised labour, civil society, development partners, research institutions and communities in general.
 
The 2023- 2028 NSP features four strategic Goals:
 
•​Goal 1: To break down barriers to achieving HIV, TB and STIs solutions.
•​Goal 2: To maximise equitable and equal access to HIV, TB and STIs services and solutions.
•​Goal 3: To build resilient systems for HIV, TB and STIs that are integrated into systems for health, social protection, and pandemic response.
•​Goal 4: To fully resource and sustain an efficient NSP led by revitalised, inclusive, and accountable institutions
 
Work has already begun to give effect to these goals. SANAC is leading several activities as part of the NSP rollout.
 
One of them is the year-long Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Campaign – aimed at sustained and impactful messaging and demand creation for reproductive health services, information about STI transmission, condom use, availability of family planning services and availability of ground-breaking HIV prevention tools such as the newer Dapivirine Ring as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
 
Another project in the pipeline is the Treatment Literacy Framework aimed at improving treatment adherence, eliminating stigma & discrimination, promoting health seeking behaviour and enhancing treatment uptake.
 
This is important to ensure that individuals on antiretroviral therapy remain virally suppressed so that they can enjoy a good quality of life. Most importantly, when the viral load is undetectable, HIV cannot be passed onto one’s sexual partner.
 
SANAC is also preparing for the launch of the “Situation Room” – a cutting-edge data visualisation and analytics platform that provides up-to-date multi-sectoral data in an easy-to-use format to support evidence-based decision making and planning.
 
Another critical signature initiative by SANAC is the continued effort to strengthen the Provincial AIDS Councils. The core objective of all this work, is to pave the way for the successful implementation of the NSP.
 
The NSP 2023-2028 calls upon all of us to build consensus and drive a well-coordinated, unified response to the three epidemics over a five-year period.
 
We must also be cognisant of the fact that this is the last NSP ahead of the 2030 target of ending HIV and TB as a public health threat, and we dare not fail.
 
Drawing lessons from previous NSPs, the COVID-19 pandemic and current epidemiological trends, the new NSP is considerably more radical in its own right –
 
•It is pandemic-ready to guard against unknown future disruptions similar to those caused by COVID-19,
•​It recognises the need to strengthen health systems,  
•​It has an expanded scope for the management of sexually transmitted infections.
•​It recognises the need to scale up mental health services and social support based on interlinkages between HIV, TB, and STIs with other social challenges such as gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), human rights violations and inequalities.
•​It was drafted through an extensive public consultation in all nine provinces by bringing together multiple stakeholders, key populations, vulnerable groups, academics and ordinary people from all walks of life.
 
Every input was carefully considered and integrated into the final product, the NSP 2023-2028 that we are launching today.
 
SANAC will coordinate the implementation of the NSP as mandated by Cabinet; however, its successful implementation lies with all of us.
 
It is about our lives, how we protect it, how we prolong it, how we value it and how we improve it. Let us work together to ensure that this NSP is one of the last in our times.
 
Yes we can conquer TB!
 
Yes TB is curable! And
 
“Yes! You and I (Together) Can End TB.”

I thank you.

Programme Director;
Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Parks Tau;
President of Black Business Council, Mr Elias Monage
Treasurer-General of the ANC, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa and other Members of the ANC NEC present;
Deputy Chair of Presidential Climate Commission, Mr Desigan Naidoo;
Chairperson and Board Members of the Chemical Industry Education and Training Authority (CHIETA);
Chairpersons and Boards of various business and state-owned institutions;
The Black Business Council and Federations;
The President and board Members of the Black Management Forum;
Business Owners and Event Organisers;
Managing Director of Cape Media Corporation, Mr Robert Arendse;
Editor of Leadership and BBQ Magazines, Prof JJ Tabane and all Members of the Media Present;
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
 
We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this auspicious gathering of black business excellence, and the celebration of South Africa's business leaders in transformation, which, for the past 19 years, has advocated for the promotion of good corporate governance and sustainable economic leadership.
 
Your contribution to the growth of our economy, through the support of micro-businesses located at informal settlements and rural areas, which are primarily owned by black Africans, is highly commendable.
 
Moreover, we appreciate your effort as BBQ Magazine for keeping the transformation discourse on the national agenda through recognising pioneers in this important mission of economic transformation.
 
CURRENT ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
 
The 2023 BBQ Awards take place at the most critical time in the history of our economic transition and transformation as a country. We have just emerged from the devastating grip of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Despite the fact that our nation was affected by the same global pandemic, its repercussions have disproportionately damaged the livelihoods and well-being of those most-at-risk within our society - the black majority who already had been struggling economically before the pandemic.
 
On the upside, the epidemic has demonstrated the importance of the small business sector, in terms of income generation and economic upscaling across the vast majority of our nation.
 
As government, we remain committed to supporting the black-owned business sector, in their efforts to rebuild their businesses after the economic downturn. We have begun to have important conversations about how people in the informal economy can get the most out of what our economy has to offer.  
 
Moreover, the devastating and disruptive effects of load-shedding on the economy and the small business sector in particular remain a major concern for all of us.
 
Load-shedding has cut business hours and production capacity, with the consequent result of reduced income. Businesses have also had to spend large amounts towards finding alternative energy sources to keep their operations viable.
 
Consequently, this has resulted in significant losses in jobs between the years 2019 and 2021, both in the formal and informal sectors. Nevertheless, the South African economy grew slightly for the second year in a row, expanding by at least 2.0 percent between the years 2021 and 2022, which represented an increase from 4,50 trillion Rands to 4,60 trillion Rands.
 
Nevertheless, as government, we remain fully cognisant of the negative impact of load-shedding on the country’s economy, and the inconvenience and hardship it causes to the country and businesses.
 
You will recall that, just over a month ago, at the State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa identified obstacles and highlighted interventions to unlock our nation's potential, including lowering and eventually ending load shedding to promote investment that is vital for economic growth and job creation. As you are now aware, the Minister of Electricity has been appointed and is currently hard at work. He will soon outline his steps to bolster the Integrated Energy Plan, which seeks to address this devastating energy crisis. We are encouraged by the factor that the Minister of Electricity has been engaging with various stakeholders, including yourselves because the long lasting solution to the energy crisis will arise out of collaborative efforts among all of us.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
The increase in the number of unemployed South Africans, particularly among the youth, necessitates more immediate steps to assist us in fundamentally altering our economic growth trajectory.
 
As the Sixth Administration of government draws to a close, we must be truthful with ourselves. We must have an open and inclusive conversation about rebuilding that which will result in increased economic activity.
 
We must acknowledge that there is a greater and more pressing need to support aggressive means and forms of economic integration for black-owned firms, particularly in the historically untransformed sectors of the economy.
 
Furthermore, in order to give various economic issues urgency, including the evaluation of how we may reinforce policies that are focused on economic emancipation, it is necessary to look at the agenda of the governing party.
 
We must pay close attention to how government at all levels, can create a supportive policy and regulatory environment that in turn supports the informal economy.
 
We need to improve the state's overall capacity to expedite the processing of applications and approvals, in order to integrate the commercial and economic operations of unorganised players in the informal economy into the mainstream sector.
As such, it cannot be business as usual, when businesses, especially, black-owned enterprises, continue to experience the harshest types of hardship and depression as a result of a system that is unresponsive to their needs.
 
This includes the need to resolve the ongoing challenges of government’s non-payment and settlement of invoices due to small businesses within regulated time frames. The National Treasury requires that invoices for these critical service providers be paid and settled within 30 days.
 
As government, we are committed to implementing consequence management for departments and state agencies that fail to implement these requirements. We recognise that late payment after services have been rendered has significant repercussions for your businesses' finances.
 
YOUTH AND JOB CREATION  
 
For us to be successful in guaranteeing a prosperous and sustainable informal sector, we must remember that our strength is our unity of purpose. We will be able to harness this sector and make it work through collaborating across government, with social partners, and with the business world.
 
We are also committed to creating more sustainable jobs, particularly for the youth. During the 2021/2022 financial year, the National Youth Development Agency grant programme has provided more than 2000 youth-owned enterprises in rural and township economies with grant funds to launch their firms.
 
Moreover, supported by the National Youth Development Agency funding programme and the Youth Micro Business Relief Fund, youth-owned firms have created and maintained employment of 8,600 employees in the economy. Yet, these are by no means sufficient.
 
We need to grow these efforts further by scaling up on investments to build skills. On our side as government, we need to sharpen our role in coordinating, facilitating, as well as unlocking opportunities for people who wish to expand their local businesses.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
We believe that in the midst of our current discourse on the country’s economic trajectory, there is room for growth, development, and hope.
 
Another milestone from our ongoing economic reconstruction and recovery efforts is the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme, which has enrolled one million people since its inception in 2020. As part of the largest stimulus-funded project, about 600,000 young people were hired to help teachers in more than 22,000 schools.
 
As we work to increase economic development and generate more permanent jobs for a much bigger population, we will expand on the positive effects of this programme.
 
MEASURES TO FACILITATE ECONOMIC INCLUSION AND INTEGRATION
 
While we have noted progress, for instance, in government's efforts to restructure the economy through the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policy, legislative framework and other interventions, more needs to be done.
 
Notably, there has also been recent incidents of regression and resistance towards B-BBEE, with some organisations successfully challenging the policy in court and, as such, leading to unacceptable levels of uncertainty.
 
Regardless of the challenges we have faced since the B-BBEE Act was passed 20 years ago, our government is steadfast in its aim to bolster and expand economic empowerment and inclusion in all sectors.

We still affirm that this is a correct policy to pursue. However, we will be doing ourselves a disservice if we do not do a critical assessment of its impact on the economic transformation agenda as a whole.
 
Part of doing so requires us to answer the following questions in line with the elements of this policy:
 
• What effect, if any, has the B-BBEE had on the rate at which formerly marginalised people and groups acquired economic ownership? In this regard, we need to indicate what obstacles are preventing us from achieving this objective, and what we plan to do to eliminate them.
• How has B-BBEE affected the management of businesses? Or are boards and other control structures still in the hands of a minority?
• To what extent has B-BBEE contributed to employment equity in the private sector?
In 2022, the Department of Labour produced a report showing that up to 70 percent of all new appointments and promotions still favour white persons, despite employment equity policies. This apparent resistance to change necessitates a new strategy from government in order to realise the aims of the B-BBEE legislation.
 
We should ask ourselves these questions with the aim of finding solutions to include black-owned enterprises in the macro industrial sector and across value chains.
 
THE BLACK INDUSTRIALIST PROGRAMME AND THE INDUSTRIAL POLICY FRAMEWORK
 
With regard to the Black Industrial Programme and our Industrial Policy framework, our collective efforts must therefore focus on two main goals:
 
• One, facilitating Black Industrialists' entry into strategic and targeted industrial sectors and value chains so that they can contribute to growth, investment, exports, and employment, and
• Two, providing Black Industrialists with a variety of pathways and instruments to increase their participation in the national economy.
 
Through the Black Industrialist Programme, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Small Business Development will continue to lead the way in opening up business opportunities to help black businesses grow and take full part in the economy.
 
To that end, we should celebrate in the success of the programme, for it has helped create nearly a thousand Black Industrialists. As a result, they now have successful businesses that employ a growing number of our citizens.
 
BUSINESS DISRUPTIONS
 
However, as we foster and facilitate the growth of black businesses, we must equally guard against those who seek and employ violent means towards disrupting our economic sectors.
 
While the outcries and demands for economic inclusion and transformation must be supported, this needs to happen within the framework of the law.
 
The increasing number of reported incidents of intimidation and violent attacks on business owners in the construction, chemical, mining and transport sectors in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and other parts of the country is not conducive to the positive image of the nation that we seek to promote, and only contributes to disinvestment and economic decline.
 
As a government, we strongly discourage such behaviour, and offenders must face the full force of the law. We also call on you as black enterprises to condemn and eradicate these forms of thuggery and criminality in our communities.
 
We also reiterate that lack of collaboration with Government renders us on a lone path in which government alone cannot create stability or fulfil the National Development Plan and Vision 2030’s goal of eradicating poverty.
We must therefore work together to expand the scope of black-owned businesses beyond the convenience store chains such as spaza shops or vehicle repair shops. Our economy has much to offer, but the informal sector, which is dominated by black-owned businesses, has not been able to take full use of it until now.
 
Importantly, we as government, we encourage you to come up with new ideas for establishing sustainable enterprises that will leave a legacy for future generations. Collectively, we should endeavour to establish businesses that will continue to thrive in the decades to come.
 
Finally, we are very grateful for the opportunity to recognise people who are contributing to our country's economic growth and transformation.
 
We wish to heartily congratulate all the nominees on their remarkable achievements. Those who will be recognised as achievers should be inspired to help those less fortunate than themselves tonight.
 
We urge you to use your newly acquired recognition to further our country’s economic transformation goal.
 
Let us continue to acknowledge, encourage and honour Black Excellence.
 
I thank you.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will, on Sunday 3 December, attend the Twelve Apostles Church in Christ’s Thanksgiving Ceremony. 

The Twelve Apostles Church in Christ hosts this ceremony annually as a prayer event to give thanks for the year just ending and ask for guidance and protection over the coming year. 

The Deputy President's attendance is in line with his delegated responsibility to promote social cohesion. 

Members of the media are invited to cover the ceremony as follows:

Date: 3 December 2023
Time: 08:00
Venue: ABSA Stadium, East London, Eastern Cape Province

For further assistance please contact: 
Bahle Mxinwa (TACC) on 072 878 8008 or
Pontsho Mantlhakga (ODP) on 081 589 4369

Media enquiries: Vukani Mde on 081 307 9233 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), today, Thursday 30 November 2023, to lead South Africa’s participation in the United Nations climate-focused Conference of Parties (COP28).

COP28, brings together world leaders to present on progress and ambition across all pillars of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as adopted in the Paris Agreement in 2015. The Conference will also provide momentum and guidance for the remainder of the COP, will be presided over by COP28 President-Designate Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber of the United Arab Emirates.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted an invitation by President-Designate of the Conference of Parties (COP28) UAE, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber to participate in the World Climate Action Summit to be held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 1 and 2 December 2023.

The 2023 COP28, will be held from 30 November – 12 December 2023 at the Dubai Expo in the United Arab Emirates.

Another key feature in the Conference will be the 18th COP Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP18) and the fifth COP Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA) sessions.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy will lead the country’s participation for the remainder of the Conference until the 12 December 2023.

South Africa’s participation at the Conference is in the context of its national determination as set out in the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, to significantly reduce emission in line with the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015.   

COP28 presents an opportunity to fast-track the energy transition by building the energy system of the future, while rapidly decarbonising the current energy system to keep 1.5°C within reach.

South African delegation to the Conference will include; government and business representatives in recognition of the value of partnerships in dealing with the challenge of climate change and sustainable development.

The Conference will witness the first Global Stocktake (GST) which is the main mechanism under the UNFCCC’s Paris Agreement to take stock of the collective challenges and opportunities in the implementation of the Agreement and will provide a comprehensive assessment of progress made since its adoption.  

This will help align efforts on climate action, including measures that need to be implemented to bridge the gaps in progress. 

The purpose is to help inform parties in preparing their next nationally determined contributions to the Paris Agreement to raise ambition and accelerate climate action, as well as to enhance international cooperation.

Minister Barbara Creecy, and her counterpart from Denmark, Minister Dan Jørgensen, were requested by the UAE in its capacity as COP28 Presidency-designate, to co-facilitate discussions at a political level amongst ministers responsible for climate change ahead of the Global Stocktake (GST) discussions.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Ramaphosa to lead South African delegation to UNFCCC’S COP28 in Dubai
 
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on 1 and 2 December 2023 lead South Africa’s delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)’s 28th Conference of Parties - COP28, for short - in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate.

In total, the Conference runs from 30 November to 12 December 2023.

Following the President’s participation this week, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, will stay on and lead the country’s participation for the remainder of the Conference until the 12th November 2023.

South Africa’s delegation to the Conference will include government and business representatives in recognition of the value of partnerships in dealing with the challenge of climate change and sustainable development.

The 18th COP Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP18) and the fourth COP Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA) sessions will be convened on the side-lines of the COP28. 

The Conference will witness the first Global Stocktake (GST), which will provide a comprehensive assessment of progress made since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015. 

This will help align efforts on climate action, including measures that need to be implemented to bridge the gaps in progress.

The purpose of the Stocktake is to help Parties prepare their next nationally determined contributions to the Paris Agreement to raise ambition and accelerate climate action, as well as to enhance international cooperation.

President Ramaphosa to visit Free State Province on 2nd leg of the DDM Presidential Imbizo
 
President Cyril Ramaphosa will next week on Thursday, 07 December 2023, lead government’s interaction with the Matjhabeng Local Municipality on the 2nd leg of the District Development Model Presidential Imbizo in the Free State Province.

The Matjhabeng municipal economy is mainly anchored on the mining of gold and uranium and is the hub of the Free State Goldfields.
 
The Presidential Imbizo will take place at the Kopano Indoor Sports Centre in Thabong, Welkom, within the Lejweleputswa District Municipality.

Under the theme “Leave no one Behind”, the President will be continuing on the last visit undertaken on 9 April 2022 in Bloemfontein at the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in the Free State.

Ahead of the 2nd leg of the DDM Presidential Imbizo in the Free State, national, provincial and local government as well as state entities will embark on pre-Imbizo build-up programmes across the province. These activities will be undertaken to stimulate communities’ participation in the Imbizo and to assist residents with services they may require or other challenges they wish to report.

The Lejweleputswa DDM Presidential Imbizo follows on the commitments the Free State Provincial Government made to tackle service delivery challenges during the 2022 Imbizo which was held in Bloemfontein.

Thus, this Imbizo will also take stock of the progress made since the last Presidential Imbizo in the province. During the 2022 engagement,  
42 community members representing the seven regions of the Mangaung Metro voiced their concerns to the President.

The towns represented in this discussion included Van Stadensrus, Soutpan, Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo and Bloemfontein. Representatives of people with disabilities were also able to raise their concerns. 

As an interactive platform, the DDM Presidential Imbizo allows communities to engage and interact face-to-face with the President, Ministers and the provincial and local leadership face-to-face.

The District Development Model enhances integrated and sustainable service delivery through the maximisation of intergovernmental planning, budgeting and implementation towards creating inclusive economic opportunities for locals.

The DDM also aims to intensify the delivery of services, promote social cohesion and advance the developmental state agenda, in line with the National Development Plan; and Growth and Development Strategies of the province.

The participation of leadership from the national, provincial and local is directed at maintaining accountability by public office bearers and the administration, and promoting collaboration.

12 December 2023: President to host the Inaugural Science, Technology and Innovation Presidential Plenary

President Ramaphosa will on 12 December 2023 host the Inaugural Science, Technology and Innovation Presidential Plenary that will bring together leaders in government, industry, academia and civil society.

Discussions will focus on progress of the National System of Innovation (NSI) and challenges in this sector, and will explore ways for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and skills development to impact positively on the South African economy.
 
In November 2022, Cabinet adopted the STI Decadal Plan to guide the first 10 years of implementing the 2019 White Paper on STI.

The White Paper introduced the concept of an Interministerial Committee (IMC) on STI and a Presidential STI Plenary as instruments to enhance STI policy coherence, as well as programme and budget coordination in the South African national system of innovation. 

In this regard, the plenary will allow all role players to reflect collaboratively on progress with STI initiatives, and jointly commit resources for recommended STI initiatives.

An Inter-Ministerial Committee on STI established in March 2021 is led by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation and comprises Ministers of STI-intensive government departments.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the death of 11 mineworkers and injuries affecting colleagues at the Impala Platinum Mine Shaft 11 in Rustenburg, North West Province.

The President offers his deep condolences to the families of the deceased mineworkers.

The President extends his thoughts to the management and staff of Implats and wishes the injured workers, especially those who are in critical care, a full recovery.

President Ramaphosa calls on all stakeholders to assist the Chief Inspector of Mines in the investigation that will be undertaken in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act. This process is vital to protecting mineworkers in line with the industry’s Zero Harm objectives and enabling operational continuity in mines.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria