President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded the late dramatist, novelist and actor Athol Fugard as “an extraordinary storyteller in extraordinary times, and the moral conscience of a generation.”

Fugard passed away on Sunday, 9 March 2025 at the age of 93.

“Beyond the impressive body of work that he has left behind, Athol Fugard will be remembered for being an outlier amongst the millions of white South Africans who blithely turned a blind eye to the injustices being perpetrated in their name,” President Ramaphosa said. 

In the late 1950s Fugard worked as a clerk in the Native Commissioner’s Court in Johannesburg, which would significantly impact his world-view and shape his political consciousness. 

He was renowned for collaborating across the racial divide at a time when the mixing of the races was forbidden, and founded several theatre companies alongside black actors.

Fugard’s body of works include the plays No Good Friday, The Blood Knot, Master Harold and the Boys, and Sizwe Bansi is Dead. 

His 1980 novel Tsotsi was adapted for film by the director Gavin Hood and won an Academy Award in 2005.

In his play, The Island, co-written with theatre legends Winston Ntshona and John Kani, the cruelty and dehumanisation wrought by apartheid was laid bare in the starkest terms on a naked floor replicating a prison cell on Robben Island. 

In 1985 Athol Fugard was celebrated by Time magazine as the greatest active playwright in the English-speaking world. He used this influential voice to rouse the consciences of international audiences in support of the anti-apartheid struggle “As a country we are grateful that we were able to honour the legendary Athol Fugard during his lifetime with the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver,” President Ramaphosa said.

“The Fugard Theatre in District Six in Cape Town stands as a fitting tribute to a man whose life and works have left an indelible footprint, and that will continue to inspire generations of creative professionals for time to come,” the President added.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been saddened by the violent death of renowned medical doctor, author and black consciousness intellectual and activist Dr Gomolemo Mokae.

Dr Mokae, 61, was found dead in his Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, home on Wednesday, 05 March 2025, after he had last been seen on February 28.

President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends, neighbours, patients and comrades of Dr Mokae who was a former national spokesperson of the Azanian People’s Organisation and a founder member of the Socialist Party of Azania.

In addition to his medical practice, Dr Mokae published several books and wrote for television as a proud exponent of his mother tongue, Setswana.

President Ramaphosa offers his condolences as well to the family, friends and fellow activists of Gqeberha-based whistleblower and gender activist Ms Pamela Mabini, 46, who was shot outside her home on Friday, 7 March.

President Ramaphosa said: “The brutality inflicted on Dr Mokae and Pam Mabini – and recently, Imam Muhsin Hendricks – demonstrate that violent criminals have no regard for the lives of South Africans, including selfless and caring citizens who become known publicly for the contributions they make to the upliftment and protection of fellow citizens.

“Dr Mokae, who had spent many years caring for patients in Ga-Rankuwa was experiencing health problems of his own when he was shot in his bed.

“Pam Mabini stood up for women who experienced gender-based violence and made her mission to ensure the police and our courts brought perpetrators to justice.

“Their deaths and those of all victims of violence must move communities to work together more closely as citizens and in partnership with the police to prevent violence and to identify perpetrators in instances where attacks result.

“I call on anyone who has information about any criminal activity – including these current cases – to play your role in making South Africa safer by sharing information with the police or community police forums.

“All of us look forward to law enforcement agencies playing their role in bringing violent criminals to book.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a meeting with the City of Johannesburg Council and stakeholders representing diverse community formations representing civil society, labour, business, academia, youth formations and the religious sector. 

Over the last two days the President and members of the National Executive have engaged the leadership of Gauteng and the City of Johannesburg on the challenges they face and the work being done to address them. 

The President heard concerns and proposals that were put forward to improve service delivery and drive inclusive growth. As a resident of Johannesburg, the President shared the concerns that were expressed about the deterioration of services and infrastructure. 

President Ramaphosa also expressed concern about the closure of public facilities, like the Johannesburg Library, the Johannesburg Art Gallery and the Metro Centre.
The President called for the prioritisation of Unfinished and delayed infrastructure projects including Rea Vaya bus stations and the refurbishment of Lilian Ngoyi Street. 

Collaboration
Following the progress attained in eThekwini and the improvement in business and societal confidence, through the collaborative eThekwini Presidential Working Group which brought government together with stakeholders in business, organised labour and civil society. 

President Ramaphosa, in consultation with the Gauteng Province and the City of Johannesburg has launched the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group which will focus on several issues impacting the city and accelerate Johannesburg turn around strategies. The areas of intervention are;
- Strengthening governance and financial sustainability
- Improving service delivery
- Water and sanitation 
- Electricity
- Rejuvenation of inner-city hubs and townships. 
- Revitalising cultural and heritage institutions.
- Safety, law enforcement an urban security

The working group will facilitate partnerships and collaboration and work with social partners to develop implementation plans for challenges not addressed in existing strategies. The working group will also monitor implementation plans, track progress and provide recommendations. 

In the inner city, the working group will launch a rejuvenation project, focusing on improved safety, infrastructure upgrades and housing redevelopment. This will encourage investment and create a vibrant and clean urban core that delivers for everyone. 

The Presidential Johannesburg Working Group will report regularly to the President and has been given a two-year time frame to complete its work. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero,
Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
MMCs,
Speaker of Council,
Representatives of organised labour and organised business,
Representatives of civil society organisations,
Religious leaders,
Citizens of Johannesburg,

I want to thank you for all the contributions made this afternoon and for the  spirit in which this meeting was conducted. 

We have heard your concerns and the proposals put forward to improve service delivery and drive inclusive growth. 

As a resident of Johannesburg, I share the concerns that have been expressed here about the deterioration of services and infrastructure. 

Over the last two days, members of the National Executive have engaged the leadership of Gauteng and the City of Johannesburg on the challenges they face and the work that is being done to address them. 

We are committed to ensuring cooperation among the three spheres of government to urgently attend to these challenges. 

Johannesburg is a special place.

Its neighbourhoods and townships are rich with a history of resistance and struggle. 

Johannesburg’s diversity has always been its greatest from strength. From Lenasia to Alexandra, from Parkhurst to Eldorado Park, this city espouses unity in diversity. 

In the democratic period, Johannesburg has become one of the foremost cultural, political and economic centres in our country.

It is therefore vital to the country’s future.

The Government of National Unity has prioritised reaching 3.5 percent growth by 2030 to create the jobs South Africans need. 

Our metropolitan areas will be critical to driving that growth. 

Metros can only play this vital role if bulk infrastructure is working, if citizens are thriving and safe, and if transport infrastructure is enabling the flow of goods and people. 

For South Africa to thrive, Johannesburg must lead on good governance, service delivery and economic growth. 

I have heard today how the ongoing disruptions in water and electricity provision are making the lives of residents difficult. 

I have also heard how deteriorating road infrastructure – including potholes, unsafe bridges, dysfunctional street lights and stolen traffic lights – are exacerbating congestion and a sense of disorder. 

We are equally concerned about the closure of public facilities, like the Johannesburg Library, the Johannesburg Art Gallery and the Metro Centre.

Unfinished and delayed infrastructure projects including Rea Vaya bus stations and the refurbishment of Lilian Ngoyi Street must be prioritised. 

We also share the sentiment that there needs to be a collaborative focus on rejuvenating the inner city of Johannesburg and the city’s townships. 

Through the Department of Cooperative Governance, National Treasury and the Provincial Government, we are supporting the City of Johannesburg to stabilise its governance and financial affairs. 

These are the critical levers that will unlock service delivery and begin to address the backlog in infrastructure provision. 

A year ago, I announced the establishment of a Presidential Working Group in eThekwini, which brought government together with stakeholders in business, organised labour and civil society. 

Like Johannesburg, eThekwini was facing similar issues related to water disruptions, crime and governance challenges.

The model we piloted in eThekwini has shown good progress, resulting in a steady improvement in business and societal confidence. 

Our learnings in eThekwini make us confident that this is the correct model to address Johannesburg’s many challenges. 

Over the last month, the Presidency has engaged the City of Johannesburg, the province of Gauteng and some social partners on establishing a Presidential Johannesburg Working Group. 

There has been broad support from everyone engaged for an intergovernmental mechanism that will strengthen cooperation and leverage the expertise and resources of all stakeholders in the City of Johannesburg. 

Today’s discussions have further cemented this approach.

The Presidential Johannesburg Working Group will focus on many of the issues raised here today. 

The first focus will be on governance and financial sustainability. 

We will work to strengthen the internal governance and financial management of the city by restoring institutional capacity. 

The second focus will be on water and sanitation and the third focus will be on electricity. 

We will work to stabilise critical infrastructure by improving maintenance, increasing funding and focusing on the whole value chain. 

The fourth focus will be on public spaces and beautifying the city. 

Specific interventions will include fixing road infrastructure, restoring street lighting and traffic lights, and enhancing waste collection throughout the city. 

On safety, the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group will focus on improving law enforcement and urban security. 

Particular focus will be on combating infrastructure crime and vandalism, enforcing by-laws, and increasing police visibility in crime hotspots. 

The Working Group will work with social partners to accelerate delivery of housing and the upgrading of informal settlements. 

In the inner city, we will launch a rejuvenation project, focusing on improved safety, infrastructure upgrades and housing redevelopment.

Through this we aim to encourage investment and create a vibrant and clean urban core that delivers for everyone. 

We have set out a timeframe of two years for the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group. 

This Working Group will report on a regular basis to the Ministers and myself. 

We cannot act as if it is business as usual.

We must recognise the crisis before us and meet it with the resources, timeframes and accountability measures required. 

Government cannot do it alone. 

The involvement of broader stakeholders in the Working Group will not only hold us collectively accountable to the targets set, but accelerate our efforts. 

In the coming weeks, my team will be engaging business, labour, civil society and academia regarding their respective roles in the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group. 

I look forward to receiving an update on all the stakeholders that have committed to support this initiative. 

We are confident that this partnership will improve the quality of life of Johannesburg’s residents. 

Johannesburg is a city of resilience, innovation and hope. 

Let us move forward with determination, unity and a shared commitment to leaving no one behind. 

I thank you.
 

Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero,
Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
MMCs,
Speaker of Council,
Colleagues ,

I want to thank all of you for attending this important meeting. 

This is a pivotal year for South Africa, as we become the first African country to lead the G20. 

In an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, we have an important contribution to make to strengthening multilateralism and advocating for greater representation of the Global South. 

Johannesburg will be the host of G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2025. Here in the City of Gold, the world’s leaders will gather to discuss issues of global importance.

The visit today by the National Executive is part of our efforts to strengthen cooperative governance and implement the District Development Model. 

Yesterday we met with the Gauteng Executive Council on the province’s priorities to drive inclusive growth and job creation.

The presence at yesterday’s meeting of the province’s Executive Mayors was an important reminder of how the work of all spheres of government are closely intertwined. 

The City of Johannesburg is special to all of us. It is where millions of South Africans have come to shape their economic future in pursuit of a better life. 

As the largest metro in the country, responsible for 16 percent of South Africa’s GDP, Johannesburg is integral to the economy as a whole. 

It is the economic and cultural heartbeat of our nation. 

Johannesburg’s success is the nation’s success.

By the same measure, when Johannesburg struggles to overcome its challenges, the effects are felt across the whole country. 

Johannesburg today faces enormous challenges, ranging from financial and governance instability to rapidly deteriorating infrastructure. 

Water and electricity interruptions have become the norm. This has an enormous impact on the quality of life of citizens and the operations of businesses. 

The road infrastructure faces tremendous challenges. These include vandalism of traffic lights, dysfunctional street lights and rapidly deteriorating roads and bridges. 

These are just some of the challenges that are constraining growth in the country’s economic heartland. 

As national government, we understand the constraints faced by the city and appreciate the leadership shown by the Executive Mayor and his executive to stabilise governance and financial management. 

Without these critical levers, service delivery will not improve. 

Through Operation Vulindlela, government’s economic reform programme, there is increasing recognition of the need for local government reforms that enhance capacity, strengthen financial sustainability, and make it easier to invest in infrastructure. 

Many of the challenges currently faced by the City of Johannesburg are similar to challenges faced by other metros. 

A year ago, I established the Presidential eThekwini Working Group with the support of local stakeholders, including business, labour and civil society. 

Working with these stakeholders and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, led by Mayor Cyril Xaba, we were able to unblock several challenges. 

We were able to fast-track water supply agreements for the Upper Mkhomazi Water Project, improving effluence compliance and reducing non-revenue water through infrastructure upgrades. 

We ensured a successful summer holiday period as beaches remained open, holiday hotspots were cleaned, critical infrastructure refurbished and police visibility increased. 

The result of this ongoing work has been a marked improvement in business confidence and a sense by all stakeholders that eThekwini is on the road to recovery. 

We would like to implement this collaborative approach in the City of Johannesburg as part of the District Development Model. 

We are proposing the establishment of Presidential Johannesburg Working Group.

This would bring in all levels of government and the expertise of our stakeholders to accelerate service delivery, stabilise the city’s finances and operations, and enable economic growth and job creation. 

A special focus of our efforts should be the rejuvenation of the inner city. 

This historic part of our city has been allowed to deteriorate for much too long. 

Efforts must be taken to make it a liveable, thriving and safe space for all citizens.

We must work to ensure the inner city is primed to attract new investment and jobs. 

I thank the Executive Mayor and his team for engaging openly and in a collaborative sprit with the Presidency on this support mechanism. 

It is in this spirit that we will make real strides to unlock Johannesburg’s role as the engine of growth for South Africa’s economy. 

We look forward to engaging on the report we will receive from the Executive Mayor and the city leadership. 

We also look forward to the engagement we have planned with the city’s stakeholders this afternoon. 

We will listen to their concerns and incorporate their proposals for how we can improve service delivery and enable growth. 

Let us double our efforts to build a city that works for all South Africans, a city that celebrates our diversity and embodies the unity espoused in our Constitution. 

When our visitors leave after the G20 Leaders’ Summit, let them leave inspired by what they saw and experienced in Johannesburg.

For our citizens, let us make them proud once again to call Johannesburg their home. 

I thank you.

Programme Director,
Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mr Mondli Gungubele,
Vice-Chairman and President of Microsoft, Mr Brad Smith,
President of Microsoft Africa, Ms Lillian Barnard,
Government leaders,
Representatives of business,
Representatives of the various G20 Engagement Groups,
Representatives of Microsoft partner organisations and entities,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 
 
It is a pleasure to be here as leaders from government and business gather to chart the course for a South Africa and an Africa driven by the transformative power of AI. 
 
Microsoft is an American company with an African heart. 
 
The company’s commitment to Africa, and to South Africa, has been solid, dependable and impressive. 
 
Microsoft has had a constant presence in South Africa virtually since the dawn of our democracy, having opened up its first offices here in 1992. 
 
Since then Microsoft has substantially expanded its local footprint, and now has thousands of partners and customers. 
 
The company’s commitment to skills and capacity building is impressive. 
 
Microsoft is actively working to empower young South Africans with skills for the digital economy. 
 
We are particularly excited about the launch of the National AI Skilling Initiative that will focus on providing AI skills training for public servants. 
 
We look forward to the signing of the MOU between Microsoft, the National School of Government and the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa. 
 
Microsoft’s ongoing expansion of data centre and cloud investments cements the company’s position as one of the leaders in cloud computing in South Africa. 
 
Last year, government published the National Data and Cloud Policy to support digital innovation across our economy. 
 
In tandem with the expansion of cloud infrastructure, we are strengthening our regulatory frameworks. 
 
We are in the process of finalising a Cybersecurity Bill. 
 
This will ensure more secure online government services and enable our citizens to transact and conduct online services safely. 
 
As part of our work to reform the public service and build the capability of the state, we are investing in digital public infrastructure to give South Africans access to government services anytime, anywhere. 
 
At the heart of this transformation is the implementation of a digital identity system that will transform the relationship between citizens and government, and create one government that is accessible to every person at a touch. 
 
Beyond blazing a trail in the local technology space, the longstanding presence of Microsoft in South Africa is a vote of confidence in our country and in our economy. 
 
The strategic investment announcements made by Microsoft today stand as further testimony to this enduring confidence. 
 
They signal to the business and investor community that South Africa’s economy continues to hold immense potential and that it is a favourable place to do business where their investments are secure. 
 
Over the past five years alone, Microsoft has invested significantly in cloud, in data centres, in agriculture and in the digital transformation of government services. 
 
It is commendable that Microsoft has achieved Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment status. 
 
This shows an exceptional commitment to our country’s empowerment goals. 
 
We know that Microsoft has worked hard to attain this level. 
 
The company has successfully integrated the objectives of broad-based black economic empowerment into its business operations with respect to ownership, management control and skills development. 
 
Microsoft has demonstrated its commitment to addressing the historical imbalances of South Africa’s past and to fostering an inclusive business environment. 
 
It is no wonder that Microsoft defines its mission and values with the words: “We empower the world.” 
 
Today’s gathering is indeed a meeting of pathfinders, for South Africa and for the continent. 
 
AI’s transformative potential cannot be understated, and the global community is rushing to harness the opportunities it presents. 
 
As the United Nations Development Programme has said, AI’s development, governance and use must be inclusive and equitable. It must ensure that no country is left behind. 
 
AI holds great potential to drive economic growth across nearly every sector. 
 
AI-powered computing capabilities are bolstering existing industries and businesses, and paving the way for the creation of new ones. 
 
As a country, we are developing a National AI Policy that seeks to position South Africa as a leader in AI innovation, while at the same time addressing its ethical, economic and societal implications. 
 
We must heed the words of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres that Artificial Intelligence without ‘guard-rails’ could further exacerbate inequalities and digital divides. 
 
The AI revolution is a catalyst for job creation, particularly for young people. 
 
Last week, at the annual lekgotla of our Basic Education Sector, I said that future-proofing our education system means coming to terms with the reality that the first fully digital generation is already in high school. 
 
The next generation, Generation Beta, will be immersed in tech and AI from birth, and will enter a world of work that is light years away from what it is today. 
 
Building a robust AI talent pool is therefore critical. 
 
The application of AI will need to be integrated into educational curricula. Specialised training programmes will need to be offered and strong partnerships will need to be forged between academia and industry. 
 
As part of its commitment to digital transformation for sustainable development, Microsoft has invested in AI skills training for SMMEs.
 
It has dedicated considerable resources into supporting black-owned companies pioneering 4IR technologies. 
 
Microsoft’s plans to train one million South Africans in AI skills, machine learning and cybersecurity by 2026 is immensely encouraging. 
 
For a country such as ours, with such a high youth unemployment rate, this comprehensive training will not only prepare young people for jobs in high-tech industries. It will also facilitate self-employment. 
 
It will contribute to a new generation of tech and software entrepreneurs that will bring innovation and high-tech solutions that support economic growth and enhance our country’s competitiveness. 
 
Microsoft’s commitment to supporting South Africa’s transition to a high-tech economy comes at a pivotal time, when South Africa is hosting the G20. 
 
Using AI for sustainable development is among the priorities of our G20 Presidency. 
 
The Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development Task Force will be leading this stream. 
 
We look forward to engagement with the B20 and other industry stakeholders in support of the task force’s work. 
 
We have high expectations that our G20 Presidency will result in tangible outcomes, both expanding the global digital economy and levelling the AI playing field for the benefit of all. 
 
Our country and continent has huge potential, driven by the talents and energies of our people. 
 
It is up to all of us, working in partnership, to ensure that AI and its associated technologies do not deepen the technology divide, but narrow it. 
 
As we look towards hosting the G20 Summit later this year, we are committed to ensuring that the adoption of new technologies catalyses Africa’s growth, industrialisation and progress. 
 
We are excited about partnering with Microsoft to make this a reality.
 
I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a meeting between the national executive and the Gauteng provincial executive council. The meeting follows three engagements with the provincial governments of Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. 

President Ramaphosa intends to visit and engage the leadership of all nine provinces. 

The national and provincial executive meetings are aimed at strengthening intergovernmental cooperation, collaboration and consultation. They are also important for ensuring better alignment of provincial priorities with the priorities of the Government of National Unity.

President Ramaphosa urged the province to accelerate the resolution of recurring problems across Gauteng. Some of these include governance failures, financial mismanagement, crumbling infrastructure, crime and lawlessness and unreliable service delivery. This includes broader national challenges—unemployment and poverty. The provision of water across some areas in the province remains a concern. 

The province tabled several strategic areas that require support from the national government. These include disaster preparedness, response and recovery in areas affected by sinkholes. 

The province also requires more support from law enforcement agencies in responding to threats presented by taxi violence, illegal mining and undocumented foreign nationals.

Other strategic areas of national-provincial cooperation that could stimulate economic development in the province include investment in bulk infrastructure, collaboration in enhancing investment in high-tech manufacturing for the green economy, mining services, biotech and digital sectors and the energy generation and transmission eco-system. 

Premier Panyaza Lesufi welcomed the engagement with the national executive and committed to continue working closely with the national government on the priority areas of governance, social and economic development.

The Premier identified the expansion of special economic zones and critical infrastructure refurbishments as vital elements for stimulating economic growth and sustainable service delivery in the province. 

In closing, President Ramaphosa commended the province’s focus on the areas of cooperation between the national and provincial governments that will be a catalyst for social and economic growth. 

The President outlined the importance of balancing development ambitions with budgetary realities.

Furthermore, the President encouraged the province to work closely with the private sector in ensuring innovative ways of funding key infrastructure projects, including working with metros in providing incentives to crowd in private sector participation. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa on 
media@presidency.gov.za / Vuyo Mhaga, Spokesperson for the Gauteng Provincial Government on Vuyo.mhanga@gauteng.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday,13 March 2025, co-chair the 8th South Africa-European Union(SA-EU) Summit with the President of the European Council, Mr. António Luís Santos da Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Dr. Ursula von der Leyen at Tuynhuys in Cape Town, Western Cape Province.

The 8th Summit takes place within the framework of the Strategic Partnership between South Africa and the EU. 

Members of the media are invited to apply for media accreditation to cover the SA-EU Summit by filling in the attached application form and submit to Makungu@presidency.gov.za and copy Patience@presidency.gov.za. The deadline for submission of all forms is Friday 07 March 2025 at 12h00. Strictly no late applications will be considered.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa on Media@presidency.gov.za 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director, 
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa,
Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
MECs,
Executive Mayors,
Officials,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I want to thank all of you for availing yourself for this meeting.

This is the fourth engagement that we are having as the National Executive with the leadership of a province.

Our journey began with engagements with the provincial governments of Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. 

We intend to visit and engage the leadership of all nine provinces. 

These engagements are crucial in strengthening intergovernmental cooperation, collaboration and consultation. They are important for ensuring better alignment of provincial priorities with the priorities of the Government of National Unity.

We therefore welcome the commitment made by Premier Lesufi, during the State of the Province Address, that Gauteng is fully aligned to the strategic priorities of the Medium Term Development Plan: 

Firstly, driving inclusive growth and job creation;
Secondly, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; and, 
Thirdly, building a capable, ethical and developmental state. 

Cooperative governance is a constitutional principle.

It requires that, as different spheres of government, we must cooperate with one another in mutual trust and good faith.

We must assist and support each other, and coordinate our actions.

We are meeting in Human Rights Month, which is dedicated to celebrating and actively promoting the protection and advancement of human rights for all South Africans.

The observance of Human Rights Month is particularly relevant in the context of our discussions today. 

The right to water, sanitation, healthcare, housing and education are fundamental to the well-being of our communities. 

It is our duty to ensure that these rights are not just enshrined in our Constitution but are actively realised through tangible and impactful service delivery. 

People should not only be aware of their right to these services but should actively experience them in their daily lives.

We therefore have to continue to harness the power of collaboration to overcome obstacles and implement sustainable solutions that will uplift our communities. 

Through unity and action, we must create a future where the rights of all South Africans are upheld, and where every citizen can access the quality services they rightfully deserve.

The District Development Model, which we introduced in the previous administration, remains our guiding framework for cooperative governance and service delivery. 

This model has fundamentally reshaped how we operate, fostering greater coordination, integration and efficiency across all spheres of government. 

Premier Lesufi, we agree with you that if we do not move with speed to address the critical challenges identified in the State of the Province Address, we risk undermining the progress we have made.

There are recurring problems across Gauteng. Some of these include governance failures, financial mismanagement, crumbling infrastructure, crime and lawlessness and unreliable service delivery. 

Our greatest challenges – in Gauteng and across the country – are unemployment and poverty.

These are the challenges we all must face head on. 

Gauteng’s unique position in the national landscape is both an opportunity and a challenge. 

While it may be the smallest province in terms of land size, it is a giant in many other respects. 

Gauteng contributes the largest share of any province to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. It is the single most critical economic hub in the country, serving as a powerhouse of finance, governance, industry and innovation. 

The economic success of Gauteng is integral to the economic success of South Africa. 

Within this dynamic province are among South Africa’s largest and most influential cities – Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni – each playing an important role in shaping our national and continental economic trajectory.

Johannesburg is the financial capital of Africa, home to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the headquarters of numerous multinational corporations. It is a city of commerce, investment and economic dynamism.

Tshwane is the administrative capital of our country, housing key government departments, foreign embassies and institutions that shape national policy and governance. It is the anchor of South Africa’s public administration.

Ekurhuleni is the industrial and manufacturing powerhouse, driving logistics, production, and trade that sustain not just Gauteng, but the entire country’s supply chains.

It is here in Gauteng where our policies, plans and commitments must translate into action. 

The Gauteng economy has grown at a faster rate than the national economy.

As you said last week, Premier, this is indicative of the economic strength and resilience of the province. 

We welcome Gauteng’s plans to build on the success of the South Africa Investment Conference and host the inaugural Gauteng Investment Conference in April 2025. 

Gauteng’s plans to accelerate and strengthen township economic development, agro-processing and SMME development can accelerate economic growth and create thousands of jobs. 

We eagerly anticipate the forthcoming presentation from the province, which will provide valuable insights into the key priorities, challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. 

What emerges from this meeting must not remain as just plans on paper. 

The outcomes of this meeting must be transformed into practical, measurable interventions that directly benefit the people of Gauteng.

Through a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach, we will drive sustainable development, improve service delivery and enhance the quality of life for all who call this province home.

Let us seize this moment with urgency and determination, ensuring that every commitment made here today is followed by decisive action.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the Microsoft South Africa Investment Announcement launch in Johannesburg.

The ceremony will take place this afternoon, 06 March 2025, commencing from 16h00. 

Microsoft South Africa has been a valuable partner in South Africa’s digital transformation over the past three decades and the investment launch will enhance South Africa’s standing as a leading Artificial Intelligence hub on the continent.

Microsoft’s announcement is a precursor to the South Africa Investment Conference which will take place later in March 2025.

Since the first Investment Conference in 2018, South Africa has attracted R1.14 trillion in investment commitments across a broad range of economic sectors, including mining, manufacturing, agriculture, energy and the digital economy.

Microsoft South Africa’s investment lines up with government’s pursuit of inclusive economic growth and job creation in partnership with the private sector, and South Africa’s G20 objectives in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation for Sustainable Development.

The Microsoft South Africa event takes place at 16:00 at the Microsoft Campus, 3012 Winnie Mandela Drive, Bryanston, Johannesburg.

For media accreditation: 
Khutjo Sebata, Presidency Media Liaison Officer — 079 898 4621 / Ashleigh Fenwick, Microsoft South Africa — 083 309 7935 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria