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Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mr Mzwanele Nyhontso,
Premier of the North West, Mr Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi,
Representatives of the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights,
Mayors and Speakers of local municipalities,
Dikgosi and traditional leadership of the Barolong communities,
Recipients of title deeds,
Compatriots,
Dumelang. Molweni. Ndi masiari. Good morning.
Today is a day of celebration. We are celebrating because the dignity of communities is restored. For many of you this day has been a long time coming. Today is the culmination of a struggle for land that has become a reality. When Chief Gaesegwe Henry Phoi submitted his community's land claim on 9 July 1996, he was acting on a constitutional promise this country had just made to itself. Our Constitution, which was adopted 30 years ago, says that any person or community dispossessed of land after 19 June 1913 is entitled to restitution of that property or equitable redress. So, when I hand over these title deeds today, I am fulfilling a Constitutional responsibility. But today is not just about the law. It is about a family being able to say: this land is ours. It sends a clear message that never again will someone’s land be taken away based on the colour of their skin, background or location. More than a century ago, in 1913, the Natives Land Act stripped millions of black South Africans of their birthright. They were deprived of their land, their assets, their livelihoods and their community. The effects of this law – and the subsequent laws of dispossession – are still visible across our country. Land dispossession is at the root of inequality in South Africa today. That is the history we are correcting. Today’s event is unique in many ways. We are not here to hand over just one deed or to celebrate one community. Today, three distinct programmes of land reform converge in this district, addressing different dimensions of injustice and dispossession. The first part of the programme involves the communities of Setlagole and Madibogo. For many years, families in these two villages built homes, erected structures, enrolled their children in local schools and lived their lives on land they did not formally own. Their rights to the land were occupational, informal and insecure. Through the Upgrading of Land Tenure Rights Programme, we are handing over 368 individual title deeds to households at Setlagole and Madibogo. The townships that have been formally established here include business sites, creche sites, church sites, open spaces and facilities for government and municipal services. We will continue to work to ensure every household in both townships has a deed in their hand. As part of the second programme, we are handing over title deeds to 20 farmers across all four district municipalities in the province. The state land that they have been leasing for farming activities has now been converted to full freehold title. They are no longer tenants. They are now farm owners. The third programme is land restitution. Today we are handing over title deeds to three Communal Property Associations. They represent communities whose ancestors farmed this land, were removed from it by force and have spent decades working through the legal and administrative processes to get it back. Today, we hand over seven title deeds, covering over 4,000 hectares, to the Gaesegwe Communal Property Association, representing the Barolong Ba Ga Phoi community. The Barolong Ba Ga Rapulana Communal Property Association is receiving three title deeds covering 411 hectares. Over 26,000 hectares have already been restored to this community. And we are handing over eleven title deeds, covering over 2,900 hectares, to the Barolong Ba Ga Seitshiro Communal Property Association. However, we know that land alone is not enough. A title deed in a drawer does not on its own transform a family or a community's fortunes. A farm with no equipment, no water, no capital and no support will not meet people’s needs. It does not close the inequality gap and it does not build the rural economy we need. The title deed is the foundation on which we must build. That is why we are handing over productive assets and confirming that post-settlement support is in place. We are committed to making these farms work. We are committed to ensuring that the townships being established at Setlagole and Madibogo have the sites they need for businesses, community facilities and government services. Formal title means these households can now access mortgage credit, small business finance and development grants that were previously unavailable. Our commitment is to walk alongside these communities not just today, but in the years ahead. Section 25 of our Constitution guarantees legally secure tenure to every person whose tenure was made insecure by past discriminatory laws. It requires the state to foster conditions that enable equitable access to land. When communities wait for years — sometimes decades — for those rights to be realised, that is a failure we must acknowledge honestly. That is why we are working to fast-track the programme, resource it properly and streamline the processes. The handover of title deeds today is significant. But it is not the end. We will accelerate the outstanding claims and restore the dignity of our communities. Our commitment to completing the work of land reform is undiminished. The Restitution of Land Rights Act remains in force. Our Communal Land Administration and related legislative work continues. The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Agriculture and Land Reform is actively driving the conversion of state land leases to freehold title across the country. Progress like this does not happen through the efforts of a single department or a single sphere of government. What you see today is the result of years of work by hundreds of dedicated officials, community representatives, professional practitioners and elected leaders across many institutions. I want to acknowledge Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso and the entire team at the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development – particularly the North West Provincial Shared Service Centre and the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commissioner – for the sustained effort that brought us to this point. We thank the town planners, land surveyors, conveyancers and property management officials whose technical work made these title deeds possible. We must acknowledge the Premier's Office, the North West Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Human Settlements for creating the conditions for integrated development. I acknowledge the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Ratlou Local Municipality, Ditsobotla Local Municipality, Tswaing Local Municipality and the Surveyor General and Vryburg Deeds Office. The coordination of this event across all those institutions is a demonstration of what capable, committed government can achieve. Above all, I acknowledge the Dikgosi and traditional leadership of these communities. They held their communities together through the long years of waiting, gave legitimacy to the claim process and continue to serve as the custodians of the culture, land and social fabric of their people. To every person whose claim is still outstanding: we have not forgotten you. In 1913, the Natives Land Act took from our people what they had built over generations. In 1996, the democratic Constitution gave a clear instruction to return the land to individuals and communities. Today, we are using the laws and institutions of our democracy to restore what was taken. We are not only correcting a historical injustice. We are building a fairer, more sustainable and more prosperous future for these communities. And in doing so, we are building a better country for all. Ke a leboha. Siyabonga. Re a leboga. Ndiyabulela. I thank you.
His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, has on Friday, 29 May 2026, arrived in the Capital of India, New Delhi, on a Working Visit. The Working Visit is scheduled for 29 May to 03 June 2026. South Africa and India have a longstanding relationship grounded in shared history, cultural relations, and a mutual vision rooted in non-alignment, aiming to advance the Global South through South-South partnerships. Both South Africa and India are represented in many multilateral formations that promote this commitment to the development of the Global South, including membership to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), BRICS, IBSA, G20 and IORA. The visit aims to reaffirm the South African Government's commitment to its relationship with India, emphasising historical and cultural ties. The visit will highlight the importance of India's role in global affairs and its contributions to the African Agenda, advocating for India as a key investment partner. Additionally, the visit seeks to strengthen cooperation in multilateral forums such as the UN, BRICS, and G20, enhancing collaboration in trade, investment, research, technology transfer, and support for small enterprises. Deputy President Mashatile, the second Deputy President to visit India, is expected to engage with Indian business leaders and investors through a high-level Roundtable Discussion aimed at encouraging greater investment flows and economic collaboration between the two countries. The visit will advance bilateral cooperation in key sectors including trade, investment, healthcare, science and technology, digital innovation, and small business development. Deputy President expressed his confidence that these high-level deliberations will further cultivate the strategic synergy between the two countries. “The visit to India aims to strengthen bilateral relations between South Africa and India, building on a foundation of solidarity and shared developmental priorities. The focus is on promoting South Africa as a competitive investment destination to encourage Indian investments in key sectors, enhancing trade partnerships and supporting job creation and inclusive economic growth through investment-led partnership.”
As part of his Working Visit, Deputy President Mashatile will engage on a Bilateral Meeting with Vice President C.P Radhakrishnan, and pay a courtesy call on Her Excellency Mrs Smt. Droupadi Murmu, President of the Republic of India. Deputy President Mashatile is accompanied by Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi; Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni; Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka; Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Nomalungelo Gina; and Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele. Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840 Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Saturday, 30 May 2026, address the official launch of the Kruger National Park (KNP) Centenary Commemoration at Skukuza Rest Camp in Mpumalanga. The year 2026 marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s conservation history as Kruger National Park commemorates 100 years since its formal proclamation in 1926. Held under the theme, “Our Heritage, Our Future,” the centenary commemorations will reflect on a century of conservation leadership, biodiversity protection, scientific progress, tourism development and heritage management. This milestone also reaffirms the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability, inclusivity and shared heritage. The centenary further provides an opportunity to honour the generations of rangers, scientists, communities, conservationists and leaders who contributed to the development and protection of one of the world’s most renowned protected areas. The commemoration highlights the importance of collaborative partnerships in conservation, tourism and environmental sustainability, as well as the resilience and recovery of the Park following recent flooding that affected infrastructure, tourism operations and surrounding communities. Kruger National Park remains one of South Africa’s leading conservation and tourism assets and continues to contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation, research, economic development and job creation. The President will address the official launch as follows: Date: Saturday, 30 May 2026
Time: 18h00
Venue: Skukuza Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya Spokesperson to the President, media@presideny.gov.za Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
Secretary Sergei Shoigu of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, allow me to thank you for the successful organising and hosting of this 3rd International Security Forum,
High Ranking Officials responsible for Security Matters,
Ladies and gentlemen, I have been listening carefully and attentively and agree with the sentiments already expressed on this matter of challenges and threats to international security in the emerging multipolar world. The emergence of a multipolar world is reshaping the international security landscape. While the diffusion of power creates opportunities for greater inclusivity and regional influence, it also increases geopolitical rivalry, strategic uncertainty, and complex transnational threats. This diffusion has profound implications for international security, global governance, economic stability, and geopolitical competition. The strategic competition between major powers has intensified global tensions. Resulting in major security risks such as proxy conflicts, militarisation of strategic regions, economic coercion, and sanctions, diplomatic polarisation, competition for influence in Africa, competition over resources, trade routes, and influence, and technological and cyber rivalry This competition for influence in Africa has negative implications for the development of the African continent and African Union Agenda 2063, with similar implications for Africa and the developing world in general, to the ways the multipolar system of the 19th century did. The multipolar system of the 19th century resulted in colonialisation and slavery in Africa and the developing world, the consequences of which Africa is yet to recover from. Today, the emerging multi-polar world system is seeking to balkanise the world, and South Africa is no exception. We are experiencing concerted efforts and campaign to portray the democratic government as anti-white with claims of “white genocide” that are disputed by facts, which the overall intention is to mobilise and justify the cessation of the Western Cape province to a whites-only enclave. This narrative undermines the core foundation of a democratic South Africa that is built on the principles of non-racialism, non-sexism, equal and a united nation. These principles were also the drivers of our struggle for liberation and freedom. This is part of a clear misinformation campaign against South Africa which is coordinated internationally. Ladies and gentlemen, The emergence of the renewed multipolar world is also weakening multilateral institutions. Institutions such as the United Nations and its agencies are increasingly struggling to resolve conflicts due to divisions among major powers, consequences of which include; paralysis in international decision-making, declining trust in international law, and reduced effectiveness of peacekeeping missions. This situation has created difficulty in advancing African interests globally, it has reduced effectiveness of African peace and security mechanisms, and it is creating greater instability in conflict-prone African regions. Global insecurity and insecurity within the African continent have strengthened transnational criminal and extremist networks, resulting in increased human trafficking, drug trafficking, illegal mining, arms smuggling, and terror financing. An undesired vicious circle. Worst is that these criminal networks threaten governance, economic stability, and public safety. Increasingly, multipolar competition is also revolving around technology and strategic industries with resultant cyber warfares, digital espionage, and disinformation campaigns. There is a rise in cyberattacks on state infrastructure, data breaches and espionage, and manipulation through social media. These have created huge risks to financial and communication systems. In response, South Africa is modernising its security framework to ensure we are capable of addressing these hybrid threats, with priority given to cybersecurity capability, border security, counter-organised crime operations, and protection of critical infrastructure. To respond to the technological posture of the emerging multipolar system, South Africa is seeking to develop digital sovereignty and investing in AI and cybersecurity. We have intensified our protection of strategic industries, enhancing energy security, and diversifying trade and investment partnerships, including advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AcFTA). Economic competition is central to multipolarity. The global system is caught up in trade wars, supply chain disruptions, energy insecurity, and resource competition resulting in financial instability that is reversing progress in the fight against food insecurity and hunger in the African continent. Food insecurity and hunger have direct co-relation with a rise in illegal migration. A rise in illegal migration in Africa has huge consequences for South Africa, which is one of the largest receiving nations for illegal immigrants. In a global environment that is creating economic instability for developing nations, the high number of illegal immigrants is bound to create tensions between locals and undocumented foreign nationals as competition for basic resources, limited employment opportunities, and informal and small business survival. Ladies and gentlemen, In this emerging multipolar world, South Africa’s strategic interest is to ensure a fair, rules-based multilateralism; to work with all partners, North and South, on global peace and development through ensuring that competition between major powers does not come at the expense of the African continent. Our message is clear: multipolarity must not mean multiple conflicts or multiple standards. It must mean shared responsibility, consistent respect for international law, and a greater voice and urgency for the Global South in shaping the future of the global security architecture. President Ramaphosa in 2024 presented the Pact for the Future as a change to “reinvigorate the multilateral system” and to finally reform global governance, especially the UN Security Council to be more representative, inclusive and responsive to today’s security and development challenges. It is this Pact for the Future that we wish to mobilise participants at this 3rd Internationally Security Forum to support for an inclusive multilateral system.
His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Thursday, 28 May 2026, undertake a Working Visit to the Republic of India. South Africa and India enjoy a long relationship together which is based on shared history, cultural ties, and a...
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will tomorrow, Wednesday 27 May 2026, undertake an oversight visit to the Cape Flats in the Western Cape Province. While responding to Questions for Oral Reply in the National Assembly on 21 May 2026, the Deputy President made a commitment to Honourable Wesley Marshal Douglas, MP, to conduct an oversight visit to the Cape Flats, particularly to assess progress on the implementation of measures aimed at combating gang-related criminality under Operation Prosper. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced during the State of the Nation Address in February the deployment of Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), along with SAPS personnel, to the areas in Cape Town and surrounding communities that are affected by gang-related violence and criminality, with Operation Prosper subsequently launched in this regard. Deputy President Mashatile will visit three of the gang-affected areas, namely, Lentegeur, Mitchells Plein and Gugulethu. He will be accompanied by the Acting Minister of Social Development, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga; Deputy Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans, Gen (Rtd) Bantu Holomisa and Mr Richard Hlophe; Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshielo; Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Andries Nel and Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks of Social Development. Details of the oversight visits are as follows: Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Venues and Times:
14h00 - 15h00 Lentegeur Police Station: Briefing and Walkabout in the nearby community.
15h15 - 15h50 Mitchells Plein - Assessing progress on the implementation of Operation Prosper at Tafelsig.
15h50 - 16h00 Media doorstop opportunity.
16h15 - 16h45 Gugulethu Lotus Park - Walkabout and Interaction.
16h45 Departure.
Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to Deputy President Mashatile on 066 195 8840
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, host the Bafana Bafana FIFA World Cup Send-off Dinner at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria. The send-off dinner hosted under the theme "United by Hope, Driven by Pride" will serve as a formal farewell to the national squad ahead of their departure to the FIFA World Cup tournament in Mexico, the United States and Canada. The ceremony will also include the announcement of the final 26-man squad by Bafana Bafana Head Coach, Mr Hugo Broos. The event forms part of the nation’s support for the senior men’s national football team as they prepare to represent South Africa on the global stage. The President will be joined by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie, the President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Dr Danny Jordaan, members of the technical team, players, and invited guests. The details of the event are as follows: Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Time: 19h00
Venue: Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria Members of the media wishing to cover the ceremony are advised to note the following:
SABC has been appointed as the Official Broadcast Partner for SAFA.
Access will be granted STRICTLY to sports journalists.
Due to space limitations, media access will be limited. Media RSVPs should to be sent to Ndivhuwo Kharivhe on ndivhuwo@presidency.gov.za DEADLINE FOR MEDIA ACCREDITATION:
MONDAY, 25 MAY 2026 at 11H00am Please note that no late submissions will be accepted beyond the stated deadline. Right of admission is reserved.
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya Spokesperson to the President, media@presideny.gov.za Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will tomorrow, Saturday 23 May 2026 deliver the Eulogy at the Special Provincial Official Funeral of the late former Premier of the North West Province, Mr Kaobitsa "Bushy" Maape in Vryburg, in the North West Province. President Cyril Ramaphosa has granted a Special Provincial Official Funeral for the late Premier, who passed away on Saturday, 16 May 2026 after a short illness. The Special Provincial Official Funeral will feature ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service. A former Robben Island prisoner, Mr Maape has served both his organisation the African National Congress and the democratic Government for many years spanning positions as a senior government official, Member of Ministerial Advisory Committee, member of the Municipal Demarcation Board, Special Advisor to Premier Job Mokgoro and as the 7th Premier of North West Province in 2021. Details of the funeral are as follows: Date: Saturday, 23 May 2026
Time: 08h00 (Venue opens from 06h30)
Venue: Huhudi Stadium, Vryburg, North West Province. Media covering the funeral must please RSVP with Mr Sello Tatai (Spokesperson to the Premier) on 082 450 7842 or sitatai@nwpg.gov.za Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to Deputy President Mashatile on 066 195 8840
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
Programme Director, Mr Masibulele Tolofane;
Councillor T Rossouw;
Community leaders and representatives;
Representatives of the Al Imdaad Foundation;
Ms Bianca Mankayi;
Residents of Vredenburg and surrounding communities;
Members of the media;
Ladies and gentlemen.
Good morning. It is both a privilege and a deeply meaningful moment for me to return to Vredenburg. Earlier this year, I had the honour of visiting Louisville Secondary School, where we handed over a digital library to support teaching and learning and to expand opportunities for young people in this community. That visit was about investing in the future of our children. Today, I return under very different circumstances, but with the same message: government is here, government is listening, and government is committed to improving the lives of our people. Today, we gather to stand in solidarity with families and communities affected by the severe weather conditions that have devastated parts of the Western Cape.
Over the past several days, a powerful cold front has brought torrential rain, flooding, and freezing temperatures to communities across the province. Homes have been damaged, livelihoods disrupted, and many families have been left vulnerable and uncertain about what tomorrow may bring. When disaster strikes, it is often the poorest and most vulnerable who are affected the most. For them, the loss of a roof, a bed, school uniforms, food, or basic household items is not a minor inconvenience. It is a major setback that threatens dignity, security, and hope. That is why government is intensifying relief efforts in all affected areas across the country. Working with the National Disaster Management Centre, provincial and local governments, and community-based organisations, we are mobilising resources to provide immediate assistance and longer-term support. Ladies and gentlemen, Today's handover is one example of these efforts. In partnership with the Al Imdaad Foundation, we are providing relief packages and essential supplies to affected residents to help meet immediate needs and to offer some comfort during this difficult time. This initiative demonstrates an important truth: when government and civil society work together, we can respond more quickly, more effectively, and with greater compassion. I would like to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the Al Imdaad Foundation for sponsoring this disaster relief programme. Your generosity is a powerful expression of ubuntu. Your commitment to humanitarian service reminds us that compassion has no boundaries and that, in times of crisis, our greatest strength lies in our willingness to help one another. Thank you for answering the call to serve. Ladies and gentlemen, Programme director, This year is of special significance for our nation. In 2026, South Africa marks 30 years of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. For three decades, our Constitution has served as the foundation of our democracy. It affirms that every person in this country has inherent dignity and equal worth. It guarantees the rights to housing, healthcare, education, social security, and access to information. Most importantly, it places a duty on government to work tirelessly to improve the quality of life of all citizens and to free the potential of every person. Our Constitution is more than a legal document. It is a living covenant between the people and the state. It reflects the values for which generations of South Africans struggled and sacrificed: equality, justice, accountability, and freedom. It reminds us that democracy must not only exist in law, but must be experienced in the everyday lives of our people. This year, we also commemorate 30 years of SASSA and South Africa's social assistance system. For three decades, social grants have provided a vital lifeline to millions of South Africans, including older persons, persons with disabilities, children, and vulnerable households. SASSA has become one of the most important instruments through which our democratic state protects the poor and reduces inequality. For many households, a social grant is the difference between hunger and a meal, between despair and hope. The story of SASSA is the story of a caring state that recognises that the true measure of progress is how we treat the most vulnerable among us. Today's relief effort is rooted in the same principle. Whether through disaster assistance, social grants, education programmes, healthcare services, or economic support, government remains committed to ensuring that no South African is left behind. As we celebrate these milestones, we are also reminded of the power and responsibility that every citizen carries. Ladies and gentlemen, South Africa will soon hold local government elections. These elections are important because municipalities are responsible for delivering many of the services that affect our daily lives, including water, sanitation, roads, electricity, housing, and local development. I therefore urge every eligible citizen to ensure that they are registered to vote. Do not underestimate the importance of your vote. Many South Africans fought, sacrificed, and even gave their lives for the right to vote. When you vote, you honour that sacrifice. When you vote, you make your voice heard. When you vote, you help shape the future of your community and your country. Democracy does not end on election day, but elections remain one of the most powerful tools we have to strengthen accountability and deepen participation. To the people of Vredenburg and the wider West Coast, let me assure you that government stands with you. We see your struggles. We hear your concerns. And we are committed to working with you to rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, and strengthen your community against future challenges. We know that the road to recovery is not always easy. But we also know that South Africans are resilient. We know that when we unite around the values of compassion, solidarity, and shared responsibility, there is no challenge we cannot overcome. Let us continue to embody the spirit of ubuntu. Let us continue to support one another. Let us continue to build a South Africa where every person can live in dignity, security, and hope. Together, we will recover. Together, we will rebuild. Together, we will move our country forward. I thank you.
Programme Director, Mr Linton Mchunu; Your Excellency, Former President of the Republic of South Africa, President Thabo Mbeki; The Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, represented by Honourable Phillipus Katamelo, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia and Member of the PAP; The Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency AUDA-NEPAD, H.E. Nardos Bekele-Thomas; UNISA Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Puleng LenkaBula; Distinguished Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Members of Parliament, represented here this morning, Leaders of Political Parties and Representatives of Regional Economic Communities, Our valued development partners from the private sector, civil society, and the diaspora, Recipient of Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, Jonathan Butler; Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning, Twenty-five years ago, in Abuja, President Thabo Mbeki stood before Africa and the world and declared that the tasks we face on the continent are the same as those we face at home: poverty, underdevelopment, marginalisation, illiteracy, disease, and instability. Many of us could still recall the great African giants who were there, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, and Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, all nodding in affirmation, bearing witness to a truth that bound us together. In that hour, NEPAD was born as Africa’s own pledge. It was born to promote accelerated growth and sustainable development, to eradicate widespread and severe poverty, and to halt the marginalisation of Africa in the globalisation process. As we mark Africa Month and celebrate twenty-five years of NEPAD, we return to that founding vision: an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena. This vision, rooted in Pan-Africanism, is driven by the goal of empowering the continent to control its own destiny. We gather today at a time when South Africa has, over the past few weeks, observed acts of violence against foreign nationals. While acknowledging concerns about illegal foreign nationals involved in crime, we strongly condemn the anti-migrant protests and xenophobic violence and urge law enforcement to address these issues through legal means, not mob violence. These violent acts, as mentioned by President Cyril Ramaphosa, are shameful and do not reflect the views of South Africans or government policy. We must therefore, stand together as government, traditional authorities, civil society, and migrant communities to combat this violence. Such collaboration is crucial in affirming the dignity of all African lives. Ladies and Gentlemen, Today, AUDA-NEPAD functions as the main execution arm of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The Agency emphasises the importance of African self-determination and focuses on building democratic societies, enhancing intra-African trade, and utilising local resources for development. To foster a new development consensus, AUDA-NEPAD identifies three essential pillars: regional integration to strengthen unity and economic collaboration; African ownership, promoting the idea that Africa's future should be shaped by its own people; and continental renewal to ensure democracy, industrialisation, and social cohesion, which are vital for peace and dignity. This consensus links the promise of Abuja to the aspirations of Agenda 2063, emphasising the need for renewed energy and bold leadership. It advocates for deepened regional integration with the African Continental Free Trade Area as a foundation for prosperity, affirming African ownership of resources and policies. The AUDA-NEPAD serves as a key instrument to bridge vision and implementation, ensuring that Africa's development is driven from within rather than imposed externally. However, we must also acknowledge that progress has not always occurred at the pace or scale required to transform the material conditions of our people. Significant gaps remain in infrastructure development, industrialisation, productive capacity, energy access, logistics, digital connectivity, implementation capability, and regional economic integration. This moment, therefore, calls upon us to move beyond reflection and toward practical conversations about delivery at scale. As the special envoy to South Sudan, I have directly observed the profound desire for peace among its people. This yearning is not a far-off goal, but a daily hope reflected in their voices and expressions. They look to us for mediation and solidarity to ensure that peace is swiftly achieved. Their longing for peace is rooted in years of conflict and displacement, yet it is fuelled by a steadfast belief in the potential for renewal. The people of South Sudan convey that peace encompasses not just the absence of war, but also the presence of dignity, opportunity, and reconciliation. Their hope serves as a compelling call to action, urging us to transcend divisions and prioritise the future of their children in our endeavours. South Africa’s call for peace extends far beyond our own borders, far beyond South Sudan, and far beyond the continent. We call for peace in Europe, where the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to claim lives and destabilise the global order. We call for peace in the Middle East, where the struggle between Israel and Palestine, and the wider tensions across the region, demand dialogue, justice, and reconciliation. We call for peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where instability has robbed generations of the security they deserve. We call for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where communities long for an end to violence and the chance to rebuild their lives. Our history teaches us that peace is possible, even after decades of war, oppression and struggle. Our future demands that we never tire in the pursuit of peace, for it is the promise we owe to Africa and to humanity. South Africa emphasises that peace and development are linked to dialogue and partnership, as demonstrated by the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC). This platform unites government, business, labour, and civil society to shape policies that promote inclusive growth and social justice, highlighting that development should be participatory and prosperity shared through consensus. This spirit of dialogue is not confined to South Africa. It is the same spirit that must animate Africa’s continental agenda. Just as NEDLAC connects diverse voices to build a common path for national progress, so too must Africa connect its regions, its economies, and its people to build a common path for continental renewal. Africa’s market boasts more than 1.4 billion people across fifty-four countries. The African Continental Free Trade Area represents the largest free trade area in the world by population and presents a historic opportunity to reshape Africa’s economic future. Yet intra-African trade still accounts for only approximately 15 percent of total African trade, which remains insufficient for a continent seeking genuine economic sovereignty and long-term resilience. Africa cannot continue exporting raw materials while importing finished products at a higher value, because this model exports jobs, industrial capacity, technological upgrading, and opportunity outside the continent. To this end, the African Continental Free Trade Area presents one of the most catalytic opportunities available to the continent today. By strengthening the movement of goods, services, capital, people, innovation, and technology across borders, Africa has the opportunity to build stronger regional value chains, expand industrial production, lower the costs of trade, attract investment, and ensure that African wealth increasingly circulates within the continent. African ownership becomes meaningful when our developmental ambitions are translated into practical delivery through infrastructure, logistics, industrialisation, financing mechanisms, and capable institutions. Connecting Africa for development means breaking down barriers that fragment our economies, investing in infrastructure that links our markets, and empowering our people with skills and opportunities that transcend borders. To improve trade under AfCFTA, AUDA-NEPAD must enhance customs systems by digitising and harmonising border procedures with the AfCFTA Secretariat, establishing compliance timelines and penalties. The future of Africa depends on beneficiation, manufacturing, processing, logistics integration, energy cooperation, and digital industrialisation. It requires African economies to move up the value chain by producing more of what they consume and processing more of what they extract. According to StatAfric, energy insecurity and infrastructure deficits continue to drag down the manufacturing and distribution efficiency. Closing this energy gap would require an estimated R3,16 trillion annually, with less than half of the African population having reliable access to electricity. More than half of Africa’s energy supply relies on fossil fuels, leaving businesses vulnerable to volatile energy markets and risks during the global energy transition. In 2023, renewable energy investment in Africa totalled around R247.5 billion – only 2.3% of global renewable energy investment. Many African countries continue to be net food importers while having the potential for greater agricultural production. Rapid urbanisation is underway, which is changing the demand patterns towards more processed foods and changing consumer purchasing towards supermarkets. Imports of food have supported urbanisation in the absence of a domestic agricultural surplus. However, food in African cities is around 35% more expensive. If food production is not treated as an industrialisation question to manufacture and supply the processed food products demanded by urban consumers, African countries will record growing trade shortages in processed food products. The next phase of Africa’s growth must therefore be driven by productive transformation, stronger regional value chains, and deeper continental integration that keeps wealth, production, innovation, and investment circulating within Africa.
Addressing these constraints requires a coherent policy framework that promotes skills development, productivity, investment, infrastructure improvement, technology transfer, and competitive standards in international markets. Programme director, I must reiterate that achieving the goals of Agenda 2063 requires viewing regional integration as a practical endeavour rather than just a policy exercise. South Africa, in its chairpersonship of the Agenda 2063 Ministerial Follow-up Committee, will continue overseeing the implementation, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of our continent’s fifty-year development blueprint. Our chairpersonship coincides with the Decade of Acceleration (2024–2033), the period of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan. The technical foundation has been laid, but critical gaps remain. South Africa intends to use its chairpersonship to close them. It is our vision that South Africa contributes to building integrated African value chains connected to ports, rail corridors, logistics hubs, energy systems, digital infrastructure, and manufacturing ecosystems. Our automotive sector, mineral beneficiation capabilities, renewable energy transition, financial institutions, agro-processing capacity, and growing digital economy can all serve as anchors for regional integration and industrial expansion. South Africa must therefore continue championing an African development model that moves beyond commodity extraction toward value addition, industrial growth, and productive transformation. Ladies and Gentlemen, Successfully "stitching together" the continent hinges on the expansion of logistical networks, including high-capacity, interconnected road corridors that facilitate the movement of goods and people, transforming isolated economies into a competitive market. Moreover, African leadership and priorities must shape development, emphasising the role of the private sector and financial institutions. African capital needs to partner with AUDA-NEPAD in constructing critical infrastructure. Regional integration cannot exist without modern infrastructure. Africa, therefore, requires accelerated investment in transport corridors, rail modernisation, ports and logistics systems, energy transmission infrastructure, broadband connectivity, and digital public infrastructure. Infrastructure is not simply a technical matter; it is the foundation of competitiveness, industrialisation, and regional trade. Without efficient logistics systems, African producers cannot compete effectively. Without reliable energy, industrialisation cannot occur at scale. Without digital connectivity, Africa risks exclusion from the future global economy. The evolving geopolitical environment, changing global trade patterns, technological disruption, debt pressures, and climate-related vulnerabilities all require Africa to rethink how it positions itself within the global economy while protecting its developmental interests and advancing Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. Speaking of development finance institutions, Africa must therefore continue advocating for reform of the global financial architecture, including fairer representation within the IMF and World Bank, debt restructuring mechanisms, and financing models that recognise the developmental realities and vulnerabilities of the Global South. This platform is therefore both timely and necessary because it allows leaders from government, business, development finance institutions, academia, regional bodies, and strategic partners to reflect on what must now be done differently to accelerate implementation and strengthen delivery. African countries must strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, regional development finance institutions, sovereign wealth mobilisation, and blended infrastructure financing mechanisms. African development must increasingly be financed on African terms and guided by African developmental priorities. This requires stronger coordination between governments, development finance institutions, private investors, and regional institutions capable of supporting long-term productive investment. As we gather in this moment, we must also recognise that Africa’s unity is a strategic necessity in a world increasingly defined by new poles of power. In this growing multipolar order, where global dynamics are reshaped by competition and consolidation, Africa cannot afford fragmentation or isolation. Our strength lies in solidarity, in speaking with one voice, and in pursuing shared objectives that transcend borders. This roundtable therefore aims to forge a new consensus for NEPAD's initiatives, emphasising the necessity of execution. By developing infrastructure through our resources, we are not just improving connectivity; we are laying the groundwork for a unified and prosperous Africa. Esteemed Guests, South Africa’s approach to international relations and continental engagement remains guided by its national interest, which is fundamentally rooted in advancing the development and prosperity of its people through inclusive economic growth, sustainable industrialisation, regional cooperation, and strategic partnerships that produce tangible developmental outcomes. In this regard, South Africa remains committed to ensuring that its partnerships with African institutions, development finance institutions, strategic global partners, and the private sector deliver practical outcomes that improve the lives of ordinary citizens, strengthen implementation capacity, expand economic opportunity, and contribute meaningfully toward sustainable development across the African continent. Now is the time to build on the native land. Not tomorrow, Not next year, but Now! Thank you, Asante Sana, Obrigado, Inkomu.
Your Excellency, President Duma Gideon Boko,
First Lady Kaone Tumalano Boko,
The Mayor of Gaborone,
The Speaker of Parliament of Botswana,
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Guests,
Bo Mma le Borra, Dumelang! Allow me to express my sincere appreciation for the distinct privilege and honour of being invited for this historic State Visit. This is no ordinary State Visit. It is a coming together of brethren from the same family. We are one people, born of the same soil and bound together by a shared history. On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, we convey our deepest sympathies at the passing of one of Botswana’s greatest sons, His Excellency Former President Festus Mogae. He was a gentle giant, and illustrious African and a global statesman. Your loss is our loss. He will leave an indelible mark. President Mogae came in the footsteps of a remarkable array of great Batswana leaders, who have led a proud, resourceful and heroic people with a glorious history. President Boko, We commend the vigour and vision with which you are leading Botswana on a path of modernisation and towards a future of sustained development and prosperity. You can count on South Africa — a reliable neighbour, friend and partner — as you continue along this path. Together, we are part of SADC, a community of nations that played a pivotal role in the liberation of South Africa from the crime of apartheid. Botswana was an ally and friend of the South African people in our quest for justice, democracy and human rights for all. Botswana provided solidarity, support and refuge to our people during our days of need, sometimes at a great cost to yourself. We continue to experience the dynamism of the ties between our peoples forged through a common history, heritage and geography. Our fortunes are intertwined and the possibilities of our cooperation are endless. The levels of trade and investment between our two countries are substantial. There is much scope to expand commerce between our countries and to achieve greater balance in the volume and value of trade. We must work together to seize the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area and to strengthen cooperation within SACU. South Africa stands ready to partner with Botswana as you march towards the diversification of your economy. We therefore look forward to the Botswana–South Africa Business Forum taking place tomorrow. The sixth session of the Bi-National Commission, which we will co-chair tomorrow, will deliberate on the many and diverse areas of bilateral cooperation that underpin our collaboration. I thank you for this wonderful dinner and the enchanting cultural and musical displays this evening. My delegation and I will long remember the hospitality you have extended to us. You are a true friend and Brother and our peoples remain forever together. Ladies and Gentlemen, Please join me in raising a toast: To the good health and success of His Excellency President Duma Gideon Boko, to the continued prosperity of the Republic of Botswana and its people, and to the enduring bonds of friendship and partnership between the peoples of South Africa and Botswana. Ke a leboga go menagane. Pula! I thank you.
The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli in partnership with the Al Imdaad Foundation, will on Thursday, 21 May 2026, lead a disaster relief programme in Vredenburg, Saldanha Bay, in the Western Cape. The programme is part of government’s efforts to provide support to communities affected by recent flood disasters and adverse weather conditions. During the visit, Deputy Minister Mhlauli will hand over relief packages and essential supplies to affected residents. Members of the media are invited to attend the official handover as follows: Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Time: 09h00 – 12h30
Venue: George Carriages, Vredenburg, Western Cape. Media enquiries: Mandisa Mbele, MandisaM@Presidency.gov.za 082 580 2213 Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Thursday, 21 May 2026, respond to Questions for Oral Reply in the National Assembly, Cape Town, on matters related to his Delegated Responsibilities. In line with a constitutional mandate for Members of Cabinet to account to Parliament for the exercise of their powers and performance, Deputy President Mashatile will answer questions on issues related to the Government’s efforts in implementing rapid response interventions on service delivery and trouble-shooting service delivery hotspots in the country with the view of improving governance in municipalities across the country. Following the recent announcement on the adjustment of fuel prices based on current local and international factors with effect from the 6th of May 2026, by the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, the Deputy President will apprise Members about Government’s interventions aimed at protecting and enhancing the long-term sustainability and profitability of small-scale farmers, particularly those located in rural and undeveloped provinces, in the face of persistent fertiliser and fuel price volatility. On the question of the roll-out of the District Development Model (DDM), the Members of Parliament will be updated on the effective and well coordination of the different spheres of government, which aim to improve the functioning of municipalities and challenges faced by communities. This includes efforts made to align budgets and investments in healthcare. The Deputy President will further respond to questions on Agriculture and Land Reform, and measures that are being implemented by the Security Cluster to deal with organised crime and gang related violence in the Western Cape. The Oral Replies session will take place as follows: Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Time: 14h00
Venue: Nieuwmeester, Dome, Cape Town The session will be streamed live on Parliament TV (DSTV Channel 408), Parliament’s YouTube channel, Facebook and X (Twitter) pages. Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840 Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
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President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 4 June 2026, host His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto of the Republic of Kenya on a State Visit at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. President Ruto will undertake the State Visit from 3 to 5 June 2026 at the invitation of President Ramaphosa. South Africa and Kenya enjoy long standing mutually beneficial and cordial relations that were re-established in 1994. South Africa values Kenya as a strategic partner in the East African region and the continent. The welcome ceremony will be followed by discussions between the Presidents and a Business Forum. The Business Forum will focus on deepening economic cooperation, facilitating business partnership and exploring statergies for unlocking the full potential of trade and investment between the two countries in mutually beneficial strategic sectors. The media programme for the State Visit is as follows: WELCOME CEREMONY
Time: 09h30 (Media to arrive at 07:00)
Venue: Union Buldings
Date: Thursday 4 June 2026 SOUTH AFRICA – KENYA OFFICIAL TALKS
Time: 10h30
Venue: Union Buildings
Date: Thursday 4 June 2026 MEMORANDA OF AGREEMENT SIGNING CEREMONY AND MEDIA BRIEFING
Time: 12h30
Venue: Union Buildings
Date: Thursday 4 June 2026 SOUTH AFRICA - KENYA BUSINESS FORUM
Time: 17h00
Venue: Gallagher Estate, Midrand, Johannesburg
Date: Thursday, 4 June 2026 Media interested in covering the State Visit are requested to complete the form found on the media registration link provided: https://mrs.gcis.gov.za/?q=Kenya-State-Visit Closing date for media registration is Monday, 1 June 2026 at 12h00 Media enquiries: State Visit can be directed to Patience Mtshali, 083 376 9468 Media enquiries: Business Forum can be directed to MDikeledi@thedtic.gov.za Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya Spokesperson to the President, media@presideny.gov.za Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 5 June 2026, officially launch the rollout of Lenacapavir, a new injectable prevention for HIV. The event will take place in Secunda, Mpumalanga. This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s ongoing efforts to fight against HIV/AIDS and aims to enhance prevention of new HIV infections. Lenacapavir is a twice-yearly long-acting injectable option for HIV prevention, and the rollout highlights the collaboration between the government, civil society, and private sector, and development partners amongst the stakeholders committed to ending HIV as a public health threat in South Africa. President Ramaphosa will be joined by Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Mpumalanga Premier, Mr Mandla Ndlovu, Provincial Health MECs, leaders of SANAC civil society, development partners, and donors including the Global Fund. Details of the launch: Date: Friday, 5 June 2026
Time: 09h00
Venue: Lilian Ngoyi Stadium, Secunda, Mpumalanga Members of the media wishing to cover the event are advised to complete online accreditation process before Tuesday, 02 June 2026 at 14h00, on the link below: https://mrs.gcis.gov.za/?q=Launch-of-Lenacapavir-HIV-injection For more information and media enquiries, please contact: Mr Foster Mohale
Departmental Spokesperson
072 432 3792
Foster.mohale@health.gov.za Mr Sello Lediga
Health Ministry Spokesperson
082 353 9859
Sello.Lediga@health.gov.za
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya Spokesperson to the President, media@presideny.gov.za Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
Tuesday, 26 May 2026: 14h00 - 15h30 1. Power of cooperation for the health of nations Health response cooperation and coordination has become an integral pillar of international security in the post- COVID-19 pandemic era. As a country, South Africa had interesting insights on health cooperation and coordination during her tenure as the African Union COVID-19 champion. These insights include mechanisms to promote fair access to vaccines and strategies focused on strengthening pandemic preparedness. With the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease, we are focused on improving cross-border disease-surveillance systems. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we witnessed improved global heath cooperation that resulted in the development and availability of life saving vaccines. The pace with which Covid-19 vaccines were developed indicated that with cooperation, it is possible to resolve endemic diseases. Therefore, with cooperation, it should be possible to eradicate epidemics such malaria, TB, cholera, HIV/ Aids, Ebola other regional epidemics. In the current global order, global health cooperation is always witnessed on diseases that affect the global north, leaving Africa and to some extent Asia to their own devices. For example, the Central – East Africa region is experiencing another outbreak of Ebola but the global North have opted to not only watch but we are witnessing the diversion of flights with passengers from the region, without any response to the call for support by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) of the African Union. Even when vaccines became available during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global North opted to hoard the vaccines for their own nations in total violation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) principles. When the global South applied for patents waivers at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to develop their own Covid-19 vaccines, even our supposed allies in the global North opposed our patent waiver applications. Therefore, Forums like the International Security Forum cannot just talk about the power of cooperation for the health of nations without also focusing on building resilience and regional response capacity of the global South. South Africa has just pledged US$5 million to the CDC to deal with the current Ebola outbreak – how much is the International Security Forum mobilising to help Africa address Ebola? South Africa is driving several initiatives such as a partnership to establish Africa’s first end-to-end, multi-vaccine production plant that will produce oral cholera vaccines, and later expanding to include vaccines for polio, pneumonia, and meningitis. Once fully operational, Biovac will have a production capacity of up to 40 million doses annually, significantly bolstering Africa’s healthcare resilience and supply chain security. The plant is scheduled for completion by 2028. There is an urgency for all regions and countries to have capacity for robust early warning mechanisms to enable timely information sharing so that the international community can mount coordinated responses to health emergencies. A health emergency in one region can quickly morph into a global health emergency due to the benefits of globalisation. Furthermore, Integrated digital health technologies (including AI-enabled diagnostics and data platforms) are enabling faster detection and more effective containment of outbreaks, although geopolitical competition and unequal access to these tools continue to undermine collective efforts, particularly between developed and developing regions. Health must be insulated from global geo-political contestations through ensuring that health cooperation, access to WHO programmes and pandemic related products must not be conditioned on unrelated political concessions or resource deals. 2. Disinformation and manipulation as tools of the west’s hybrid war against the global majority for maintaining hegemony Disinformation and information manipulation have become core instruments of hybrid warfare, used to shape narratives, influence political outcomes and secure strategic advantage without crossing the threshold of open armed conflict. Conflicts in different regions demonstrate how state and non-state actors combine coordinated media campaigns, cyber operations and targeted online messaging to steer public opinion and to contest control of information environments. Multiple competing operations often run in parallel, seeking to influence perceptions, governance models and economic partnerships. This demonstrates that the global disinformation landscape is multi-directional and highly contested, with the global majority frequently serving both as the target and the terrain of these campaigns. South Africa has faced sustained disinformation campaigns during its elections, on foreign and domestic policy decisions. The so called “white genocide” narrative campaign radicalises farm murders to claim a systematic extermination of white people, amplified by international far-right networks at state and non-state levels. Disinformation must be understood as a shared global threat; reducing it to a geographical label risks oversimplifying the challenge and obscuring the wider international dynamics at play. South Africa’s strategic interest lies in protecting its information sovereignty while maintaining balanced international relationships, ensuring that external narratives and influence do not compromise national decision making or social cohesion. We have observed the contribution of digital media and artificial intelligence (AI) as theatres and tools of disinformation and misinformation. We are currently reviewing our information and related policies to compel digital platforms to: - Disclose the AI generated content carried on their platforms (AI content branding), and
- Prohibit the publication of Fake and Misleading News about South Africa Furthermore, we are working to provision for the government Fact-Check capability to proactively debunk deepfakes, fake and misinformation and provide correct facts against the fake news. We are also developing a “Quick Guide” to assist government communicators in effectively countering misinformation, disinformation and malinformation. Thursday, 28 May 2026: 09h30 - 12h30 1. Challenges and threats to international security in the context of the emergency of the multipolar world We meet at a moment when the international security environment is shaped by overlapping crises such as persistent armed conflicts, geo-economic pressures, technological disruptions and accelerating impacts of climate change. At the same time, power is diffusing. The world is moving from a largely unipolar system to a more complex, multipolar order in which several centres of power (including the United States, China, Russia, India, the European Union and key regional groupings) exert significant influence on global affairs. South Africa’s view is that multipolarity in itself is not a threat. Properly managed, it can create space for a more equitable and representative international system in which the Global South has a stronger voice. The danger lies in how this transition is unfolding, with heightened strategic rivalry, fragmented responses to crises, and a weakening consensus on multilateral rules and norms. We see this in the deterioration of trust between major powers, the paralysis in some multilateral forums and the growing temptation to use unilateral measures, including sanctions and extraterritorial policies that often have unintended consequences for developing countries. Ongoing conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East, have deepened polarisation between blocs and exposed fault lines in the global governance system. For South Africa, whose foreign policy is grounded in non-alignment, constitutional values and the primacy of international law, these developments underscore the need to defend the United Nations Charter, sovereign equality and the peaceful settlement of disputes. As outlined in our National Security Strategy, national and international security cannot be separated from human security, economic justice and the credibility of multilateral institutions. In this emerging multipolar world, South Africa’s strategic interest is to help rebuild consensus on fair, rules-based multilateralism; to work with all partners, North and South, on issues such as the climate, cyber threats, illicit financial flows and pandemics; and to ensure that competition between major powers does not come at the expense of the African continent. Our message is clear: Multipolarity must not mean multi-conflict or multi-standards. It must mean shared responsibility, consistent respect for international law, and a greater voice and agency for the Global South in shaping the future of global security governance. Thursday, 28 May 2026: 12h30 - 14h00 1. BRICS coordination on international issues South Africa regards BRICS as a critical forum where we focus on matters of common interest and mutual benefits, and where we prepare our shared approaches to a rapidly changing global landscape. We meet at a time when geopolitics has once again taken centre stage and is affecting and impacting on the development of all, which makes purposeful coordination of our international positions more important than ever. South Africa supports the view that we must reinforce the way we do things through both BRICS and the multilateral system of the United Nations. Coordination of international positions among BRICS is not about creating an alternative to existing institutions; it is about deepening our internal alignment so that our engagement with those institutions is more effective and more reflective of the realities and aspirations of the Global South. At the same time, we recognise and respect that each BRICS member retains its own national interests, constitutional mandates and legal obligations. Our goal, therefore, is alignment where possible, and mutual understanding and transparency where full agreement is not yet attainable. Our coordination should be rooted in a shared understanding of the challenges we face. As we have said in the past, challenges of instability, terrorism, cyber attacks or economic coercion that undermines development and human security are not unique to any one country. This shared exposure underpins our effort to craft coordinated positions that are guided by international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and a strong preference for the peaceful settlement of disputes and dialogue over confrontation. In practice, this means that when we discuss global crises, we should consistently highlight their spill over effect on African peace and development, food and energy security and argue for solutions that strengthen, rather than side-line regional organisations such as the African Union. South Africa’s approach to coordination of international positions within BRICS is guided by three principles. First, that coordinated positions must strengthen multilateralism and the UN centred rules-based order not erode it. Second, that they must translate into concrete contributions to global peace, resilience and sustainable development, particularly for the most vulnerable. Thirdly, that they must broaden the space for the Global South, especially Africa, to shape decisions that have historically been taken without us. 2. Middle East Crisis The situation in the Middle East remains tense due to the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict and a fragile ceasefire between the United States (US) and Iran. In Palestine, the Gaza strip continues to experience violence, exacerbated by a severe humanitarian crisis and mass displacements. While large-scale civilian attacks have stopped, implementing Phase II of the ceasefire faces political challenges, which hinders the broader diplomatic road map for stability. As the war between Israel and the US on one side and Iran on the other enters its fourth month, the objectives of the US/ Israel to eliminate Iran’s leadership and instigate regime change remain unfulfilled. This is largely due to Iran’s fierce resistance, which the US and Israel underestimated when they initiated the war. Despite the assassination of high-ranking Iranian officials, Iran’s military capability remains largely intact, and its hard-line position has been strengthened. The war remains uncertain under the fragile ceasefire and relentless threats of renewed attacks from both sides. Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts to end the war are ongoing but intermittent, with both sides reluctant to make major concessions due to deep mistrust. The warring parties continue to exchange proposals, often changing their goalposts frequently. The dual naval blockade by the US and Iran of the Strait of Hormuz remains in place, severely disrupting global shipping. Both Iran and the US continue to attack ships in and around the strait. The intensified military deployments by both sides have turned this critical chokepoint into a no-go zone. Furthermore, threatens to expand its leverage in the Strait of Hormuz to include vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure. Iran plans to target and disrupt fibre-optic subsea communication cables in the Strait. Such sabotage could impact global technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon, adding a catastrophic digital dimension to the blockade of the strait. Digital disruptions could negatively impact communications, financial transactions, social media, e-commerce and streaming services. The possibility of the war transitioning from threatening global energy to posing a risk to digital infrastructure could lead to a global digital catastrophe. Thus, the situation remains volatile and unpredictable due to significant areas of divergence, with neither side willing to make concessions. The Strait of Hormuz will continue to be a contested maritime chokepoint, used as a strategic pressure point, with control of the passage leverage for broader negotiations. The repeated ceasefire violations in this area, coupled with the diplomatic deadlock, suggests that the possibility of returning to a full-scale war cannot be discounted. South Africa, like other countries in the world will continue to bear the brunt of rising energy prices, inflation, and a high cost of living. Consequently, the Republic will persist in calling for an end to the war and a negotiated settlement to bring stability to the region. Regarding Palestine, South Africa will support initiatives from the international community aimed at creating a credible pathway toward establishing Palestinian Statehood within the 1967 borders, alongside Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 3. Food and energy security issues Food and energy security have become defining issues of our time. Together, BRICS countries and new partners are responsible for 40-45% of global food production, about one-third of the world’s agricultural land and close to 40% of global water resources, making this grouping a central pillar of global food security and an indispensable actor in the energy transition. Yet, in 2025 an estimated 673 million people still faced hunger, while climate change, price volatility and conflict continue to erode the resilience of food and energy systems, particularly in the Global South. Within BRICS, we increasingly recognise that food and energy security cannot be treated in isolation. Evidence from our own countries shows how energy shortages, water stress and climate shocks directly undermine agricultural output and food access, and how unbalanced growth patterns can amplify these vulnerabilities. For South Africa and Africa as whole, this nexus is very real; droughts, rising input costs and fuel price spikes translate rapidly into higher food prices, lost livelihoods and deepened inequality. South Africa’s Musa Plan use data driven research and collaborative resource mobilisation to support efforts to end food poverty and food insecurity. Just Energy Transition Investment Plan has attracted around 13.5 billion USD in international pledges to scale renewable manufacturing, grid and transmission upgrades and skills development across the transition value chain. Food and energy security should be treated as a strategic area of BRICS cooperation where we link three strands of work. First, coordinated trade and investment that supports resilient agricultural value chains and sustainable energy systems, including through South-South technology transfer, sustainable trade frameworks, and responsible investment in critical minerals and agricultural supply chains. Second, joint innovation; sharing best practice on drought resistant crops, water efficient irrigation, renewable powered agro-processing and storage, including risk management tools that help buffer our populations from price spikes and climate disasters. Third, common advocacy in global forums for fairer rules on agricultural trade, climate finance and energy transition support, so that our countries are not forced to choose between development, food on the table and climate ambition. Our objective as South Africa is for BRICS to turn our combined potential into real security for our peoples. This mean working with partners to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to ensure stable and affordable energy for households and industry, and to build systems that can withstand the shocks what we know are coming.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 29 May 2026, officiate the upgrading of land tenure rights and the handover of title deeds ceremony to the Gaesegwe, Barolong ba ga Rapulana, Barolong ba ga Phoi and Barolong ba ga Seitshiro communities at the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in the North West Province. The handover marks a significant milestone in government's ongoing efforts to redress historical land dispossession and restore land rights to rightful beneficiaries. President Ramaphosa will officiate the handover ceremony and deliver the keynote address at the Ratlou Local Municipality Sports ground, North West Province. The handover affirms government’s commitment to dignity, lawful land management, sustainable economic development, responsible use of grants, and the completion of outstanding restitution processes to deliver lasting socio‑economic impact. The handover also coincides with commemoration of important anniversaries in 2026, including the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution; 70th commemoration of the anti-pass campaign and 60th Anniversary of forced removals and the declaration of District Six, in Cape Town. The Restitution of Land Rights Act is a vital piece of legislation aimed at rectifying historical injustices related to land dispossessions in South Africa, fostering reconciliation, and promoting social justice. It continues to evolve to meet the needs of claimants and the broader society. Government, through the Land Restitution programme has invested R58 billion in land purchases, grants and financial compensation supporting 376,976 beneficiaries nationwide, encompassing a total of 5.3 million hectares which has been redistributed. The President will be joined by members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform; the Premier of North West, Mr Lazarus Mokgosi; leadership from the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality and Ratlou Local Municipality; as well as representatives from the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights. The Presidential Handover Ceremony will take place as follows: Date: Friday, 29 May 2026
Time: 11:00
Venue: Ratlou Local Municipality Sports ground, North West Province. Note to media: Accreditation process for this event has been concluded by the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS)
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya Spokesperson to the President, media@presideny.gov.za Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
Programme Director,
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
President of the South African Football Association, Dr Danny Jordaan,
Representatives of football organisations present,
Head Coach, Mr Hugo Broos,
Members of the national squad,
Members of the technical team,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, It gives me the greatest pleasure to welcome you all here this evening. We gather here to declare boldly and with great pride: Bafana Bafana has done it. Bafana Bafana is back. Stronger. Focused. Fearless. Hungrier. The people of South Africa have waited a long time for this moment. We have been behind our team in the stadiums, in our homes and in our hearts. As a team, you have already made history by qualifying for the first time in more than twenty years. Now we want to see you lift that trophy. Asifuni group stage. Asifuni knockout rounds. Asifuni ukuzwa the words ‘elimination’ or ‘bowing out.’ You are bringing the FIFA World Cup trophy home. We have seen the immense potential of sport to inspire and unite our country. Time and again we have witnessed South Africans from all walks of life rallying behind our sportsmen and women as they compete on the international stage. This time will be no different. I fully expect to be inundated with calls to declare a public holiday every time you progress to the next round. It has been a long journey to get to this point, where our team is jetting off to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It has been a difficult road, with lots of challenges. What has seen us through is the unwavering commitment of SAFA, government, the football clubs and associations and sponsors to invest in, develop and strengthen South African football over the course of many years. We owe everyone involved a debt of gratitude for not only developing this sport, but of uniting a nation. When you arrive in Mexico City, you will be carrying with you the dreams of more than 60 million South Africans. We are with you, behind you and beside you all the way. Bafana Bafana are our emissaries of hope and the standard-bearers of the national flag. The diversity of our squad and technical team is a reminder to the world that in our constitutional democracy there is room and opportunity for all to realise their potential and fulfil their dreams. As ambassadors for South Africa, we are counting on you to put fully into practice what your years of training have prepared you for: sportsmanship, camaraderie, professionalism and teamwork. Yet sport is about so much more. How the game is played reflects the values of the society itself. Values like integrity, humility, respect, tolerance and inclusivity. History has presented Bafana Bafana with this opportunity to rise anew and to take your rightful place at the highest echelons of world football. Seize this opportunity. Do even more than your best. Make us even prouder than we are tonight. We wish you the very best as you head off to the tournament. I will be there when you lift the trophy on the 19th of July. And, yes, I will declare it a public holiday. May you have wind in your sails, steel in your veins and thunder in your boots. I thank you.
Your Excellency Dr John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana and Champion of the Accra Reset
Your Excellency Chair of the African Union Commission, Mr Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC,
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO
Excellencies the co-chairs of the African High Level Ministerial Council and all Ministers present,
Distinguished Partners,
Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank Africa CDC for convening this important High-Level Ministerial Meeting at a critical moment for our continent. Africa is once again being tested by a dangerous Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, with a serious risk of wider regional spread. The outbreak is unfolding in areas marked by intense population movement, insecurity, porous borders, humanitarian pressures and active trade corridors. These realities make rapid containment more difficult and increase the urgency of our collective response. I pay tribute to the frontline health workers who have shouldered a succession of epidemics and outbreaks. Yet, they continue to demonstrate unwavering commitment and stamina in the face of a highly dangerous and demanding public health threat. It is of utmost importance that we ensure their lives and livelihoods are protected: by securing ample supplies of high quality personal protective equipment, ensuring there are enough health workers deployed to allow for rest and recouperation and equipping them with all the tools of trade they require to deliver high quality health and care. I commend Africa CDC, under the leadership of Dr Jean Kaseya, for acting swiftly and decisively in accordance with the mandate entrusted to the institution by African Heads of State and Government. Africa CDC has led a unified strategy for the continent by immediately mobilising affected countries, coordinating regional preparedness, convening a ministerial platform and galvanising the joint incident management team in collaboration with the World Health Organization. I commend the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan for the courage and solidarity they demonstrated during the Kampala High-Level Ministerial Meeting. At a moment of uncertainty, these countries chose cooperation over isolation and unity over fragmentation. This is the Africa we must continue to build. The latest situation remains deeply concerning. We are witnessing continued transmission in the DRC, confirmed cases in Uganda and heightened risk for several neighbouring countries. We have already lost more than 200 people. Africa CDC has said that this is the second largest Ebola outbreak after the one in West Africa in 2014. Although, at the onset of this outbreak, there are no therapeutics and vaccines for the Bundibugyo strain, we have reason to be hopeful. Working together with Africa CDC and the World Health Organization through the interim medical countermeasures network, organisations such as GAVI, CEPI and UNITAID are working at speed on promising vaccine and therapeutic candidates towards clinical trials. We strongly support these efforts, as Africa cannot continue to face deadly epidemics without equitable access to diagnostics, vaccines and treatments. We call on all relevant partners and manufacturers to accelerate research and development, strengthen genomic surveillance, expand laboratory systems, and fast-track the equitable delivery of safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics. The Kampala meeting aligned behind a continental preparedness and response plan of approximately $319 million for the period June to November 2026. This plan will support outbreak control in affected countries while strengthening preparedness in at least ten high-risk Member States. Importantly, African countries themselves have already committed initial domestic contributions representing approximately ten percent of the required financing. This demonstrates ownership and responsibility. Africa is no longer waiting passively for others to act. In this spirit of African solidarity and African solutions to African challenges, the Government and people of South Africa are pleased to announce an initial contribution of U$5 million to Africa CDC in support of the ongoing continental Ebola response. This contribution is a demonstration of our confidence in Africa CDC as the Public Health Agency of Africa and in the importance of collective continental action. We encourage other Member States, African financial institutions, philanthropy and the African private sector to join this effort urgently. I particularly welcome the mobilisation of African business leaders, including Mr Aliko Dangote, Professor Benedict Oramah, Dr George Elombi and Mr Simon Tiemtoré, who are stepping forward to support this response. Their engagement reflects a growing understanding that health security is also economic security, development security and continental security. At the same time, we call on the international community to stand with Africa in a spirit of partnership, solidarity and respect. The world is safer when Africa is safer. Delayed support today will result in much higher human, social and economic costs tomorrow. This outbreak reminds us that preparedness cannot begin when a crisis is already expanding. We must continue investing in resilient health systems, strong national public health institutes, emergency operations centres, local manufacturing of medical countermeasures, community health workers, genomic surveillance and sustainable domestic financing. Africa has the institutions, expertise and leadership to respond effectively. What is required now is speed, unity, solidarity and trust in our collective capacity. The people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and all countries at risk must know that they are not alone. Africa stands with them. I thank you.
Honourable House Chairperson
Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, the Honourable Sylvia Izaks
Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence
The Acting Director General of the SSA, Ambassador Tony (Gab) Msimanga.
The Acting Coordinator of the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC) Dr Ntandazo Sifolo.
Top Management Committee of the SSA Honourable Members, The rapidly changing global landscape is not only reshaping the international order but fundamentally challenging longstanding arrangements on security, economic stability, and the role of the state itself. We are living in an era where threats evolve faster, risks spread wider, and certainty grows thinner. Heightened geopolitical tensions, technological disruptions, cyber threats and transnational nature of organised crime continue to define the security environment confronting nations. Under these conditions, the responsibility placed on the intelligence community has never been greater. The intelligence community is called upon not to merely gather information but to convert information into strategic insight, not to merely anticipate events but to interrupt them, For intelligence without foresight is like a radar without range, that remains operational in form, but unable to detect the dangers approaching the nation. These demands institutions that are agile in thought, focused in conduct, and decisive in action. Institutions that can protect the Republic while remaining firmly grounded in the Constitution and democratic accountability. Honourable Members, For State Security Agency to fulfill this responsibility of securing the Republic, we must: Modernise our systems
Strengthen the capacity to anticipate and respond to emerging threats.
Build the skills and capabilities required for a changing security environment.
And above all, we must decisively act to secure the Republic. ORGANISED CRIME Our most immediate frontier to secure the Republic is through a focused, non-negotiable and decisive fight against organised crime. Organised crime in South Africa has escalated into a multi-dimensional and deeply entrenched threat that undermines the country’s national security, economic stability, democratic governance, and social cohesion. We are witnessing structured and highly coordinated criminal networks that operate systematically for profit through illegal activities. These networks range from local gangs to transnational syndicates and often exploit weaknesses in border management, socio-economic conditions, corruption and state capture risks, international criminal connections, technological systems, and limited law-enforcement & coordination capacity in some areas. During the 2025/26 financial year, the State Security Agency (SSA) completed a comprehensive intelligence-led Anti-Organised Crime Strategy to focus its operational plans. This strategy prioritises critical pillars such as as criminal networks, cartels and syndicate profiling, mapping & monitoring, enhanced disruption and enforcement capabilities including through multi-agency collaboration & cooperation, increased partnerships with critical role players, building our technological capabilities, as well as improving the technical ability of our members to stay ahead of evolving criminal tactics. In the 2026/27 financial year, the SSA will spare no effort in translating the goals of our Anti-Organised Crime strategy into tangible results. Accordingly, we commit to a strengthened, intelligence-led approach that prioritises the identification of priority syndicates, and the coordinated deployment of multidisciplinary capabilities to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks. DECONTAMINATING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND DEALING WITH CORRUPTION AND MALFEASANCE IN GOVERNMENT The fight against organised crime in South Africa and across the globe is always undermined by the contamination of the criminal justice system. Since 2021, the National Intelligence Estimates raised the need to decontaminate the criminal justice, however compromised elements within the system have always made it impossible to implement this National Intelligence Priority. I must take this moment to appreciate the decision by HE President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint the Madlanga Commission that is bring to the public the extent of the contamination of the criminal justice system and thus making it slightly difficult for compromised elements to continue to operate. On our part, the SSA has commenced to implement the State of the Nation Address directive to re-vet members of senior management service of the SAPS and vet members of the Metro Police departments and metro municipalities. This work coincided with our own project of implementing the e-Vetting system and reviewing the Vetting Regulations. The e-vetting system will make it possible for the SSA to undertake large scale vetting projects. Currently, the User acceptance testing (UAT) on phase 1 of the eVetting system has commenced and will be deployed for SAPS and EMPD vetting in 1st Quarter of 2026/2027 financial year. A total of 39 000 files out of 56 000 dating back from 2018 have been digitized to date. The reviewed Vetting Regulations are undergoing consultations with a plan to have them finalised by end of September 2026. Two of the critical new provisions of this Regulations are worth mentioning, (a) the provision to refer criminal suspicions to law enforcement for investigations as part of the outcomes of the vetting process, (b) the provision for continuous lifestyle audit for public sector personnel in strategic positions. VIOLENT SOCIETAL CONFLICTS AND INTELLIGENCE MEASURE TO PREVENT THE SCOURGE OF ILLEGAL MIGRATION Honourable members, A stable and cohesive society is the bedrock of national security. Violent societal conflicts, pose a direct threat to social cohesion, economic stability, and South Africa’s international standing. These tensions, when left unchecked, manifest in sporadic outbreaks of violence, community clashes, and heightened polarisation that undermine the very foundations of our constitutional democracy. Such conflicts not only endanger lives and destroy livelihoods but also damage investor confidence and disrupt local economies. We are starting to observe the intersection of violent societal conflicts with organised crime and influence of foreign actors. Of recent, South Africa is experiencing a rise in anti-illegal immigration linked protests that are exploitating the genuine concerns of South Africans about the spiralling illegal immigration programme and these genuine concerns are opportunistically being used by criminal elements, populist agitators, and external actors seeking to destabilise our nation. In the 2025/26 financial year, the State Security Agency strengthened its focus on early detection and mitigation of these threats. The SSA will continue to monitor underlying drivers of violent societal conflict, including economic inequality, service delivery failures, unemployment, and inflammatory rhetoric and provides timely strategic and operational intelligence to relevant government departments and law enforcement agencies to address the challenges. As the lead agency for national security, the SSA remains committed to safeguarding social cohesion without compromising the rights and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. Our assessment is that South Africans are not xenophobic, hence we uphold the constitutional principles that “National Security must reflect the resolve of South African, as individuals and as a nation, to live as equals, to live in peace and harmony, to be free from fear and want and to seek a better life”. Honourable members, The intelligence services recognise that illegal migration, when exploited by organised criminal syndicates, constitutes not merely a domestic border-management challenge, but a broader transnational security concern requiring coordinated regional and international intelligence cooperation. In this regard, the Republic remains guided by the provisions of the United Nations Convention and Protocols, within which South African intelligence services are increasingly engaging foreign intelligence and security counterparts on the need for a coordinated continental and regional security response directed not against lawful migration itself, but against organised criminal facilitation networks that exploit vulnerable populations, porous borders, corruption vulnerabilities and weak governance environments for financial and operational gain. South Africa continues to advocate for enhanced intelligence-sharing mechanisms among regional and continental partners regarding organised migrant smuggling syndicates, trafficking networks, fraudulent documentation systems, illicit financial flows and transnational criminal facilitators operating across multiple jurisdictions. The Republic further supports the strengthening of cooperative early-warning systems capable of identifying emerging migration-security risks, criminal transit corridors and evolving patterns of cross-border organised criminal activity. South Africa also continues to encourage greater cooperation within the African Union and the Southern African Development Community frameworks regarding harmonised border-security standards, intelligence fusion mechanisms and coordinated counter-organised crime strategies aligned with the obligations contemplated under the Palermo Convention. In fulfilment of South Africa’s international obligations and national security responsibilities, intelligence cooperation with foreign counterparts will therefore remain focused on strengthening regional stability, protecting territorial integrity, combating organised criminal exploitation and promoting coordinated African solutions to transnational organised crime and irregular migration challenges COUNTER TERRORISM (CT) Modern terrorism increasingly operates through decentralised networks, digital platforms, illicit financial flows and transnational facilitation systems. This means that counterterrorism today is not only about preventing attacks, but also about protecting the integrity of financial systems, strengthening institutional coordination, and disrupting the financial infrastructure that enables extremist activity In the last year, South Africa has shown great progress in strengthening its resilience and response to countering of violent extremism and terrorism. The State Security Agency (SSA) and other Law Enforcement Agencies have placed specific focus on disrupting and countering Terrorist Financing (TF) and improving institutional coordination. This included better inter-agency and inter-department collaboration, an increased use of financial intelligence in investigations and an increase in the detection of terrorism and terrorist financing related activities in line with the countries Risk profile. Noteworthy advancements have been made in this regard, such as finalising the comprehensive Terrorism Financing National Risk Assessment (NRA); compiling a National Countering the Financing of Terrorism Strategy (NCFTS); developing and implementing a Targeted Financial Sanctions Operational Framework (TFSOF) regime; improving access to Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI); and strengthening the capability and capacity of law enforcement and other role-players in order to effectively detect, investigate and prosecute TF offences. NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY Today, every aspect of our lives relies on digital systems, which are increasingly vulnerable to malicious actors. Consequently, nations globally have made cybersecurity as a top priority, and South Africa is no different. As South Africa’s digital economy rapidly transforms and expands, it increases vulnerabilities and provides more entry points for increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals, hackers, and state-sponsored actors. During our budget vote debate last year, we communicated that we are finalising consultations on the draft National Cybersecurity Strategy. Considering the feedback from the consultative sessions and the growing number of cyberattacks affecting multiple sectors and causing significant disruptions, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive strategy that transcends traditional defensive measures and focuses on resilience. To achieve digital resilience, we are prioritising cyber resilience, the ability to anticipate, withstand, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity incidents. A significant amount of work has already been completed, and the revised National Cybersecurity Strategy should be adopted in the next quarter. THE NCIC AS THE STRATEGIC NERVE CENTRE Intelligence coordination is central pillar to intelligence success. In the 2024/ 25 financial year, we finalised and brought into implementation, the Regulations for Intelligence Coordination and that effort strengthened the effectiveness of nation intelligence structures. This term, we finalised the establishment of the National Centre for Intelligence Coordination, (NCIC). Since the dawn of democracy there has been just the Office of the National Coordinator for Intelligence and the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC) without the structure to support the work. In this regard, we have sought to implement the recommendations of the 2006 Task Team on the Review of Intelligence-Related Legislation, Regulation and Policies. The Task Team had recommended that there be a distinction between the Office of the Coordinator, the NICOC principals and the staff supporting the work of intelligence coordination. As such we established and launched the National Centre for Intelligence Coordination. This body represents the final piece of the puzzle in our quest for a unified national security picture and strategic reforms. The NCIC serves as the daily integration hub where NICOC (the Committee ie. Heads of SAPS-CI, DI, SAI and SAIS) regularly meets to synthesize raw data into actionable wisdom for the Executive and execution. It is through the full functioning of the NCIC that we are finally breaking down the silos that once allowed organized crime and sabotage to flourish in the gaps between departments. This centre ensures that our response to national threats is no longer reactive but is instead guided by a single, coherent narrative of the risks facing our nation. As we meet today, we are delighted to indicate that the 2026 National Intelligence Estimates are awaiting the National Security Council (NSC) approval. This work of the NCIC and NICOC is pivotal in focusing the attention of our national intelligence structures to key intelligence priorities that ought to be addressed in a financial year. TECHNOLOGICAL ENABLEMENT In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, communications have fundamentally transformed. Criminal networks, organised-crime syndicates, and national security threats actors increasingly operate across encrypted platforms, data-driven applications, and borderless digital environments. These actors continue to exploit advanced technologies to operate with greater sophistication and anonymity. Traditional methods of investigation, lawful interception and surveillance are therefore no longer sufficient on their own. As a country, we must ensure that our capabilities evolve at the same pace as the threats confronting us. The operations of the OIC and the NCC are currently constrained by aging infrastructure, challenges relating to reliability, maintenance, scalability, and increasing technological obsolescence amid rapid advancements in telecommunications. It is therefore imperative that the OIC and NC prioritise the modernisation and strengthening of its interception and surveillance capabilities to ensure that law enforcement agencies are equipped with lawful, reliable, and effective tools to fulfil their constitutional mandates. This modernisation will enhance system stability, minimise downtime, and establish a sustainable technical environment capable of meeting future operational demands. Furthermore, investment in sovereign interception technologies is critical to ensure that sensitive data remains protected, managed within national jurisdiction and aligned with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks. Financial resources have been appropriately ring-fenced to enable the OIC to respond rapidly to technological changes introduced by Electronic Communications Service Providers (ECSPs). Given the dynamic nature of the telecommunications environment, OIC systems must remain agile, adaptive, and continuously modernised. Cloud computing is no longer optional, it is essential. The volume, velocity, and variety of data associated with modern communications require scalable, flexible, and resilient infrastructure. Investment must therefore prioritise robust cybersecurity and data protection measures to ensure that sensitive information remains secure. Priority will therefore be given to investment in state-of-the-art technologies capable of supporting operations complemented by advanced data analytics capabilities to proactively identify and respond to emerging threats. MODERNISING FOR RESILIENT INTELLIGENCE SERVICE During the previous Budget Vote, we reflected extensively on the transformation currently underway within the State Security Agency and reaffirmed the commitment of the Agency’s leadership to implement the recommendations of the High-Level Review Panel as part of a broader programme of renewal and repositioning. That commitment remains and progress firmly underway. A key priority over the medium term is the implementation of human resource strategies and policies that improve the organisational framework and strengthen alignment between skills and functional requirements across the organisation. This will ensure that skills are aligned to roles in a manner that supports effective delivery of the Agency’s mandate. The process is guided by the developed business model, capability models, operational models, and capacity requirements which provide clarity on what the organisation must deliver, the capabilities required, and how these should be structured and deployed. These models also inform how technology must be leveraged to enhance specific components of the operational model, enabling improved efficiency, integration, and responsiveness. In the 2026/27 financial year we will prioritise the disestablishment of the State Security Agency and the establishment of the South African Intelligence Agency (domestic) and the South African Intelligence Service (foreign). Work is already underway to prepare for the proclamation of the GILAA (General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act, No. 37 of 2024) including the articulation of functions and structures for the reconfigured intelligence services, as well as the finalisation of the Regulations, which are a key requirement for the implementation of the GILAA. To support the effective functioning of the civilian intelligence services within the allocated resource framework, I have approved the Shared Services structure, which will provide integrated corporate support services across the intelligence environment. This model will support key legislated entities, including the Office for Interception Centres, the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence, and the newly established National Centre for Intelligence Coordination. These institutional reforms are not taking place in isolation. They are being driven by the nature of the threats confronting the Republic today. AFRICA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD Honourable House Chairperson, The global security environment is undergoing a period of intense geopolitical tensions and conflicts, which threaten and disrupt supply chains and the overall business environment. South Africa remains a key financier and strategic country within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region to advance regional integration and cohesion.
However, SADC faces a myriad of threats which impede the advancement of the priorities of the Medium-Term Development Plan 2024-2029. Inclusive economic growth and job creation cannot materialise, if political instability and conflict in the region continues to exert pressure on South Africa’s bilateral relationships. As the Chair of the SADC, South Africa will not only seek to strengthen existing partnerships toward diversifying its trade and commercial relations but will also champion regional integration and rapid industrialization to advance regional security. The State Security Agency (SSA) continues to closely monitor developments in the North and Horn of Africa, regions whose instability carries implications for South Africa’s national security. In Sudan, the ongoing civil war and escalating drone attacks have worsened the humanitarian crisis, with ongoing mass displacements and arms proliferation. Moreover, terror activity such as espoused by Al-Shabaab in Somalia, coupled with transnational organised crime, further threaten the Horn’s stability. In North Africa, the ongoing Western Sahara dispute delays the final chapter of decolonisation in Africa. The SSA will intensify its focus on providing timely threat, risk, and opportunity assessments to support South Africa’s work in the African Union Peace and Security Council and bilateral diplomacy, enabling Government to safeguard our national interests and advance African-led solutions. The situation in the Middle East remains tense due to the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict as violence continues, exacerbating a severe humanitarian crisis and mass displacements in Gaza. A fragile ceasefire between the United States (US) and Iran continues to threaten global energy security and food security in the African continent, with severe implications on livelihoods and economic stability. INTELLIGENCE ACADEMY The evolution of the intelligence environment demands for continuous alignment of skills, knowledge and tools, matching them with the ever-changing cutting-edge technologies used by potential adversaries. It is upon this premise that the South African National Intelligence Academy (SANAI) is utilising its convenience to foster business optimisation through the alluded technically inclined intelligence production. As the Minister in The Presidency, I have directed that the Agency must optimise its business by leveraging the power of data by establishing a Data Institute. The Data Institute would then serve as a dedicated hub for research and development, and would foster data-driven innovation, develop data capabilities through training and continuous professional development in support of data-related technologies for the intelligence community and other interested parties to advance South Africa’s national security and national interests. The Data Institute will attract and house experts in the fields of data science, cybersecurity, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (IA), geospatial technologies, amongst others. These experts will then collaborate on complex data challenges, ensuring governance, security and integrity of data, and in creating advanced solutions that can transform SSA’s operations across all business functions. The Geospatial Information Dashboard is another innovation intended to help reorient functions of the SSA towards geospatial technology inclined intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination. Through the Academy, the SSA entered into an MOU with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in 2024, the scope of which makes provision for collaboration in various areas encompassing training and provision of access to data platforms. The Academy has embarked on a Project to register as a Higher Education Institution (HEI) with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), which will also include accreditation with the Council for Higher Education (CHE). A HEI Project Task Team was established, consisting of various expertise within the Academy and across other structures of the Agency. An application has already been submitted to the Department of Higher Education and Training. In support of this strategic repositioning, the Agency is also strengthening the Academy’s role as a centre for research, innovation and future-oriented capability development. As part of this process, the Research and Development function currently residing within National Communications will be transitioned to the Academy in order to consolidate institutional research capability, enhance collaboration, and create an integrated environment for advanced intelligence learning, innovation and technology development. This repositioning will further support the Academy’s evolution into a strategic intelligence and knowledge hub aligned to emerging national security demands. These initiatives are designed to accelerate the Agencies advancement in AI and Data Science. CONCLUSION The State Security Agency is at the moment, an organisation in transition and every effort is being made to ensure that we are building for resilience and positioned to confront multiple futures in the horizon. We are not just observers of the change happening around us, but we are active shapers of our nation’s destiny. I table Vote 8: National Treasury (State Security Agency) for your support to enable us to deliver on our mandate. I thank you.
Programme Director, Mr Masibulele Tolofane;
Councillor T Rossouw;
Community leaders and representatives;
Representatives of the Al Imdaad Foundation;
Ms Bianca Mankayi;
Residents of Vredenburg and surrounding communities;
Members of the media;
Ladies and gentlemen.
Good morning. It is both a privilege and a deeply meaningful moment for me to return to Vredenburg. Earlier this year, I had the honour of visiting Louisville Secondary School, where we handed over a digital library to support teaching and learning and to expand opportunities for young people in this community. That visit was about investing in the future of our children. Today, I return under very different circumstances, but with the same message: government is here, government is listening, and government is committed to improving the lives of our people. Today, we gather to stand in solidarity with families and communities affected by the severe weather conditions that have devastated parts of the Western Cape.
Over the past several days, a powerful cold front has brought torrential rain, flooding, and freezing temperatures to communities across the province. Homes have been damaged, livelihoods disrupted, and many families have been left vulnerable and uncertain about what tomorrow may bring. When disaster strikes, it is often the poorest and most vulnerable who are affected the most. For them, the loss of a roof, a bed, school uniforms, food, or basic household items is not a minor inconvenience. It is a major setback that threatens dignity, security, and hope. That is why government is intensifying relief efforts in all affected areas across the country. Working with the National Disaster Management Centre, provincial and local governments, and community-based organisations, we are mobilising resources to provide immediate assistance and longer-term support. Ladies and gentlemen, Today's handover is one example of these efforts. In partnership with the Al Imdaad Foundation, we are providing relief packages and essential supplies to affected residents to help meet immediate needs and to offer some comfort during this difficult time. This initiative demonstrates an important truth: when government and civil society work together, we can respond more quickly, more effectively, and with greater compassion. I would like to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the Al Imdaad Foundation for sponsoring this disaster relief programme. Your generosity is a powerful expression of ubuntu. Your commitment to humanitarian service reminds us that compassion has no boundaries and that, in times of crisis, our greatest strength lies in our willingness to help one another. Thank you for answering the call to serve. Ladies and gentlemen, Programme director, This year is of special significance for our nation. In 2026, South Africa marks 30 years of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. For three decades, our Constitution has served as the foundation of our democracy. It affirms that every person in this country has inherent dignity and equal worth. It guarantees the rights to housing, healthcare, education, social security, and access to information. Most importantly, it places a duty on government to work tirelessly to improve the quality of life of all citizens and to free the potential of every person. Our Constitution is more than a legal document. It is a living covenant between the people and the state. It reflects the values for which generations of South Africans struggled and sacrificed: equality, justice, accountability, and freedom. It reminds us that democracy must not only exist in law, but must be experienced in the everyday lives of our people. This year, we also commemorate 30 years of SASSA and South Africa's social assistance system. For three decades, social grants have provided a vital lifeline to millions of South Africans, including older persons, persons with disabilities, children, and vulnerable households. SASSA has become one of the most important instruments through which our democratic state protects the poor and reduces inequality. For many households, a social grant is the difference between hunger and a meal, between despair and hope. The story of SASSA is the story of a caring state that recognises that the true measure of progress is how we treat the most vulnerable among us. Today's relief effort is rooted in the same principle. Whether through disaster assistance, social grants, education programmes, healthcare services, or economic support, government remains committed to ensuring that no South African is left behind. As we celebrate these milestones, we are also reminded of the power and responsibility that every citizen carries. Ladies and gentlemen, South Africa will soon hold local government elections. These elections are important because municipalities are responsible for delivering many of the services that affect our daily lives, including water, sanitation, roads, electricity, housing, and local development. I therefore urge every eligible citizen to ensure that they are registered to vote. Do not underestimate the importance of your vote. Many South Africans fought, sacrificed, and even gave their lives for the right to vote. When you vote, you honour that sacrifice. When you vote, you make your voice heard. When you vote, you help shape the future of your community and your country. Democracy does not end on election day, but elections remain one of the most powerful tools we have to strengthen accountability and deepen participation. To the people of Vredenburg and the wider West Coast, let me assure you that government stands with you. We see your struggles. We hear your concerns. And we are committed to working with you to rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, and strengthen your community against future challenges. We know that the road to recovery is not always easy. But we also know that South Africans are resilient. We know that when we unite around the values of compassion, solidarity, and shared responsibility, there is no challenge we cannot overcome. Let us continue to embody the spirit of ubuntu. Let us continue to support one another. Let us continue to build a South Africa where every person can live in dignity, security, and hope. Together, we will recover. Together, we will rebuild. Together, we will move our country forward. I thank you.
Your Excellency, President Boko,
Vice President of Botswana Ndaba Gaolethe,
Ministers,
High Commissioners,
Colleagues and Friends, As we conclude the deliberations of this session of the Bi-National Commission, I wish to express my appreciation for the insight and wisdom with which you guided our discussions. The report of the Commission captures the scope of our strategic and fraternal relations. It affirms that our bilateral relations remain strong. It lays the basis for effective implementation in the months ahead. The agreements we are signing today give practical and legal expression to our cooperation. In our deliberations, we have identified priority areas to will scale up economic partnership between our countries. Levels of bilateral trade and investment must be substantially increased. We must explore more opportunities in agriculture, while working together to resolve some of the challenges we have experienced in this area. South Africa and Botswana continue to deepen cooperation in other important areas, such as in vaccines. We welcome the commitment by South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council and the Botswana Vaccine Institute to conclude a cooperation partnership in the production of vaccines to fight animal diseases, including food and mouth disease. Mr President, We thank you and your government for facilitating the delivery of significant doses of vaccines to our country to combat the outbreak of food and mouth disease.
We are committed to address immigration difficulties affecting, among other others, students from Botswana and business people from South Africa. We should direct our respective Ministers of Home Affairs to develop a sustainable resolution of these matters by September this year. Working together within SADC, South Africa and Botswana will continue to promote regional integration, including through investment in infrastructure and manufacturing. We will continue to promote social, cultural, educational and scientific ties. It is also critical that the region promotes peace, stability and security. South Africa and Botswana should continue to work for a global order based on peace, stability and respect for international law.
We conclude this session of the BNC inspired by the vision of our forebears, who laid a firm foundation for a great relationship forged through struggle, sacrifice and unity. The strong bonds of friendship and cooperation are founded on our shared desire to fulfil the promise of a brighter future for our two nations and for our region. We once again express our deep appreciation for the warmth and hospitality extended to us during this State Visit and Bi-National Commission. We were embraced with Botho, consistent with the traditions of this great country of Botswana. I look forward, Your Excellency and Dear Brother, to hosting you in South Africa for the seventh session of the Bi-National Commission. Pula! Ke a leboga. I thank you.
Your Excellency President Duma Gideon Boko,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers from both delegations
High Commissioners of our respective countries
Senior Officials,
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen. Dumelang! It is a great pleasure to be here at home among our Brothers and Sisters, the people of Botswana. The warm welcome that has been extended to us are testament to the spirit of friendship, solidarity and cooperation that underpin our strategic relations. We oversee this historic sixth session of the Bi-National Commission in the shadow of the passing of one of Botswana’s finest, Former President Festus Mogae, who was laid to rest in a befitting and deeply moving manner. We are inspired by his remarkable life and contribution to continue to deepen cooperation between our two nations. Our ties have been shaped by centuries of cultural affinity and a shared ancestry. We trace our histories to the great societies of the Batswana and Nama people, whose migratory movements laid a foundation for the geographical spaces that make up our countries today. Neither colonialism nor apartheid could divide us or thwart our common destiny. We cannot forget the enormous sacrifices that Botswana made in standing in solidarity with the people of South Africa in their struggle against apartheid. Botswana provided refuge to our freedom fighters. Botswana spoke for our cause on international platforms, ensuring that our voice was not silenced but amplified. We will never forget your acts of bravery, principle and support. Botswana is one of the beacons of democracy in our region and continent. It is a model of stability that, under your leadership, Mr President, is charting a path towards sustained prosperity and an assured future. The Bi-National Commission continues to provide a valuable mechanism through which we should align our interests, strengthen existing collaboration, identify new areas of cooperation and move our relations to a higher level. There are strategic opportunities we should pursue to expand bilateral trade and investment. We need to ensure that our trade is more balanced. South Africa wishes to attract a greater diversity of products from Botswana. A number of South African companies have expressed a desire to invest more in Botswana, creating more jobs, transferring skills and contributing to revenues of this country. We want to deepen cooperation in agriculture. South Africa’s agricultural sector wants to be a partner as Botswana grows its own agricultural sector and consolidates its food security. Among other things, we need to address the challenges which led to the imposition of import restrictions on agricultural products from South Africa. We should direct our Ministers of Agriculture and Trade to develop proposals on resolving these challenges and submit these by December 2026. We commend Botswana for the implementation of your 12th National Development Plan, which is anchored on economic diversification and a transition towards more export oriented and private-sector driven growth. We follow with keen interest your commitment to the development of several Special Economic Zones, which will attract the necessary foreign direct investment, expand your economy, create more jobs for your people and sharpen competitiveness. You will find ready and reliable partners from South Africa as these zones gain traction. Our countries are both endowed with vast mineral resources. These strategic minerals are now the focus of intense global interest. Some of these minerals are key components in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles and more powerful computer microchips. They are vital for the development of the green energy and digital economies. As owners of these minerals, we should beneficiate these products ourselves, creating opportunities for our peoples. Botswana is leading the way by refining and polishing your diamonds in the country. Continued cooperation between South Africa and Botswana in energy is paramount if we are to meet the energy needs of our people, develop our productive sectors, power our economies and drive industrialisation. We must cooperate on issues of electricity access, petroleum resources and coal. Investment in renewable energy will also assist us in diversifying our energy mix. Investments in priority infrastructure projects are vital in enhancing bilateral economic opportunities and enabling greater regional integration. One such venture is the Mmamabula–Lephalale Rail Link Project, which stands out as a strategic priority for our two countries. This initiative has the potential to unlock significant economic value for both countries. We must expedite the agreements needed to implement the project. Other critical ventures include the proposed Lesotho–Botswana Water Transfer Project and the Ramotswa Transboundary Aquifer. These initiatives will support water security into the future, while enabling sustainable growth and development. We are not only interested in the passage of resources and goods between our countries. We need to work towards the seamless movement of our people in a predictable, coordinated and secure manner. We welcome Botswana’s plans to establish a One Stop Border Post at Tlokweng/Kopfontein. This will help reduce congestion at the border, facilitate trade and enhance the efficient movement of people and goods between our countries. As we deepen our collaboration, we must work together to tackle transnational organised crime across our borders. Together, we must to deal with such threats as cybercrime, arms smuggling, human trafficking, drug smuggling, illegal mining, money laundering, illicit financial flows and wildlife poaching. South Africa has been entrusted with the responsibility of Chair of SADC from August this year. During our tenure, we will continue to champion the cause of regional integration, peace, stability, development and the prosperity of our region. Since the dawn of democracy in our country, we have sought to welcome and integrate immigrants from other African countries and from beyond our continent. Most of these people have integrated into South African society forming a vital bridge between South Africa and their countries of origin. At the same time, we have experienced a high influx of undocumented immigrants. This phenomenon has intersected with economic hardship and unemployment experienced by many of our people, contributing to tensions between some local communities and foreign nationals. Recent events in South Africa have once more brought to the fore the faultlines that all of us on the African continent must address. While appreciating the hardship in some of our communities, we have strongly condemned those of our citizens who took the law into their own hands. We have accordingly directed law enforcement agencies to protect every person in our country and uphold the rule of law. We welcome the call for a regional and continental discussion on the issue of migration. This discussion should consider all the factors that drive migration, including the responsibilities of countries of origin and transit countries. The prospects for enhanced development on our continent depends on the existence of a peaceful, stable and secure environment. In this regard, the volatile situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is of concern. We must safeguard the territorial integrity of this sisterly country and support all parties in finding a negotiated solution. South Africa remains concerned about the civil war in Sudan, which has led to massive loss of lives, destruction of infrastructure, devastation of the economy and the creation of a major humanitarian crisis. We are also concerned about the the political impasse and instability in neighbouring South Sudan. The operationalisation of the African Standby Force is becoming increasingly more urgent. Conflicts in many parts of the world continue to adversely impact on global peace and security. There is a clear challenge to multilateralism and international law. It is therefore important to work tirelessly to reform the global institutions of governance, so that these reflect the diversity of the membership of the United Nations. In conclusion, I am of the conviction that this sixth Bi-National Commission provides us with the impetus to galvanise and deepen our cooperation. The exceptional work carried by our Officials and technical experts, under the guidance of the Ministers, has reinforced the path of collaboration. The reports we are about to receive from the Ministers will no doubt outline the priorities that need focus and will allow us as the Presidents to give strategic direction towards the full realisation of our mutual interests. I thank you once again for your warm hospitality and for hosting this important session. I look forward to fruitful discussions. Ke a Leboga I thank you.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Thursday, 21 May 2026, deliver a keynote address at the NEPAD @ 25 Business Breakfast scheduled to take place at Mariott Hotel in Century City, Cape Town.
The event is hosted by the African Union Development Agency – NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) in partnership with the Thabo Mbeki Foundation as part of Africa Month commemorations and to mark the 25th Anniversary of NEPAD.
The engagement will bring together leaders from government, business and development institutions to reflect on NEPAD’s contribution towards Africa’s development, integration and governance agenda over the past 25 years.
The Deputy President is expected to highlight government’s commitment towards advancing Africa’s development agenda, in line with his delegated responsibility as South Africa’s Special Envoy to South Sudan and leading peace missions on the continent.
The programme will also feature reflections by former President Thabo Mbeki and remarks by Dr. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Time: 10h00
Venue: Marriott Hotel, Century City, Cape Town
Members of the media wishing to attend are requested to confirm attendance for accreditation purposes with Ms Tshiamo Selomo (The Presidency) on 066 118 1505 or Millicent Kgeledi (AUDA-NEPAD) on 083 266 1829
Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to Deputy President Mashatile on 066 195 8840
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, undertake a State Visit to the Republic of Botswana which will culminate in the Sixth Session of the Botswana and South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Gaborone. On the two-day State Visit occasion from 20 to 21 May, President Ramaphosa and President Gideon Duma Boko will co-chair the Summit of the Sixth Session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC). The Summit will be preceded by a Ministerial Meeting on 20 May 2026, and the Senior Officials Meeting. The primary objective of the State Visit and BNC is to deepen and strengthen the existing bilateral partnership between the two countries. The Sixth Session of the BNC represents a critical opportunity to reinforce the strategic partnership between South Africa and Botswana. While the relationship remains strong, it is evolving in response to new economic realities and shifting global dynamics. A Business Forum that will be held on the margins of the BNC will strengthen private sector collaboration and facilitate business-to-business exchanges. South Africa and Botswana share a historically grounded and mutually reinforcing relationship, rooted in solidarity during the liberation struggle, when Botswana provided support to South African freedom fighters. This legacy, combined with geographic proximity and shared cultural and linguistic ties, has shaped a durable partnership that continues to expand across multiple sectors. The BNC serves as a central institutional mechanism through which this relationship is structured and advanced, enabling coordinated cooperation and sustained dialogue at political, technical, and economic levels. Bilateral trade and investment remain the cornerstone of the economic cooperation between the two countries. South Africa is Botswana’s largest trading partner, accounting for over 50% of Botswana’s imports. In 2025, total bilateral trade amounted to approximately R 82 billion, with South Africa exporting goods to the tune of R73.5 billion to Botswana and with imports from the country amounting to R7.7 billion. South Africa is also Botswana's largest supplier of agricultural products. In 2025, of the country’s R15 billion agricultural imports, R14 billion were from South Africa. South Africa has a significant corporate presence in Botswana with more than 100 South African companies operating across key sectors, including in financial and banking services, retail and wholesale, mining and mineral beneficiation, infrastructure, construction and logistics, freight, manufacturing and automotive value chains as well as the hospitality and tourism industries. South Africa’s Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) have also developed a pipeline of projects for financing in Botswana. The DBSA’s aggregate portfolio of investments under consideration in Botswana represents a total project value of approximately R6.5 billion, demonstrating meaningful scale and impact. The two countries will explore renewable energy opportunities in support of Botswana’s effort towards increasing renewable energy to 50 per cent by 2030, creating opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, grid integration, and capacity building. The State Visit takes place against the backdrop of a political transition in Botswana, following the transition to a new administration in October 2024. The State Visit signals the new government’s intention to consolidate relations with South Africa while maintaining continuity in bilateral engagement. It also offers South Africa an opportunity to strengthen its strategic relations with Botswana. It is envisaged that the two countries will, during the upcoming engagements focus on High Impact Priority Projects. A number of new agreements will also be signed during the visit. The State Visit and BNC schedule will take place as follows: Date: Wednesday 20 May 2026
Time: 14h00
Venue: Royal Area Conference Centre, Tlokweng.
Media programme and social media streaming: (Subject to change) Wednesday 20 May 2026 media programme: Day One Airport arrival and State Visit ceremony: 15H00 (photo streaming) Tour of the Botswana Vaccine Institute: 16h00 (photos/video streaming) State Banquet: 19h00 Thursday 21 May 2026 media programme: Day Two Official Opening of the 6th Session of the Bi-National Commission: 10:00 (Media to be present for the opening session and thereafter exit) Closing Ceremony of the Bi-National Commission: 13h00 Remarks by President Ramaphosa and by President Boko Media engagement:
Photo opportunity for signing of Agreements
Media Q&A Session
Official photo opportunity
Departure (photos to be shared on social networks) Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya Spokesperson to the President, media@presideny.gov.za Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
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