Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will tomorrow, Thursday 09 April 2026, deliver a keynote address at the Gauteng Investment Conference 2026 (GIC 2026), a flagship provincial platform aimed at mobilisng investment, advancing industrialisation and accelerating inclusive economic growth. 

This year's conference builds on the success of the inaugural conference held in 2025, which secured R312 billion in investment pledges. It forms part of Gauteng's strategy to attract R800 billion in new investments over a three year period.

GIC 2026 will bring together global investors, African governments, municipal leaders, development finance institutions, banks and the private sector with the aim of enhancing Gauteng's position as Africa's leading investment hub.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the conference as follows:
Date: Thursday, 09 April 
Time: 08h30
Venue: The Marriott Hotel, Melrose Arch 

Members of the media who wish to attend are requested to RSVP to Lerato Sewpersad: leratos@ggda.co.za / 072 909 4463 or Siphiwe Hlope: siphiwe.hlope@gauteng.gov.za.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840 or Sabelo Ndlangisa, Senior Communications Manager at GDED on 066 4860 444

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director,
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi,
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Thami Ntuli,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Executive Mayor of the iLembe District Municipality, Cllr Thobani Shandu,
Mayor of the Ndwedwe Local Municipality, Cllr SZ Mfeka,
MECs, Mayors and Councillors,
Representatives of institutions supporting democracy,
Representatives of the victims committees and civil society,
Traditional leaders,
Representatives of faith-based organisations,
The Ndwedwe community,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Sanibonani. Good Morning. Molweni. Dumelang. Avuxeni. Ndi Matsheloni. Lotjhani. Goeie môre. 

It is a great honour to be here today with the community of Ndwedwe to witness a milestone in our long journey towards justice and reconciliation. 

Today, we are marking the implementation of regulations that allow victims of apartheid identified through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process to receive housing assistance from the state. 

This reflects our commitment as a country to recognising and healing the divisions of our past, and to honouring all those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land.

We are marking this milestone almost exactly 30 years after the first public hearing of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was held in East London on the 15th of April 1996.

The passage of time has not diminished our commitment to justice and reconciliation.

We remain determined to ensure that the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is completed.

This place, Ndwedwe, occupies a place of profound historical significance. 

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Ndwedwe was one of the areas in KwaZulu-Natal most affected by political violence.

People were forced to flee their homes. Homes were burned and property was destroyed. Many innocent lives were lost. Families were rendered homeless and broken up. 

Many people lost their livelihoods and access to their land. 

The effects of the violence lasted for many years and some still persist to this day.

When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established in 1995 to uncover the atrocities that had been committed under apartheid, survivors from Ndwedwe testified at the hearings. 

A number of them were elderly victims, who are now in their eighties and nineties.

The TRC documented hundreds of cases of arson, assaults, killings and forced removals in Ndwedwe and formally recognised a number of residents as victims of gross human rights violations. 

Ndwedwe stands as a powerful site of memory and survival, representing rural communities whose suffering often received less public attention but was no less devastating. 

As a country, we understand that truth alone is not sufficient to repair the harm that was done. We know that reconciliation cannot be enduring without reparations.

The provision of reparations is not just an act of goodwill. It is a moral obligation and a vital part of restoring people’s dignity. 

Even though the democratic state is not responsible for the atrocities committed in the name of apartheid, it is up to the democratic state to make a decisive break with the hurts of the past if we are to move forward together.

The final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission made a number of recommendations to the President on possible measures that could be taken to restore the dignity of victims.

These measures included once-off grants, medical benefits and other forms of social assistance, the construction of monuments, and other forms of community rehabilitation. 

The report recommended that the state give special attention to housing assistance in areas such as Ndwedwe, where violence resulted in mass destruction of property and displacement. 

The housing assistance regulations that we published in January 2026 flow directly from these recommendations. 

The regulations set out how housing assistance will be provided to beneficiaries who have been formally identified and verified through the TRC process. 

The confirmed beneficiaries are eligible to receive a once-off grant for housing assistance or the construction of a new home. 

The cost of the reparations will be borne by the President’s Fund that was established in terms of the TRC Act. 

Through these regulations we are giving effect to our longstanding commitment as government to reparations for victims of apartheid, as well as to our obligations under the Constitution to advance the right to human dignity. 

Our Constitution places a clear obligation on the state to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within available resources, to progressively realise everyone’s right of access to adequate housing.

Our Constitution places housing as a fundamental pillar of human dignity, safety and security.

As of March 2026, the total number of approved listed beneficiaries in Ndwedwe stands at 220.

The symbolic cheques that are being handed over today represent R40 million in cumulative assistance being provided to the verified beneficiaries to build a home or improve their existing homes. 

To respect their safety and privacy, representatives of traditional leaders will be receiving them on behalf of the beneficiaries today. 

A total of 114 approved beneficiaries in Ndwedwe have already been paid out approximately R21 million by the President’s Fund. 

This is a nationwide programme and to date we have received applications from victims across the country.

Government is committed to ensure that this process provides some justice for communities that are still bearing the cost of what happened in our past. 

And that it provides security to the survivors and their descendants.

I would like to thank the community of Ndwedwe for your patience, as well as our traditional and community leaders who have travelled this journey with us. 

We know that it has been a long road. There have been many challenges and difficulties.

I acknowledge the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for the dignified manner in which it has engaged with the communities through the various roadshows and public participation processes. 

Housing is not simply about shelter. It represents stability, dignity and belonging to a community.

As we commemorate 30 years of our Constitution this year, we affirm that our future is built on remembering our past and correcting the injustices that were committed. 

United by one Constitution, inspired by one shared destiny, we recommit to completing the work of nation building that was begun in 1994.

The South African experience has been adapted for truth commissions in a number of other countries. 

The emphasis of the TRC on narrative truth, restorative justice and public participation shaped international thinking on how societies confront and manage political transitions.

Our efforts align with the objectives of the African Union’s Decade of Reparations, which calls on African states and the international community to complete the work of restoration that political liberation began.

This has been further reinforced by the United Nations General Assembly’s landmark resolution of 25 March 2026, that declared the transatlantic trafficking and racialised enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. 

It furthermore affirmed the role of reparations as a necessary step toward remedying historical injustice. 

This resolution echoes the TRC’s central premise: that truth must lead to justice and that justice must include material repair if reconciliation is to be meaningful. 

The handover of these symbolic cheques today affirms our belief that reconciliation and reparations must be concrete and tangible.

As we celebrate 30 years of the Constitution, we are reminded that political liberation was never the final destination. It was the beginning of a longer journey towards social justice. 

The task of building a truly united, just and equal society continues.

We will not rest until all our people can live in peace, in security and in comfort.

I thank you.
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, address the Sixth South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Launched in 2018 by President Ramaphosa, the South Africa Investment Conference has become the country’s premier platform for attracting both domestic and international investors, and for showcasing South Africa’s investment potential and sustained economic reforms.

The South Africa Investment Conference is the country’s flagship platform to position South Africa as a credible, competitive and forward-looking investment destination in a rapidly changing global economy.

Anchored in the theme “Invest. Partner. Prosper.”, the Conference brings together government, global investors, development finance institutions and strategic partners to advance investment-led growth and strengthen South Africa’s role as a gateway for investment into the African continent.

The Investment Conference is structured as a coherent investment platform that moves from reform credibility to investor confidence, to deployable opportunities and long-term global partnerships, ensuring alignment between South Africa’s domestic development priorities and international investment interests.

The 2026 conference marks a strategic transition from high-level planning to a focused phase of delivery, as government accelerates the implementation of investment commitments.

The conference aims to mobilise investors as South Africa targets an additional R2 trillion in investment commitments over the next five years, building on the success of the first five conferences which collectively secured R1.5 trillion in commitments, with over R600 billion already invested in the economy.

These investments have contributed to the establishment of new factories, mines and industrial facilities, playing a critical role in advancing South Africa’s socio-economic development through job creation, poverty reduction and efforts to address inequality.

Held under the framework of the “3Ds” — Digitisation, Decarbonisation and Diversification — the conference positions South Africa as a competitive, reforming and future-focused economy, while highlighting opportunities in technology, clean energy and expanded trade partnerships across the African continent.

The conference also serves as the formal launch platform of South Africa’s Second Investment Drive and is aligned with the priorities of the 7th Administration, including inclusive economic growth, employment creation, infrastructure development and economic reform.

The conference takes place at a time of improved investor confidence, underpinned by progress in key structural reforms, including enhanced energy reliability, infrastructure development and economic recovery initiatives.

President Ramaphosa will address the conference as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Time: 09h00
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director, Ms Lin Honghong, Director General of CCPIT 
Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Mr Han Zheng;
Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of the Republic of South Africa, Ms Alexandra Abrahams, Deputy Minister of International Relations, Ms Thandi Moraka and all Deputy Ministers here present;
Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Zhang Li and all Assistant Ministers here present;
Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Mr Ren Hongbin;
Business Leaders from China and South Africa;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a privilege to address this Economic and Trade Forum, convened in the wake of the 9th Session of the Bi-National Commission, which I had the honour of co-chairing yesterday with His Excellency Vice President Han Zheng.

The conclusion of the Commission’s work marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s journey of a thousand miles with China. This is a journey that began with a single step in the year 2000, when our two nations agreed to establish the Bi National Commission on the founding principle of equality, mutual respect, and shared progress.

Together, we have built bridges of trade and investment, strengthened the pillars of cooperation, and opened doors of opportunity for our peoples.

We have also expanded sectoral collaboration in broad areas of tourism, mineral resources, environment, science & technology, education, and culture.

Economic cooperation remains central to government collaboration. Efforts are focused on restructuring trade to enhance value-added exports to China. 

This has positioned South Africa as China’s largest trade partner in Africa and its top global partner. As a result, bilateral trade grew by 6.4%, rising from USD 34.2 billion in 2024 to USD 36.4 billion in 2025.

The work that we have done as Governments has also paved the way for China to invest USD8.11 billion in 103 FDI projects, creating a total of 5 694 jobs in South Africa.

On the other hand, there is a group of South African companies that collectively invested USD 689 million into China in the health, ICT, financial services, manufacturing, and services sectors.

However, there is still much work to be done to diversify our exports from raw commodities and to strengthen South Africa’s industrial base in electric vehicle and battery manufacturing.

South Africa is keen to draw investments across various sectors, particularly in mineral beneficiation, the hydrogen economy & clean energy, ICT technology, textiles and leather. 

Over and above what we have achieved in our government deliberations, the signing of the Framework Agreement for the China Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (CAEPA) will cement South Africa’s status as an attractive sourcing destination.

This agreement will effectively lower costs for Chinese companies importing South African goods while opening new avenues for our industries to expand their reach and competitiveness. In many ways, CAEPA is the natural outgrowth of the founding principle of our BNC.
Deputy Minister Abrahams reported on the advancements regarding the Early Harvest Agreement aimed at ensuring that South African exports destined for China will receive permanent zero-tariff treatment, contingent upon consultations with domestic trade partners in the Customs Union.

We also believe that the CAEPA solidifies South Africa’s status as a preferred destination for Chinese investment. Duty free access for South African exports not only makes it more profitable for Chinese firms to source semi processed and finished goods from South Africa, but it also makes the prospects of building local processing plants more viable.

This is aptly demonstrated by the incoming delegation who operate in the sectors of Biotechnology, Renewable Energy, Food and Beverage, Engineering and Construction, Oil and Gas, Utilities as well as banking and finance. These companies are regarded as innovative leaders in their sectors. We welcome that you have chosen South Africa as a home for your investment and that you are simultaneously investing in government supported priority sectors and initiatives.

For those considering South Africa for the first time, be assured that our nation offers exponential returns. Companies such as Hi-Sense have not only expanded their product lines here but have also unlocked access to the African market of 1.4 billion people. Original Equipment Manufacturers, through their investments, have discovered that South Africa is more than a gateway; it is a launchpad into continental opportunity, innovation and growth.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
South Africa opportunities that are available for investment include but are not limited to agriculture, energy sector, mineral beneficiation and infrastructure.

Our agriculture and agro processing sectors showcase South Africa’s fertile land and diverse produce, which can ultimately be transformed into high value exports to China and other regions. 

By deepening cooperation in this sector, we not only strengthen food security but also create jobs across rural communities, ensuring that prosperity reaches every corner of our nation.

Of critical importance is investment in mineral beneficiation and infrastructure development. South Africa’s mineral wealth is widely recognised, but our goal is to go beyond raw exports by processing minerals, adding value, and developing the infrastructure that supports industrial growth.

Here, Chinese investment and technology can help us unlock the full potential of our resources, while building sustainable industries that will last for generations.

In the energy sector, we see great potential in renewable energy and baseload electricity collaborations. South Africa is committed to moving toward a greener future, and with China’s expertise, we can accelerate the deployment of solar, wind, and storage technologies. Together, we can provide a reliable energy supply while fulfilling our climate commitments.

The automotive sector remains a key part of our industrial base. By expanding manufacturing and parts production, along with investments in electronics and high-tech industries, we can position South Africa as a centre for next-generation vehicles and innovation.

This is not just about vehicles, but also about creating an ecosystem of suppliers, innovators, and skilled workers who will help drive our economy forward.

Perhaps the most transformative is the hydrogen economy. South Africa has the potential to become the lowest-cost producer and exporter of green hydrogen by leveraging our abundant renewable resources. With strategic partnerships, we can lead the way into a new energy future, positioning our country as a global leader in clean fuels and sustainable industrialisation.

Finally, Ladies and gentlemen, our Special Economic Zones and Industrial Parks provide the platforms to localise production, attract investment, and foster innovation. These zones are designed to act as catalysts, bringing together infrastructure, incentives, and skilled labour to develop competitive industries capable of thriving in global markets.

There will be presentations in the technical sessions that will help to guide you in your investment journey.
What South Africa offers you is political stability, a legal environment that safeguards and protects your investments, world-class infrastructure.

Lastly, all of this will be bolstered by a catalytic partnership agreement that, once finalised, will make South Africa your most indispensable trade and investment partner.

We firmly believe that this forum serves as a platform for aligning Government strategies with private sector engagement. The issues discussed in our diplomatic and technical sessions are expected to be implemented by private sector players, leading to job creation, industrialisation, and shared prosperity. Central to this collaboration are opportunities that directly address our shared priorities.

Today, we have an opportunity to energise momentum, to turn the commitments made here into real action.

Let us take this moment to ensure that our collaboration not only brings prosperity to both our nations but also makes a meaningful contribution to Africa’s broader development agenda.

Together, we can create a future defined by resilience, inclusivity, and shared success.

I thank you. Xiè Xiè
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow on Friday, 27 March 2026, lead an engagement between the National Executive and the Provincial Executive Council of Free State Cabinet.

The President Cabinet engagement will includes meeting with the Premier of Free State Province, Ms MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and the entire Provincial Executive Council.

This Joint National and Free State Provincial Executive engagement will take place at the University of Free State Centenary Complex in Bloemfontein, under the theme,“A Nation that Works for All".

The visit is aligned with President Ramaphosa’s commitment to encourage closer collaboration with Provinces and Local spheres of government to  tackle service delivery challenges.
 
This initiative accords with Section 154 of the Constitution, which mandates national and provincial governments to support and strengthen capacity of municipalities in governance.

The joint meeting will be the eighth engagement between National Executive and various Provinces. This follows interactions with provincial governments of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and North West.

Free State Province will elaborate on the challenges and opportunities that exist for inclusive economic growth and service delivery and its envisaged proposed solutions.

Free State has solidified its position as the preferred renewable energy investment destination, currently tracking projects with a capital investment exceeding R100 billion. These projects, including Khauta Solar Project and Mulilo Battery Energy Storage Project, which are central to strengthening national grid and creating sustainable jobs.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Ministers and Deputy Ministers and senior government officials.

Interested media will be able to cover President's opening address before closed session.

Note that media accreditation process are covered through GCIS platforms.

The Joint National Cabinet Meeting are arranged as follows:
Date: Friday, 27 March 2026
Time: 08h00
Venue: Centenary Complex, University of Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State Province

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za / Mpho Sikisi, Spokesperson to the Premier of the Free State on 073 828 8935 or mpho.sikisi@fspremier.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this afternoon, 25 March 2026, officially open the Ninety One South Africa Headquarters in Cape Town.

The opening marks Ninety One’s 35th anniversary and a return to its historic home, underscoring the firm’s enduring presence in South Africa and its continued growth as a global investment manager.

This further reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to the country and its confidence in the country’s future as a leading global financial services hub.

The President’s participation will highlight the critical role of collaboration between government and the private sector in advancing economic growth, attracting investment, and fostering sustainable employment opportunities.

The programme of the President to officially open the building and deliver remarks will commence from 17:30.

NOTE TO MEDIA: DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, THE PROCEEDINGS WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON PRESIDENCY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Minister Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of India,
Deputy Minister Mimi Gondwe, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training of South Africa,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the South African Medical Research Council Professor Ntobeko Ntusi
Head of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training at GIZ Mr Tobias  Muehler
Directors General,
CEOs,
Esteemed Guests,

It is my pleasure today to welcome you to South Africa for the 2026 Outcomes Finance Alliance Summit.

We are honoured to host this important global gathering in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council, GIZ, and all the partners who have contributed to bringing this Summit to life. We extend a warm welcome to all delegates who have travelled from across the world to be part of this important moment.

This Summit convenes a powerful coalition of leaders from government, private sector, philanthropy, multilateral institutions, and civil society. You represent not only institutions, but a shared commitment to rethinking how we finance development and how we deliver impact at scale.

At its core, this Summit speaks to one of the most urgent questions of our time. How do we ensure that every rand, every dollar, and every investment delivers meaningful, measurable change in people’s lives?

Ladies and gentlemen, across the globe, we are confronted with complex and interconnected challenges. Youth unemployment continues to rise in many regions. Poverty remains persistent. Education systems are under pressure to deliver relevant skills. Health systems are stretched. Climate change is intensifying vulnerabilities, particularly in developing economies.

At the same time, fiscal space is constrained. Governments are being called upon to do more with less, while citizens are rightly demanding accountability, transparency, and results.

It is within this context that outcomes based financing has emerged not as an alternative, but as a necessary evolution in how we think about development finance.

Outcomes based financing shifts the focus from what we spend to what we achieve. It moves us from inputs to results, from activities to impact, and from fragmented interventions to coordinated partnerships that are aligned around shared outcomes.

South Africa has embraced this approach as part of our broader commitment to innovation in public finance, governance, and service delivery.

We are proud to be among the countries that are not only experimenting with outcomes based financing, but actively implementing it at scale.

One of the most significant examples of this is the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund.

The Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund is one of the largest outcomes based funds globally focused on employment. It was designed to address one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges, which is youth unemployment.

Through this initiative, government has taken on the role of an outcomes funder, committing public resources to pay for verified employment outcomes rather than activities alone.

The design of Jobs Boost is deliberate and innovative.

It brings together government as the outcomes payer, implementing organisations who deliver training and placement services, independent evaluators who verify outcomes, and private sector partners who play a role in absorbing young people into the labour market.

The fund prioritises young people who are not in employment, education, or training, with a strong focus on inclusion, particularly for women and those in underserved communities.

Programme Director, what makes Jobs Boost particularly powerful is that it aligns incentives across the ecosystem. Implementers are rewarded for achieving real employment outcomes, not just for enrolling participants. Government pays only when results are achieved. And young people are supported not only to access opportunities, but to sustain them.

Since its launch, Jobs Boost has supported thousands of young South Africans to access work opportunities across sectors such as digital services, business process outsourcing, green economy initiatives, and traditional industries. Through the R300 million Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund, South Africa has already achieved over 9,100 verified enrolments and more than 6,800 verified job placements for young people, with over R220 million disbursed strictly against independently verified outcomes. This is not a pilot in theory. It is a demonstration, at scale, that outcomes-based financing can deliver real, measurable employment results.

Ladies and gentlemen, beyond the numbers, the jobs boost fund has generated critical lessons. It has demonstrated that outcomes based financing can drive innovation among service providers. It has shown that performance based incentives can improve efficiency and effectiveness. And it has highlighted the importance of robust data systems and independent verification in building trust and accountability.

We have seen, through our implementation partners such as BlueLever, Swift, and Afrika Tikkun, how this model is changing real lives.

We have met young people who entered these programmes without prior work experience, without networks, and often without confidence in their own prospects. Through targeted training, mentorship, and job placement support, they are now earning incomes, supporting their families, and building pathways into sustainable careers.

In the digital economy, young people trained through partners such as BlueLever and Swift are gaining access to opportunities in areas such as data annotation, digital services, and business process outsourcing, sectors that are not only growing, but that are opening doors to the future of work.

Through organisations such as Afrika Tikkun, we have seen young people from historically underserved communities transition from long-term unemployment into stable employment, often becoming the first in their families to access formal work.

One young participant shared that, for the first time, they are able to contribute to household income, support younger siblings, and plan for their future with dignity and hope.

These are not abstract outcomes. They are real transformations.

They remind us that outcomes-based financing is not only about efficiency or innovation in funding models. It is about restoring opportunity, building confidence, and unlocking human potential at scale.
 
Equally important, Jobs Boost has shown that government can play a catalytic role in crowding in additional investment and in shaping markets that deliver both social and economic value.

We have also seen similar progress in the Early Childhood Care and Education Outcomes Fund.

Through this initiative, government has partnered with implementers and private capital to improve early learning outcomes for young children, particularly in underserved communities.

This is a critical investment. Evidence shows that early childhood development is one of the most powerful drivers of long term human capital development, educational attainment, and economic participation.

By using outcomes based models, we are able to ensure that investments in early learning translate into measurable improvements in school readiness, cognitive development, and overall child wellbeing.

These initiatives are not isolated.

They form part of a broader strategic ambition to embed outcomes based approaches within our public systems.
 
However, the journey toward outcomes based financing is not one that government can undertake alone.

The success of this model depends fundamentally on partnership.

It requires collaboration between governments, investors, philanthropies, service providers, data and evaluation partners, and communities themselves.

It requires trust. It requires shared risk. And it requires a willingness to move beyond traditional silos.

We are encouraged by the strong representation at this Summit.

We see here governments that are exploring policy and regulatory frameworks. We see investors who are willing to align capital with impact. We see philanthropies that are de risking innovation. And we see implementers who are at the frontline of delivering change.

This reflects a growing global movement.

Esteemed Guests, at previous Outcomes Finance Alliance Summits, there has been a clear shift in the field.

We have seen a move from small scale pilots toward larger, more ambitious funds. We have seen increasing government leadership in acting as outcomes funders. We have seen stronger emphasis on data, evidence, and learning. And we have seen the emergence of more diverse applications across sectors, including health, education, climate, and social protection.

Importantly, there has also been a recognition that outcomes based financing is not only a technical instrument. It is a system level reform.

It challenges us to rethink how we design programmes, how we allocate resources, how we measure success, and how we hold ourselves accountable to the people we serve.

This Summit builds on that momentum.

Over the coming days, you will engage on critical themes, including scaling outcomes funds, integrating technology and data systems, expanding into new sectors such as climate and health, and strengthening the enabling environment for outcomes based financing.

But beyond the discussions, what matters most is what we do next.

We must move from dialogue to action.

We must identify practical pathways to scale.

We must strengthen the pipeline of investable opportunities.

We must build the institutional capacity required within governments and implementing organisations.

And we must ensure that the benefits of outcomes based financing reach those who need it most.

South Africa stands ready to continue playing a leading role in this global effort.

We bring to this space not only our experience, but also our commitment to innovation, inclusion, and impact.

We see outcomes based financing as a means to strengthen accountability in public spending, to improve service delivery, and to unlock new forms of collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Ultimately, we see it as a tool to advance human dignity and human development.

As we gather here today, we are reminded that behind every statistic is a person. A young person seeking opportunity. A child needing a strong foundation. A family striving for a better future.

Our responsibility is to ensure that the systems we build, and the financing models we design, deliver for them.

Programme Director, I encourage all participants to use this Summit as an opportunity to share lessons openly, to build meaningful partnerships, and to commit to concrete actions that will advance the outcomes financing ecosystem globally.

Let us work together to ensure that financing is not only mobilised, but that it delivers real, measurable, and lasting outcomes.

It is therefore my honour to declare the 2026 Outcomes Finance Alliance Summit officially open.

I wish you a productive and inspiring Summit.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 07 April 2026, officiate the launch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Housing Assistance Reparations at the Sonkombo Sports Field in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal Province.

The launch marks the implementation of housing support for TRC-identified victims and commemorates 30 years of the TRC and the adoption of the Constitution 30 years ago, with a symbolic handover to beneficiaries forming part of the programme.

Established in terms of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was a restorative justice body that investigated apartheid-era human rights violations, facilitated amnesty in certain cases, and provided for victim reparations and reconciliation.

The event will focus on TRC-identified victims eligible for housing assistance and will be supported by political and traditional leadership.

The launch will take place as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 07 April 2026
Time: 10h00
Venue: Sonkombo Sports Field, Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal Province

For information on collection of media accreditation, please contact Mr Victor Mateane Phala on 084 888 5162.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Programme Directors;
Bishop Marcelo Pires, Mrs Pires, and the entire Leadership of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God;
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Ms Faith Mazibuko here present;
Deputy Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr  Loyiso Masuku;
Leaders of Government;
Deputy Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Steve Letsike;
Member of the African National Congress National Executive Committee (ANC NEC), Comrade Bathabile Dlamini, and Leaders of the ANC in Johannesburg and Gauteng, led by Mam Winnie Ngwenya;
Religious Leaders;
Fellow South Africans.

Bazalwane! 

I greet you all in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ngiyanibingelela nonke egameni elihle leNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu).

I stand before you today deeply conscious of my roots in the church. I grew up in a Christian household where faith was a way of life. My father was a Bishop, and as children we were all expected to serve.

I myself served as a church secretary and a Sunday school teacher. In fact, all of us were given names inspired by the great leaders of the Bible, hence my name, Paulus. 

These foundations shaped my values, my understanding of service, and my respect for the role of the church in society.

It is from this foundation that I speak today with honesty and responsibility about the challenges our people face, particularly in local government service delivery. 

In many communities, infrastructure is deteriorating, services are unreliable, and trust in local leadership has been weakened. This reality calls for renewal, practical renewal, ethical renewal, and leadership renewal.

As Government, we are committed to a programme of renewal at the local level, and we know that this work cannot succeed without the people. 

We therefore reaffirm our commitment to work closely with the church, communities, and social partners to resolve service delivery challenges and restore dignity and accountability.

Central to this renewal is leadership that serves. We are committed to appointing mayoral candidates and councillors who are ethical, capable, and rooted in their communities. 

Leaders who resonate with the people and who work with communities to solve problems. Local government must once again become responsive, credible, and people centered.

Our message is clear: we will fix local government together with the people.

This gathering reminds us that renewal begins with service. As the Gospel of Matthew teaches us, true leadership is not about being served but about serving others with humility and sacrifice.

On this Good Friday, we stand before the Cross—a powerful symbol of renewal. Through sacrifice came redemption; through suffering came restoration; through death came new life. This message speaks directly to our national renewal.

South Africa’s freedom was secured by leaders who understood that renewal requires courage and selflessness.

President Nelson Mandela taught us that progress is not born of comfort but of unwavering commitment to justice and service.

Today, our task is to renew that commitment by confronting poverty, unemployment, corruption, Gender Based Violence and Femicide, and the breakdown of families and communities. These challenges require moral clarity and collective effort.

Your theme, “The Family at the Foot of the Cross," calls us to renew the family as the first site of care, discipline, and healing. Strong families remain the foundation of resilient communities and a stable nation.

The church is central to this renewal—as a moral compass, a source of healing, and a defender of the vulnerable. It must continue to speak out against violence, abuse, and injustice, while offering guidance, mentorship, and hope, especially to women and young people.

As Government, we value partnership with the church that is constructive and principled. The church must remain an independent moral voice, speaking truth to power while working with us in the shared task of nation building.

Allow me to conclude by urging you to pray for renewal of hearts, of leadership, of communities, and of our nation. 

Together,  let us pray for peace in South Africa, across Africa, and throughout the world.

On this Good Friday, may we leave here renewed in purpose, committed to service, and united in action to build a better South Africa.

Amandla Ngawethu.

At the invitation of Bishop Marcelo Pires, His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, will on Friday, 03 April 2026, attend the Amandla Ngawethu Good Friday church service of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) to be held at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province.

The Deputy President has been tasked by the President to lead Government’s interaction with the Inter-Faith communities across South Africa as a champion of the country’s social cohesion and nation-building initiatives. 

The 2026 theme, “The Family at the Foot of the Cross”, focuses on strengthening the family unit and empowering communities to break cycles of violence, abuse, conflict and social fragmentation.
 
The event further highlights the role of faith-based organisations in promoting social cohesion, crime prevention and community resilience.

Although Deputy President Mashatile has, in this role, traversed the length and breadth of the country, attending various congregations and worshipping with various religious denominations, including the Muslim, Hindu, Christian and African Churches communities, it will be the first time that he attends the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God easter service in his capacity as the Deputy President of the Republic.

The Deputy President will be joined by the Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Ms Faith Mazibuko, as well as senior government officials. 

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the event as follows:
Date: Friday, 03 August 2026
Time: 10h00 (Media to arrive from 08h00 onwards)
Venue: Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 

Members of the media are requested to RSVP to Ms Tshiamo Selomo on 066 118 1505 by end of day tomorrow.

Media enquiries:  Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840 or Ms Nametso Mofokeng, UCKG Spokesperson on 082 478 5941

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Directors,
Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr.Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile,
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of the Republic of South Africa,
Mr Parks Tau,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Premiers of the provinces,
Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Mr.
Wamkele Mene,
Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero
Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Business leaders,
Representative from labour, civil society and political formations,

Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning,

Welcome to South Africa and to Gauteng, the Place of Gold – our country’s largest economic hub.

A hundred and forty years ago, the discovery of gold beneath the soil here set in motion an industrial boom that would shape South Africa’s economic destiny.

Today, Gauteng is a financial and industrial powerhouse that contributes the largest share to our national GDP.

The City of Johannesburg is Africa’s financial capital and home to Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the largest and most advanced bourse on the continent.

It had started somehow in Kimberley when diamonds were discovered, when one of those who looked at that shiny stone and said: “it is on this stone that the future of
South Africa will be built.”

That was in 1867, in 1888 they moved further north and found gold in this place. Today Gauteng is a financial and industrial powerhouse that contributes the last
share of our GDP as a nation.

The city of Johannesburg is South Africa's financial capital and home to Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the largest and most advanced boss on our continent.

The story of Johannesburg, a city founded on the promise of opportunity, is a reflection of South Africa itself.

They came here to mine gold. It was in some ways boom and bust. Boom for those who made it good and bust for the majority of black people who were not given the opportunity to really benefit from that boom.

We are a young nation, just 32 years old. The dawn of democracy in 1994 secured our freedom. Our freedom from exclusion, and freedom from oppression.

But it also unleashed our potential.

It set out an irreversible path towards progress and a shared prosperity.

Today, South Africa has the largest, most industrialized, open and diverse economy on the African continent.

Our economy is dynamic. It's enterprising, finally calibrated for growth and powered by innovation.

We have an economy that has proven itself to be remarkably resilient.

It has weathered the transition from apartheid and going even further back, from colonialism; the global financial crisis; the years of state capture that we went through; a debilitating energy crisis; and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even amidst these strong headwinds, the South African economy has maintained core financial and institutional stability.

This year’s South Africa's investment conference takes place against a backdrop of growth as well as recovery.

Investment conferences such as this are an opportunity for us to showcase the attractiveness of investment opportunities in our country to domestic and international investors.

We are able to connect investors with local opportunities. We are also able to attract foreign direct investment. And these conferences help to facilitate strong partnerships by bringing together governments, business banks, development finance and finance institutions.

They also bring together people - ordinary people, who are able to move from contact to contact and are able, even during their tea breaks or coffee breaks, to have a conversation, exchange cards and to talk about each other's businesses.

Under the National the Government of National Unity that was formed after the 2024 elections, we have recorded four consecutive quarters of growth into early 2026 and our economy is creating more jobs.

Inflation, as we have heard, is stable and is converging towards our 3 per cent target.

Our sovereign rating has been upgraded, and last year we were removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.

Last year, South Africa hosted the first summit of the G20 on African soil.

Our G20 Presidency elevated South Africa's global profile and deepened bilateral relationships that are today reflected in investment commitments from 15 source markets across the five continents.

We are meeting at a time of uncertainty for the global economy.

Geopolitical fragmentation, supply chain disruptions from conflicts and wars and trade tensions are radically impacting global capital flows.

In such conditions, South Africa presents what I would call a favorable proposition as a resilient, credible and reform oriented investment destination with strong fundamentals.

Your presence here as businesspeople and investors and bankers today signals that as investors, you see what we see - real and enduring potential, long term value and untapped opportunity.

Today we have with us more than 1 200 delegates from more than 50 countries around the world who believe in South Africa's potential and see this as a favorable place to invest and to do business.

You are here because you want to be part of our growth story.

Between 2018 and 2023, having set a target of attracting R 1.2 trillion in investments – we attracted 1.5 trillion in credible, verifiable investment commitments in energy, in telecommunications, in infrastructure, property, mining, advanced manufacturing and across a range of other sectors.

This proved that South Africa is an investable market, but more importantly, it also showed that South Africa is ready to do business.

Our investment strategy is anchored in sectors that will drive growth and create jobs at scale, including manufacturing, mining, beneficiation, digital infrastructure, agriculture and the green industrialization sector.

This sixth South African investment conference is being convened under the three D’s framework that we have crafted for to label our investment drive.

These are decarbonisation, digitization and diversification, and talk to the direction we want our investment drive to take place - with the ease of doing business being a cross cutting theme.

We know that as investors, you tend to reward execution and not just commitment and not just talk.

You are here because you value ambition and you value a clear vision.

As investors, you are looking to destinations that have strong fundamentals, that are resilient, credible and reform oriented. And the South African economy meets these criteria.

The sixth South Africa Investment conference stands at the crossroads of opportunity and ambition, ready to turn pledges into projects on the ground.

The shift in our economic trajectory that are that we are witnessing now is the result of deliberate, sustained structural reform that we have embarked upon as a government.

And to do this, we set up a facility; a structure that we call Operation Vulindlela, meaning to open the way in isiZulu, one of our 12 official languages.

It is a joint initiative of the Presidency the National Treasury, bringing together all the other key departments in our government.

It is helping us to get rid of the silo mentality that often prevails in government, and this has enabled us to implement far reaching economic reforms for rapid growth.

Its mandate is simple, to reduce the cost and the risk of investing in South Africa, not through speeches like what I am doing now, but through measurable implementation.

The twin pillars of structural reform and policy responsiveness have enabled us to bring about far reaching changes that are supporting our improved economic performance.

A key priority for Operation Vulindlela from the onset was the crucial building block of solving our visa challenges. And this came about because a number of businesspeople had been experiencing challenges in that regard.

We know that investors aren’t just deploying capital. You need to establish a physical presence without undue bureaucratic delays. This is particularly critical for multinational firms that require seamless movement across borders.

We have implemented reforms to the visa regime to attract new skills and promote tourism, creating more flexible pathways for skilled immigrants through a points-based system and introducing a Trusted Employer Scheme to provide a fast-track visa process for major investors.

The electricity sector has undergone the most significant transformation since the advent of our democracy.

We have restructured national power utility, Eskom, established a National Transmission Company as an independent operator, and created a transparent, rules based framework for grid access that private investors require.

We know that as we are restructuring our energy architecture, there are a number of generators using solar, wind and many other sources of energy.

As they do so, they need to have the hope and the trust that their generation and input into the transmission is going to be well managed.

Through the National Energy Action Plan that I announced in 2022, we have brought an end to load shedding and ensured a reliable supply of electricity.

This is essential to allow businesses to operate and make decisions to invest.

Regulatory reforms in the electricity sector have already unlocked a significant and growing pipeline of investment, with more than 220 gigawatts of renewable energy projects in development, and 36 gigawatts already in the grid connection process.

Over the next five years, we will add massive new solar, wind and battery storage capacity to transition our economy towards cheap green energy and sources at scale.

We are now moving rapidly to establish a competitive wholesale electricity market and to complete the unbundling of Eskom through the establishment of a fully independent transmission operator.

At the same time, we are moving to enable private investment in expanding our transmission network through independent transmission projects.

The Minister of Electricity and Energy is working diligently to make sure that this happens.

Transitioning to a low-carbon climate resilient economy and a society remains a priority and is in line with our international climate commitments at the United

Nations, as well as our ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution to combat climate change.

Decarbonisation is the pillar of our investment strategy. It will create new investors, new industries, new jobs and new opportunities in green hydrogen, battery storage vehicle, electric vehicle manufacturing and in the manufacture of components and infrastructure that is decarbonizing the world.

The R 29 billion in confirmed renewable energy investments today is really a vote of confidence in our rapidly transforming energy sector.

South Africa's abundant mineral reserves make us uniquely placed to leverage the growing global demand for critical minerals needed for clean energy, for hybrid
electric and new energy vehicles (NEV’s), technological applications, and by other heavy industries.

As the producer of more than 70 per cent of the world's platinum group metals and with some of the world's largest manganese and chrome reserves, we are well
positioned as a strategic partner in this rapidly growing sector.

We have been firm that the energy transition must be just, and that it should leave no one behind.

This is important for us, because there are communities and workers who could be left behind as we transit to renewable energy, and our view is that we need to take them along.

They must find new jobs. They must be retrained. They must be “up trained“ and upskilled.

Our Just Energy Transition Investment Plan of 2023 - 2027 is a blueprint for decarbonising our economy and achieving energy security, whilst at the same time supporting affected communities and industries.

Efficiency in the network industries is the backbone of a competitive economy.

As we have done with the electricity sector, we are driving a series of reforms in the logistics sector to build world class rail networks and ports that are efficient, that are competitive and that will support our exports.

The cornerstone of our reform program is the National Rail Policy, complemented by the National Freight Logistics Roadmap that has been crafted.

These policies enable private investment in port and rail operations.

We have crafted an environment where the public sector and the private sector can

work together side by side to create value for our country.

Last year, we also signed a 25-year concession for the Durban container terminal, representing R 11 billion in private investment in one of South Africa's and most critical logistic notes.

A transparent and effective regime for third party access to the freight rail network is now in place. This is a demonstration by South Africa that we are willing and open to working with the private sector so that there can be mutual benefit for all.

Forty-one freight rail slots have been allocated to private train operating companies, and we expect the first private operator to commence operations in 2027.

By ending inefficient monopolies and introducing competition, we will reduce the cost of electricity and transport over time, enabling manufacturing, mining, agriculture and other industries to thrive and to compete, rather than just to continuously rely on one monopoly.

With one monopoly, innovation is quite lacking. With one monopoly, there are inefficiencies that come in.

So, with diverse operators, we find competition actually has greater benefits.

Digital Transformation holds significant potential for economic growth and investment.

South Africa already has world class digital infrastructure, near universal Internet access and smartphone penetration and a regulatory environment that enables
innovation.

We are implementing reforms that will create a digitally enabled economy and position our country as a leading hub for digital and financial services.

In these ways, we are positioning South Africa to become a major player in the economy of the future, combining the lowest cost solar and wind power in the world
with advanced digital infrastructure and a skilled workforce that can compete at a global level.

The water sector is another area where we need to focus more intently.

Reliable water access, governed by an equitable, transparent regulatory regime is key for business stability.

We have put in place a set of interventions to transform the provision as well as the management of water services across the country.

We are a water scarce country and therefore needed to pay closer attention to water supply challenges.

We are prioritizing reforms at the provincial and local government level in both the immediate and long term that will create a sustainable, well- functioning water system.

Firstly, we are establishing professionally run water utilities in all of our eight metropolitan cities with water revenues ring fenced properly and invested back into maintaining and expanding water infrastructure.

Secondly, we are establishing a robust regulatory framework to ensure that water service providers do perform their functions effectively.

We have embarked on a massive water infrastructure build program, including dam construction, distribution infrastructure upgrades, bulk water expansion and desalination.

One such project is phase two of the Lesotho Highlands water project that is targeted for completion by 2028.

These projects will be overseen by a new National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency.

The water sector is ripe for investment, and we have set up a dedicated Water Partnerships Office to facilitate private sector participation in areas such as reducing
non-revenue water investing in waste, water treatment, water desalination and reuse of water, with more than R 50 billion rand in projects already in development. So great opportunities are abundant.

Our structural reform agenda has laid the foundations, and now we are harnessing its momentum.

We are embarking on the largest and most ambitious cycle of infrastructure investment in our country's history.

Infrastructure, as I often say, is the flywheel that propels economic growth. It boosts productivity. It propels trade and reduces the cost of doing business. It creates immediate and meaningful employment opportunities at scale.

With this unprecedented investment, we are kick starting the cycle.

Over the next three years, the state has budgeted for will be investing more than R1 trillion or approximately USD 58 billion in modernising and expanding public infrastructure across South Africa.

This includes R 950 billion rand in planned infrastructure investment spending.

As much as R 375 billion has been allocated to state owned enterprises to support, maintain and upgrade and also expand infrastructure facilities.

In addition to this, our state owned enterprises have budgeted for major infrastructure projects for the medium term.

The South African National Road agency will be investing between R 300 and 400 billion for upgrading and maintaining our national road infrastructure.

Up to R 250 billion is being invested in ports and logistics and modernization, which is driven by our state owned enterprise, Transnet.

The Port of Durban, one of the busiest ports on the continent, is being expanded to handle high container volumes and to improve efficiency - with similar upgrades in Cape Town and the Port of Ngqura in the Eastern Cape.

A combined total of approximately R420 billion will be utilized by the Passenger Rail Agency for rebuilding corridors and a multi-year rolling stock programme, and to Transnet for network expansion.

As I indicated earlier, the water sector has been earmarked for substantial public investment, with projects in the pipeline, including the Olifants River Management Model and to UMkhomazi dam that is linked to Phase Two of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

Over the next three years, we will be investing more money in energy generation to support the Department of Energy's roadmap for long term energy security. 

Other projects in the investment pipeline are to upgrade our airports to ensure that they have sufficient investments and are also able to improve their own logistics.

And in doing so, we're moving forward one project at a time.

One project of which we are particularly proud is the R 5 billion rand investment to extend the capacity of the Square Kilometer Array, the radio telescope project in the Karoo in the Northern Cape.

The SKA is currently building two supercomputers that, once completed, will be the most and will be amongst the fastest computers in the world.

This isn't just a statement to the value of strategic public investment in digital infrastructure.

It is also the reflection of South Africa's scientific excellence and world class scientific research output.

This showcases South Africa, showing that we are up there with many other countries.

To get this facility, we competed with countries such as Australia, the UK, Canada, and a number of other countries. In the end it was brought here.

It is a true wonder to see, and it is in none other place than South Africa, one of the smallest countries in the world. We are proud of that.

The location of the SKA is like the desert, the hottest place in our country. These magnificently big telescopes scan the whole universe and keep on producing some of the most outstanding photographs of what happens and continues to happen in the outer space.

For them to be building one of the biggest and fastest computers is something that possibly could never have been thought of to come out of Africa.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In my State of the Nation Address last month, I said that we will be utilizing innovative funding methods that will reduce and attract investors to fast track investment infrastructure projects.

One of these is the infrastructure fund that we established out of the need to deploy blended finance to infrastructure development.

Last year, the Fund approved blended finance projects with a combined value of approximately R 38 billion in water sanitation, student accommodation, health, energy and transport.

Last year, we also issued regulations for public private partnerships in support of attracting more private sector participation investment in the national infrastructure build.

We are also deploying innovative instruments such as the Credit Guarantee Vehicle to de risk private investment in infrastructure.

As South Africa, we remain committed to staying the cause on fiscal discipline and to accelerating momentum of the reform agenda.

The Minister of Finance in announcing his budget this year focused on the issue of fiscal discipline, and that is what we are irrevocably committed to. But also, to leverage investments to build an economy that is inclusive, that is transformed and that benefits all South Africans.

Unlike the economy that we had under apartheid that just benefited a few, the transformation of our economy is necessary to drive sustained growth, reduce inequality and correct the imbalances and injustices of the past.

We are undertaking a review to refine, to realign and strengthen our Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment framework, to ensure that it supports transformation, while at the same time enabling investment and growth.

There are those who say it is an impediment to investment, and we say it is actually one of the key ingredients that will enhance investment and growth as well.

Black Economic Empowerment provides a foundation for inclusive growth by expanding participation in the economy, enabling us to harness the skills and contribution of all South Africans.

What makes South Africa's empowerment laws distinct is that they are practical and innovative. They are inclusive, and they give a clear guarantee to everyone that growth should be shared.

In addition to pure equity participation measures, we have also, we also have what we call an Equity Equivalent Investment Programme, the EEIP.

It was created to accommodate multinational companies whose global practices or policies prevent them from complying with our empowerment laws of ownership. It enables them to invest in socio economic and skills development as well as enterprise development without having to sell equity in their local subsidiaries.

Since its inception, the EEIP has onboarded some of the world's leading multinational firms who have leveraged the program to direct investment in local development, to incubate black, youth and women owned businesses and to fund skills development.

What they have done through this it to make themselves a truly South African corporate citizen.

Our overriding objective is to support firms with compliance and to embrace empowerment as a meaningful investment in South Africa's long term economic stability.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As I conclude, we would like that investments that are made should, in the end, deliver measurable benefits, not only to one segment, the stakeholders in business, but to all investment projects.

They must include clear local content plans, formal skills transfer initiatives, community development commitments and transparent environmental safeguards.

The skilling of our people, especially young people, is critical as we embark on the skills revolution, which is underpinned by a dual training system that we are embarking on now.

We are expanding programs that will link training with universities and colleges and companies to create the pipeline of technicians and project managers and engineers
that are needed in our economy.

This is but an overview of the scale of the deep transformative changes that are taking place in South Africa in our economy, as we seek to position ourselves as an investment destination.

Our progress continues to be acknowledged by our international and continental development partners.

During our G20 Presidency we concluded a clean trade and investment partnership with the European Union valued at approximately EUR 12 billion, which amounts to
about R 237 billion. This was around the Just Energy Transition, infrastructure, skills, pharmaceutical manufacturing and other sub industries.

The African Development Bank has also confirmed R 20 billion for the 2026 financial year directed at infrastructure, energy transition, human capital and governance.

In addition, the SA–Afreximbank Investment Facility anchored by Afreximbank’s R176 billion commitment to South Africa is a structural instrument that will channel
concessional capital into the sectors where this Second Drive requires it most.

The New Development Bank, the BRICS Bank has also indicated that they will make approximately R 34 billion rand available for 2026-2027 period.

At standard leverage ratios, the development finance institution commitments alone can mobilise between R393 billion and R786 billion in additional private investment over the drive horizon.

This is what partnerships at scale looks like, and this is the type of partnership that we appreciate here in South Africa.

This year’s South Africa investment Conference marks the formal transition from recovery to expansion, from rebuilding confidence to accelerating growth in our economy.

I have laid out just some of the sectors of our economy that are ripe for investment. 

More extensive opportunities also exist in agriculture, in agro- processing, in professional and financial services, in property, in digital technologies, advanced
manufacturing and other high-growth industries across the breadth and range of the South African economy.

Today, we are formally launching the second Presidential Investment Mobilization Drive with a target of R 2 trillion in new investment over the next five years.

The last time we said R 1.2 trillion which I think was being too modest. Now we are saying we want R 2 trillion.

I think it could and should be a lot higher, but I want to hear what your thoughts are, and your thoughts will be exemplified to me by making commitments that will just top the R 2 trillion mark.

In the maths of what South Africa requires to achieve growth meaningfully, we need to address the challenges that we face, mainly unemployment and to industrialize our country at scale. We aim to lead Africa's green transition and to build the infrastructure on which our people's future depends.

We do so with a keen appreciation of the current state of the foreign direct investment climate across the continent.

Africa as a whole accounts for only 4 per cent of global FDI, and recent increases have been driven largely by once off mega projects such as the USD 35 billion development in Egypt and also the Lubito Corridor investment.

Although we remain a significant continental player, accounting For between 15 and 20 per cent of Africa's total FDI, our growth depends heavily on domestic investment.

The opening position of the second drive is the R415 billion confirmed fixed investment and R 474,8 billion in DFI being announced in this room today. That brings the total to R 889,8 billion. That’s 81 projects. 9 provinces. 22 source markets. Over 230 000 permanent jobs.

Now, the mathematics that I was taught at school in an apartheid education school always taught me that you round up, you round up, and you don't round down. If a figure is closer to being rounded up, you rounded up. So, my rounding up, then brings this to R 900 billion that will be announced today.

That will be in 81 projects, nine provinces, 22 source markets, and over 230,000 permanent jobs that will be created that will have an impact on our economy. It has an impact on our people.

This is only the start of an era of new growth and dynamism for the South African economy.

The Accountability Framework is unchanged from the first drive.

Every investment announcement that will be made here will be vetted and signed and will represent a firm commitment by business leaders in this room.

Every year we will report back on what has been promised and what has been delivered.

As we seek to deepen our trade and investment relations as South Africa, we remain committed to maintaining policy certainty and to accelerating the momentum of the structural reform agenda that we are on.

A question is often asked, Is this momentum of reform sustainable? Will we see it being sustained into the future?

And my simple answer is yes.

The the reform process that we are on now is irrevocable and irreversible, because it is in the interests of our economy and of our people.

We have to transform and reform our economy so as to make it inclusive, so that all South Africans can benefit – and to enable key stakeholders to invest and make profits.

Labour must benefit. Workers should be well paid and get living wages.

Communities must feel it when businesses invest in their environments, and those businesses become good corporate citizens and be part of the community.

As for government, we are the enablers.

We will continue enabling businesses to grow for we have one interest, grow the economy, get tax revenues and continue to advance the interests of our people.

We are creating the conditions for investment led growth that is broad based, inclusive and durable.

So let us all move forward together with confidence, with partnership and with a shared commitment to enhance South Africa's future.

For as you invest, you advance the interests of our country.

As you invest, we know that you make profits, and South Africa is ready for business.

We are open for business, and we have positioned South Africa as a more conducive place to invest your money.

You can depend on South Africa.

We are reliable. We are dependable, and we are a good investment destination.

Thank you very much.

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, will moderate a high-level panel discussion on “Skills for the Digital and Green Economy” at the South Africa Investment Conference.

The session will explore how South Africa’s skills pipeline is emerging as a key investment enabler, with a focus on workforce development, coding education, cloud skills, and digital infrastructure. The discussion will bring together leaders from technology, investment, and employment sectors to examine how talent is being developed, matched to opportunity, and scaled to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.

The panel will follow a TED-style talk that frames South Africa’s skills ecosystem as a competitive advantage for investors, highlighting the shift from a perceived skills shortage to a challenge of access and matching talent to opportunity.

Panelists include:
Nyari Samushonga, CEO of WeThinkCode_
Laura Fitoussi, Director at Prosus
Busi Khaba, Amazon Web Services
Sandile Dube, Managing Director, Equinix South Africa
Ravi Naidoo, CEO, Youth Employment Service (YES)
Event Details:

Event: South Africa Investment Conference 2026
Session: Session 19 – Skills for the Digital and Green Economy
Date: 31 March 2026
Time: 16:00 – 17:00
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Room: Room 3

Key Discussion Themes:
Positioning South Africa’s skills pipeline as an investment asset
Expanding access to coding and digital skills development
Building cloud and digital infrastructure capabilities
Aligning workforce development with investor needs
Unlocking youth employment through scalable partnerships

Accredited Media are invited to the session.  

Media enquiries: Mandisa Mbele, MandisaM@Presidency.gov.za / 082 580 2213

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Your Excellency Vice President HAN Zheng, dear colleagues and friends,

I wish to express my profound gratitude for today’s engagements and your leadership in co-chairing this successful 9th Session of the South Africa–China Bi-National Commission.

Today’s proceedings have injected renewed momentum into our bilateral relations and reaffirmed the importance of this platform as the apex mechanism guiding cooperation between the two nations

Our deliberations today have also enabled us to take stock of progress since the 8th Session and to assess implementation under the Ten-Year Strategic Programme for Cooperation.

We have noted with appreciation the outcomes of the Foreign Affairs Sectoral Committee, which reaffirmed our shared commitment to advancing development, addressing debt sustainability, strengthening climate action, and promoting the reform of international financial institutions to better reflect the interests of developing countries such as ourselves.

South Africa further welcomes the continued strengthening of coordination within multilateral platforms, including BRICS, which is playing an increasingly important role in advancing a more inclusive, equitable and multipolar global order, as well as our shared commitment to safeguarding multilateralism and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

South Africa also notes the importance of strengthening political dialogue through platforms such as the Strategic Dialogue and the Joint Working Group, which will ensure sustained engagement on regional and global priorities, and the effective implementation of BNC outcomes.

With that being said, in the area of Trade and Investment, South Africa welcomes the progress made in advancing cooperation in key sectors, including the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) and the China National Nuclear Corporation in April 2025, as well as ongoing engagements through the China–South Africa Mining Working Group.

We are encouraged by the growing collaboration in energy planning, gas-to-power and nuclear-to-power development, as well as the shared commitment to deepen cooperation in mineral processing, beneficiation and value addition, which are critical to strengthening South Africa’s industrial base for economic growth.

South Africa further notes the importance of expanding investment cooperation, including mobilising Chinese investment into initiatives such as the Junior Mining Exploration Fund, revitalising smelters, and strengthening South Africa’s position within global value chains.

In the Environmental and Infrastructure sector, South Africa welcomes progress in cooperation on small harbours, fisheries and aquaculture, as well as ongoing negotiations on protocols and agreements that will strengthen market access and technical collaboration.

South Africa also notes the advancement of cooperation in biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and environmental research, including progress on agreements relating to wetlands, desert ecosystems and wildlife.

In the area of Science and Technology, we are encouraged by the agreement to expand joint research projects and flagship initiatives, as well as the strengthening of people-to-people exchanges between researchers. To this end, South Africa welcomes the growing cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, innovation and digital technologies, which will support technology localisation, skills development and the advancement of sustainable economic growth.

In the field of Education and Culture, we commend the expansion of scholarship programmes supported by our Sector Education and Training Authorities, as well as initiatives such as the Chinese STEM Bursary Programme and partnerships with institutions such as Beijing Polytechnic College.

We are encouraged by the focus on technical and vocational education and training, which is equipping young South Africans with critical skills, including in emerging sectors such as new energy vehicle technologies, which are creating pathways into employment through partnerships with industry.

In a rapidly changing global environment, shaped by shifting leadership dynamics and rising geopolitical tensions, including ongoing conflicts in regions such as the Middle East, South Africa and China, countries must continue to work together to advance shared modernisation, deepen economic cooperation, and strengthen coordination in multilateral platforms, while promoting dialogue, stability and peaceful resolution of disputes.

Your Excellency, I once again thank you for your leadership and partnership in today’s engagements and look forward to concluding our discussions later this evening at the banquet dinner hosted in your honour in Constantia Winelands, where we will have the opportunity to enjoy some of South Africa’s finest African cuisine and hospitality.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the confirmation by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of charges against the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service(SAPS), General Fannie Masemola and his scheduled court appearance.  

The President has further noted the arrests of the 12 senior police officers on a procurement related matter. 

President Ramaphosa will be addressing the matter concerning General Masemola in accordance with the law. 

The President working together with the Minister of Police is committed to ensuring that the SAPS remains stable and able to continue fulfilling its policing mandate.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Programme Director,
Founder and CEO of Ninety One, Mr. Hendrik du Toit,
Chairman of Ninety One, Mr. Gareth Penny,
Management and staff of Ninety One,
Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good Evening,

It is a pleasure indeed to be here; and thank you to Ninety One for the invitation.

Today we aren’t just opening new offices. This investment signals a long-term commitment to South Africa and its future. It is a tangible demonstration of confidence in our economy, and a step forward in our national ambition to be a global financial services hub. 

We are also here to celebrate 35 years of Ninety One as an unmistakably, proudly South African business with a global footprint. 

Ninety One was founded as Investec Asset Management in 1991, when South Africa was on the cusp of change. As our democracy has evolved and matured, the company has continued to grow. 

The Ninety One journey has been a story of innovation; of developing home-grown South African talent; and of a commitment to sustainable investing.

Ninety One’s success reflects the abundance of local expertise in our country and the strength of our financial sector as a key pillar of our economy.

The financial sector provides direct and indirect employment to nearly 3 million South Africans and contributes approximately 25 per cent of corporate income tax revenues.

It accounts for more than one fifth of our GDP, and in 2025 was one of the leading drivers of growth. 

The depth and sophistication of our financial markets is one of our most important strengths as a country, underpinned by an independent Reserve Bank and a robust, enabling regulatory environment.

The financial sector plays a key role in financing development in our economy, from investing in South African businesses to building infrastructure.

In times like these, when the global economy faces significant instability and uncertainty, we can rely on the strength of our financial system to withstand disruption and absorb shocks.

We will keep working to grow our financial sector, to modernize and strengthen our regulations, and to position ourselves as a premier global destination for financial services firms to locate their African and emerging market operations.

At last year’s Financial Sector Competitiveness Lekgotla, the National Treasury highlighted some of the ways in which we are working to reduce the cost of capital and to channel more financing towards infrastructure projects.

Despite the current headwinds, we gather here at a time of hope for South Africa.

There are many, many reasons to be optimistic about South Africa’s prospects, and to believe that the economy is turning a corner. 

We have experienced four consecutive quarters of GDP growth, national debt has stabilized, and we have generated a primary budget surplus for three consecutive years.

Across the world, investors are looking at South Africa with renewed interest, as an emerging market with strong institutions, sound policy and a solid track record of reform. 

The tangible improvements in our economic performance that we are experiencing now are the result of a sustained, multi-year effort to reform our economy and to fix what was broken.

The crippling electricity crisis has ended, investment is on the rise, and the economy is creating more jobs. 

We have implemented far-reaching reforms in our energy sector to enable private investment and are moving to restructure Eskom and establish a fully independent Transmission System Operator to create a level playing field for competition. 

We have also seen improvements in our rail network and ports, enabling us to increase exports. We have concluded the first major private sector partnership at the Durban Pier 2 Container Terminal, the largest port terminal in our country, and are on track to introduce open access to the rail system this year.

The state is on a massive infrastructure build drive, and we will spend more than R1 trillion on infrastructure over the next three years.

Through streamlined PPP regulations, budget reforms, and innovative risk mitigation mechanisms such as the Credit Guarantee Vehicle, we will use this funding to catalyse significantly more private investment.

We have brought stability to key state-owned enterprises and restored sound governance, repairing the damage wrought by corruption and state capture. 

Last year, we achieved two major milestones: our first sovereign credit ratings upgrade in nearly 20 years, and South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey-list.

The private sector shares credit for the economic progress we are witnessing. It is the outcome of deep and sustained partnerships between government and business to unlock growth and opportunity. 

All of our efforts have been driven by the simple conviction that we can achieve more when we work together.

We have sought to change the culture of government: to build a government that is more open, more transparent, more willing to engage, to listen, and to collaborate with others.

Institutions like Ninety One are key partners in our drive to mobilise capital for our nation’s development.

The economic progress we have made signal to the world that South Africa is not only open for business but firmly on the path to recovery. With its long and established presence at home combined with a global footprint, Ninety One can play a leading role in elevating the prominence, stature and scale of our financial sector.

This company stands as proof that we more than have what it takes, that our local talent is world class, and that our ambitions are well-placed. 

And so, we say once more congratulations on the opening of your impressive new offices. With this opening you bring our aspiration of becoming a leading financial hub for Africa and the world all the closer to becoming reality.

I thank you.