Tag Archives: The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president

Reparations must help to address Africa’s colonial legacy 

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

4 Monday 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said every May, they observe Africa Month to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. Ramaphosa said celebrating and affirming their identity as Africans is as integral to their national character as the ideals that anchor democracy.

He further said they are one people. Ramaphosa added that, despite Africa’s many languages and cultures, they take pride in a common identity, in their shared values and in a belonging that transcends geographical boundaries.

“Even as we celebrate our continent’s vibrancy and dynamism, we are mindful of the legacy of Africa’s colonial past and how it continues to shape our continent’s fortunes. While most African countries achieved independence many decades ago, the effects of the colonial era are still evident in much of the inequality, economic exclusion, political instability and conflicts that persist in parts of Africa.

“The most extreme form of dehumanisation was the transcontinental slave trade perpetrated by European empires and slave-trading networks across the Sahara and North Africa. For more than a hundred years, millions of African men, women and children were hunted down, captured and traded as if they were not people, but possessions,” he said.

Ramaphosa said the reality is that much of the wealth of former colonial powers today is the result of the deprivation of Africa’s people. He said not only were millions of Africans enslaved, but colonial powers grew wealthy from the vast tracts of African land they forcibly occupied and the valuable resources they extracted.

“Across Africa, our people were taken, both dead and alive, as human specimens to be displayed and studied in faraway capitals. African historical artefacts were looted and taken to European museums. The colonial powers have largely avoided a deeper reckoning with the consequences of these acts.

“Some have apologised for specific atrocities, but in the main they have fallen short of full unqualified apologies for colonialism. Reparations for Africa, which was the site of some of the worst forms of brutality in human history, has been a contested issue for decades. Opponents of reparations argue that modern states differ from those of the colonial period. It has been argued that too much time has passed, that those directly harmed are no longer alive and that it would be unjust to hold to account individuals or governments for actions committed decades or centuries ago,” said Ramaphosa.

He said this would be to wilfully ignore the intergenerational trauma wrought by slavery that continues to hold back the development of entire societies in Africa. Ramaphosa said as the Guyanese political activist and academic Walter Rodney writes in his seminal 1972 work ‘How Europe underdeveloped Africa’, “when one tries to measure the effect of European slave trading on the African continent, it is essential to realise that one is measuring the effect of social violence rather than trade in any normal sense of the word.”

“This issue has now been given renewed momentum. In March this year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and the racialised enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.

“The resolution is anchored in acknowledgement of harm, reparatory justice and restitution. It calls for looted cultural property to be returned and for compensation and other forms of reparation to be considered. The former colonial powers derived financial benefit from the display of our looted historical and cultural artefacts in their museums and institutions,” he said.

Ramaphosa said enslaved labour from Africa built farms, industries and infrastructure to enrich colonial powers, as the countries from which the slaves were taken remain underdeveloped even today. He said the colonial enterprise was not merely about the deprivation of human rights.

“It was motivated by profit. As Walter Rodney writes, “it was economics that determined that Europe should invest in Africa and control the continent’s raw materials and labour”.

“Whatever form reparations ultimately take, they should be aligned with our continent’s developmental objectives and assist African countries to tackle debt challenges, poverty alleviation, inequality and unemployment. Just as the exploitation of Africa and the enslavement of millions of her people made the former colonial powers wealthy, redress must take the form of sustained, direct, material investment in Africa’s development,” said Ramaphosa.

He said this should include increased foreign direct investment and market access for the African countries affected by slavery. Ramaphosa said it should include skills and technology transfer.

“And it should include the return of historical artefacts to their countries of origin. South Africa supports a unified, collaborative approach to the issue of reparations for Africa. This must include concrete measures to redress the lingering effects of the slave trade and colonialism that are forward looking.

“Just as truth and reconciliation has been an integral part of our own journey towards nationhood, so too must the former colonial powers confront the historical injustice of colonialism with honesty and integrity. Beyond that, they must make a clear commitment to tangible measures of redress that support Africa’s growth and development,” said Ramaphosa.

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‘Most powerful chapters are written by ordinary people who choose humanity over fear’

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By OBAKENG MAJE

28 April 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said 32 years ago, South Africa was born. Ramaphosa said the morning of 27 April 1994 did not begin like an ordinary day.

He further said it began with great anticipation, excitement and a determination by millions of South Africans to participate in the birth of a nation. Ramaphosa added that before sunrise millions of people stood in long lines – young and old, rural and urban, black and white.

“Many were exposed to heavy rain and burning sun but they waited with patience, pride and dignity to cast their votes for the very first time. More than 20 million South Africans participated in an election that was peaceful, free and fair. It was a celebration of the human spirit and its capacity to overcome adversity.

“It is an honour to mark this occasion here in Bloemfontein, where the flame of freedom was lit. It was here in Mangaung that the African National Congress (ANC) was born in 1912, bringing together for the first-time people from across our country to stand against oppression and dispossession,” he said.

Ramaphosa said this is a province that suffered terribly from the cruelty of colonialism and apartheid. He said here in Bloemfontein and in towns across the province, tens of thousands of Afrikaners and Africans were held in inhuman conditions in British concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War.

“Many thousands, mostly women and children, died. Their suffering stands as a shared, though unevenly remembered, chapter of South Africa’s past, one that calls for remembrance, honesty and humanity.

“This is a province with a history of courageous resistance. Women from the then Orange Free State were among the first to rise against the extension of pass laws in 1913, with protests breaking out in Jagersfontein, Winburg and Bloemfontein,” said Ramaphosa.

He said they were arrested and imprisoned and their families were left without caregivers. Ramaphosa said instead of being broken, the women of the Orange Free State became more determined because they would not accept a system that denied them dignity and freedom.

“This was the site of the Witsieshoek Peasants’ Revolt of 1950 against the apartheid government’s oppressive land control policies. This was one of the most significant acts of resistance in rural South Africa.

“The revolt was about the livelihood of rural people regarding their cattle, wealth, security, identity and dignity that an oppressive government wanted to destroy. The Witsieshoek Peasants’ Revolt demonstrated that the struggle for freedom was also fought in the valleys, in the fields and in the hearts of rural communities,” he said.

Ramaphosa said it was fought by farmers in the rural areas, families and ordinary people who choose courage over silence. He said it was the people of this province that took Mama Winnie Mandela into their hearts and gave her comfort when she was banished to Brandfort in 1977.

“History is often told through great speeches and grand events. But sometimes, its most powerful chapters are written by ordinary people who choose humanity over fear. When Mama Winnie Mandela was banished to Brandfort, the apartheid rulers thought they were isolating her and breaking her spirit and influence.

“The people of Brandfort here in the Free State did something remarkable: they did not let that voice fade. They carried it. They strengthened it. And they made it their own. They united in compassion and that became stronger than the system of a apartheid itself,” said Ramaphosa.

He said last month, they laid to rest a son of this province, the first Premier of the Free State and a stalwart of the liberation struggle, Mosiuoa ‘Terror’ Lekota. Ramaphosa said he was a brave and principled leader who served this country with distinction.

“On this Freedom Day, we honour his memory. On that first day of our freedom, as a nation, we entered into a social contract to build a society anchored in human dignity, equal rights and freedom for all.

“Thirty years ago, the Constitution of the Republic, the legal foundation of that contract, was signed into law. That constitution became our birth certificate as a nation. Our Constitution, which is widely regarded around the world as one of the most progressive, visionary and influential constitutions ever adopted, is a powerful promise about freedom and stands as our collective shield – protecting the freedom our people fought for,” said Ramaphosa.

He said out of struggle came freedom. Ramaphosa said through the constitution, they have entrenched it as the unshakable foundation of the nation.

“We have come far. We stand here today not only as citizens of a democratic nation, but as custodians of a hard-won legacy of freedom. A legacy won in struggle. A legacy shaped by sacrifice, courage and an unbreakable belief in freedom and justice. There was a time in this country when freedom was not a right but a dream.

“It was a time when voices were silenced, dignity was denied to millions who were excluded from the life of the country they called home. But our people refused to accept that fate. They organised. They resisted. They endured. And they won their freedom,” he said.

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Ramaphosa suspends National Police Commissioner

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Picture: National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola

By OBAKENG MAJE

23 April 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa has placed the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension. This comes after Masemola briefly appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court earlier this week over contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) related to the awarding of a R228 million contract to Medicare 24 – a business linked to alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Ramaphosa held a media briefing together with acting Minister of Police, Prof Firoz Cachalia at the Union Buildings on Thursday afternoon.

“In consideration of the seriousness of these charges and the critical role of the National Police Commissioner in leading the fight against crime, I have agreed with Masemola that he be deemed to be on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of the case.

“Recalling the commitment made during the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to step up the fight against organised crime, corruption and violence, the decision to suspend Masemola was one rooted in accountability,” he said.

Ramaphosa further said he laid bare the government’s efforts to restore credibility of the police service following years of state capture. He added that they have worked hard over the last few years to rebuild the law enforcement agencies and security services in the wake of state capture, to restore their credibility and integrity.

“We have taken measures to uncover malfeasance and investigate allegations of wrongdoing within the ranks of the police and other institutions.

“These measures have been necessary to ensure accountability and to devise remedial action to prevent the abuse of office and the theft of public resources. In all these efforts, we have promoted respect for the rule of law and upheld the principle that law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies must be able to act without fear, favour, or prejudice,” said Ramaphosa.

He said it is this principle that informs their response to the appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court earlier this week of Masemola on charges of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PMFA). Ramaphosa acknowledged that Maaemola’s court appearance is “understandably a cause of great concern for all South Africans”.

“However, we should not allow this development to weaken our determination or diminish our ability to fight against crime and corruption. We should not allow anything to destabilise the police service or undermine the morale of those entrusted to protect our people.

“We must hold firm to the values of our Constitution and, in this case as in all cases, allow the law to take its course,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has appointed Major General Puleng Dimpane as the acting National Police Commissioner.

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“We must defend and build democracy across the world”

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By STAFF REPORTER

20 April 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said as they prepare for Freedom Day on 27 April 2026, they reflect on their journey to deepen democracy and advance human rights for all. Ramaphosa said 30 years after they adopted their new constitution, South African society remains grounded in a culture of human rights, the rule of law and the expression of people’s will through regular elections. 

He further said what they have built and continue to build in this country is distinct. Ramaphosa added that this places a responsibility on South Africa as an active member of the international community to advance the constitutional values beyond the borders. 

“This is why I was proud to represent democratic South Africa at the 4th meeting of the ‘In Defence of Democracy’ initiative in Barcelona, Spain this past weekend. The initiative was launched by Brazil and Spain in 2024 to confront the threat posed to democratic institutions by extremism, polarisation, disinformation and other forms of intolerance.

“This initiative, which brings together countries from across the world, has become especially critical at this time. In many places, democracy is under threat,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the principles of solidarity, cooperation and friendship are being challenged by the resurgence of narrow nationalism, prejudice and intolerance. Ramaphosa said conflicts and wars rage across the globe.

“Some of these are linked to battles over resources, while others have their origins in colonial-era divisions shaped by violent conquest. 

“At the gathering in Barcelona, I said that we cannot allow ourselves to be bullied into silence when the dignity and human rights of others are being trampled on. We made a call for the United Nations to reassert itself in global affairs,” he said.

Ramaphosa said for democratic values to thrive, all institutions of global governance need to be reformed so that all the countries and peoples of the world are represented. He said it has become clear that bodies like the UN Security Council are powerless to intervene in conflicts and prevent genocide. 

“The gulf of inequality within and among nations is a serious challenge to democracy. The laws, rules and institutions that support democracy must ensure that people’s lives are improved. All people must have an equal opportunity to contribute to decisions that affect them. 

“That is why we called on leaders to support the establishment of an International Panel on Inequality, which will evaluate alternative policies for addressing inequality to inform governments, policy makers and the international community,” said Ramaphosa. 

He said the establishment of the panel was one of the recommendations of the groundbreaking global inequality report produced by a committee of independent experts that South Africa commissioned during its G20 Presidency. Ramaphosa said the ‘In Defence of Democracy’ initiative is aligned with their foreign policy and they are committed to supporting its work. 

“The erosion of democracy in other parts of the world affects South Africa too. Our economy and society feel the effects of conflicts beyond borders, intensified geopolitical tensions and the weaponisation of trade, foreign direct investment and aid. 

“The erosion of democracy has contributed to mistrust of the very values of equality, human rights and freedoms that characterise progressive societies. This mistrust is evident even in our own country,” he said. 

Ramaphosa said they mark Freedom Day next week. He urged South Africans to recommit themselves to defend and strengthen democracy. 

“We must continue to work together to overcome the challenges of poverty, inequality and underdevelopment, which undermine our democratic gains. We must not go the way of societies that have lost faith in democracy and that are increasingly anchored in the rule of the strong and the erosion of human rights. 

“Our experience with building a united nation from a deeply fractured past means that we must cherish our democracy and be part of the struggle to defend democratic values across the globe,” said Ramaphosa.

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SA’s Investment Prospects Buoyed by Economic Recovery

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By REGINALD KANYANE

30 March 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said this week, they will be welcoming delegates from more than 50 countries to the 6th South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) in Sandton, Gauteng. Ramaphosa said since its inception in 2018, the SAIC has grown to become a premier global forum for showcasing the attractiveness of investment opportunities in our country to domestic and international investors.

He further said investment conferences play a key role in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) as high-profile platforms that connect international investors with local opportunities. Ramaphosa added that they also facilitate strong partnerships by bringing together governments, business, banks and development finance institutions.

“As investors look to destinations that have demonstrated resilience in the face of increasingly volatile global financial conditions, South Africa presents a favourable proposition. We are Africa’s largest economy with a diversified industrial base.

“Since we began our first R1.2 trillion investment mobilization drive in 2018, we have secured investment pledges in mining, healthcare, automotive, food and beverage and others, reflecting the sophistication of our economy,” he said.

Ramaphosa said South Africa is also the leading destination for renewable energy investment on the continent, with these investments making up a considerable share of the total pledges made at previous conferences. He said they have a sound policy and regulatory environment, offering certainty to investors at a time when they are just one of many emerging markets across the globe vying for capital.

“We are also a gateway for businesses looking to set up or expand their operations in Africa. Through this conference, as well as the five preceding ones, we will be seeking to build even greater confidence in our country as an investment destination, and to demonstrate our commitment to structural reform, policy certainty and policy execution.

“The green shoots of economic recovery we are experiencing further bolster our position. The macroeconomic outlook has improved. We experienced four consecutive quarters of growth by the end of 2025, national debt has stabilized and more jobs are being created,” said Ramaphosa.

He said last year, their sovereign rating was upgraded for the first time in 17 years and they were removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list. Ramaphosa said the structural reform agenda being driven through Operation Vulindlela has unlocked progress in electricity, freight logistics, water, telecommunications, and the visa system.

“We have brought load-shedding to an end and are creating a new, competitive electricity market that will ensure energy security and attract investment. The country’s logistics sector is being rapidly modernised, and we are enabling private investment in port and rail operations.

“Among the projects for which we have initiated a Private Sector Participation (PSP) process are the Ngqura Manganese Export Corridor in the Eastern Cape and the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal in KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.

Ramaphosa said last year, they also signed a 25–year concession for the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2, representing R11 billion in private investment. He said a system for third-party access to the freight rail network is in place and 41 freight rail slots have been allocated to private companies.

“We have implemented reforms to the visa regime to attract new skills and promote tourism. These include operationalising the Remote Work Visa, introducing a Trusted Employer Scheme to support major investors, and piloting an Electronic Travel Authorisation system.

“By showcasing the progress and durability of the reform agenda, our goal is to grow the pool of inward investment from businesses and countries that will ultimately be a bridge to new markets, technologies and networks for South Africa,” said Ramaphosa.

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

Excellent medical care must be available to all

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By BAKANG MOKOTO  

25 March 2026- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said last week, surgeons at Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo completed a remarkable operation. Ramaphosa said a team of doctors, nurses and other health workers, successfully separated conjoined twins in a complex operation that demanded extraordinary skill and precision.

He further said they owe the medical teams that performed the operation, that helped deliver the twins and that are now caring for them our deepest admiration and gratitude. Ramaphosa added that this achievement is more than a medical milestone.

“It is proof of what our public health system is capable of. It is a reminder that South Africa possesses world-class medical expertise, not only in the private hospitals in our cities, but also in public facilities serving communities that have historically been neglected and underserved.

“It is also the visible outcome of sustained national investment in cultivating medical excellence. This includes heavily subsidising the country’s medical schools, providing study bursaries for needy medical students, and providing on-the-job training through the Internship and Community Services Programme,” said Ramaphosa.

He said and yet, for every story of excellence like Mankweng, they know there are too many South Africans, who cannot access the quality healthcare they need and deserve. Ramaphosa said the constitution guarantees every person the right of access to healthcare services.

“That right cannot depend on where you were born, how much you earn or where you live. A child in rural Limpopo has the same right to quality healthcare as a child in the suburbs of Johannesburg or Cape Town.

“Closing the gap between the constitutional promise of healthcare and the daily lived reality is precisely what motivates the National Health Insurance (NHI). The NHI is more than a funding mechanism,” he said.

Ramaphosa said it is a commitment, grounded in their constitutional values, that every South African will have access to quality health services without suffering financial hardship. He said it is the instrument through which they will ensure that the skills and dedication on display at Mankweng are available to all our people, regardless of their ability to pay.

“To realise this vision, we need genuine and sustained partnerships between the public and private health sectors, as well as academic institutions, medical professionals, pharmaceutical companies, non-governmental organisations and communities.

“South Africa has a well-equipped and well-funded private healthcare sector, with some of the finest hospitals, specialists and medical technology on the continent. Yet only around 16% of South Africans have access to these facilities,” said Ramaphosa.

He said by contrast, the majority of the population, some 84%, uses public health facilities. Ramaphosa said on average, the amount of money spent each year on a person who uses private health care is around five times what is spent on someone in the public sector.

“These two parts of our healthcare system cannot continue to operate in parallel, as if serving two separate nations. They must work together in service of one nation. There are few people in South Africa who can disagree with this view, and there are a great many role-players who are eager for collaboration.

“They recognise that there is both a great need and much opportunity to build stronger partnerships in health care. We should be doing more to share skills and knowledge across the public-private divide, as happens when private specialists contribute time to public hospitals,” he said.

Ramaphosa said it means investing in the training and retention of healthcare workers so that public facilities do not continue to lose their best people to private employers or to opportunities abroad. He said as they prepare to implement the NHI, they are already making significant investments to strengthen the public health infrastructure.

“We are building and refurbishing clinics and hospitals, expanding our community health worker programme, working to ensure the availability of essential medicines, introducing digital systems and improving the management of facilities.

“At the heart of all of this are the women and men who dedicate their lives to healing others. The surgeons at Mankweng did not separate the conjoined twins for recognition or reward, but because they understood their responsibility as health professionals. We owe it to every healthcare worker to give them the support, tools and working conditions they need to do their vital work,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the great achievement at Mankweng Hospital has shown them what is possible. Ramapahosa said it has also reminded them of what is necessary – a health system that serves every South African with excellence, compassion and dedication.

“Equal access to quality health care must be the standard we set and the constitutional promise that we keep,” he said.

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‘Every person must be able to live in dignity, comfort and peace’

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By REGINALD KANYANE

16 March 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said this year, they mark three decades since South Africa adopted its democratic constitution. Ramaphosa said the constitution is more than the supreme law of the land.

He further said it is a solemn promise that never again should any person be stripped of their humanity and dignity. Ramaphosa added that on 21 March 2026, they will observe Human Rights Day.

“As we celebrate the rights we have enshrined in our constitution, we also recall the events at Sharpeville on that day in 1960 when apartheid police opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing 69 people and injuring many more.

“As we observe this day, we must reflect on whether we are fulfilling the promise contained in our constitution. Of all the values enshrined in our constitution, one of the most fundamental is the advancement of human dignity,” he said.

Ramaphosa said it is the foundation on which the rights to equality, to freedom from discrimination, to education, to health, to a safe environment and others are built. He said it is the idea that every person possesses an inherent worth that must be respected and protected.

“This is a right that must be preserved in all circumstances. In our Constitution, human dignity is not an abstract ideal, but a concrete right that has meaning in people’s daily lives.

“The right to dignity is operationalised through law, institutions and policies. Our courts continue to assert this right and, where necessary, order the government and those in power to take measures to enhance people’s dignity,” said Ramaphosa.

He said protecting a person’s right to dignity is not limited to the way people treat each other. Ramaphosa said it is also about improving the circumstances in which people live.

“It lies at the heart of the policies and programmes of this government and of the work of many organisations and individuals across society. Since the adoption of our constitution, indeed since the advent of our democracy, we have worked to restore the dignity of all South Africans.

“Millions of South Africans have access to water, electricity, healthcare, education and social support that were denied to them under apartheid,” he said.

Ramaphosa said this work, which they have undertaken together as a society, has enhanced the human dignity of children, who are supported by a child support grant, who have access to early childhood development, who attend fee-free schools, who receive school meals and who will be able to access funding to study at a university or college.

He said the provision of housing, water and electricity has changed the lives of families across the country, reducing poverty and improving their quality of life.

“Human dignity also means that people have to be involved in decisions that affect their lives and that shape their country. That is why it is so important that democratic institutions are built and defended.

“And that a free media, an independent judiciary and a vibrant civil society reinforce accountability. We know that our work is far from complete. Poverty, inequality and unemployment remain stubborn obstacles to the full realisation of human dignity for every South African,” said Ramaphosa.

He said closing those gaps is a constitutional imperative that belongs to all of them. Ramaphosa said that is why they are working even harder to accelerate the momentum of economic recovery, so that our economy can grow faster, create employment and reduce poverty.

“When we mobilise investment to build factories or open mines to create jobs and opportunities for emerging businesses, or when we build new roads and revitalise hospitals, we are working towards a society in which everyone has dignity.

“When we lay new pipes to bring water to outlying villages or repair ageing water infrastructure in cities and towns, or when we restore the supply of electricity to communities, we are advancing the right to dignity,” he said.

Ramaphosa said as the global economic outlook becomes increasingly uncertain, they must hold fast to the path they are on. He said they must sustain their massive investment in infrastructure, continue with far-reaching reforms in energy, water and logistics, overhaul their skills development system and expand support to small businesses.

“On Human Rights Day this year, let us rededicate ourselves to the constitution and to its most cherished principles.

“Let us resolve in our homes, schools, workplaces and communities to treat every person with the dignity that is their right – and let us never stop working until we have ensured that every person can live in dignity, comfort and peace,” said Ramaphosa.

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eThekwini provides lessons on stabilising local government

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

9 March 2026- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said the progress being made by the eThekwini metro towards stabilisation demonstrates how effective leadership, coordinated action and strong societal partnerships can support struggling municipalities to regain their footing.

Ramaphosa said, last week, he met with the Presidential eThekwini Working Group stakeholders, which include national government, provincial government, local government, business, community-based organisations and organised labour.

He further said they established the working group in 2024, in response to concerns from business and residents about the city’s decline. Ramaphosa added that at the time, the metro was beset by service delivery failures, deteriorating infrastructure and sliding business and investor confidence.

“Two years later, the interventions undertaken to tackle poor service delivery and failing infrastructure are driving an effective sustained recovery in the metro. The Durban Business Confidence Index is at its highest level since it was established.

“In the manufacturing sector, confidence has risen by nearly 16% quarter-on-quarter, a significant development for a city with a major port and a strong industrial base. Tourism has also rebounded strongly, with more than 1.2 million visitors to the metro during the recent festive season,” said Ramaphosa.

He said in addition, the key infrastructure projects are underway and they are seeing improvements in safety and security coordination across the metro. Ramaphosa said while stabilisation is not the same as a complete turnaround and the metro still faces significant challenges, the experience of eThekwini offers a viable model for coordination and partnership that can be replicated in other metros and municipalities to enable them to recover.

“The working group approach is based on the District Development Model (DDM), which we launched in 2019 to improve service delivery by fostering collaboration across all three spheres of government.

“The model has proven effective in addressing challenges in government, but more importantly has encouraged various stakeholders to work together. It is designed to bring together government, business, labour and civil society to accelerate turnaround strategies,” he said.

Ramaphosa said, last year, the eThekwini metro approved a Partnerships Framework as a mechanism for public-private cooperation, particularly on infrastructure and catalytic projects. He said for business, supporting local government turnaround has a direct economic benefit because improved service delivery strengthens the economic environment in which companies operate.

“Drawing on lessons learned from the eThekwini Working Group, last year we established the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group, which is focused on governance, service delivery, infrastructure, urban renewal and safety.

“While working groups can contribute to stabilising municipalities, sustained progress depends on strengthening institutional capacity across the entire local government system. Municipalities must be able to deliver on their constitutional mandates without the need for national intervention,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the review of the White Paper on Local Government currently underway will result in a far-reaching overhaul of the entire local government system. Ramaphosa said among the reforms under consideration are a differentiated approach to municipal powers and responsibilities, improving appointment processes for senior municipal officials and stronger cooperation between municipalities and traditional leadership institutions.

“A number of municipalities are characterised by poor revenue management and rising municipal debt. Audit outcomes show that around two-thirds of municipalities are in financial distress. Without stronger revenue management and financial discipline, service delivery challenges will persist and backlogs will only worsen.

“The revenues collected from service provision are meant to be reinvested into maintaining and upgrading infrastructure to improve service delivery. However, in far too many instances these resources are redirected to cover other costs,” he said.

Ramaphosa said to address this problem, R27.7 billion has been allocated over the next three years to encourage metros to reform their water, sanitation, solid waste and electricity services. He said the government is reforming the municipal infrastructure grant to address persistent underspending, misuse of funds and capacity constraints.

“The progress being made in eThekwini and other municipalities is part of a broader programme of reforms that are contributing to better economic growth and improved business confidence. The reforms we are undertaking in the energy, water, telecommunications and logistics sectors are already making an impact on the efficiency and competitiveness of our economy.

“The progress being made in eThekwini to rebuild capacity and restore accountability shows how municipalities can achieve a turnaround with political will and the involvement of stakeholders and residents,” said Ramaphosa.

He said when local government fails, the impact is felt by communities, businesses and households. Ramaphosa said when local government works well, villages, towns and cities become engines of opportunity and growth.

“With local government elections on the horizon, this is an opportunity for all stakeholders to work together – not to campaign for the ballot box, but to renew the promise of local government to uphold the dignity and improve the life of every citizen,” he said.

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A budget to accelerate our economic and social recovery

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By OBAKENG MAJE

2 March 2026- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said last week, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana presented a Budget that will accelerate the momentum of inclusive growth, create jobs and tackle poverty. Ramaphosa said every budgetary allocation is a developmental choice ensuring there are teachers in classrooms, nurses and doctors in clinics, electricity and basic services in homes and businesses, infrastructure to grow the economy, and employment opportunities for communities.

He further said after a prolonged period of economic uncertainty, this budget builds on the progress made over the last few years to stabilise, reform and transform our economy. Ramaphosa added that improvements in public finances, stabilising debt, a narrowing budget deficit, credit rating upgrades and improved market confidence all signal the beginning of an economic recovery.

“A stable macroeconomic environment boosts investor confidence and increases the government’s capacity to invest in both growth and poverty relief without compromising sustainability.

“The stabilisation of public finances gives us space to accelerate public investment, sustain the social wage, and direct resources to reforms that drive growth and job creation. The social wage accounts for over 60% of government spending after interest payments,” he said.

Ramaphosa further said the allocation for this financial year will enable them to provide healthcare services to 84% of the population, social grants to 26.5 million beneficiaries and free basic services to over 11 million indigent households. He added that it will support approximately 13.6 million learners at school.

“This is a redistributive budget that reduces inequality, builds the capabilities of our people and strengthens the foundations for inclusive growth.

“Basic education is one of those key foundations. We will be allocating additional spending to employ more educators. Additional funds have been allocated to the early childhood development grant to reach an additional 300,000 children and to align the National School Nutrition Programme to food inflation,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the budget supports inclusive growth by accelerating public investment, particularly on infrastructure. Ramaphosa said improved infrastructure lowers the cost of doing business, raises productivity and supports our country’s exports.

“Over the next three years, public spending on infrastructure will exceed R1 trillion to build and maintain roads and rail lines, expand energy infrastructure, and build and maintain water and sanitation infrastructure.

“Government alone cannot finance the scale of infrastructure our country needs. We are therefore mobilising investment from private and other sources, and opening the space for public-private partnerships,” he said.

Ramaphosa said as they encourage private investment in electricity, rail and port operations, they are maintaining state ownership of strategic national infrastructure. He said under Operation Vulindlela, government departments and public entities are undertaking impactful reforms in energy, telecommunications, water and logistics.

“The budget acknowledges that many municipalities are in financial distress, driven by weak revenue collection, poor management and substantial service delivery backlogs.

“Many municipalities are not spending appropriately. For several years, water and electricity revenue has not been invested in infrastructure maintenance or expansion, but has been redirected to cover other municipal costs,” said Ramaphosa.

He said local government finances have to be placed on a more sustainable footing to support the delivery of basic services. Ramaphosa said over the medium term, R19.2 billion will be reallocated to the reform of electricity, water, sanitation and solid waste trading services in metros.

“These allocations will be linked to performance against clear targets. The Municipal Infrastructure Grant is being reformed to address underspending and misuse of funds. Over the next three years, R86.9 billion has been allocated to support the provision of free basic services to indigent households.

“This year’s budget reflects the government’s goals of inclusive growth and job creation through additional support for mass public employment programmes and relief for small businesses,” he said.

Ramaphosa said an additional R4.1 billion has been allocated to the Presidential Employment Stimulus to provide work opportunities to more young South Africans. He said to ease the regulatory burden for small businesses, the threshold for businesses to register for VAT has been increased by more than double.

“For small business owners who wish to sell or transfer their businesses, the capital gains tax exemption has also been significantly increased. Together, these measures will help small and informal businesses to grow and employ more South Africans.

“This year’s Budget focuses on three imperatives: maintaining fiscal sustainability, driving inclusive growth and protecting society’s most vulnerable. It is a balanced budget that reflects the realities of our economy, limited financial resources, high unemployment and urgent infrastructure needs,” said Ramphosa.

He said as they build on the momentum of our recovery, they will continue to be guided by fiscal discipline, structural reform, targeted investment and an overarching commitment to improving the material conditions of every South African.

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ANC calls for urgent dialogue in the Middle East

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By OBAKENG MAJE

2 March 2026- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa and the Government of the Republic of South Africa expresses deep concern regarding the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Ramaphosa said these developments pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, with far-reaching humanitarian, diplomatic and economic consequences.

He further calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to act in a manner consistent with international law, international humanitarian law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. Ramaphosa added that Article 51 of the UN Charter provides for self-defence only when a state has been subjected to an armed invasion.

“Anticipatory self-defence is not permitted under international law and self-defence cannot be based on assumption or anticipation. Experience has repeatedly demonstrated that there can be no military solution to fundamentally political problems that can and should be resolved diplomatically.

“Military confrontation has never delivered sustainable peace, nor has it addressed the legitimate grievances that underlie conflict. Long-term peace and stability can only be achieved through inclusive dialogue and a genuine commitment to justice and coexistence,” he said.

Ramaphosa therefore, reiterates his call for intensified diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and create space for continued meaningful negotiations. He urged the international community, including multilateral institutions and regional partners, to redouble efforts aimed at promoting mediation and peaceful resolution.

“As a nation that has emerged from conflict through dialogue and reconciliation, South Africa remains steadfast in its belief that peace is not only possible, but imperative for the shared future of the Middle East and the world,” said Ramaphosa.

Meanwhile, the African National Congress has shared the same sentiments. ANC said it expresses a deep concern at the escalating tensions in the Middle East, which threaten regional and global peace and security.

The ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said the intensification of hostilities carries serious humanitarian, diplomatic and economic consequences. Bhengu said the ANC also conveys its sincere condolences to the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran following reports of the passing of their Supreme Leader, extending sympathies to his family and to the Iranian nation during this period of mourning.

“Guided by South Africa’s principled foreign policy rooted in justice, peace and respect for international law, the ANC calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint.

“All actions must be consistent with international law, international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations. Article 51 of the UN Charter provides for self-defence only in response to an armed attack, and does not permit anticipatory self-defence based on assumption or conjecture,” she said.

Bhengu said the ANC reiterates that there can be no lasting military solution to fundamentally political conflicts. She said escalation deepens instability and suffering of innocent people, while durable peace can only be secured through inclusive dialogue, meaningful negotiations and a genuine commitment to coexistence.

“We therefore urge the international community, including multilateral institutions and regional partners, to intensify diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and peaceful resolution.

“As a movement that led South Africa to freedom through dialogue and reconciliation, the ANC remains steadfast in its belief that peace is not only possible, but imperative for the shared future of the Middle East and the world,” said Bhengu.

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