9 Jul 2026- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the final report deadline of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system. The commission will submit its report on 16 November 2026, instead of 31 August, as anticipated originally.
Ramaphosa spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said the extension granted by the president sets an evidence deadline of 2 October 2026, and a reporting deadline of 16 November 2026, to enable the commission to close off topics it has opened up in the course of hearings to date. Mangwenya said the extension allows the commission to hear evidence on all of the matters listed in its terms of reference.
“Without an extension, the commission will have to leave large parts of its work unfinished. Ramaphosa once again expresses his deepest appreciation for the work conducted by commission, as well as for the manner in which law enforcement agencies are following up testimony emerging from commission hearings,” he said.
6 July 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said the country’s ambition to be a leading digital investment destination is being recognised by some of the world’s leading technology companies. Ramaphosa said one of these is Google, which last week hosted its first-ever African Cloud Summit in Johannesburg.
He further said the company chose South Africa to host one of its most important technology and enterprise events and affirms Africa’s position as a core growth region for the global cloud ecosystem. Ramaphosa added that at the summit, Google announced a range of investments as part of its ‘Building for Africa’ initiative, which is designed “to support the greater adoption of cloud technologies and to equip local ecosystems for AI-driven innovation.”
“Among these investments is a new Digital Exchange Port that will be built in the Eastern Cape, the first of four connectivity hubs on the continent that will ensure reliable cloud services. Google has committed to skilling the local workforce.
“A R3 million digital innovation centre will be built at the South West Gauteng TVET College in Soweto. Later this month, applications will open for the 2026 South African cohort of the Google for Start-ups Accelerator, through which 15 local start-ups will be selected to receive AI training, mentorship and funding,” he said.
Ramphosa said investor confidence in South Africa’s digital economy trajectory is growing. He said beyond the Google investment, in 2023 Amazon Web Services announced plans to invest R30.4 billion in its South African cloud infrastructure.
“Last year, Microsoft announced plans to invest R5.4 billion to develop local hyperscale cloud and AI infrastructure. Just last week, Mastercard launched its Africa Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence. Starting with a phased rollout in South Africa and Nigeria, this initiative aims to strengthen cyber resilience and enable more secure digital growth across Africa.
“Across the world, the digital economy is a catalyst for economic growth and job creation. Google estimates that its Johannesburg Cloud Region can contribute approximately R1.7 trillion in additional gross economic output by 2030 and support approximately 315,000 jobs,” said Ramaphosa.
He said digital technologies are increasingly being adopted to overcome developmental challenges in education, healthcare, service delivery and climate change. Ramaphosa said to build the economies and workplaces of the future, countries need to build digital infrastructure, including cloud computing and AI.
“South Africa currently houses a significant proportion of Africa’s large data centre capacity and is the continent’s largest cloud market. An increasing number of South African businesses are moving to cloud infrastructure and adopting machine learning and AI in their businesses.
“Small, medium and micro enterprises particularly stand to benefit, with one study estimating that SMME adoption of cloud computing could potentially unlock more than R185 billion for the country’s economy by 2030,” he said.
Rampahosa said Cloud enables small businesses to spend less on IT costs, improve their productivity and become more competitive. He said it can help them to expand market access and make use of e-commerce.
“As these businesses grow, they create more employment and stimulate local economies. Through the likes of the SA SME Fund, the Black Business Supplier Development Programme and digital transformation partnerships with the private sector, we are working to make cloud and other technologies more affordable for small businesses.
“Cloud infrastructure rollout can also improve government efficiency and service delivery. For example, cloud-based platforms in education can improve the availability of digital textbooks and other learning materials,” said Ramaphosa.
29 June 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said on 30 June 2026, marks the date that several groupings have been identified for protests against undocumented immigration in South Africa. Ramaphosa said South Africans have raised deep concerns about illegal immigration, border management, pressure on public services, criminal syndicates that exploit the immigration system and the impact these challenges have on communities.
He further said these concerns are real and they deserve to be heard. Ramaphosa added that the right to protest is enshrined in the constitution.
“It is a credit to our robust democratic order that people are able to express their grievances openly. But the right to protest and freedom of expression does not allow people to threaten or intimidate others, or to engage in acts of vandalism or violence. South Africa is a constitutional republic governed by the rule of law.
“The exercise of rights by any citizen in a constitutional democracy cannot be determined by intimidation, threats or ultimatums. It must be determined through democratic institutions, evidence and the rule of law. What we should seek as citizens and as a society is to work together to address the legitimate concerns that many South Africans have raised,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the government has a responsibility not only to listen to these concerns, but to respond with effective action. He said citizens have a responsibility to pursue change peacefully and within the framework of the constitution.
“Government has accepted that our immigration system requires substantial reform. We are strengthening border management, increasing enforcement against undocumented immigration, improving the integrity of the asylum and visa systems and taking action against corruption that has weakened immigration control.
“We also recognise that where our systems have failed, they must be corrected. Where corruption has enabled illegal immigration, those responsible must be held accountable. Where enforcement has been inadequate, it must improve. Over the last few weeks, we have seen support for these measures and for the government’s stance from across society,” said Ramaphosa.
He said they have held meetings with the country’s traditional monarchs and other traditional and Khoi-San leaders, with trade union and business leaders, with the religious community and with other formations in society. Ramaphosa said freedom comes with responsibility.
“The right to protest is one of the defining freedoms of our democracy, but every right carries corresponding responsibilities. Those who intend to protest should do so peacefully, lawfully and with respect for the rights, dignity and safety of others.
“Where there is criminal conduct, those responsible will be held accountable and the law will take its course. We must reject the idea that acts of violence or intimidation are justified on the basis of a grievance, for political reasons, or because those who commit such acts claim they were somehow provoked,” he said.
Ramaphosa said some foreign nationals who live in South Africa are here lawfully. He said they work, study, raise families, invest in the economy and contribute positively to society.
“They too are entitled to the protection of our laws and our constitution. We welcome the assurances by some of the organisers of the planned protests that they stand against violence on the part of their supporters. They will be held to this undertaking, because no cause, no matter how legitimate, will be an excuse to shift responsibility for violent acts.
“We further welcome the support received from traditional, religious and community leaders, from business, labour and civil society organisations that have called for tolerance and respect for the rule of law. Achieving a legitimate end does not justify unlawful means, whether it is reform of the country’s immigration frameworks or better service delivery,” said Ramaphosa.
He said the painful history of the passed laws reminds them why the authority to demand identification and enforce immigration laws belongs to government law-enforcement officers acting within the constitution—not to private individuals. Ramaphosa said whatever the motivation, taking the law into one’s own hands is vigilantism and has no place in constitutional democracy.
“This is a betrayal of the very constitutional order those who commit such acts claim to be defending. It is vigilantism thinly disguised in the language of patriotism.
“We must never allow ourselves to return to that painful chapter of our history, where people were stopped on the street, had their physical identities scrutinised and their right to move freely in the country hindered by suspicion and humiliation,” he said.
22 June 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said a little over four years have passed since South Africa emerged from the state of disaster that had been declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ramaphosa said it is easy to forget just how deeply the pandemic affected every aspect of their lives.
He further said for many, it is a distant memory. Ramaphosa said the waves of infections, hospital wards filling at alarming rates, the lockdown and the various restrictions on gatherings, travel and commerce.
“We sometimes forget that more than 100 000 South Africans died from COVID and that we lost around 2 million jobs. As we set about rebuilding our economy and society in the wake of the pandemic, our concerns moved on to other matters. At this time, as we focus on tackling unemployment and poverty, crime and corruption, pandemics seem far from our minds.
“Yet, the recent outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, serves as a stark reminder that we should not let down our guard. More than that, it reminds us that we must be better prepared for health emergencies in our country, on our continent and across the world,” he said.
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Ramaphosa said following the COVID pandemic, South Africa was appointed the African Union Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response. He said since then, they have been working with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners to strengthen Africa’s health security.
“The Ebola outbreak reminds us that when a dangerous disease breaks out anywhere on our continent, it does not stay in one place. It can easily cross borders, affect communities and disrupt economies.
“These diseases cost both lives and jobs. Health security is therefore not only about hospitals and medicines. It is also about our economy, our development and the safety of our continent as a whole. We learned this the hard way during COVID-19. In those early days, Africa stood at the back of the queue. Vaccines and treatments went first to wealthier countries, while our people waited. We cannot allow that to happen again,” said Ramaphosa.
He said while they appreciate the help of international partners, Africa cannot keep depending on others to supply them during a health emergency. Ramaphosa said they must be able to protect themselves.
“That is why we have been working towards stronger health systems at home. Every country needs a proper public health institute. It needs centres ready to manage emergencies, well-supported community health workers and the ability to track new diseases early.
“Importantly, we must make our own medicines, tests and vaccines here on the continent. We are working to strengthen the African Medicines Agency and to set up shared systems for buying supplies, so that African producers have steady customers and African countries can get what they need when an emergency strikes,” he said.
Ramphosa said they need to set aside money for emergencies. He said African leaders have agreed to create an African Epidemic Fund.
“It is encouraging that African countries are already contributing money towards tackling the current Ebola outbreak. South Africa has pledged $13.5 million to the Africa CDC to treat and limit the spread of Ebola. As a continent, we are taking responsibility for ourselves and not waiting for others.
“Africa needs to be part of writing the global rules on fighting pandemics. We need to stand together and make sure our people are treated fairly. We continue to call for a fair global agreement on pandemics, built on equal partnership rather than charity. I have been heartened by how our continent has come together to respond to the Ebola outbreak,” said Ramaphosa.
He said the Africa CDC has led with skill and speed. Ramaphosa said African leaders have developed common approaches.
“Business leaders, development partners and donors are stepping forward to help. This shows that we have the people, the knowledge and the leadership to succeed. But we must not wait for the next outbreak or pandemic to get us to act.
“We must do the hard work now to secure the health of the people of our continent. The effort we put in today will spare us far greater suffering and cost tomorrow. We must act with urgency to achieve the health security that is so vital for the growth and development of our country and our continent,” he said.
Ramaphosa said health security saves lives, protects jobs and helps to safeguard the future.
8 June 2026- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said in recent months, many South Africans have raised concerns about illegal immigration, asking whether our borders are secure and our laws are being enforced. Ramaphosa said it is in this context that he addressed the nation last night on the action’s government is taking to manage migration in the country and specifically to address the challenge of illegal immigration.
“We are responding to real concerns communities have about the effects that unchecked illegal immigration has on jobs and economic opportunities. We know that some companies employ – and exploit – undocumented foreign nationals in violation of the law. There is also a perception that spaza shops owned by foreign nationals are squeezing out local traders in communities.
“People are also concerned that illegal immigration puts increased pressure on public services like clinics, hospitals and schools. In reality, when one looks at the statistics, foreign nationals account for a very small proportion of users of these public services,” he said.
Ramaphosa further said nevertheless, there is a perception among some people that the public services are being overwhelmed. He added that some people associate illegal immigration with crime.
“While there are organised syndicates that exploit weaknesses in our immigration system to commit crimes like drug trafficking, illegal mining and extortion, we know that the overwhelming majority of foreign nationals in South Africa have no involvement in crime.
“In conditions of unemployment and poverty, crime, violence and service delivery challenges, people often direct their frustrations at those perceived to be competitors for jobs and resources,” said Ramaphosa.
He said as they work to address the causes of the economic challenges – by driving faster and inclusive economic growth, infrastructure development, industrial expansion and the creation of new jobs – they are taking decisive action to tackle illegal immigration. Ramaphosa further said through the Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management that was adopted last week by Cabinet, they are cracking down on violations of the immigration, labour and other laws.
“We are deploying more resources and technology to secure our borders. Government is also stamping out corruption and improving the efficiency of our immigration system. Another part of our comprehensive approach is to close the gaps in our citizenship and immigration laws.
“We are introducing legislation which allows quotas for foreign nationals in different sectors and ensuring that informal businesses are properly registered. Lastly, we are seeking to work with countries across our region and continent to address the conflict, instability and economic hardship that compel people to leave their homes,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the task of managing migration belongs to all of them. He said that does not mean that communities should take the law into their own hands – only authorised officials of the state may enforce the immigration laws – but there is a role for all South Africans in upholding the laws and building social cohesion.
“As we undertake all these actions, we are guided by our constitution, our laws and our international obligations. As a society, we must hold firmly to the rule of law. We must work to reduce tensions in our communities.
“We must stand together against violence, intimidation and intolerance. Importantly, we must not allow anyone to exploit the genuine concerns of South Africans to incite violence, spread misinformation or destabilise our country,” said Ramaphosa.
He said they call on traditional and religious leaders, civil society, business, labour, political parties and every South African to work with the government to support the actions they have announced to tackle illegal immigration. Ramaphosa said they must actively work against efforts to divide them.
“We must confront racism, sexism, xenophobia and Afrophobia. Our goal must be to build united and cohesive communities where all laws are respected and upheld. We are a nation built by migration and we are more diverse, dynamic and stronger for it.
“By strengthening our laws and enforcing them fairly, we can tackle illegal immigration while remaining true to our Constitution and to our shared humanity,” he concluded.
8 June 2026- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said over recent months, South Africans from every walk of life have raised concerns about migration and illegal immigration. Ramaphosa said these concerns are being expressed in communities, workplaces, schools, clinics and across social media platforms.
He further said many South Africans are asking difficult, but legitimate questions. Ramaphosa added that they are asking whether the borders are secure.
“They are concerned about jobs. South Africans are raising these matters because they are concerned about pressure on public services. They are concerned about safety, security and the rule of law. These concerns are real, they deserve to be heard and they deserve to be addressed.
“South Africans are asking whether the government is taking the necessary steps to address these challenges. Tonight, I want to address these concerns. I want to explain what the government is doing to address them. And I want to outline the principles that must guide us as we confront this challenge together,” he said.
Ramaphosa said they must be honest about the context in which these concerns arise. He said South Africa faces persistently high levels of unemployment, especially among young people.
“Too many families are struggling to make ends meet. Too many communities are experiencing poverty and inadequate access to opportunities. In such circumstances, frustration can easily be directed at those perceived to be competitors for jobs and resources. Yet, we must recognise that illegal immigration is not the cause of all our economic challenges.
“The answer must be faster economic growth, greater investment, industrial expansion, infrastructure development and the creation of millions of new jobs. We know that migration is a global issue. It affects all countries,” said Ramaphosa.
He said the country – like many others throughout history – is a product of migration. Ramaphosa said it is the reason for their diversity and contributes to their vibrancy.
“As a democracy, we have welcomed visitors to our country. In line with our international obligations and our constitutional values, we accept people from other countries in need of protection from wars, conflicts, discrimination and violence. Like every other country in the world, we have laws that determine who can come to our country, what they can do here and how long they can stay.
“The basic principle, on which we all agree, is that every person within the borders of South Africa should be here legally. Every person who works in our country must be legally permitted to work. Every person who runs a business here must be legally permitted to run a business,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the challenge they have is that some people have migrated to the country irregularly and are here illegally. He said South Africa has a right to implement policies and measures that prevent irregular migration.
“South Africa is committed to protect, uphold and advance the human rights of all people in our country, whether citizens or foreign nationals. We are committed to honour our international obligations. The responsibility for enforcing immigration laws rests with the state and the state alone.
“There have been weaknesses in the way migration has been managed. There have been weaknesses in rigorous and focused enforcement. There have been instances of corruption. There have been gaps in our systems that have undermined public confidence. South Africans are entitled to expect better,” said Ramaphosa.
He said they accept that responsibility and they are taking decisive action to correct these shortcomings. Ramaphosa said South Africans have a right to expect a state that is effective, professional and capable of enforcing its own laws.
“Government will accordingly take action to address the expectations of our people in dealing with the challenge of the violations of our immigration laws. I must make it clear that only the authorised government officials may act against violations of the law, including violation of our immigration laws.
“No other person is allowed, for example, to confront someone in the street to demand proof of nationality. We know that South Africans are not xenophobic as there is no space for xenophobia, racism, sexism, Afrophobia or any other forms of intolerance in South Africa,” he said.
Ramaphosa said as communities and as a society, they must not be tempted to join those who want them to turn against people who were not born in South Africa and who are in their midst. He said they will and must not allow groups to use the legitimate concerns of South Africans to destabilise the country through inciting lawlessness and violence.
“We will act against forces who are exploiting the concerns of our people about illegal immigration to further their own political, personal or criminal agendas. We will not be fooled or influenced by social media campaigns that spread misinformation, fake news and lies about foreign nationals.
“We must be concerned that anti-foreigner sentiment is at times accompanied by tribal and ethnic slurs, insults or attacks aimed at other South Africans. We expect foreign nationals to respect our laws. We therefore need to respect them ourselves. Almost all South Africans recognise that illegal immigration is a significant challenge,” said Ramaphosa.
7 June 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa will this evening address the nation on the government’s management approach to illegal migration and the recent surge in protests against foreign nationals. Ramaphosa will address the nation at Union Buildings, Pretoria on 7 June 2026 at 6pm.
SABC will provide a feed to all media and @PresidencyZA will live stream proceedings on various digital platforms.
2 June 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said in just under two weeks’ time, Bafana Bafana will participate in the opening match in this year’s FIFA World Cup against Mexico. Ramaphosa said Bafana Bafana carry with them the best wishes of more than 62 million South Africans who will be cheering them on at every stage of the tournament.
He further said they are taking part in the World Cup for the first time since South Africa hosted the event in 2010. Ramaphosa added that at a send-off dinner hosted by the Presidency last week, they congratulated the team going to the World Cup.
“Football is defined by camaraderie, teamwork and sportsmanship. The efforts of all the players in qualifying for the tournament deserve credit and recognition. I call on all South Africans to rally behind our team and show their support. Let us wear the team colours and fly the flag.
“It has been a long and difficult journey to transform the fortunes of Bafana Bafana. Credit must go to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the South African Football Association (SAFA), the leagues, clubs and sponsors for their commitment to developing local football over many years,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the coach and the players deserve their collective recognition. He said efforts are ongoing to professionalise the sport, develop new talent and promote football as a recreational activity for youth in communities across the country.
“Bafana Bafana will be ambassadors for our country and what we stand for. The diversity of the squad and technical team is a reminder to the world that we are a united nation of many races, languages and cultures.
“We are a land of opportunity where a young person born into difficult circumstances is able to represent their country at the highest level of international sport. The transformation of sport in South Africa is a reflection of the values of respect, tolerance, fairness and inclusivity that underpin our constitutional order,” said Ramphosa.
He said as they know from experience, sport has a tremendous capacity to unite people across the barriers of geography, race, gender and class. Ramaphosa said they remember the iconic moment at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final when President Nelson Mandela walked onto the field wearing a Springbok jersey to congratulate Bokke.
“That moment has been immortalised in writings, memoirs and film. It captured the spirit of the times, when South Africa’s democracy was barely a year old. The country was energised by the team’s victory, but more so by what it represented to a new nation that was emerging from a deeply divided past.
“As I told the Bafana Bafana squad last week, the people of South Africa expect them to bring the trophy home. Yet regardless of how Bafana Bafana fare in the tournament, their participation is as rich with meaning as the 1995 Rugby World Cup,” he said.
Ramaphosa said much like the national squad, the country has emerged from a prolonged period of difficulty and now looks to the future with hope. He said their democracy has matured and is flourishing.
“Our Constitution has been the supreme law of the land for three decades and we have embarked on a National Dialogue to chart a new course for our country. We are seeing the signs of an economic recovery and growing confidence in our economic prospects.
“So, as we cheer our team on from the stands, at fan zones and in our homes, we should also cheer ourselves on as a country. We should celebrate how far we have come in building a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa,” said Ramaphosa.
He said like Bafana Bafana, they should keep working and striving until they have achieved a country in which all their people can thrive. Ramaphosa said for 90 minutes, as they play for the country, they will not be divided by language, race, province, club or circumstance.
“For 90 minutes, as they play, we will simply be South Africans standing together behind our national team and behind our flag. One Team. One Nation. Behind Bafana. Behind South Africa.
“United by our Flag, inspired by our Team. 62 million cheering voices. One Dream,” he said.
25 May 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said as the country mark 30 years since the adoption of its constitution this month, they can reflect with pride on the political culture they have built as a nation – a culture that is robust, participatory, continuously evolving and firmly anchored in the democratic values they hold dear. Ramaphosa said they are fortunate to live in a society with a vibrant public space and deeply engaged citizens who know that they have a voice and more importantly, that their voice matters.
He further said it is this active participation by the people of South Africa that continues to give life, meaning and resilience to constitutional democracy. Ramaphosa added that civil society in the country remains vibrant and resilient.
“Our constitution safeguards freedoms of conscience, thought and expression, whilst firmly entrenching media freedom as one of the cornerstones of democracy. Political contestation takes place openly and freely, reflecting the strength and maturity of our democratic order.
“Our courts continue to serve as institutions that our people trust, and provide recourse for ordinary South Africans, political actors and organisations. In our country, no one is above the law and scrutiny – and no individual or institution is beyond accountability. It is this commitment to constitutionalism, transparency and the rule of law that sustains public confidence in our democracy,” he said.
Ramaphosa said these are all a credit to the constitutional order they have worked to build over the last three decades. He said there is a strong culture of participatory democracy in the country, which began with the constitution-making process itself.
“The Constitutional Assembly was determined that all South Africans should participate meaningfully in drawing up our first democratic constitution. As I said at the time, we wanted a People’s Constitution where every South African would be able to put his or her own brick towards building the new South Africa.
“For nearly a year and a half, we criss-crossed the length and breadth of the country to get people’s inputs on the type of constitution they wanted to see as the supreme law of the land. Citizens of all races, ages and classes participated. We facilitated community meetings and engaged with people at their places of work and study,” said Ramaphosa.
He said he remembers taking part in radio shows, where listeners would call in with their ideas on what should be in the constitution. Ramaphosa said the callers had a deep understanding of why human rights mattered, which was born out of their own personal experiences with injustice.
“What some of them related about their own harrowing experiences of apartheid oppression was a painful reminder of why we needed this constitution. They spoke of unfair dismissals by employers, of being denied access to beaches, of land being taken from them and of unfair treatment at the hands of public officials.
“We received thousands of written submissions on issues ranging from reproductive health rights to taxation to gun ownership to conserving the environment, to animal welfare. There were submissions about protecting the elderly and people with disabilities, on language preservation and on sexual orientation,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the outcome of all the submissions, which ran into hundreds of thousands of pages and words, was a homegrown constitution that reflects the aspirations of the South African people who had a hand in drafting it. He said the participatory approach that produced the constitution continues to guide its efforts to transform South Africa.
“Members of the public participate in law-making through public hearings. They are able to comment on draft policies, regulations and environmental decisions. Through the annual Taking Parliament to the People programme convened by the National Council of Provinces, people are able to interact directly with their elected representatives.
“South Africa ranks amongst the leading countries in the world for an open, transparent and participatory budget process. Through the annual parliamentary budget hearings that are currently underway, the budgeting process is open to public scrutiny and Parliamentary oversight,” said Ramaphosa.
He said while some may argue that participatory democracy slows decision-making or leads to excessive contestation, it is a fundamental tenet of their constitutional order. Ramaphosa said for their democracy to retain legitimacy, citizens must be confident that their voices are counted when making decisions that affect them most.
“Soon, the next phase of the National Dialogue process will commence in earnest, and we must together strive for the broad participatory inclusivity that characterised the constitution-making process. The National Dialogue Steering Committee has announced that between June and August 2026, they will be holding up to 195 pilot dialogues across the nine provinces that will include ward-based engagements, digital engagements and sectoral dialogues. They will be prioritising direct community participation.
“We are determined that the National Dialogue should fully reflect South Africa’s racial, cultural, social, economic and geographic diversity. Just as the 1994 generation played a direct role in the production of the birth certificate of the new South Africa, so too does today’s generation carry a responsibility to participate meaningfully in the National Dialogue,” he said.
Ramaphosa said this is particularly important for the young people who will live with the impact of the decisions they make today. He said as they look with optimism to this new phase in the life of the nation, he calls on all South Africans to come together once more and be part of crafting a new vision for South Africa that both speaks to their contemporary challenges and lays the groundwork for the South Africa they want to be.
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.
The Guardian 