President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the return of the South African men who were lured into the battle lines between Russia and Ukraine by South African elements that remain under investigation. 

The South African government working closely with the Russian government has secured a safe return of the men. This followed receipt of distressed calls for assistance to return home from seventeen (17) South African men between the ages of 20-39 years. 

President Ramaphosa has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Vladimir Putin who responded positively to his call to support the process of returning the men home. 
President Putin had pledged his support during a telephone call with President Ramaphosa held on the 10th of February 2026.  

Out of the seventeen men, four are already back in the country, while eleven will be on their way home soon. Two remain in Russia with one in a hospital in Moscow, while the other one is being processed before finalising his travel arrangements. 
The South African embassy in Moscow will continue to monitor the individual that is in hospital until he has fully recovered to travel. 

The investigation into the circumstances that led to the recruitment of these young men into mercenary activities is ongoing. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

The litigation that has been initiated by various parties against the President and the Minister of Health has necessitated that President Cyril Ramaphosa following  consultations with Minister Aaron Motsoaledi agree to delay the proclamation of any sections of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act until the Constitutional Court has handed down its judgments in challenges due to be heard on 5-7 May 2026.
 
These cases relate to the public participation process that led to the adoption of the NHI Bill by Parliament.
 
The Department of Health has indicated that preparatory work has been ongoing such as the improvement of health services before any sections of the NHI Act are ready for commencement. The undertaking by the President will not affect the timetable for the implementation of the NHI.
 
The Department of Health will continue in its constitutional responsibility to strengthen the health system and improve the quality of care.
 
It is anticipated that this agreement will be made an order of court on 24 February 2026.
 
Government remains committed to the National Health Insurance and will work within the requirements of the law and judicial process to ensure that there is no undue delay.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Programme Directors, 
Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile,
The family and members of the N’wamitwa Royal House,
Your Majesties,
Chairperson of the Valoyi Royal Council, Mr Ben Shipalana,
Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba,
Executive Mayor of the Mopani District Municipality, Cllr Pule Shayi,
Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Rt. Rev. Advocate SPH Nyambi,
South African Police Service Chaplain, Lt. Col (Rev) RM Mahlangu,
Fellow Mourners, 

Good Morning, 

It is with great sorrow that we today bid farewell to a leader, a pioneer and a great daughter of the soil, Hosi Dr Phylia Tinyiko N’wamitwa II. 

The VaTsonga nation has lost a mother.

Those who have experienced the pain of losing a mother will attest that it is one of the deepest wounds. 

On behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa we offer our deepest and profound condolences. 

Since the news of the passing of Hosi N’wamitwa was announced on the 9th of February, tributes have been pouring in from South African citizens and from beyond our borders. 

She was a towering figure who embodied humility and was passionate about the development of her people. 

As the first female Hosi of the VaTsonga, she was a trailblazer.

She demonstrated to this community, to South Africa, to Africa and indeed to the world the right and the ability of women to be traditional leaders. 

Above and beyond her royal duties, Hosi N’wamitwa had an illustrious career as an educator and was a seasoned political activist. 

She participated in the CODESA negotiations that preceded South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, and served as a Member of Parliament for the African National Congress from 1994 to 2009. 

Most recently, she accepted my invitation to be a member of the Eminent Persons Group, which is entrusted with guiding and advising on the National Dialogue.

The late Hosi was also a philanthropist who leaves behind a rich legacy of community development and advancing the rights of rural women. 

She was firm that women should receive equal treatment in traditional courts on matters relating to customary disputes. 

She was a steadfast advocate for women’s rights and a powerful voice against gender-based violence. 

She was a custodian of the culture of the VaTsonga, and supported the work and efforts of the N’wamitwa Cultural Village and Museum. 

Despite her advancing years, she remained full of vigour and determined to still contribute to the upliftment of her community. 

She wanted to see more jobs being created for the local community. 

In this regard, she was passionate and excited about the construction of the N’wamitwa Dam, a bulk water project being spearheaded by the government of Limpopo and the Department of Water and Sanitation. 

Even though our hearts are heavy at the departure of our mother and comrade, we celebrate her remarkable life and her contribution to the betterment of South Africa. 

In 2008, when she was officially installed as the first female Hosi of the VaTsonga, history was made. 

When the Constitutional Court ruled that the Valoyi Traditional Authority was entitled to adapt its customary succession rule to allow a woman to become Hosi, it was a great advance for all traditional communities in South Africa and on the continent. 

Going to court to assert her right to chieftaincy took great courage, resilience and strength of character. 

She stood up to claim the rights guaranteed by our Constitution. 

In this sense, Her Royal Highness embodied the spirit of the women of 1956 who marched on the Union Buildings, the seat of apartheid power, to assert that they would not tolerate being oppressed and marginalised.

The discriminatory laws against which they stood were still in place twelve years later, in 1968, when the late Hosi’s father, Hosi Fofoza N’wamitwa passed away. 

Black women lived at the intersection of racial domination and legal exclusion. 

In the cities, villages and farms, they were harassed by the apartheid regime. 

They could not work or live where they chose, or study a profession of their choice. 

They had no choice but to become domestic workers, farm workers, menial labourers and informal traders to survive and feed their families. 

Women who were part of resistance against apartheid were treated brutally, jailed, tortured, assaulted and even killed. 

Women were treated as perpetual minors, with their legal identity tied to their fathers, husbands or male guardians. 

Black women could not enter into contracts freely. They could not own land or register property in their own names. 

Traditional marriages were not recognised, leaving millions of women financially destitute if they divorced or their husband died.

In far too many instances, customary law reinforced state policy.

The late Hosi N’wamitwa II was not spared the humiliation of these discriminatory laws. As customary law at the time did not permit a woman to become Hosi, her right to the chieftaincy as the only child of her late father was not recognised. 

Yet, like the brave women of 1956, she did not accept her fate. And in challenging it, she transformed her fortunes and altered the course of our country’s history. 

After a long battle, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Valoyi Traditional Authority was indeed entitled to apply a developmental and transformative approach to customary law in dealing with a chieftaincy succession dispute. 

It affirmed that customary law and constitutional rights are not in opposition, but are complementary. 

As we reflect today on the legacy of Hosi N’wamitwa II, the symbolism of her installation is most enduring. 

It signalled that tradition cannot be invoked to entrench the oppression of women and gender discrimination. 

She had to fight to claim her birthright and her rights as a woman. In doing so, she ensured that all future Royal daughters do not suffer the same fate. 

As agriculturalists, the people of this province know that one cannot reap the harvest before ploughing.

The emancipation of women in this country and their right to equality was not extended as a favour.

It was achieved through decades of tireless struggle, of great advances and painful setbacks.

Since the advent of democracy we have made significant progress in advancing the rights of women in traditional communities to equality and dignity – to have their marriages recognised, to own property and land, and to inherit. 

Thanks to the efforts of the pioneering Hosi N’wamitwa II and the transformation of our laws, more women hold positions of authority in traditional communities, including on traditional councils. 

We continue to work with all the houses of traditional leadership to advance the position of women in their activities and programmes.

At the same time we know that today women face many challenges: poverty, financial exclusion, unemployment and the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. 

Rural women bear the brunt of these challenges.

Many live in communities where they face discriminatory practices.

The challenge to us all as we celebrate the life of the late Hosi is to work together as government, as traditional leaders, as civil society and as communities to give effect to her legacy.

She was a traditionalist and a champion of gender equality. 

She respected and upheld cultural practices and traditions, but did not hesitate to speak out if these violated the rights of others.

To honour her memory, I call on all organs of State, the institutions of traditional leadership and all communities to declare that never again will culture and tradition be used as an excuse for the oppression, exclusion and subjugation of women. 

Let us work to ensure that the full and meaningful equality of men and women is lived out in every village, town, city and province. 

We call on the youth of this community and the youth of our country to ensure that the legacy of the late Hosi N’wanitwa lives on in your words and actions. 

We are counting on your energy and vision to pick up where she left off for the betterment of your villages, towns, the province and the country at large. 

Let us who remain behind pick up the spear that has fallen.

Let us ensure that in the onward march towards full gender equality in South Africa, that we leave no-one behind: even in the most rural and remote community. 

Fellow Mourners, 

In Proverbs 31:10, the Holy Scriptures speak of the good woman. They say:

“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity... She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 

“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed.”

Today this community, who are all the children of Hosi N’wamitwa II, who have all benefited from her faithful instruction, arise and call her blessed. 

She was a pillar of this community and our nation. 

We mourn her and we will forever remember her. 

Surely goodness and mercy followed her all the days of her life. May she dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 

To the Shilubana and Valoyi families, loved ones and friends, we share in your sorrow. 

Famba kahle Mthondolovhani, Famba kahle Khalanga, 

N’wina vaka ncila a va ololi, loko u olola wa tshoveka.

N’wina vo khandziya nsinya mi chika hi rhavi. 

Etlela hi kurhula Hosi N’wamitwa 

Eka Vuhosi bya ka N’wamitwa, mi va na kurhula eka nkarhi lowo tika swinene. 

I thank you
 

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga,
Deputy Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans,
Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba,
Acting Secretary for Defence, Dr Thobekile Gamede,
Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya,
The Plenary Defence Staff Council,
The Military Command,
The Executive Mayor of Vhembe District Municipality and the Mayor of Thulamela Local Municipality,
Your Majesties, Thovhele Vho-Mphaphuli and Thovhele Vho-Gole Mphaphuli, 
Traditional Leaders,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps and representatives of other countries,
Men and Women in Uniform,
Members on Parade,
Military Veterans,
Distinguished Guests,
Fellow South Africans,

I am honoured, as Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force, to address this Armed Forces Day.

We are gathered here in Vhembe District to honour our men and women in uniform, the patriotic soldiers, sailors and airmen and airwomen who for 32 years have stood in defence of our democracy.

Our armed forces reflect the diversity of the South African nation, a people of different identities and varied origins, united in our shared nationhood and common purpose.

We are united in advancing the values of our democratic Constitution and in safeguarding the fundamental rights of our country’s people.

Armed Forces Day is held at this time of year to remember the members of the Native Labour Corps who lost their lives in the sinking of the SS Mendi on the 21st of February 1917 during the First World War I.

It is recorded that they met their end not with cries of fear, but with a death dance of defiance and unity. 

The tragedy of SS Mendi reminds us of the importance of unity and solidarity, that despite great peril, those brave soldiers stood together as they faced their fate. Their courage and spirit continue to inspire us today.

Armed Forces Day honours all our soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving the Republic outside our borders and in internal operations. 

This day is a tribute to the courage of those who wear uniform, and we bow our heads in memory of those who never returned from the horizon. 

We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and comrades of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

To those who continue to serve: your sacrifices, bravery and commitment are deeply valued by a grateful nation. 

We are all aware of the recent heavy rains, devastating flooding, loss of life and damage to infrastructure in this province, in Mpumalanga and beyond. 

The SANDF brought its expertise to assist in the relief efforts, working together with local and provincial authorities: deploying engineers to support disaster management, repair roads and bridges, purify water and erect temporary structures for those affected. 

This recovery effort extended to our neighbouring country, Mozambique, where the SANDF rescued citizens from raging floodwaters.

I extend a special word of thanks to the Premiers, provincial agencies, local authorities and the SANDF members who have been on the ground in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Mozambique since the start of the devastation.

As a demonstration of its developmental capabilities, the SANDF has been active in communities in this province as part of the Armed Forces Day programme.

During this period, the South African Military Health Service's Project Owethu provided health services to rural communities in Sekhukhune, Waterberg and Vhembe Districts.

These services have covered medical care, mental health, ophthalmology, oral health and orthopaedic care. 

Over the past week alone, more than 85 cataract procedures were conducted at Elim Hospital, restoring sight to many elderly patients. 

Furthermore, the SANDF has visited schools to instil the values of patriotism, sharing with learners the importance of national symbols, the national anthem and nationhood. 

There is also a special programme to introduce the SANDF to the youth and the general public, showcasing the exciting careers available in the Defence Force.

Armed Forces Day is a significant training and logistical exercise.

It is a real-time simulation of the SANDF's ability to mobilise personnel and equipment across the country, modelling various threat scenarios in defence of our territorial integrity. 

What began as a day of mourning has evolved into a display of military capability and national pride. 

To our men and women in uniform: each one of you has picked up the spears of our fallen heroes and heroines. 

You are the shield that ensures our people know lasting peace, security and stability. 

You stand on the shoulders of giants: great warriors like King Makhado, the Lion of the North, and King Thohoyandou, whose leadership shaped our destiny, and of the soldiers who refused to betray the cause of freedom at the Battle of Mutale River. 

Their legacy is mirrored in the resolve of the modern SANDF.

The members of the SANDF serve in an era of great geopolitical tension. 

South Africa remains steadfast in our policy of non-alignment. 

We refuse to be drawn into the spheres of influence of competing global powers.

We assert our strategic autonomy and sovereignty.

And we conduct all our operations under strict civilian oversight and in absolute adherence to international humanitarian law.

We are called upon to adapt to new realities. 

There has been a shift on the battlefield from traditional weaponry to high-tech autonomous and unmanned systems such as drones, digital warfare and the use of artificial intelligence.

These changes require a SANDF that is responsive, relevant and agile.

Our military is having to adapt at a time when public resources are constrained.

Given the critical importance of the SANDF to our security, sovereignty and development, additional resources have been allocated from the budget.

This is a targeted intervention to close funding gaps, improve efficiencies and ensure our operational ambitions are matched by our resources. 

Having assessed our current priorities, I have decided to draw down our participation as a troop-contributing nation in the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known as MONUSCO. 

This will be done in a phased and well-orchestrated manner to ensure the safe return of our troops and their equipment. 

As we withdraw, we pledge our continued support to continental peace and security initiatives under the UN, the African Union and SADC.

We are also mindful of the internal threats to the security and safety of our people. 

I have authorised the deployment of SANDF elements to support the South African Police Service in a targeted offensive against brazen criminality, illegal mining and ruthless gangs. 

From the Cape Flats to Gauteng, our message is clear: the rule of law will be enforced and the safety of our citizens will be secured. 

This deployment is a shield for the vulnerable, so that a child in Nyanga, Eldorado Park or New Brighton can walk to school without the shadow of a bullet haunting their steps.

To the young people present here today and watching across the country: I invite you to see the SANDF as a career and as a calling. 

We need your capabilities in engineering, medicine, technology, strategy and many other disciplines. 

Join the SANDF for the love of your country. By serving your people, you build your own future and you contribute to a better nation.

To our soldiers: continue to fly our flag high on all missions. 

Continue to guard our borders and build the bridges that connect our communities. 

You remind us that through our collective resolve as a nation, we are able to rise above any challenge we might face.

May the memory of SS Mendi and all those who served our country inspire us to work towards a brighter future for South Africa and her people.

To all the members of our armed forces, Ndi khou livhuwa.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mr Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, to serve as Presidential Envoy on Agriculture and Land.
 
Mr Sihlobo is a Senior Lecturer Extraordinary at the Department of Agricultual Economics of the University of Stellenbosch and has published widely on agricultural policy, land reform, and food security. He has more than a decade of experience in the sector and academia.
 
Sihlobo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Fort Hare and a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Stellenbosch University.
 
President Ramaphosa has appointed Mr Sihlobo as an envoy in view of the importance of agriculture in South Africa’s economic growth path, recurrent challenges in the sector and growth opportunities domestically and abroad.

In this role, Mr Sihlobo will support The Presidency’s priorities and objectives on agriculture, rural development, land reform and international trade. He will work closely with the responsible departments, in pursuit of The Presidency’s priorities.

The Envoy will also work closely with various state-owned entities, such as the Agricultural Research Council, Land Bank, and Onderstepoort Biological Products, as necessary, in support of agricultural development and growth opportunities.

The Envoy will also engage other stakeholders from time to time, including the private sector, to unlock progress and realise tangible gains.

The ultimate goal of this work is to advance The Presidency’s priorities for overcoming constraints to agricultural growth and boosting competitiveness, inclusion, and the sector's export profile.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, will host a Community Youth Services Outreach Programme in Mfuleni, Cape Town, aimed at connecting young people with government services, employment opportunities, skills development programmes and civic services.

The outreach forms part of government’s ongoing commitment to expand access to opportunities for young people, particularly those who are unemployed, out of school, or not in education, employment or training. The initiative will bring multiple government departments and partners together in one accessible space to ensure that young people receive practical support, information and pathways into learning, work and participation in the economy.

The programme will target youth, graduates seeking employment, first-time ID applicants, and young people registering to vote.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Time: 09:00 – 15:00
Venue: Mfuleni Community Hall, Mfuleni, Cape Town, Western Cape

Government departments and partners participating in the outreach include the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Employment and Labour, National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), Harambee, Youth Employment Service (YES), the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), and Transnet.

The outreach is expected to benefit approximately 350 young people and will serve as a catalyst for connecting youth to opportunities and essential government services.

Media enquiries: Ms Mandisa Mbele, Office of the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, on 082 580 2213 or mandisam@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Ministers,
Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, Mr Dipak Patel,
Members of the Presidential Climate Commission,
Executive Director, Ms Dorah Modise,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Climate change is an existential threat to the future of humanity and the planet. 
 
We must act with others across the globe to ensure that we do not breach the 1.5 degree warming above pre-industrial levels.
 
We must reduce carbon emissions at a pace and scale that is appropriate to our national circumstances. We must simultaneously climate-proof our development and infrastructure while strengthening resilience and disaster management capabilities. 
 
Climate action and development must be aligned and support our growth and prosperity.
 
South Africa is already experiencing the effects of climate change, and these are predicted to increase rapidly as we approach the end of this decade and beyond.
 
This could significantly impede our growth and our collective prosperity.
 
It is likely to undermine our efforts to address inequality, poverty and unemployment.
 
Addressing climate change must therefore go hand in hand with improving living conditions for all.
 
Those most vulnerable to climate change – including women, children, people with disabilities, the poor and the unemployed – need to be protected.
 
We also need to protect workers’ jobs and livelihoods.
 
South Africa has set ambitious goals for climate action, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
 
As the Commission, our work is to ensure a just transition to a low-carbon economy while helping South Africa become more resilient, strengthening our global competitiveness, and reducing poverty, inequality and unemployment. 
 
To do this, we need to build consensus through social dialogue.
 
The birth of the Presidential Climate Commission in December 2020 marked a turning point in South Africa’s climate agenda.
 
For the first time, the country created a permanent, independent, multi-stakeholder body to advise on its response to climate change.
 
South Africa needed an independent, credible body that could convene diverse voices, provide sound evidence and help the country navigate one of the most complex policy challenges in its democratic history.
 
The Presidential Climate Commission was established to ensure that South Africa’s climate transition is just, inclusive and responsive to the needs of vulnerable communities – and that it is based on the best available scientific evidence.
 
At the last session of this Commission’s first term, in December last year, I received a report outlining what the Commission had done in its first five years.
 
That report lays a basis for a broad scope of what our priorities should be for the next five years until 2030.
 
Since its inception, the PCC has played a central role in South Africa’s climate policy landscape.
 
Most importantly, the PCC has emerged as an important platform for consensus-building in South Africa’s just transition journey.
 
By bringing together government, business, labour, civil society, youth and academia, the PCC has fostered inclusive dialogue and solutions to some of the country’s most complex and contested climate and development challenges.
 
It has helped to align diverse interests around common goals such as the phase-down of coal, investment in renewables and the protection of livelihoods.
 
It has sought to ensure that policy decisions are both evidence-based and also socially legitimate and widely supported.
 
The just transition is an opportunity to rebuild trust with communities and to deal with practical issues relating to jobs, local economies, skills, social support and governance, among others.
 
We gather at a pivotal moment in South Africa’s energy transition.
 
Energy security and climate action must be mutually reinforcing.
 
A stable, diversified electricity system is the foundation of growth, investment and job creation, especially as we propel the country towards green industrialisation.
 
The Just Energy Transition Partnership must now move from commitment to delivery.
 
We must translate pledges into visible progress on the ground.
 
Among other things, we need to accelerate renewable energy deployment, strengthen and expand transmission infrastructure, enable storage solutions and create space for greater private sector participation.
 
We look to this Commission for guidance on how to ensure that our energy transition advances energy security, while reducing emissions and maximising the opportunities for our economy from a low carbon transition.
 
At the same time, we look to this commission for guidance on how our communities can adapt and be more resilient to the ever-increasing effects of climate change.
 
Our pathway to the targets set out in our Nationally Determined Contribution must reinforce growth, inclusion and job creation.
 
As we continue to seek sufficient financial investment to reduce our carbon emissions, we must increase the share of funding for adaptation.
 
This is essential to secure the development gains the country has achieved.
 
As the country works to reduce its carbon footprint, we must ensure that this shift does not disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, such as those who depend on industries like coal mining for their livelihoods.
 
This will require inclusive social dialogue and unprecedented levels of cooperation between government, business, labour and communities.
 
By bringing together voices from all sectors of society, the PCC will promote consensus on the implementation of economic, social and environmental policies needed to achieve our decarbonisation targets.
 
As this new Commission begins its work, we should not leave important tasks unfinished.
 
For example, we need to attend to the redevelopment of the community of Komati in Mpumalanga who, in the aftermath of the decommissioning of the power station, were left with no economic recovery plan.
 
We expect all government departments at all levels to continue to be cooperative, supportive and receptive to the views of the Commission.
 
We expect all parts of government to take the PCC’s recommendations forward and work collaboratively on awareness and social dialogue, enabling local action and adjusting policy measures where necessary.
 
For the transition to be just, it must be redistributive, restorative and procedurally just.
 
All citizens should be empowered to participate in this transition, not as passive beneficiaries of government services and corporate social responsibility grants, but as economic actors.
 
This must be a transition to a transformed, inclusive and more equal economy.
 
I call on you as Commissioners to work in close partnership with our key Ministers and their departments to ensure that climate action is fully integrated into our national priorities, from energy and finance to trade, labour and cooperative governance.
 
Through coordinated leadership and shared accountability, we can undertake climate action in a manner that advances development, protects livelihoods and unlocks new opportunities for our people.
 
Thank you for taking on this responsibility and for your commitment to this work.
 
I look forward to our continued efforts to contribute meaningfully to global climate action and build a sustainable and prosperous future for all South Africans.
 
I thank you.

President Ramaphosa will on Sunday, 22 February 2026 deliver the eulogy at the funeral of late Hosi Phylia Tinyiko Lwandlamuni N’Wamitwa II, who passed away on Monday, 09 February 2026.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has designated that the Queen be honoured with a Category Two Official Provincial Funeral in Limpopo.

Hosi N’Wamitwa II has been described as a towering figure whose life was defined by courage, leadership and service to the people.

The official funeral service will take place as follows:
Date: Sunday, 22 February 2026
Time: 07h30am
Venue: Valoyi Va-Tsonga Cultural Village - N’Wamitwa Village, Mopani District, Limpopo

In line with Official Funeral protocol, the national flag will be flown at half-mast across Limpopo Province in honour of the late Hosi N’Wamitwa II.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, as the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), officiate the Armed Forces Day commemoration at Thohoyandou, Limpopo, on Saturday, 21 February 2026.

Armed Forces Day is observed annually on 21 February to commemorate the sinking of the SS Mendi on 21 February 1917.

The sinking of the SS Mendi remains one of South Africa’s greatest tragedies of the First World War (1914–1918). A total of 616 black South African troops lost their lives when the vessel sank en route to France.

The President will commence the ceremony by laying a wreath at the Thohoyandou Memorial Site. He will then observe a multi-aircraft fly-past by the South African Air Force before delivering the keynote address.

Armed Forces Day seeks to deepen public understanding of the role of the SANDF in the life of the nation and to demonstrate, through live military simulations, the capabilities of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the South African Military Health Service.

The Official Programme will unfold as follows:

Date: Saturday, 21 February 2026
Time: 10h00
Venue: Thavhani Mall, Phunda Maria Road, Thohoyandou

Note to media: the Department of Defence and Military Veterans call for media accreditation is closed. Media enquiries in this regard should be directed to the department.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 20 February 2026, virtually chair the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) to set the scene for the term of the incoming Commission.

The President will address the newly appointed Commissioners, reflect on priority issues for the new term and provide strategic guidance on the Commission’s work for the next five years.

The session marks the formal start of the new Commission cycle and will, among other objectives, outline expectations, national priorities, and the role of the Commission in advancing South Africa’s just transition to a low-emissions, climate-resilient economy and society.

The Commission was established in 2020 as a multi-stakeholder advisory body to support a coordinated and inclusive national response to climate change. Its mandate includes advising on climate response measures and just transition pathways that protect livelihoods, promote economic opportunity, and strengthen social outcomes.

The term of previous Commissioners concluded on 31 December 2025.

The newly appointed Commissioners will serve a five-year term from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030 in terms of the Climate Change Act, 2024 (Act No. 22 of 2024).

Members of the media are invited to cover the meeting as follows:
Date: Friday, 20 February 2026
Time: 10h30 – 11h30
Venue: Virtual platform

The proceedings will be livestreamed on all PresidencyZA social media platforms.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria