Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, will on Thursday, 13 November 2025, virtually address the Garden Route Economic Coordination Roundtable Dialogue, taking place in Knysna, Western Cape Province.

This high-level engagement, organised by The Yona Yethu Initiative, in partnership with the Knysna Municipality, represents a significant milestone in advancing intergovernmental coordination, private sector collaboration, and regional investment partnerships. 

The Roundtable Dialogue is a lead-up to the Regional Investment Conference scheduled to take place early next year. The theme for the Roundtable Dialogue is “Strengthening Intergovernmental Coordination and Private Sector Collaboration for Inclusive Economic Growth in the Garden Route District.”

The Garden Route Economic Coordination Roundtable Dialogue will be an invite-only engagement, bringing together government leaders, business chambers, institutional partners, and key stakeholders from across the region.

To ensure broad inclusivity, the session will also be hybrid, enabling virtual participation for all interested partners, institutions, and members of the public who wish to follow and contribute to the discussions (Link will be made available).

All interested organizations, businesses, and development stakeholders are encouraged to register for virtual attendance, ensuring that their voices are part of this historic Dialogue on the future of the Garden Route economy.

Members of the media are invited to cover the Deputy President’s address as follows:

Date: Thursday, 13 November 2025
Time: 10h00
Platform: Virtual link for the Deputy President’s address as well as link for registration will be provided. 

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director, Ms. S. Mabe;
Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Mr. Nkosindiphile Xhakaza;
Honourable Minister of Water and Sanitation of South Africa, Ms. Pemmy Majodina;
Vice Minister, Foreign Trade and Development, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Mr. P. Hellman;
AWSISA Chairperson, Mr. Ramateu Monyokolo; 
IWA President, Prof. Hamanth Kasan;
Rand Water Group Chief Executive, Mr. Sipho Mosai;
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished delegates, and esteemed guests,

I am privileged to address you today, although I had hoped to join you in person for the second day of the AWSISA Africa and Global South Water and Sanitation Dialogue. This event is important because it unites an array of stakeholders from the entire water and sanitation value chain.

I am addressing you as the Deputy President of South Africa, Chairperson of the Water Task Team, and as a fervent advocate for the provision of clean, drinkable water and sanitation to our communities, nations, and the globe.

I have repeatedly emphasised that "water is life and sanitation is dignity". This is more than just a slogan; it is the foundation of ecosystems, important for survival and sustenance.  For our continent, which is plentiful in natural resources, this crucial resource is critical for our economy, notably in agriculture, mining, and the manufacturing sector.

Today, I am particularly pleased with the theme of this dialogue, "Towards Sustainable Water and Sanitation Security in Africa," as it strategically encompasses a pan-African and Global South perspective. 

This regional and international perspective is essential due to the shared vulnerabilities that African nations encounter because of erratic climate patterns, uncontrolled urban development, and the institutional fragility of service provision.

Consequently, the timing of this gathering could not have been more critical, as the security of water and sanitation remains a pressing concern for the sustainable development of our continent.

This Dialogue surpasses the confines of a traditional forum by bringing together policymakers, technical experts, industry leaders, researchers, community representatives, and international development partners.

It creates a strategic nexus in which shared governance models are analysed, technological solutions are pressure-tested for local applicability, and cross-border partnerships are solidified. 

Our goal should be about promoting policy harmonisation, accelerating investment in essential infrastructure and technology across the continent, focusing on practical solutions.  

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In South Africa, water insecurity is a critical and escalating issue resulting from a combination of factors such as climate change, deteriorating infrastructure, increasing socioeconomic inequality, and deficiencies in municipal management. The deep-seated challenges facing the South African water and sanitation sector include: 

Firstly, Water Scarcity and Climate Stress: South Africa faces significant water scarcity, with an average annual rainfall of about 497 mm, which is less than half the global average. This condition is exacerbated by climate change, resulting in more frequent and severe extreme weather events. 

The "Day Zero" crisis in Cape Town showcased the critical nature of drought, while recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal underscore the contrasting threat posed by extreme weather. These events disrupt the hydrological cycle, lead to considerable soil erosion, and overwhelm sewage and drainage systems, thereby posing risks to both water availability and quality.

Secondly, Ageing Infrastructure and Non-Revenue Water (NRW): The foundational infrastructure is marked by significant under-maintenance and a history of low investment, leading to Non-Revenue Water (NRW) rates that reach 40-50% in certain municipal distribution networks. This loss is attributed to physical leaks, operational inefficiencies, illegal connections, and metering failures. The resulting financial and physical losses equate to billions annually, diverting necessary capital away from expansion or social programs, thereby exacerbating resource stress across the system.

To address this challenge, the South African Government has in 2024 established the Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act, which aims to centralise the management and funding of the nation's water infrastructure. We are also providing funds through initiatives like the water services infrastructure grant to complete new regional bulk and smaller water projects.

Thirdly, Governance and Skills Challenges: Effective service delivery in municipal governance is hindered by accountability issues, financial mismanagement, and a lack of technical skills. This leads to the release of untreated wastewater into water bodies, compromising water quality, increasing treatment costs, and heightening public health risks, particularly for waterborne diseases. 

These challenges hinder progress towards reaching our Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 3 and SDG 6, which emphasise health, well-being, and access to clean water. With rising water demand driven by population growth and urbanisation, addressing these issues is paramount for health and sanitation needs.

In this regard, the National Water Safety Management Programme highlights the need for 15,000 more skilled water professionals by 2030 and emphasises the importance of attracting and retaining technically qualified personnel, such as engineers, within municipalities and the Department of Water and Sanitation.

I must further add that addressing these challenges requires us to scale up investment in infrastructure and sustainable water management to ensure a secure supply for all. I commend this timely Dialogue because it serves as an essential circuit breaker for the polycrisis through integration, accountability, and a common operational strategy.  It is well-positioned to generate tangible, scalable solutions.

I am confident that this Dialogue will facilitate direct, outcome-focused engagements among the Department of Water and Sanitation, Water Boards, regulatory bodies, and local municipalities. It will establish political and peer accountability, addressing skills deficits, improving financial management, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards in service delivery.

As leaders in the sector, it is crucial to utilise this dialogue to establish transparent and strategic Public-Private Partnerships. Such partnerships have the potential to secure the substantial long-term capital needed to achieve the ambitious infrastructure renewal and development objectives outlined in the National Water Resource Strategy III (NWRS-3).

Furthermore, the Dialogue should rapidly accelerate the adoption of tested African and Global South best practices. This includes promoting not only technological solutions but also the critical strategy of ecological infrastructure protection. 

Achieving sustainable water security increasingly relies on the digital transformation initiated by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). To fully harness the benefits of this technological advancement, collaboration emerges as a key strategy. This entails sharing frameworks, standards, and associated costs to maximise national benefits.

Africa should also equip youth and professionals with essential skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), focusing on data science, automation, and systems management. 

Additionally, increased efforts in Smart Water Management and Digital Twin Modelling are necessary to develop virtual replicas of physical water systems. This approach facilitates real-time monitoring, predictive analysis, and scenario simulation, ultimately improving efficiency, reducing losses, and enhancing decision-making.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Reducing water loss is very important. To achieve environmental safety and ensure water security for future generations, it is essential to take deliberate actions to reduce water consumption, promote the reuse and recycle of water, and implement rainwater harvesting. This approach is vital not only for the financial viability of water utilities but also for safeguarding public health.

Together, the African continent must commit to implementing the Africa Water Vision 2063, which establishes a framework for a unified, long-term approach to water security, transitioning from fragmented responses to collective action.

Our commitment should focus on aligning with SDGs, specifically: SDG 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation; SDG 3, which promotes healthy lives and well-being for all; SDG 9, centered on industry, innovation, and infrastructure; SDG 10, aimed at reducing inequalities; and SDG 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

By implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and the National Water Resource Strategy 3 objectives, we can position South Africa and Africa for sustainable, technologically innovative, and just water management practices. 

As leaders and change-makers, it is imperative to dedicate ourselves to developing sustainable solutions that guarantee universal access to clean water and sanitation. Our efforts should focus on the most marginalised and vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, and individuals residing in remote or underserved regions.

By providing communities with essential knowledge, tools, and resources to obtain clean water and sanitation services, we have the responsibility to foster a more equitable and just society for everyone. Access to such vital resources not only improves health and well-being but also promotes social equity and justice, essential components for community development and sustainability. 

Together, we have the power to make a difference. 

Together, we can build a future where water is not a privilege, but a fundamental human right for all. Together, Africa will rise.  

I Thank You.

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will tomorrow, 10 November 2025, virtually address the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (AWSISA) which is taking place at the Emperors Palace, in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province.

The AWSISA operates as a unifying strategic body and key sector steward for the country's water sector by incorporating the entire value chain from resource management to end-user service delivery. Its mandate is to champion sustainable and innovative solutions, ensuring that collaborative governance is effectively leveraged to fulfill the constitutional right of every citizen to safe water and proper sanitation.

AWSISA will host this inaugural Africa & Global South Water and Sanitation Dialogue under the theme: Towards Sustainable Water and Sanitation Security in Africa. 

The dialogue will foster knowledge exchange innovation, partnerships, and policy reform across the continent, and it is expected to convene influential global, continental and local leaders to exchange critical knowledge, best practices as well as innovative strategies to attract investments in sustainable water and sanitation services.

Details of the address are as follows:

Date: Monday, 10 November 2025
Time: 09:00
Platform: Virtual link to be provided.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Paul Mashitile yesterday, 7 November 2025, convened the inaugural Public Employment Programmes-Inter Ministerial Committee (PEP-IMC) meeting of the 7^th Administration.

Held virtually, the meeting discussed measures to improve the implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and strengthen collaboration among PEPs, thereby addressing the challenges of unemployment and poverty within the South African communities.

President Cyril Ramaphosa established the PEP-IMC, to be chaired by the Deputy President, with the objective of providing strategic coherence and oversight to the role of Public Employment Programmes (PEPs), so that they can optimise their contribution to social protection and employment policy. 

Deputy President Mashatile, together with Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Dean Macpherson (Deputy Chairperson), led the committee members during the deliberations which focused on addressing fragmentations within the participating sectors, addressing lack of compliance, lack of accountability and non-performance by some implementers of the Programmes as well as encouraging leadership synergy of PEPs which will result in sustainable livelihoods.

The following were among the key issues discussed by the committee members which constitute various Ministers leading the implementation of the EPWP:

• ⁠Ensuring strategic coherence, oversight and accountability for all PEPs which include effective coordination, collaboration and alignment as part of an integrated strategy
• Exploring sustainable funding models for impactful and quality delivery of services
• ⁠Providing the effective, efficient and transparent recruitment process of the  EPWP participants
• ⁠Holding public bodies accountable for performance in the EPWP and non-compliance to relevant prescripts
• Strengthening the interface between PEPs and the skills system to improve training towards permanent employment, entrepreneurship and enhance sustainable livelihoods

Deputy President Mashatile welcomed all the inputs by committee members and remarked in closing: "We are pleased as the PEP-IMC that this inaugural meeting has sat today. We also  reaffirm the importance of scaling up training, accountability and pathways into real economic opportunities for participants. We remain steadfast in ensuring that PEPs promote impactful skills development initiatives and long term work opportunities to the participants, drawn from our communities."

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Your Holiness, thank you for your warm welcome to this Eternal City and the heart of the Catholic faith. I bring you good wishes from the government and people of South Africa and offer our prayers and support for your leadership of the Catholic Church. 

We meet at a time when humanity faces immense challenges. To many, it seems easier to fund wars than to invest in peace. Conflicts across the globe are dividing societies and inflicting untold destruction. These global challenges cannot be resolved by nations acting alone; only through solidarity and multilateralism. 

Economic inequality continues to rise, stifling opportunity and hindering shared prosperity. Our planet is strained by the current modes of production and consumption, which threaten the survival of generations to come. We are now, more than ever, required to think beyond the immediate and commit to sustainable solutions.
  
To overcome these immense trials, we must summon a new global spirit. Through our G20 Presidency, South Africa sees an opportunity to promote solidarity that advances the common good. 

This is a moment to forge greater equality, empowering the marginalised, unlocking human potential and ensuring justice for all. 

Only through unified action and innovation will we build a world characterised by a just peace, shared prosperity and a healthy environment. 

We therefore commend the important role of the Holy Father as a leader in the spiritual life of the nations of the world. The passing of Pope Francis was a great loss to the world, which we felt deeply. He was able to draw the world together to seek answers to the most pressing questions of our time.

Holy Father, your election as successor to St Peter has provided hope and encouragement. 

Our country is home to almost 4 million Catholics. This group represents a cross section of our multi-cultural society, comprising South Africans from diverse historical, social and linguistic backgrounds. Faith-based communities have been at the forefront of our struggle for democracy, human rights and social justice. 

Drawing on our history, mindful of the state of the world today, we are preparing to host the G20 Leaders’ Summit later this month under the theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”. 

As we seek to create a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented vision for the world, the work of the Summit will be guided by South Africa’s philosophy of Ubuntu, which recognises our share humanity. 

We will prioritise pressing issues, such as inequality, food security and the social, economic and environmental development of Africa and the Global South.

Solidarity has been a defining characteristic of human development.

The human impulse is not towards isolation, but towards community. We are drawn to one another, to conversation, to shared labour. It is through this solidarity that the strong discover their true strength: not in dominion, but in lifting up the weak. So too must the wealthy nations embrace their duty to the poor, in health, in education and in security, not as an act of charity, but to build a just world. 

Yet, even as we strive for these goals, the shadows of division and fragmentation lengthen. In such a time, we are summoned to forge a common front of the human spirit. We are called to build a multilateral order rooted in universal values, where the rule of law is the shield of the powerless and justice is a foundation for lasting peace. 

We must take action to tackle the ecological harms that threaten us all. We must ensure that the burdens of debt do not chain successive generations to poverty. At the heart of all our endeavours must lie a relentless pursuit of equality. 

From the suffering in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the anguish in Ukraine and Palestine, our conscience must be consistent. We must strive for peace and justice wherever human lives are held captive by war. 

South Africa, born from the wisdom of dialogue and the grace of reconciliation, carries a unique heritage. It is our knowledge that even the bitterest of enemies can sit at a common table that we offer to the world. We believe we have a responsibility to help facilitate the difficult dialogues that lead to lasting peace, and to extend a hand in the recovery of communities shattered by the scourge of war and famine. 

For in the end, our freedom, our security and our prosperity are bound together. To ignore the plight of any is to ultimately endanger the future of all. 

Our commitment to equality, justice and peace is central to our identity as South Africans.

We recognise the critical leadership role of the Holy See in human affairs. We recognise that the best partnerships are those that are based on common interest and understanding. We join the Holy See’s commitment to peace, prosperity and equality. 

Your Holiness, I was greatly inspired by your comment in another meeting with a head of state, that peace requires dignified, prosperous coexistence. 

In addressing the global prosperity deficit, the Jubilee Commission Report and the Church’s calls for reforms to the international financial system resonate deeply with our agenda at the G20 and our mission as a nation. 

Many African countries spend more on servicing debt than on education or healthcare. Innovative financial instruments and reforms of the global financial system are essential if we are to build a fairer, more peaceful and prosperous world. 

Through our G20 Presidency, working with all other nations, we hope to move towards a fairer, more just and equitable world order. With none believing that they are better or greater than the other. 

As we seek to tackle these immense challenges together, it is my great privilege to join the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference to extend an invitation to the Holy Father to visit South Africa. We would be greatly honoured to host you in our beautiful country. 

Your Holiness, I once again extend our appreciation for welcoming us here today. It is a great blessing for us to be here and walk through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica during this Jubilee Year of Hope. I will carry these blessings and spirit of hope back to our people in South Africa.

I thank you.

Your Excellency, President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Outgoing Chairperson of SADC,

Your Excellency, President Professor Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi and the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, 

Your Majesty, King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Chairperson of the Incoming Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation,  

Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government  and Heads of Delegation present here

Honourable Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and Chairperson of the Council of Ministers;

Honourable Ministers;

The Executive Secretary of SADC, Mr. Elias Mpedi Magosi, Deputy

Deputy Executive Secretaries and the entire staff of the SADC 
Secretariat, 

Senior Officials 

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good evening, 

It is both an honour and privilege to address this august gathering of Heads of State and Government. South Africa has humbly accepted to preside over this meeting in our capacity as the Deputy Chairperson of the SADC Summit as guided by the Treaty. 

Your Majesty, Your Excellencies

We gather today not merely to deliberate on the agenda before us,  but to reaffirm our shared commitment to the peace, stability and prosperity of our region.

From its inception, the SADC has stood as a beacon of solidarity — a community founded on the values of unity, peace, mutual benefit and sovereign equality. As these very values are being tested by a convergence of challenges, we are called upon to act with both urgency and foresight — to stabilise the present while safeguarding the future. For the future of this organisation lies in our ability to earnestly deploy our institutional strength to find sustainable solutions.

Indeed, the challenges confronting our region are profound, but they are not terminal. Our collective sense of regional solidarity at this time is our strongest currency. Solidarity at this moment demands courage to act decisively in defence of agelong regional gains. 

Your Majesty, Your Excellency, 

The people of our region continue to look to us for leadership that delivers the vision of a peaceful, inclusive and industrialised region, which we have set ourselves to realise in 2050. But they cannot wait for that anticipated year to fulfil their current needs.  

This meeting must therefore serve as a platform to deeply reflect and collectively come up with pragmatic solutions to challenges besetting our region. For these reasons, the issue that is on our agenda could not wait for ordinary meetings of the SADC institutions.

I wish to thank the Council of Ministers supported by the Secretariat for preparing the meeting documents that will certainly serve as a firm basis for our discussions this evening.

I thank you for your attention and wish us all fruitful deliberations.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning, Friday 7 November 2025, arrived in Rome, Italy for a working visit to the Holy See.

South Africa and the Holy See have cordial bilateral relations and the visit by President Ramaphosa serves  as an opportunity to discuss a renewed focus on collaboration in humanitarian aid, climate justice, emergency response, and peace building.

The Holy See has diplomatic ties with over 180 countries and observer status at major international bodies like the United Nations and holds significant global influence through its moral, religious, and diplomatic authority.

South Africa and the Holy See have a long history of diplomatic relations that was formally established in 1994. South Africa values the warm and respectful relations it has enjoyed with the Holy See over the years.

The meeting with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV is of particular significance as it represents South Africa’s first high-level engagement with the newly appointed Pontiff. His ascension to the papacy on 8 May 2025 provides an important opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen bilateral relations with the Holy See.

The South African concept of Ubuntu, which emphasises interconnectedness, shared humanity, and humanity towards others, aligns with the Pope’s calls for a more compassionate, loving, peaceful and inclusive global community.

The President is accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola and daughter, Ms Keneilwe Ramaphosa.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Thursday, 06 November 2025, respond to Questions for Oral Reply by Members of the National Assembly.

The President will reflect on issues such as his selection criteria of the panel to make the recommendations on the appointment of the National Director of Public Prosecutions.

President Ramaphosa will address MPs on trade and investment prospects for South Africa, and will also outline the envisaged outcomes of the forthcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit. The President will also address the fight against crime in the Western Cape as well as on illegal migration.

Oral question sessions with the President are scheduled at least once a quarter during Parliament's annual programme.

These sessions are one of the mechanisms Parliament uses to hold the Executive to account as stipulated under the Constitution, Section 92(2) which requires accountability by members of the Executive  to Parliament for the exercising of their powers and performing their functions.

The engagement will take place as follows:

Date: Thursday, 06 November 2025
Time: 14h00
Venue: Good Hope Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director;
President of the International Women’s Forum, Ms Kimberly Cooper;
Global CEO of the IWF, Ms Stephanie O’Keefe;
President of IWF South Africa, Ms Nolitha Fakude;
IWF Global Board member, Ms Irene Charnley;
Secretary-General of UNCTAD, Ms Rebeca Grynspan;
Distinguished delegates;
Guests;
Ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning and welcome to Cape Town. 

It is an honour to open this Conference, which celebrates women’s leadership and which advances empowerment and equality.

This Conference invokes the concept and the practice of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” 

This is a call to recognise our shared humanity, our interdependence and the collective power of women in shaping society. 

South Africa is honoured to host this gathering of thought leaders, innovators and change-makers who are shaping the contours of our global future. 

Your presence here signals a shared determination to confront entrenched inequalities, to champion inclusive growth and to create pathways that empower women everywhere. 

The work of the International Women’s Forum echoes the principles underpinning South Africa’s G20 Presidency – Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.

Just two days ago, we launched the first-ever G20 Report on Global Inequality.

The report was produced by an Extraordinary Committee led by Nobel Laureate Professor Joseph Stiglitz.

The report sounds an alarm about the “inequality emergency” the world is facing today. 

The report shows that between 2000 and 2024, one percent of the world’s population captured 41 percent of all new wealth, while just 1 percent of new wealth went to the poorest half of humanity. 

It found that in more economically unequal societies, fewer women complete higher education or are represented in the legislature, and the pay gap between women and men is wider.

These are significant barriers to women’s advancement and development.

This Conference comes just days after ministers from G20 countries responsible for women’s empowerment convened in the province of Gauteng. 

The ministers’ meeting placed women’s empowerment at the centre of the G20 agenda, focusing on advancing the care economy, expanding women’s financial inclusion and eliminating gender-based violence and femicide. 

The recognition, reduction and redistribution of unpaid care and domestic work is essential to addressing structural barriers to women’s empowerment. 

Expanding women’s access to finance, digital tools and entrepreneurship opportunities must take place alongside efforts to end gender-based violence and femicide. 

Together, these initiatives reflect a shared commitment to a world where women can realise their full potential. 

In this effort, we are inspired by the many women who, against extraordinary odds, have transformed adversity into opportunity. 

Women who, despite systemic discrimination, have pioneered businesses, led communities and developed innovative solutions that have improved the lives of millions. 

These are the women who have raised families while pursuing education, who have crossed cultural and structural barriers to lead in fields where they were once invisible. 

These stories of resilience remind us that progress is not just about policy. It is about courage, creativity and persistence. 

The International Women’s Forum exemplifies this message. 

With over 8,400 members throughout the world, representing business, government, academia and civil society, the IWF community demonstrates the power of collective leadership and ethical, progressive influence. 

This conference is a platform to examine how women in leadership can not only respond to today’s challenges but anticipate the opportunities of tomorrow. 

The sessions at this conference bring global perspectives from women leading large institutions and shaping entire communities. 

These discussions are especially timely in a world of shifting geopolitics, where multilateralism is tested and new forms of cooperation are urgently needed. 

There is a resurgence of resistance to the gains made on human rights and gender equality. There is a danger that the advancements made with respect to women’s empowerment, women’s rights and gender equality may be unravelled. 

My call to everyone here today is: let us work together to ensure there is no backsliding on the progress we have achieved so far. Let us move forward with greater purpose and determination.

As we proceed, we must continue to be guided by the spirit of Ubuntu. 

We must recognise that our progress is intertwined. That when women rise, societies rise with them. 

When women prosper, the whole community benefits. 

When girls are educated, the economy flourishes. 

Today, we celebrate not only the leaders in this room but also the millions of women worldwide who, through courage, and ingenuity, are transforming their communities and breaking down barriers for the next generation. 

This is our moment to reflect, to strategise and to act. 

The outcomes of this conference must extend beyond these walls, influencing policy, transforming institutions, and ultimately, creating a more equitable and just world. 

I thank you.