Deputy President Paul Mashatile,
Members of the Eminent Persons Group,
Members of the National Dialogue Inter-Ministerial Committee,
Chairperson of the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team, Mr Nkosinathi Biko,
Executive Director of NEDLAC, Mr Makhukhu Mampuru,
Colleagues and friends,

It is an honour to welcome you all to the Union Buildings for this inaugural meeting of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group.

On behalf of all South Africans, I thank you – the members of the Eminent Persons Group – for agreeing to take on the responsibility of supporting and guiding this historic initiative.

Over the course of the last 31 years, our country has made important progress in forging a united, democratic and just nation.

The values, precepts and rights contained in our democratic Constitution are firmly embedded in our society. We have robust institutions, a free media and an active civil society.

We have made significant advances in expanding opportunities and access to housing, land, basic services, education and health care.

There can be no doubt that we have begun to transform our society and our economy.

And yet, the vestiges of our apartheid past remain. 

Inequality, poverty, unemployment, violence and social discord affect the lives of millions of South Africans and hold back our country’s progress.

Our economy has not been growing and the number of unemployed people has been rising.

In many areas, we have seen a deterioration in governance, a decline in the delivery of services and widespread corruption and wastage of public resources.

At the same time, we have seen an increasing disengagement by many people from the democratic process, as witnessed by the turnout in the May 2024 elections.

The National Dialogue is an opportunity to mobilise South Africans to address these challenges and restore our country to the path of transformation, development and progress.

It is an opportunity to build on the achievements of the last three decades by defining a shared vision and a common programme to take the country forward.

The National Dialogue draws on a rich tradition of discussion, debate and united action.

At critical moments in our history, we have come together as a people to confront our difficulties and find solutions to our problems.

From the Freedom Charter to the drafting of our democratic Constitution, from the National Peace Accord to our response to the devastating COVID pandemic, South Africans have pursued dialogue, cooperation and partnership.

Our diversity is our strength.

We are a diverse people, with different cultures, languages, political traditions and viewpoints.

While this diversity makes for robust and often noisy debate, it does mean that we have a wealth of experiences and perspectives on which to draw.

The National Dialogue seeks to provide a platform for this richness of ideas to be brought to bear on the challenges we face.

The National Dialogue does not displace the democratic processes mandated by our Constitution. 

Its outcomes cannot supercede the electoral mandates that parties carry into Parliament and the Executive.

But it can deliver a social compact that outlines clear commitments and responsibilities for different stakeholders, Government, political parties, business, labour, civil society, communities and individual citizens.

The task that we have is to ensure that the outcomes of the National Dialogue can be institutionalised in a manner thats informs and guides the direction our country takes.

We have been clear that this dialogue must be as inclusive as possible.

It cannot be partisan. It cannot favour one group or perspective over any other.

It needs to be citizen-led and the outcomes need to reflect the collective views of the South African people.

While the Head of State has a constitutional mandate to convene a National Dialogue and while Government should use its capacity and resources to support and facilitate this process, the National Dialogue is neither Government driven nor directed.

Citizens must be able to freely and fully participate in the National Dialogue as individuals, in organised formations and through representative bodies.

That is why the Eminent Persons Group is so important.

It brings together prominent and respected individuals from across society, from many walks of life and many fields of endeavour.

As Eminent Persons, you are not being asked to represent any particular constituency or organisation. 

Rather, you are being called upon to use your experience, acumen and energy to give South Africans confidence that participation in the National Dialogue can help to advance their interests and secure their future.

We are asking you Eminent Persons to be champions of the National Dialogue, not cheerleaders.

We expect that you will critically consider the progress and the conduct of the National Dialogue, and provide advice where correction is required.

If there are people being left out, we ask you to raise it.

If there is confusion or misunderstanding or disarray, we ask you to help correct it.

If there are groups that seek to commandeer the process, we ask that you alert us.

We can expect that the National Dialogue process will be contested, that it may be used to score political points, or to advance particular interests.

We should not be surprised if there is scepticism or disinterest from some quarters.

We have already been confronted by the challenge of misinformation and misrepresentation, whether on the cost of the National Dialogue or on who is running it.

But that should not distract us from the work we have to do to give a platform to the millions of voices in our country, so that they may be heard and so that they may be counted.

We should not fear criticism. We should welcome it.

Criticism is a signal that South Africans care about the country and are invested in its future. Most critics want a National Dialogue that is effective and inclusive.

Dissenting voices make the debate richer and should make the outcomes more robust and meaningful.

This meeting marks the start of the work of the Eminent Persons Group, work that promises to be both challenging and rewarding.

As the Eminent Persons Group comes to understand its role and set out its tasks, we must recognise and appreciate the long road and the hard work that has brought us to this point.

Since a number of South Africans and former President Thabo Mbeki made a call for a National Dialogue in April last year, this call has been taken up by people and formations from across society.

The convening of a National Dialogue was endorsed by the ten political parties that constitute the Government of National Unity in their Statement of Intent and is incorporated into Government’s Medium Term Development Plan.

Over the course of several months, the group of Foundations named for eminent stalwarts, working together with several civil society organisations, took an initiative to start advocating and mobilising for the National Dialogue.

This work has been fundamental to the conceptualisation and design of the National Dialogue. It now finds organisational expression in the Preparatory Task Team, which brings together the Foundations, other civil society formations and The Presidency to make the practical arrangements for the first National Convention in August.

Today’s meeting is an opportunity for the Eminent Persons to be briefed more fully on the National Dialogue, on the role of the Eminent Persons Group and on preparations for the first National Convention.

Importantly, it is an opportunity for the Eminent Persons to ask questions and to share their reflections on the National Dialogue.

Once again, I welcome you to this meeting, I thank you for taking on this important responsibility and wish you well for the work ahead.

I thank you.

Programme Director, Wayde Groep;
Head of YearBeyond, Jacqueline Boulle;
Representatives from civil society;
And most importantly, our young leaders, change makers, dreamers and doers gathered here today;

Good morning, and thank you for the invitation to be part of this uplifting event that showcases the positive energies and productive ability of our nation’s youth.

I am truly sorry that I cannot be with you in person today but I believe your energy will rub off on me regardless of where I am.

The YeBo GoBeyond Conference 2025 is taking place at a very special venue.

The University of the Western Cape was a centre of struggle and conflict between the apartheid state and successions of progressive student movements.

It was a place where academics and students openly challenged the apartheid state with ideas, with class boycotts and with marches around the campus and in nearby communities.

Through the years of our struggle, the University of the Western Cape produced students of outstanding calibre who served our country and their communities across many professional and vocational fields.

The University has for decades been a centre of academic excellence and social and economic relevance.

It was this university’s Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Jakes Gerwel, who was chosen by our Founding President Nelson Mandela to be the first Director-General in The Presidency in our democratic dispensation.

It is this history that has made it possible for all of us to be part of this largest youth service conference on the African continent in 2025.

It is this history that made it possible for a once-isolated South Africa to become part of global society and to enable new generations of South Africans to develop and excel in the ways we are celebrating here today.

You are gathered here today not only as participants in a programme but as living proof of what it means to step up, show up, and make a difference.

We are here to celebrate you, to honour your spirit of service, and to reflect on the power of youth to shape the present and the future of our country.

Celebrating the Power of Youth

Each one of you represents the potential and power of South Africa’s youth.

Every single day, in your schools, communities, clinics, libraries, and homes, you demonstrate what it means to persevere. You are not waiting for change, you are the change.

You have chosen to serve others. You have chosen to believe in a better tomorrow, to dream beyond your circumstances, and to begin building what is right.

We speak often of Youth Month and the legacy of 1976 but that legacy lives on today in all of you. It lives in your actions, your commitment, and your refusal to accept a future that has already been written for you.

The Importance of Service

As I reflect on your work, I cannot help but think of Nelson Mandela and Jakes Gerwel, whose legacies were defined not by prestige, but by perseverance and purpose.

Their lives were lives of service. And as you walk this journey, you are following in that tradition.

It is therefore particularly appropriate that this conference is taking place in the month in which we commemorate the birth of our Founding President Nelson Mandela on 18 July 1918.

As we build on Madiba’s legacy, we take pride in what we are achieving with our Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, which is now in its second phase.

Service is at the very centre of this Intervention – because service is not just about what you do for others; it is also about what it builds in you.

Service is not always glamorous. Often it is quiet, sometimes invisible.

But it is also powerful. It builds character. It forges resilience. It teaches humility and purpose. And it gives you a voice, a voice rooted in action and impact.

You are serving your communities and, at the same time, you are preparing for your future.

Through this journey, you are becoming the healers, the builders, the educators, the creatives, and the leaders of today and tomorrow.

Confronting Challenges Teenage Pregnancy and Education

We cannot talk about youth without acknowledging some of the real challenges many young people are facing and one of those is teenage pregnancy.

The numbers are alarming. More than 90,000 teenage pregnancies were recorded in the past year, many involving girls as young as 10 years old. This is not just a health or education issue.

This is a societal crisis that speaks to gender inequality, sexual violence, and the absence of supportive systems.

We must confront this reality with honesty and urgency. We must say to young people, especially our young women: your future matters. Your education matters. Your life is not over.

And our message applies equally to boys and young men, who need to reflect on the values, beliefs and behaviours that should shape their lives for the better.

Baby Mamas and Baby Daddys may sound cool and look like a source of gossip and entertainment on our socials but in real life, there is nothing for anyone to be proud of.

That is why we urge young people to stay focused on school, to take part in sport, arts, debate clubs, tutoring, and youth organisations because when you are surrounded by positive energy and strong role models, you can go further.

Unlocking Post-Matric Opportunities for Youth

As we gather here to celebrate your commitment to service and growth, it is equally important that we look ahead to the many doors that can open after you complete your matric or service journey.

Whether you choose to study further at a place such as UWC, or you wish to enter the workforce or explore entrepreneurship, there are real opportunities available, and support exists to help you access them.

One of the most direct pathways is through higher education.

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) continues to support access to universities and TVET colleges, with funding available through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for qualifying students.

The Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) is also in place to assist learners who may not yet have secured placement in an institution.

For those seeking work experience and training, learnerships and skills development programmes are offered by Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

These programmes combine formal learning with practical, on-the-job training in sectors such as information technology, agriculture, construction, hospitality, and finance.

Youth who are interested in starting their own businesses can access support through the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), which offers grants, training, and mentorship.

The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) and the Department of Small Business Development also provide a range of tools and resources to empower young entrepreneurs and informal traders.

Young people interested in science and innovation can explore internships and study opportunities through institutions such as the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and various innovation hubs that support STEM careers. These platforms nurture curiosity and create real opportunities for youth in emerging fields.

Those gifted in sports, arts, or culture can benefit from programmes run by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), which offers bursaries, mentorship, and platforms to showcase talent through festivals, exhibitions, and competitions across the country.

Finally, for those looking to grow through service, leadership, or global exposure, there are also local and international youth exchange and fellowship programmes such as ACTIVATE! Leadership, the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), and the South Africa-Washington International Program (SAWIP). These platforms nurture active citizenship and build networks of emerging changemakers.

The journey after matric is not a cliff-edge but a launch pad.
With the right information and guidance, every young person can step confidently into their next chapter. Government, together with its partners, remains committed to ensuring that no young person is left behind.

As South Africa proudly hosts the G20 this year under the theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” young people have a unique opportunity to engage on issues that shape our shared future.

I encourage all of you to follow and participate in the Y20 (Youth 20) engagement group, which is the official youth platform of the G20.

Through the Y20, youth from around the world contribute to global policy discussions on climate action, digital transformation, education, and employment.

This is your chance to raise your voice, share your perspective, and be part of shaping international dialogue. Take advantage of this moment. Get involved. The world is listening.

A Call to Action: Go Beyond

Over the next three days, you will meet new people, gain new skills, and open new possibilities for your future. Make the most of it. Be curious. Be brave. Go beyond.

Take what you learn here and carry it back to your communities not only as knowledge but as purpose.
You are not here by accident. You were chosen because someone saw the leader in you.

I urge you to use this moment not only to listen, but to connect. Engage with one another, build relationships, and expand your network. The partnerships and insights you gain today can lay the foundation for collective action that outlives this meeting.

But let me be clear: Government cannot do this work alone.

We need civil society, faith leaders, the private sector, schools, families, and mentors to stand with us. As the old African saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child.” It takes a nation to build a generation.

And that’s why we are here because we believe in you, and we believe that this generation will be the one that goes beyond what was ever expected.

Conclusion

To the organisers, facilitators, and partners of YearBeyond thank you for investing in the next generation.

To the young people you are not just the future, you are the present.

And to all of us here may this be a reminder of why we serve, and who we serve.

We appreciate your service. And we look forward to your leadership as you become the next generation to make South Africa “A Nation That Works for All”.

Let’s continue to Go Beyond!

President Cyril Ramaphosa will be holding his inaugural meeting with members of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group at the Union Buildings on Friday, 11 July 2025.

The President announced the appointment of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to guide and champion the National Dialogue.

The EPG consists of prominent individuals in society with a proven commitment to the advancement of social cohesion and nation-building. The Eminent Persons are drawn from across the country and from many fields of endeavour in our public life.

The meeting is an opportunity for the President to outline the expectations and mandate of the Eminent Persons Group, and for EPG members to share their views on the role and organisation of the National Dialogue.

The EPG will receive a briefing from the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team on progress towards the first National Convention on 15 August 2025. The Preparatory Task Team, which is made up of representatives of a number of Foundations, civil society organisations and the Presidency, is responsible for the practical arrangements of the National Dialogue until a representative Steering Committee has been established.

Members of the media are invited to cover the opening remarks by President Ramaphosa and for interviews with members of the EPG.

The details of the meeting are:

Date: Friday, 11 July 2025
Time: 10h30 (media to arrive at 09h30)
Venue: Union Buildings, Pretoria

Members of the media wishing to attend are requested to send their details to Makungu Mbetse on Makungu@presidency.gov.za by no later than 18h00 Thursday, 10 July 2025. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Media enquiries:

The Presidency: Vincent Magwenya. Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa, on Media@Presidency.gov.za 

National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team: Anga Jamela on Anga@mbeki.org.za / +27 82 671 5764

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Sunday, 13 July 2025, address the nation on developments arising from a public statement by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, that details allegations against senior political and South African Police Service leadership.

President Ramaphosa was attending the BRICS Summit in Brazil on Sunday, 6 July 2025, when General Mkhwanazi outlined numerous allegations at a media briefing.

The President undertook to attend to this development on his return from Brazil, in view of the implications for national security.

President Ramaphosa has been seized with this matter in recent days and will, following various consultations, take the nation into his confidence at 19h00 on Sunday, 13 July 2025.

The President’s message will be broadcast and streamed on various platforms.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director,
Honourable Deputy Minister Letsike,
Distinguished guests, colleagues, and partners from across Government and civil society,
Good morning,

I am honoured to offer a message of support at this critical engagement. Teenage pregnancy in South Africa has reached deeply concerning levels, with more than 90,000 births recorded among girls aged 10 to 19. These are not just numbers, they are a stark reflection of our socio-economic challenges, and a call to action.

Teenage pregnancy is more than a health crisis. It represents the intersection of poverty, gender-based violence, inequality, and systemic exclusion. It disrupts education, deepens economic hardship, and too often leads to long-term cycles of vulnerability for young mothers and their children.

Our response must therefore be urgent, coordinated and compassionate.

As we close Youth Month, we must reaffirm a central truth: young people deserve the freedom and support to reach their full potential. That starts with keeping them in school, encouraging participation in sport, arts, leadership programmes, and community initiatives. It is through these avenues that young people build confidence, life skills, and purpose.

We must also say, without hesitation, that it is not normal or acceptable for teenage girls some as young as 10 to be giving birth. Many of these cases point to statutory rape, abuse of power, and the failure of enforcement. We need stronger prevention, accountability, and community action.

Government cannot do this work alone. We need the support of all pillars of society: parents, faith leaders, educators, civil society, the media, and the private sector. As the saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child.” That village must now stand tall.

As The Presidency, we are committed to supporting this cause through improved coordination, targeted interventions, and policy coherence because the future of our country depends on the safety, empowerment and well-being of our children.

Let us use today to renew our resolve. Let us move from discussion to decisive action.

Thank you. Kea leboha. Enkosi.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the correspondence from President Donald Trump on the unilateral imposition of a 30% trade tariff against South Africa. The President has further noted that South Africa is one of a number of countries to have received this communication on 7 July 2025. 

This 30% tariff is based on a particular interpretation of the balance of trade between South Africa and the United States. This contested interpretation forms part of the issues under consideration by the negotiating teams from South Africa and the United States. Accordingly, South Africa maintains that the 30% reciprocal tariff is not an accurate representation of available trade data. In our interpretation of the available trade data,  the average tariff imported goods entering South Africa stands at 7.6%. Importantly, 56% of goods enter South Africa at 0% most favoured nation tariff, with 77% of US goods entering the South African market under the 0% duty.

South Africa will continue with its diplomatic efforts towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States. We welcome the commitment by the US government, that the 30% tariff is subject to modification at the back of the conclusion of our negotiations with the United States. 

South Africa has continued to engage the United States, most recently at a meeting held on the side-lines of the US-Africa Summit on 23 June 2025 in Luanda. It was at this meeting where South Africa learned of  a template with which the US wishes to engage sub-Saharan Africa on matters of trade. The South African negotiating team still awaits this template, however, President Ramaphosa has instructed the team urgently engage with the US on the basis of the Framework Deal that South Africa submitted to the US on 20 May 2025. This Framework deal addresses the issues initially raised by the US, including South Africa’s supposed trade surplus, unfair trade practices and lack of reciprocity from the US.

The President urges government trade negotiations teams and South African companies to accelerate their diversification efforts in order to promote better resilience in both global supply chains and the South African economy.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Your Excellency, President Lula da Silva,
Leaders of BRICS member countries,
Leaders of BRICS Partner and Outreach countries,
Leaders of global and regional institutions,
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

This moment in history is defined by the intersection of economic reform, geopolitical realignment and the deepening climate crisis.

Brazil’s leadership of BRICS and COP30 together with South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 provides an opportunity to send a strong signal of unity and solidarity in support of the rights and interests of developing economy countries.

Our concurrent leadership of these bodies must emphasise the pressing need to close the Sustainable Development Goals implementation gap and the climate ambition gap, and ensure that just transitions pathways leave no one behind.

BRICS is a key platform to shape a new paradigm of multilateral cooperation anchored in equity, sustainability and development.

We must use our institutions to drive climate-resilient development across Africa and the Global South.

We must also use our collective voice to advance reforms to modernise multilateral development bank mandates and to better reflect the voices and priorities of developing economies. 

We need to unlock scaled-up concessional finance for climate action.

This is important to catalyse investments in early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, community-led adaptation and people-centred just transition pathways.

At the same time, we need to drive the global health agenda towards inclusive, equitable, innovative and sustainable health solutions.

Global health financing is being severely impacted by the substantial and sudden withdrawals of official development assistance.

Many of the programmes that were supported through this assistance were for disease elimination and targeted towards the most vulnerable populations, like young women and girls, children and adolescents.

As countries, we have made great strides towards the elimination of TB, Malaria and HIV through the support of organisations such as the Global Fund.

But these gains are being threatened by waning political attention and reduced financing.

As the co-host of the Global Fund’s 8th replenishment campaign together with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, I call on countries, businesses and the wider donor community to make a contribution to the fund in the interests of global health security.

I also call on all previous investors to match or increase their previous pledges

If we achieve the target of 18 billion US dollars for the 2027 to 2029 cycle, it is estimated that the Global Fund can save 23 million lives, reduce the combined mortality rate by another 64 percent relative to 2023 levels, and prevent around 400 million infections.

Investing in the Global Fund is also an investment in health system strengthening and universal health care, especially for vulnerable countries in the Global South.

As we confront these and other development challenges, BRICS needs to be at the forefront of a new inclusive multilateralism. 

Let us use our growing voice to advance a global order that improves the lives of all the world’s people and safeguards the planet for future generations.

I thank you.

Your Excellency, President Lula da Silva,
Leaders of BRICS member countries,
Leaders of BRICS Partner and Outreach countries,
Leaders of Global and Regional Institutions,
Your Excellency, Ms Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank,
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me to begin by thanking President Lula for a successful chairship of BRICS that has, for the first time, included BRICS Partner countries.

As an expanded group, we now represent nearly half of the world’s population and account for over a third of the global GDP. 

This provides us with an opportunity to strengthen and deepen our cooperation to ensure a more equitable, just, democratic and balanced multipolar world order.

The BRICS Outreach and BRICS Plus engagements are important platforms for expanding strategic dialogue and building strong ties with countries from the greater Global South and other emerging markets. 

Brazil has rightly recognised the potential of BRICS as a platform for developing the solutions the world so urgently needs. 

We must continue to enhance our financial cooperation and continue the work already underway in studying the challenges and opportunities related to connecting financial market infrastructure. 

There are enormous benefits to be achieved from faster, low cost, more efficient, transparent, safe and inclusive cross-border payment instruments.

The proposal to establish a BRICS New Investment Platform is most welcome.

It has great potential to facilitate the mobilisation of diverse and expanded sources of investments into projects in the BRICS countries, and this is where the BRICS NDB plays a key and important role. I applaud the president of the NDB for the excellent work that is being done by the bank.

South Africa calls for the appropriate risk mitigating mechanisms to be considered in the establishment of this platform. 

We must continue our collective commitment to safeguarding and supporting the rules-based multilateral trading system as embodied in the WTO. 

We commend the important work undertaken to review the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2030. 

In view of the current geopolitical challenges and trade uncertainties, the strengthening of trade and investment ties between BRICS countries is essential.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought about a new era in the social and economic life of all countries and all people. 

It has demanded that countries develop new policies and strategies to enable an inclusive, whole of society approach. 

Global institutions and inclusive participation are needed now more than ever. This is why reports from business and civil society tabled today are important.

The United Nations has adopted a set of high-level political principles on artificial intelligence that have been broadly endorsed by member states.

These principles provide the international community with a common value-driven approach to AI that can serve as a basis for defining regulations and tools.

Under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, we have established a Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development. 

This presents an opportunity for G20 Members to address the limitations in international AI governance. 

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping every dimension of our lives, from education and agriculture to national security and financial systems.

The choices we make now will determine whether AI exacerbates global inequality or becomes a tool for sustainable and inclusive development. 

As we look ahead, we need to commit to multilateralism with equity, to economic growth with inclusion, and to technology with humanity.

AI must be seen as a tool that will enhance the interests of all and not just a few billionaires as indicated by President Lula. 

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted statements made earlier today in a media briefing by the South African Police Service KwaZulu-Natal (SAPS KZN) Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

President Ramaphosa said: “This is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention. It is vital that the integrity of the country’s security services is safeguarded and that the rule of law is affirmed.”

“All parties to this matter are called upon to exercise discipline and restraint. The trading of accusations and counter-accusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion. Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police.”

President Ramaphosa will outline the actions to be taken on this matter on his return from the BRICS Leaders’ Summit currently underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Your Excellency, President Lula da Silva,
Fellow BRICS Leaders,
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to thank you, President Lula, for your warm welcome and for hosting us, as Chair of the 17th BRICS Summit, in Rio de Janeiro.

I extend my warmest welcome to our dear friends, the Republic of Indonesia, as the newest member of the BRICS formation.

We are witnessing a dramatic reshaping of global dynamics – politically, economically, technologically and environmentally.

With this change comes both opportunity and uncertainty. 

As conflicts persist, as new threats emerge and as old institutions falter, the pursuit of global peace and security has never been more urgent or more complex.

The United Nations, in particular the Security Council, is the preeminent instrument for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Yet, it has too often failed to meet the challenges of today.

In responding to these challenges – ranging from humanitarian crises to open acts of aggression – the Security Council has become too rigid, too narrow and too disconnected from today’s multipolar realities.

Reform is a necessity. The Security Council must be made more democratic, more regionally representative and more accountable. 

To further enable sustainable peace, we must strengthen and invest in regional peace mechanisms. We must give them the resources and authority they need to lead efforts in dialogue, mediation and de-escalation.

Localised responses, grounded in cultural and geopolitical understanding, are the frontline of peacebuilding.

The linkages between peace, security and development require a more comprehensive approach to conflict prevention and peacebuilding; an approach that addresses the underlying causes of conflict.

BRICS has vital role in this evolving landscape.

BRICS is increasingly shaping global debates on development, multipolar governance and security matters.

With our broad geographical footprint and growing influence, BRICS is uniquely positioned to advocate for reform in global governance structures. 

BRICS must strengthen its voice in calling for a global framework that is inclusive, representative and anchored in the principles of sovereignty, equality and peaceful coexistence.

BRICS must continue to strengthen its cooperation on key security issues, including counterterrorism, cyber security and transnational crime.

We welcome the focus by BRICS on a global digital governance framework that is inclusive, transparent and rooted in the principles of the United Nations.

We need to share best practices, strengthen technical cooperation and invest in the protection of critical digital infrastructure. 

South Africa is committed to the full implementation of the BRICS Counter Terrorism Strategy, with a focus on deradicalisation, disrupting terrorist financing and countering the misuse of digital platforms by extremist groups.

We remain steadfast in our support for the United Nations’ central role in global counter terrorism efforts.

As an African nation, we are acutely aware of the ways in which state and non-state actors exploit global divisions and vulnerabilities to destabilise those who do not share their worldview. 

This is why our strategic partnership is critical in our pursuit for a safer, more just and more equitable world.

South Africa remains gravely concerned at the deteriorating peace and security situation in the Middle East. 

The recent attacks by Israel and the United States on the Islamic Republic of Iran raise serious concerns of international law, including the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the protection of civilians.

Given our own experience, South Africa understands the power of peaceful resolution through dialogue. 

We must continue to advocate for the urgent intensification of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and ensure sustainable and lasting peace.

We remain deeply concerned by the heavy human toll of conflicts in Russia and Ukraine, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Gaza, among others. 

We must find just and lasting solutions to these devasting conflicts.

Achieving and maintaining peace and security requires the collective will of the community of nations.

Through dialogue, through respect for the rule of law, through the advancement of human rights, through cooperation and solidarity, we can and must achieve peace for the collective good.

I thank you.