Mr Scott Eisner, President of the US-Africa Business Center, US Chamber of Commerce,
Mr Stephen Kehoe, Chair, US-Africa Business Center,
Mr Cas Coovadia, Chief Executive Officer, Business Unity South Africa,
Honoured guests, colleagues and friends,

Thank you for the opportunity to spend some time with you today, in this conversation with American business representatives.

As business leaders, you will be aware of the global challenges that provide the backdrop against which your companies seek to grow and provide a return to investors.

These global challenges include climate change, which is reshaping policy agendas and firm-level strategies. These challenges include technological innovation, including the rise of artificial intelligence, and more complex geo-politics, characterised by heightened tension between global powers.

Global prosperity has been founded on greater levels of openness and engagement between nations and people. 

In recent decades, a more open, rules-based trading system, complemented by deeper levels of cross-border investment, has helped to sustain and grow global GDP. It has helped to increase employment in many countries and spur innovation and new technologies.

Yet the heightened tension of this moment has led to fragmentation, hostility and increasing protectionism.

For South Africa, a divided world is not a good thing. We are a trading nation, with above average trade-to-GDP ratios. A significant part of our economic growth is driven by exports.

We believe that the voices advocating greater dialogue and continued economic engagement between nations need to be strengthened.

Multilateralism has served humanity well. While the rules have not always been appropriate for many developing economies, particularly on the African continent, they are better than unilateralism and the exercise of might. 

It is far better to change the rules and make them fairer than to live in a world without rules. 

We have an ambitious trade and investment agenda.

First, we are finalising the modalities for the imminent launch of trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

We expect that the first goods to be traded under this free trade pact would commence within the next six months or sooner. 

The AfCFTA as it is called, will cover 1.3 billion consumers in countries possessing some of the world’s most valuable minerals and raw materials.

Second, we are working with the US Administration to make the case for the extension of AGOA to current beneficiary countries, for a further period of 10 years, prior to its expiry in 2025. 

The US remains a very important economic partner in trade and investment, with great potential to further expand economic ties. 

There are a reported 600 US firms based in South Africa, and more firms will find value in being present in South Africa in the next phase of our growth.

According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, US firms in South Africa generate over $30 billion of revenue per annum.

Third, we have an Economic Partnership Agreement with both the European Union and the United Kingdom. Trade flows continue to be very significant. Exports of manufactured goods, particularly of automotive products, have grown.

Fourth, we are expanding our trade links with countries in the Middle East, ASEAN, Mercosur and within the BRICS group. These include some of the fastest-growing economies. They are a source of capital for our industry and markets for our goods. 

Accompanying this trade agenda, we have embarked on far-reaching economic reforms. 

The energy market is being restructured. The public electricity utility, Eskom, which has faced severe challenges, has improved maintenance of its generation fleet and has received debt relief from the State to strengthen its financial position. Private energy generation, specifically in renewables, constitutes a growing share of total energy generated.

Since the implementation of regulatory changes the pipeline of private sector generation projects has increased to over 100 projects representing more than 10,000 MW of new capacity.

South Africa’s location requires an efficient transport logistics system. This is to enable us to move goods between the main industrial heartland and port cities and to act as the hub for moving products from and to other African countries. 

Following a period of under-investment in ports and rail infrastructure, we are now working closely with the private sector to use the wider pool of skills available to improve the logistics system.

The economic reform agenda is also focused on expanding our industrial capacity. The availability of critical raw materials in South Africa and in neighbouring countries is driving efforts to expand high-value manufacturing. This is a real opportunity for more US investment that can leverage off the demonstrated manufacturing base of South Africa. 

African growth rates provide a stable growth in aggregate demand over the next decade and more. As the recently published African Economic Outlook for 2023 noted:

“Growth is projected to rebound to 4 percent in 2023 and consolidate at 4.3 percent in 2024, underpinning Africa’s continued resilience to shocks.” 

The report goes on to say: 

“Africa is endowed with 30 percent of the world’s mineral resources and 65 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, the world’s most productive forests both in timber and carbon retention resources, and ample solar, wind, and hydropower.” 

With this kind of potential, savvy investors will be expanding, as I noted earlier,  their base in South Africa and the rest of the continent. 

Our economic reform agenda also includes targeted measures to open the market for more South Africans to participate. 

What we refer to as transformation of the economy helps to build long-term stability and growth. Our efforts to open digital markets represent an example of this, as does the use of flexible measures such as the equity equivalent investment programme that a number of US corporations, most recently CitiBank, have used. 

And so too the efforts to provide share ownership options to employees in companies, as has been done by Pepsico in South Africa. These are all examples of good corporate practices to broaden economic participation and ensure sustainability. 

I spoke earlier of industrialisation. This is a big focus for us. I must commend companies like Coca-Cola who have embraced it fully and have been strong and reliable partners in development of the local industrial capacity in the South African economy. We look forward to more companies following this example. 

Skills development is both a necessity in a period of fast-changing human resource needs of firms, and an opportunity for us. We have a large population of young people, a growing number of who are attending university and other higher education institutions. 

A focused effort to expand workplace exposure for graduates, coupled with a shift to technical education and the teaching of maths and science, will enable South Africa to build a larger resource of skilled workers. 

This focus on skills is vital to our ambitious investment drive. 

We have just concluded the first 5-year phase of our investment drive, raising R1.5 trillion in commitments from firms across the economy. These range from automobiles to pharmaceuticals, mining, the digital economy, manufacturing, energy, transport logistics and many others. 

We have now increased the target over the next five years to R2 trillion.

To appreciate the great opportunities in our economy, I invite you to the next South Africa Investment Conference to be held in March 2024. 

The investment drive includes an expansion of special economic zones, the most recent of which was built around the Ford Motor Company’s plant in the capital city, Pretoria. Around ten large factories now produce components for the scaled-up Ford plant. 

Infrastructure investment is a special focus, with increased investment in energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water. 

The reform of our visa system is underway, with increased visa-free travel. The focus is now shifting to business visas and work permits, where we are prioritising senior executives and scarce skills, so that the short-term constraints in skill availability does not impede growth. 

Finally, we are working on ways to expand the greening of our economy. This includes renewable energy generation, proposed green hydrogen pilot projects and the development of a roadmap for electric vehicle production.  

Africa is ready for new investment and strong partnerships.

South Africa is well positioned as the continent’s industrial centre, with deep capital markets, the rule of law, protection of property rights and a dynamic and youthful population. 

The significant presence of US companies operating in South Africa, including Ford, Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Procter & Gamble, Google, Amazon and Walmart, among many others, forms a base for increased investment. 

I am pleased to hear that the US Africa Business Council and BUSA will be hosting the inaugural business and investment forum on the margins of the AGOA Forum scheduled to be held in South Africa in November 2023. 

This platform will present our respective governments, private sectors and civil society with numerous opportunities to advance our trade and investment relations. 

I look forward to our discussions and encourage your candid views. 

I also look forward to welcoming all of the companies present here today to South Africa in November this year during the AGOA Forum. We will have a Made in Africa Expo and I hope I will see procurement heads and CEOs from all of the companies present here today, attending the Forum and Expo; and that we can generate more orders to companies operating in SA, as part of our efforts to industrialise. 

I look forward to building and strengthening business relationships that will accelerate growth, enable commercial success and ensure prosperity for both our countries. 

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, expressed his sadness at two natural disasters that have claimed close to 8 000 lives collectively and displaced tens of thousands of residents in eastern Libya and Morocco.

More than 5 000 people have perished due to floods associated with Storm Daniel in eastern Libya while more than 2 000 people died in an earthquake last weekend in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

President Ramaphosa said: “South Africa shares the pain and loss felt by the people of eastern Libya and Morocco. These disasters highlight once more the frailty of life when confronted with the forces of nature.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today , 17 September 2023 , arrived in New York for a working visit to lead South Africa’s delegation to the General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78). 

Member States of the United Nations are this week participating in the annual General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly taking place from 18-26 September 2023.

The President will deliver the South Africa statement to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, 19 September 2023, at 13h00 US Eastern Time, which will be 19h00 in South Africa. 

The address to the UN General Assembly will be preceded by a number of High Level engagements.

These include summits on Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Sustainable Development Goals, a High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, as well as the Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response and Climate Ambition Summit to be hosted by the United Nations Secretary General.

President Ramaphosa will also lead discussions during the Presidential Roundtable that will hosted by the United States Chamber of Commerce and US-Africa Business Center.

In addition, the President’s programme will also include several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of UNGA.

UNGA78 is convened under the auspices of “rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”.

The theme has been set by the incoming President of the UN General Assembly Ambassador Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago.

South Africa’s participation at the United Nations is directed by its international relations policy objectives of among others:
(i) Mobilising support for South Africa’s domestic objectives, as outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP), including reducing inequality, unemployment, and poverty eradication.

(ii) Support for the African Agenda and promoting Africa’s sustainable development by advocating for Africa’s priorities under the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063.

(iii) Influencing the reform of the global multilateral architecture; and advancing the agenda of the South in the North-South Dialogue platform.

The Ministerial delegation in support of the South Africa's participation to UNGA78 is Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor , Minister of Trade , Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel , Minister of Environment , Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy , Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla , Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Minister in the Presidency for Planning , Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopha. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President  -  +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Your Excellency, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health,
Your Excellency Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen
UNICEF Executive Director, Dr Catherine Russell,
Vice President of Global Programs at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, Prof Senait Fisseha,
Members of Delegations and Officials,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
I welcome you all to this important gathering, which marks the beginning of our journey together to protect women, children and adolescents worldwide.

I thank Her Excellency Helen Clark for inviting me to lead this vital initiative. 

If we secure the health of every woman, child and adolescent, we will fundamentally improve the health and well-being of all humanity.

We will lift millions of people out of poverty and advance the cause of human progress. We will help close the gap between women and men.

I am therefore particularly heartened that we have managed to convene a diverse group of leaders and advocates, from Heads of State to young leaders.

Women, children and adolescents continue to face escalating challenges to their health and well-being.

Almost 800 women still die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Ninety-five percent of these deaths are in low- and middle-income countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing health inequality. 

Over 10 million children have lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19. Sixty-seven million children have missed out on the routine vaccines, and 80 percent of children have lost learning time due to school closures. 

The long-term effects of underdeveloped children on our respective economies will be devastating.

Over 1.5 million adolescents and young adults aged 10–25 died in 2021, most due to causes that are entirely preventable. 

These were young people who should have been growing, thriving and developing the communities of tomorrow. 

This 78th Session of the UN General Assembly is an opportunity to take stock. It is an opportunity to agree on bold steps to accelerate the actions needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals related to women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health and well-being. 

The Global Leaders Network is an opportunity for Heads of State and Government and other leaders to work together to champion the women, children and adolescent health agenda. 

I invite Heads of State to join this effort. I would also like to thank Heads of State that have taken up this course.

As Heads of State, we can provide leadership and inspire ambitious action. We have the convening power to mobilise our peers and advance policies, programmes and financing initiatives for improved outcomes. 

The leaders of BRICS and G20 countries are particularly well-positioned to advance progress for the most vulnerable women, children and adolescents.

As part of our agenda, we must challenge the disregard in many communities and countries for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women. 

We must ensure that these issues are openly discussed and addressed.

To advance these rights, to improve women’s sexual and reproductive health, we have to end gender-based violence.

The World Bank has reported that nearly a third of women around the world have experienced intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. 

It is now more than evident that countries must reduce inequality in access to health care. This inequality is catastrophic for economies, political stability, health security and human rights.

Political leadership means both action and accountability. It involves the will to make deliberate policy decisions to accelerate progress for women, children and adolescents. 

Effective leadership champions collaboration to strengthen health and related sectors and to engage women and girls meaningfully in health systems and their reform.

In many countries, international donor financing for health is waning and fragmented. This is compounded by the diversion of domestic funding away from women's, children's and adolescent's health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other priorities. 

The poor economic outlook and limited fiscal space in many countries heighten these challenges. 

Investing in interventions for women, child and adolescent health yields social and economic benefits that continue throughout life and for generations to come. 

If, between now and 2035, we were to invest $5 per person per year in health systems and high-impact health interventions for women and children in high-burden countries, the value of the economic and social benefits would be nine times greater than that amount.

Every dollar invested in child immunisation brings at least $20 in benefits. And every dollar invested in selected adolescent health interventions yields a 10-fold return in health, social and economic benefits.

The Global Leaders Network will advocate for sustained and enhanced financial investments, contributing to the growth of nations and enabling individuals to reach their highest potential. 

We will also advocate for improved alignment of global financing mechanisms to foster better investment in strategic priorities to meet the health and well-being needs of women, children and adolescents.

Close monitoring and accountability across national, regional and global platforms is essential. 

As Heads of State and Government, we can share the models being implemented in our countries and exchange best practices.

As South Africa, for example, we have made important strides in areas of health care. New HIV infections decreased by 48 per cent between 2010 and 2019 as the country expanded HIV treatment and voluntary medical male circumcision.

We remained committed to implement universal health coverage, through the establishment of a National Health Insurance, which will have far-reaching benefits for the access to health services for women, children and adolescents.

I am certain that with the joint stewardship of the Global Leaders, supported by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and other champions, we stand a far better chance of delivering on our promise to women, children and adolescents across the world.

I thank you.

(For planning purposes and subject to change without notice)

Monday, 18 September 2023
President Ramaphosa to address the High Level Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) Event
Time: 07:30
Venue: Labouisse Hall, 3 UN Plaza UNICEF House, Danny Kaye

President Ramaphosa to address Leaders Dialogue 1: Scaling up Actions on Key Transitions to Accelerate SDG Progress
Time: 10:30
Venue: Trusteeship Council Chamber, 3 UN Headquarters

President Ramaphosa to address the US – South Africa Trade and Investment Executive Dialogue
Time: 15:00
Venue: The Westin , New York 

President Ramaphosa participates at The Uniting behind a Common Africa Position on Pandemic Preparedness , Prevention and Response Summit 
Time: 18:00 
Venue: Millenium Hotel 

Tuesday, 19 September 2023
President Ramaphosa delivers South Africa’s National Statement at the General Debate of the opening of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly
Time: 13:00
Venue: General Assembly Hall, UN Headquarters 

Wednesday, 20 September 2023
President Ramaphosa participates at the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development
Time: 09:00
Venue: Trusteeship Chamber, 2nd Floor, General Assembly Building

President Ramaphosa to address the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Ambition Summit
Time: 10:00
Venue: Conference Room 4, UN Headquarters

President Cyril Ramaphosa High Level engagements can be followed on  https://media.un.org/en/webtv/schedule and will also be live streamed on Presidency digital platforms.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General, Africa Centers for Disease Prevention and Control
Ministers of Health and Delegates,
Leaders of Specialised AU Organs,
Partners,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to thank Africa CDC for inviting us to co-host this critical meeting on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

In the same way as we responded to COVID-19, Africa's pandemic prevention, preparedness and response efforts should be defined by unity, solidarity and coherence. 

Africa should set its own agenda to fit into the global plans. 

Africa is justified in seeking to achieve self-reliance in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, or PPPR. 

Africa experiences over 100 infectious disease outbreaks a year, most of which we manage to contain. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa emerged as a leader in genomic surveillance. On two occasions, we were the first to alert the world to new COVID-19 variants. 

The relative success of Africa's COVID-19 Response Strategy should be studied and documented. We need to understand the effect of factors such as the high degree of cross-border cooperation, local expertise, the relatively young population and the impact of partnerships. 

These learnings can form the basis of an informed, proactive strategy.

Together, we built a solid foundation for PPPR by strengthening our public health institutions. We initiated a pharmaceutical manufacturing strategy, established a model for continent-wide pooled procurement and exposed African products to the global market through the Africa Medical Supplies Platform. 

We also focused on economic recovery issues. Our special envoys helped raise $ 200 million in Special Drawing Rights for the continent and negotiated that our member states be prioritised for access to those funds. 

We have a window of opportunity to maintain political will and investor interest to drive significant investments towards developing regional PPPR capacity. We need to focus on a few critical areas:

Firstly, we need strong, sustainable, digitally-empowered primary health care systems and we need community-responsive national public health institutes. Because outbreaks happen at the community level, information must travel faster than the pathogen. Health services must be able to reach vulnerable groups, including those in conflict settings.

Secondly, we need real-time surveillance and good cross-border cooperation. 

Thirdly, we need a capable and fit-for-purpose workforce. We need to urgently establish the health workforce task team to operationalise health workforce development. With such a large young population, Africa can be the hub of health workforce production to close the global health workforce shortage. 

Fourthly, we need equitable access to medical countermeasures, including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, through local manufacturing and functional last-mile delivery of goods and services. 

Fifthly, we need predictable financing for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. 

The Bureau of the Heads of State and Government have agreed to establish the Africa Epidemic Fund. We need to swiftly conclude the necessary statutory processes and replenish the fund. 

As the AU COVID-19 Champion, I have tabled a proposal to establish a regional legal instrument as a PPPR cooperative mandate that would be triggered by a declaration of a public health emergency of continental security or international concern. 

This legal instrument should outline the actions that member states can collectively take and appropriate modalities for the region's interaction with the world during the next pandemic. 

Pandemic preparedness requires that we achieve our ambitious manufacturing goals. 

This needs to be a collaborative effort that brings together the Africa CDC, the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing, AUDA-NEPAD and the AfCFTA Secretariat with other relevant continental and global partners and the private sector. 

We need more investment into research and development, building on our diversified clinical trial expertise and drawing from indigenous knowledge systems. We must encourage the co-development of products to secure ownership of intellectual property. 

The high-level working group on health manufacturing was established to coordinate and monitor the impact of such partnerships. 

The working group will also monitor the progress made by large procurers of health products like GAVI, UNICEF, PEPFAR and the Global Fund.

This follows the Bureau's call for these procurers to purchase at least 30 percent of the products destined for Africa from African manufacturers.

As we build our regional capacity, we must also position ourselves prominently in the global PPPR negotiations. 

We need a unified voice and common positions to advance the interests of our continent and its people. 

Africa needs to be well represented in key global fora, like the WHO's consultative process towards an interim medical countermeasures coordination mechanism, the G20 as part of the AU’s new membership, the G7 MCM Delivery Partnership and the informal Johannesburg process. 

South Africa was a co-chair of Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, or ACT-A, and there is much that we can learn from the experience of that initiative. 

We concur with the ACT-A External Evaluation findings that it was not a perfect instrument and fell short of attaining equity. 

It did not contribute as effectively as it could to the last-mile delivery and strengthening of health systems. 

However, ACT-A did establish solid collaborative networks that together raised $ 24 billion in financing, delivered 1,96 billion vaccine doses to low- and middle-income countries and procured over $700 million worth of PPE for health workers.

We can build on this collective capacity whilst addressing the mistakes of the past. 

The combination of climate change and the increased movement of people has caused an increase in the frequency of outbreaks worldwide. 

This means preparation is urgent and will not wait for us to make up our minds at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body. 

It is for this reason that we support the establishment of an interim medical countermeasures coordination mechanism. However, it must correct the mistakes of ACT-A and be founded on a firm principle of accountability and fair governance characterised by a partnership of equals. 

We support the WHO consultative process towards establishing this mechanism and that it should align with the determinations of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body. 

It is heartening that BRICS and some AU member states, along with AU specialised agencies, partners and the private sector, came together on the margins of the recent BRICS Summit in Johannesburg to discuss a possible collaborative framework between our respective nations. 

The BRICS group has enormous health information and biotechnology capacity that can be leveraged for Africa's manufacturing and PPPR ambitions. 

The deliberations and determinations of this meeting are extremely important as they will form the basis of our contribution at the upcoming AU Summit. 

I look forward to your ideas and guidance.

I thank you.

Baphathi bohlelo,
Bantwana nomndeni wobukhosi baKwaButhelezi,
Bantwana bendlunkulu kaZulu,
Izindlu zobukhosi eningizimu Afrika yonkana,
Amakhosi nezinduna,
Former President’s
Members of the Judiciary led by the Chief Justice
Baphathiswa kanye nabo bonke abahlonishwa abalapha, 
Leaders of our political parties
Leaders of chapter 9 institutions
Abaphathi nabamele amabandla ezenkolo ngokuhlukana kwawo,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Business leaders
Fellow Mourners,

Uwile umuthi omkhulu. A mighty tree has fallen. 

Isizwe sethu simbethe ifu elimnya. 

We mourn the passing of Inkosi yakwaPhindangene. It is not only the Buthelezi family and the Inkatha Freedom Party that are in mourning, but many, many others who respected and loved him. 

Silahlekelwe umholi, usopolitiki, nomeluleki ohlonishwayo, uMtwana waKwaPhindangene, uNdunankulu wesizwe samaZulu, kanye nomsunguli, futhi enguMongameli weNkatha Freedom Party.

The sun has set on an era and on a life that witnessed and had an impact on much of our country’s modern history. 

We are here to bid farewell to a man who had a vision of a shared, common future. This was his enduring preoccupation even in the latter years of his life. 

It was uShenge who said:

“We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people. History has made us all South Africans.”

On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, we offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Household, the Buthelezi family and the people of our country. 

Our condolences go to the leadership and membership of the Inkatha Freedom Party that Prince Buthelezi founded in 1975 and that he led with pride until 2019.

On this sad day, we remember his words on the day he stepped down. 

He said: “A lifetime would never be enough to serve a country, especially a country I love so much.”

Prince Buthelezi loved his country. 

He was a passionate advocate for the institution of leadership and especially traditional leadership, for women and for rural communities.

Shenge fought for the preservation of not only Zulu custom and culture but all indigenous cultures in South Africa. He respected all Kingships and traditional leaders.

Many of us have been enjoying the beautifully crafted production of the television series, Shaka iLembe, that chronicles the history of King Shaka and the formation of the Zulu Kingdom. 

Aware of the deep well of knowledge that he possessed, the producers of the show sought counsel from uShenge and the late iSilo samabandla King Goodwill  Zwelithini. 

His contribution to this production is one of the many cultural endowments that he leaves behind for the benefit of future generations.

It is programmes like these that teach our children about the heroic acts of our ancestors. It is the music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo that taught the world about our great culture. Through the work of Shenge’s great friend, Professor Khabi Mngoma, we saw European classic music fuse with African music, gaining respect from music lovers from the across the globe. 

I tell this story because Umntwana waKwaPhindangene loved music. Through it he told stories that have been passed on through generations. 

Umntwana was a voice for the marginalised and the vulnerable.

Who can forget his great courage on International Aids Day on the 1st of December 2004 when he told the world that HIV/Aids had struck inside his own family, taking away two of his children. 

With this act he helped break the stigma around HIV/Aids, saying: “My belief in the glory of the human spirit to rise again, again and again, is stronger than ever.”

uShenge akazange abacwase abantu abaphethwe isifo sengculazi, ngoba weseka abakhe abantwana bebhekene nalesifo. Ube yisibonelo esihle sobuholi, sokuba wuBaba wesizwe empini nengculazi.

Shenge, like iLembe, was deeply connected to his mother. Just as we cannot tell the story of iLembe without relating the story of Queen Nandi, we cannot understand what shaped Shenge’s worldview without considering the influence of Princess Magogo. 

Because of his great respect for his mother, he abhorred violence against women and children. He used his prominent position to speak out against men who perpetrate heinous crimes against women and children. 

One of the lessons we take from the life of uShenge was that as a leader he was willing to collaborate across the political divide. 

At a political level we did not always agree. We often found ourselves on opposing sides of one or another issue. He never shied away from a harsh word, a criticism or from voicing his dissent. 

Kodwa, lokhu ubehlale ekwenza ngenkulu inhlonipho, nangeqiniso, futhi nangokwazi ubunzima esibhekene nabo ekuguquleni leli zwe ukuba lisuke esikhathini esibi esiphuma kusona.

I have always admired his commitment to finding common ground amongst political leaders and parties, particularly between the Inkatha Freedom Party and the African National Congress. 

Twenty-nine years ago, on the eve of the first all race elections, South Africa stood on the brink of catastrophe. 

Despite the excitement building up to the historic event, the country was in turmoil; racked by a spiral of political violence that had began in the mid- 1980’s. 

The country was also under threat from a right-wing uprising, and from so-called third force elements sowing discord amongst our people.
Kwakuyisikhathi esinzima. Kwakuyisikhathi esibuhlungu kakhulu.

Many people were displaced from their homes.  Many people died.  Today is not the day to point fingers and cast blame. 

There were genuine and well-founded fears that in such a climate, the transition to democracy would not happen peacefully. 

Through negotiations and serious engagement we stepped back from the brink of turmoil. All parties involved in the negotiation process participated in the historic elections that ushered in our democracy.

uShenge would later say that he had agreed that the IFP should also participate in the elections not only to avoid disaster and reduce tension, but to contribute to peace.

There can be no doubt that this was a turning point in the transition process, and a decisive moment. Had Prince Buthelezi not taken this decision in the best interests of peace, South Africa might be a vastly different place today.

He understood too well that we share a common goal of a better South Africa. 

As ANC Secretary-General and as later as chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly, we both shared many moments during the tumultous transition period.

Over the years we had many more conversations, many engagements, and many late-night talks. We also corresponded and spoke often, right until his final days. 

He was not a man who let burning issues slide. And he was unafraid to speak truth to power. 

And yet, as I have said, the spirit of cameraderie, respect, empathy and understanding of the immense difficulties we face in rebuilding this country, defined all our interactions. 

He had respect for the authority of the state and defended the institutions of our democratic order. 

He was always there when we needed to consult with traditional leaders, encouraging people to go and vote in elections and supporting the national effort during the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It was President Nelson Mandela who said: “It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build.”

In his long illustrious life Shenge served in several positions. One of the high points in his life was serving as a Minister in President Mandela’s cabinet, and being asked by  President Mandela to act as President of the country on several occasions. This demonstrated the trust and confidence the father of our democracy had in him.

At  certain points in our history there were deep divisions between these two leaders. But they did reconcile and made peace, for the sake of building South Africa.

Prince Buthelezi took time to express to me his desire to see the IFP and the African National Congress permanently reconciled and working together to build our country. For this he earned my admiration. 

Fellow Mourners, 

People of South Africa,

We carry the heavy weight of memories, and of many heartaches.

But difficult as it may be right now, it is important that we fulfill the wishes he had for a sustainable and durable reconciliation not only between the IFP and the ANC but amongst all of us as the people of South Africa. 

On this, Shenge and the father of our democracy Nelson Mandela were of the same mind. 

The legacy they have both left us is their enduring dream for reconciliation, peace and progress for our great nation.

uMntwana was a  defender of our constitutional order and served proudly as a member of parliament in our democratic dispensation. 

He was robust in his critique, but also genuine with his praise. 

I believe I can speak on behalf of the members of our Parliament when I say that we will miss his legendary eloquence, the care, diligence and attention to detail with which he performed his duties as an MP. 

As an elder statesman, he was dignity personified.

Many will testify that they can still hear his voice permeating through the National Assembly eloquently exhorting all members of Parliament to uphold the principles and values of our constitution and democratic order, and to do so with discipline, decorum and respect for not just each other, but for the people of South Africa. 

In his spoken and written words, he always expressed the essence of a deep and enduring commitment to our democratic values.

Without a commitment to change, there can be no reconciliation.

Without reconciliation there can be no unity.

Without unity there can be no peace. 

Our road to democracy was not easy, but the future is now ours to make. 

It is a common future of equality, shared prosperity, justice and a better life for all that we must build. 

As political parties we have to work for unity. We have to put aside our differences, here in KwaZulu-Natal and around the country, for the sake of building our nation. 

We have a duty to follow in the footsteps of the many great leaders who came before, that Shenge respected and admired, who put aside political and other rivalries for the sake of the common good. 

One speaks here about leaders uShenge respected deeply such as John Langalibalele Dube, Inkosi Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Pixley ka iSaka Seme, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and the many luminaries whose ability to forge alliances across the political divide, to reconcilie and to make peace added to their towering stature.

When he stepped down as IFP President in 2019, he said that his greatest sadness is that he “will not be among the men and women who will cross into the promised land of social and economic justice”. 

These solemn words should increase our resolve, as government, political leaders and parties and as all of society, to realise the vision of an equal, united society. 

Our destinies are connected, as amaZulu, baSotho, amaXhosa, vhaVenda, baTsonga, Bapedi, Batswana, AmaNdebele, EmaSwati the Khoi and San, Afrikaners, English speakers, rural and urban dwellers, men and women, young and old. 

A few years ago, Prince Buthelezi and I attended a cultural celebration in Thohoyandou in Limpopo arranged amongst others by Chief Livhuwani Matsila.

We were both enthralled by the rich display of cultural, dance and musical diversity of, and from, the Vhavenda, VaTsonga, Bapedi, Balobedu and Mapulane. 

Like me he was deeply touched and impressed with the depth of diversity and wealth in our collective national cultural heritage. 

We decided that we would want to have a display and celebration of all our cultures in the form of a national event, and that they should be held in our provinces by rotation. I hope we will still be able to do this.

What Shenge's life has taught us is that our differences must never stand in the way of our South African nationality, and our nationalism. 

Like many of us, uShenge endured many trials throughout his life. Yet he remained focused and steadfast. 

The Buthelezi family have suffered an irreperable personal loss. But as they go through this valley of darkness and sorrow, it is my wish that as a family, they should hold onto the proud and enduring memories of their father and grandfather.

We share in their sorrow, and I know that they would wish us to share with them the many rich remembrances that an impactful leader like uBaba uShenge evokes. 

May the Almighty grant the family strength as they go through this difficult time. 

I would like them to remember the saying that “those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near. Still loved, still missed, and held so dear”. 

So should it be with your father, your grandfather and your beloved Shenge.

Let his forefathers and God whom he loved give him the crown of life. 

He did not take easy steps. He showed wisdom and courage. 

We too have not taken the easy road. 

Forging unity, building bridges of tolerance and understanding, and reconciling our differences for the sake of our beloved country is what we are called upon to do as leaders and people of South Africa.

Let us look to the future with faith, with hope, with tolerance, and with a focus on what unites us. 

Indeed, “history has made us all South Africans.”

Hamba kahle, Shenge. 

Hamba kahle mfoka Mathole, isizukulwana sikaMnyamana.

Duduzekani bantwana baKwaPhindangene nesizwe sonke sakwaButhelezi. Akusiyena uZulu kuphela olahlekelwe. Izwe lonke liyakhala. 

Hamba kahle, Nkosi yakwa Buthelezi. 

Ngiyabonga.

NB: For planning purposes and subject to change without notice

MONDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2023

President Ramaphosa to address the High-Level Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) Event

Time: 07h30
Venue: Labouisse Hall, 3 UN Plaza UNICEF House, Danny Kaye

President Ramaphosa to address Leaders' Dialogue 1: Scaling Up Actions on Key Transitions to Accelerate SDG Progress

Time: 10h30
Venue: Trusteeship Council Chamber, 3 UN Headquarters

President Ramaphosa to address the US - South Africa Trade and Investment Executive Dialogue

Time: 15h00
Venue: The Westin, New York 

President Ramaphosa participates in the Uniting Behind a Common Africa Position on Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response Summit 

Time: 18h00 
Venue: Millenium Hotel 

TUESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2023

President Ramaphosa delivers South Africa's National Statement at the General Debate of the Opening of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly

Time: 13h00
Venue: General Assembly Hall, UN Headquarters 

WEDNESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2023

President Ramaphosa participates in the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development

Time: 09h00
Venue: Trusteeship Chamber, 2nd Floor, General Assembly Building

President Ramaphosa to address the UN Secretary-General's Climate Ambition Summit

Time: 10h00
Venue: Conference Room 4, UN Headquarters

President Cyril Ramaphosa High-Level engagements can be followed on https://media.un.org/en/webtv/schedule and will also be live-streamed on Presidency digital platforms.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA HAVANA, CUBA 15-16 SEPTEMBER 2023

Following the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and the honour accorded to his funeral a Special Official Funeral-Category 1, President Cyril Ramaphosa has delegated Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation to lead South Africa’s delegation to the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of 77 and China.

The Summit will be hosted in Cuba on 15 and 16 September under the theme, "Current development challenges: The role of science, technology and innovation"

President Ramaphosa, values the importance of the the Group of 77+China as the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations.

This is a platform where countries of the Global South can articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their collective negotiating capacity.

This capacity is brought to bear on global issues that are deliberated within the United Nations system and on the advancement of South-South cooperation for development.

The President welcomes the opportunity for South Africa to contribute to the Group’s debates, analysis and consensus on the main challenges facing the South.
 

PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA TO DELIVER THE EULOGY AT THE SPECIAL OFFICIAL FUNERAL OF THE LATE PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, on Saturday, 16 September, deliver the eulogy at the Special Official Funeral of the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal.

Prince Buthelezi, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the age of 95.

President Ramaphosa has honoured Prince Buthelezi by declaring his funeral a Special Official Funeral-Category 1.

In accordance with the State, Official, and Provincial Official Funeral Policy of the government, a Special Official Funeral, Category 1, is a recognition reserved for individuals of extraordinary distinction as designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa.

The funeral will include elements of military honours.

The President has directed that flags be flown half-mast at flag stations around the country until the evening of Saturday, which is the day of the funeral. 


PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA TO PARTICIPATE IN UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY UNGA78

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead South Africa’s delegation to the General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) which takes place from 18 – 26 September 2023 in New York, United States of America.

The President will deliver the South Africa statement to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, 19 September 2023, at 13h00 US Eastern Time, which will be 19h00 in South Africa. 

The address to the UN General Assembly will be preceded by a number of High Level engagements.

These include summits on Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Sustainable Development Goals, a High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, as well as the Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response and Climate Ambition Summit to be hosted by the United Nations Secretary General.

President Ramaphosa will also lead discussions during the Presidential Roundtable that will hosted by the United States Chamber of Commerce and US-Africa Business Center.

In addition, the President’s programme will also include several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of UNGA.

UNGA78 is convened under the auspices of “rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”.

The theme has been set by the incoming President of the UN General Assembly Ambassador Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago.

South Africa’s participation at the United Nations is directed by its international relations policy objectives of among others:

(i) Mobilising support for South Africa’s domestic objectives, as outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP), including reducing inequality, unemployment, and poverty eradication.

(ii) Support for the African Agenda and promoting Africa’s sustainable development by advocating for Africa’s priorities under the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063.

(iii) Influencing the reform of the global multilateral architecture; and advancing the agenda of the South in the North-South Dialogue platform.


THE UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT AND OTHERS VS MINISTER OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES AND OTHERS CASE NO:2023-005779

The United Democratic Movement and its co-applicants, which include NUMSA and Build One South Africa, took government to court on an urgent basis, on an issue that required government to coordinate numerous department responses in relation to the very complex matter, of load shedding.

This legal challenge questions the lawfulness and constitutionality of the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan.

This process to coordinate government’s response required government to spend a great deal of energy, time and money to respond in detail, as it always does on any matter before the courts.

This process has cost taxpayers money and to some extent taken attention away from the urgent related issues to which government has to attend operationally.

The UDM, Building One SA, NUMSA and others made government spend public funds and time on this gathering of information before suddenly withdrawing the application.

Government always approaches such matters with a view that it is not only responding to the applicants, but it is responding to the public, while attending to the underlying issues in the normal course of the administration.

Therefore, for all these applicants to take up time and taxpayers money to then simply walk away because they finally appreciated the detailed substantive and indisputable response submitted by government is in fact an insult to both the court and the South African public.

In particular, the UDM is well represented in Parliament where government continuously accounts to elected representatives of the people in work in progress and challenges faced.

President Ramaphosa, spent the first and second day of his working visit to the United States for the 78th United Nations General Assembly, discussing sustainable development goals and investments to South Africa. 

On Sunday, 17 September, President Ramaphosa held a bilateral meeting with Professor Klaus Schwab, CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), to discuss South Africa’s participation at WEF and the progress the country is making on the reforms aimed at advancing inclusive economic growth. The President also met with the United States Congressman Gregory Meeks. Both President Ramaphosa and Congressman Meeks acknowledged the need for greater cooperation between the US and South Africa in tackling global issues that are impacting the African continent, primarily, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Africa. 

Congressman Meeks welcomed the briefing on the conclusion of the investigation into the docking of the LadyR vessel in Simmons Town, South Africa and expressed his commitment to contributing to the strengthening of US-Africa diplomatic and trade relations, and to attending the AGOA forum in South Africa later this year. 

President Ramaphosa concluded his first day of engagements with a meeting with the United Nations Secretary General, Mr Antonio Guterres. 

The two leaders discussed developments related to the reform of the international financial architecture and other initiatives in support of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the reform of the United Nations Security Council. The Secretary General commended South Africa for its important role in advancing these efforts.  

Addressing the High Level Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) event on Monday, 18 September, President Ramaphosa called on Heads of State and Government to join the Global Leaders Network to champion the women, children and adolescent health agenda. 

“As Heads of State, we can provide leadership and inspire ambitious action. We have the convening power to mobilise our peers and advance policies, programmes and financing initiatives for improved outcomes. As part of our agenda, we must challenge the disregard in many communities and countries for sexual and reproductive health and rights of women”, said President Ramaphosa. 

Speaking at the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, President Ramaphosa joined the call to address the fundamental development challenges that have long characterised our unequal world. The President emphasized the need for targeted investment, technology transfer and capacity building support especially in key areas such as industralisation, infrastructure, agriculture, water, energy, education and health. The President further underscored the requirement for sustained financial support, including supportive trade policies from the international community.

Later on Monday President Ramaphosa will lead the business roundtable discussions with the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-Africa Business Center. President Ramaphosa will use the occasion to position South Africa’s economic reform agenda that is focused on expanding industrial capacity as an opportunity for more US investment that can leverage off the demonstrated manufacturing base of South Africa. 

President Ramaphosa will hold a bilateral meeting with the President of Nigeria, H.E Bola-Ahmed Tinubu to discuss the deepening of trade, diplomatic and political ties between Nigeria and South Africa and the current security situation in parts West Africa.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria