Deputy President Paulus Shipokosa Mashatile will on Saturday, 6 September 2025, deliver a eulogy at the Special Official Funeral of the late Ambassador Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu in Middelburg, Mpumalanga Province.

The former Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and subsequently a long-serving diplomat, Ambassador Mahlangu passed away at the age of 72 on 24 August 2025 on his way to hospital after a short illness.

President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that Ambassador Mahlangu be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2, which will entail ceremonial honours performed by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The President has also directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations from Saturday, 30 August 2025, until the evening of the funeral on Saturday, 6 September 2025.

Ambassador Mahlangu served as the High Commissioner of South Africa to the Republic of Kenya; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Somalia; and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON).

Deputy President Mashatile said: "The late Ambassador Mahlangu played a number of significant roles both in the struggle for liberation, and the birth and nurturing of South Africa’s democracy as he participated in the drafting of South Africa’s democratic Constitution and later served in the first Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. Government will therefore accordingly honour the late Mahlangu for his contribution as he is laid to rest."
 
Details of the funeral are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 06 September 2025
Time: 09h00 
Venue: Steve Tshwete Banquet Hall, Middelburg, Mpumalanga Province

For media accreditation enquiries, please contact Ishmael Selemale (GCIS) on 073 163 1123.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, Mr Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Sunday, 07 September 2025, join families of the Police Officers and Reservists who lost their lives in the line of duty at the annual South African Police Service (SAPS) Commemoration Day.

The event will take place at the SAPS Memorial Site at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

This year’s event commemorates 27 members of the SAPS who have fallen in the line of duty in the 12 months between 01 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.

Members of the media wishing to attend the event are requested to submit credentials to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe (SAPS) on 082 040 8808 or Ms Linah Ledwaba (Presidency) on 066 240 7635.

Details of the commemoration are as follows: 
Date: Sunday, 07 September 2025
Time: 10:00 (Broadcast Media houses to arrive at 05h30 before sweeping)
Venue: SAPS Memorial Site, Union Buildings, Pretoria

NOTE TO MEDIA: Members of the media are reminded that no drones will be allowed for the duration of the programme.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840 or Brigadier Athlenda Mathe 082 040 8808

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Friday, 05 September 2025, virtually deliver a keynote address at the National Economic Development Labour Council’s (NEDLAC) 30th Annual Summit, scheduled to take place at the NH Johannesburg Sandton Hotel in Gauteng Province.

Convened under the theme "Advancing solidarity, equality and sustainability in the economy and the labour market”, the Summit provides an opportunity for a larger delegation of NEDLAC social partners from organised business, community, government, and organised labour, as well as other stakeholders, to gather and deliberate on socio-economic issues.

In line with the priorities of South Africa’s G20 Presidency of solidarity, equality and sustainability, the Summit serves as a platform for participants to present achievements and challenges pertaining to:

· The realisation of solidarity of workers through advances made in collective bargaining, dispute resolution and building worker unity including with non-standard employees;
· Advancement of gender and race equality in the workplace and society; and
· The pursuit of climate sustainability and a just transition from a workplace perspective.

The details for the summit are as follows:

Date: Friday, 05 September 2025
Time: 08h30
Location: NH Johannesburg Sandton Hotel (fomerly called The Hilton Hotel)

The Summit will also be broadcast on digital/social media platforms for further invitees and members of the public to observe. Go here:
 https://youtube.com/live/U9ed8Q9U_xA?feature=share

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840, and/or Louis Seeco: NEDLAC on 082 652 8999.

Issued jointly by: The Presidency and NEDLAC
Pretoria

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Ms Nonceba Mhlauli, will represent the South African Government and deliver remarks at the National Day Reception of Malaysia, marking the 68th National Day and the 62nd Malaysia Day.

The reception will take place on Wednesday, 4 September 2025 at the High Commission of Malaysia, 1007 Francis Baard Street, Arcadia, Pretoria.

The celebration underscores the strong and enduring relations between South Africa and Malaysia, and reaffirms the commitment of both countries to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange. The Deputy Minister’s participation reflects South Africa’s appreciation of Malaysia’s role as a strategic partner and a valued member of the international community.

Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, 4 September 2025
Time: 12:00
Venue: High Commission of Malaysia, 1007 Francis Baard Street, Arcadia, Pretoria
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

In his capacity as Chairperson of the Presidential Task Team on Matters raised by Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has this morning, 02 September 2025, met with Representatives of the Griqua Royal House at OR Tambo Official Residence in Pretoria.

In June this year, the Office of the Deputy President received a letter from The Griqua Royal House requesting a meeting with the Deputy President to discuss the Traditional Leadership recognition of the Khoi and San communities, among other things.

Today's meeting provided an opportunity for Deputy President Mashatile to brief the Representatives of the Griqua Royal House on progress on the process of the recognition of the Khoi and San communities by the Commission on Khoi-San Matters.

The Commission on Khoi-San Matters (Commission) is a statutory body established in terms of section 51(1) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act of 2019.

In terms of section 57 and 58 of the Act, the Commission has the following functions:
• To receive applications for the recognition of Khoi-San communities, branches, senior Khoi-San leaders and Branch Heads.
• To investigate the applications received.
• To prepare comprehensive reports with recommendations on each application that has been received and investigated.
• To submit the report and the recommendations of each received and investigated application to the relevant Premier for comment and give the Premiers a period of 60 days to provide the comments.
• After receiving the comments from the relevant Premiers, the Commission must finalise and submit its report containing its recommendations to the Minister on the possible recognition of Khoi-San communities, branches, and leaders.

In this regard, Mr Cordney Mangale led the presentation by the Representatives of the Griqua Royal House after which the meeting was assured that all processes for recognition are being followed accordingly and that the Commission would make an announcement on the outcome of the application for recognition before the end of its term in August 2026.

Deputy President Mashatile thanked the Commissioners and  Representatives of the Griqua Royal House for attending to the matters raised in the most cordial fashion and for their commitment to promoting and preserving institutions of Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership in South Africa.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe and Senior Government Officials.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Thursday, 04 to Saturday, 06 September 2025 , conduct an oversight visit the Western Cape Province, in the Overberg District, with the aim of showcasing government efforts to fast-track the Land Reform Programme, supporting community development initiatives, and leading a national initiative launched to promote cleaner and healthier urban and rural environments through community participation. 

Deputy President Mashatile who also chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform and Agriculture, has prioritised the undertaking of outreach visits to communities and areas which have benefited from the government's Land Reform programme, to highlight the commitment to fast-track the land restitution and redistribution process, with the overall support for agricultural production and investment in the land.

On Thursday, 04 September, the Deputy President joined by the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso will visit the Klein Ezeljacht Farm 126, situated in the Theewaterskloof Local Municipality, Caledon. 

The farm which produces apples, pears, grain and livestock, was funded by government through the Land Development Support Programme and has managed to sustain many previously disadvantaged Farmers to reach their full production capacity, in terms of developing their agricultural enterprises, as well as ensuring that they are commercially viable.  

Deputy President Mashatile will then engage with the farming sector representatives with the aim of assessing the provision of farmer’ support to enhance agricultural productivity. These engagements provide a platform for government to play a meaningful role in providing support to emerging farmers in areas of training, mentorship, and financial assistance.  Through the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, government is committed to address the impediments for growth in the sector, such as lack of adequate access to funding and the prevailing impact of climate change on food security.

To further underscore government commitment to support the positive and important role played by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and their contribution to socio-economic development, Deputy President Mashatile will on Friday, 05 September , attend the Inaugural Charity Gala Dinner organised by Phawu Lethu Skills Development Training organisation, to be held at the Arabella Golf Course, Kleinmond, in the Overstrand Local Municipality.

Deputy President Mashatile as champion of Social Cohesion and Moral Regeneration initiatives in South Africa, has accepted Phawu Lethu’s invitation, in view of their commitment to support vulnerable communities affected by hunger, natural disasters, and poverty, thus restoring hope and dignity to those impacted by hardship.      

On Saturday, 06 September, Deputy President Mashatile will lead a Clean Cities and Towns campaign at the Zwelihle Township, in the Overstand Local Municipality, as part of fostering cleaner healthier and more sustainable urban and rural environment.

The campaign led by Deputy President Mashatile, supports the country’s developmental objectives by enhancing public health, safety, and infrastructure, and it encourages investments in green energy and innovative technologies to address environmental degradation.

The key focus of the campaign is to promote shared responsibility for clean, healthy spaces, encourage friendly competition among municipalities and mobilise community participation and ownership of public spaces.

Overstrand is home to one of the world’s best land-based whale watching destinations in Hermanus, drawing thousands of local and international tourists each year. The region also boasts Blue Flag beaches, marine conservation areas, and renowned fynbos biodiversity, forming part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Ecotourism, adventure tourism, and wine tourism are all strong contributors to the Overberg local economy.

Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mr Mzwanele Nyhontso, Minister of Tourism, Ms Patricia de Lille, Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation, Mr David Mahlobo, and the Mayor of the Overstrand Local Municipality, Cllr Archie Klaas, as well as senior government officials.   

Members of the media are invited to cover as follows:
Date: Thursday, 04 to Saturday, 06 September 2025
Venue: Overberg District, Western Cape Province 
 
Media Programme
Thursday, 04 September 2025 – Land Reform Outreach 
09h00: Arrival of the Deputy President and delegation at the Municipal Council Chambers, Theewaterskloof Municipality in Villiersdorp
10h00: Site visit of the Theewaterskloof Dam
10h50: Farm Visit and Tour of the Klein Ezeljacht Farm near Villiersdorp
11h35: Stakeholder Engagement with the farming sector representatives (on-site at Klein Ezeljacht farm)

Friday, 05 September 2025 – Phawu Lethu Gala Dinner
17h30: Keynote address by the Deputy President at the Phawu Lethu Charity 
Venue: Gala-Dinner Arabella Hotel & Golf Estate, Kleinmond, Hermanus

Saturday, 06 September 2025 – Clean Cities and Towns Campaign (Overstrand Local Municipality)
08h30: Arrival of the Deputy President at Overstrand Local Municipality (Mayor’s Office)
09h30: Deputy President Mashatile leads community cleaning activities at the Zwelihle Township, Ward 05 & 12  
11h15: Deputy President and entourage arrive at Sports Ground and embark on the planting of trees (Ward 06)
11h50: Community feedback session at Zwelihle Community Hall 
13h00: Media Door-stop  

For more information and accreditation, please contact Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251 or Tshiamo Selomo on 066 118 1505.

Media enquiries: Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to Deputy President Mashatile, on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

To the entire Moiloa Family, Comrades and Friends.

I would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to you, on behalf of the African National Congress, the Office of the Deputy President in the South African Government and on my behalf, on the passing of former Gauteng MEC Dikgang Uhuru Moiloa, with whom I served in the trenches in the struggle for liberation and in the work of rebuilding and reconstructing South Africa after the fall of apartheid.

I extend condolences also to his many his comrades and political peers, as well as to the communities he served diligently. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the West Rand of Gauteng and at his ancestral home in Lehurutse, in the North West Province.

Like many activists of our time, our political paths with Cde Uhuru followed a similar pattern, where our  relationship with Uhuru was forged in the trenches of our struggle for liberation. We both spent our youthful days in the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), sharpening our tools in the fierce battles with apartheid in the United Democratic Front (UDF), and continued into the halls of our democratic government, where we never lost our collective commitment to freeing and building the democratic nation of South Africa.

At the height of his political leadership, Cde Uhuru served with honour and dedicated vigour as MEC for Housing in the Gauteng Provincial Government, where he so ably took up the mantle of this critical portfolio of building a decent shelter for our people, that I once held. 

In that role, Cde Uhuru’s profound love for his people, his passion for community development, and his dedication to building critical infrastructure shone through in the programmes whose implementation he led. He was a true champion for the poor and marginalised, working tirelessly to restore the dignity that apartheid had stripped away.

While his unmistakable and commanding baritone voice will be heard no more in our meetings and gatherings, our hearts and memories are filled with the powerful legacy he leaves behind—a legacy of service, struggle, and tangible change.

We once again wish to convey our condolences on his departure!

Robala ka Kagiso Senatla sa Dinatla!

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late Ambassador Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, former Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces and a long-serving diplomat, will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 on Saturday, 6 September 2025.

Ambassador Mahlangu passed away at the age of 72 on 24 August 2025, on his way to a South African hospital after a short illness.

Ambassador Mahlangu served as the High Commissioner of South Africa to the Republic of Kenya; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Somalia, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON).

President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the Mahlangu Family as well as the many colleagues, comrades and associates with whom Ambassador Mahlangu engaged during his distinguished career.

Ambassador Mahlangu was instrumental in the drafting of South Africa’s democratic Constitution and served in the first Parliament.

President Ramaphosa has declared that Ambassador Mahlangu will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 which will entail ceremonial honours performed by the South African Police Service.

The funeral will take place at Middelburg, Mpumalanga.

The President has also directed that the National Flag be half-masted at all flag stations from tomorrow morning, Saturday, 30 August 2025, until the evening of the funeral on Saturday, 6 September 2025.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Your Excellency and Dear Brother, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe;
First Vice President Honourable General Chiwenga;
Second Vice President Honourable Colonel Mohadi;
Ministers,;
Mayor of Harare, Cllr Jacob Mafume;
President of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society, Mr Ngoni Kudenga;
Representatives from business and agriculture in Zimbabwe and South Africa;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;

Good morning.

It is a great pleasure to be here. 

Mr President, allow me to congratulate you on the opening of this year’s Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.

Over the 130 years since its founding, the value and importance of this agricultural show has endured and grown. 

This premier event has weathered strong headwinds: political, economic and increasingly ecological. 

Even amidst these challenges, a constant feature of this show has been the commitment to use agriculture as a catalyst for economic growth, sustainable development and historical redress. 

On independence in 1980, the new democratic government of Zimbabwe had to take on the momentous task of dismantling colonial-era patterns of land ownership. 

Most of the country’s commercially productive land and large-scale commercial farms were owned by whites. The black majority was confined to communal lands and all but completely excluded from commercial farming. 

This mirrored our own experience in South Africa. 

It was therefore essential – for both historical redress and food security, development and economic growth – that the government embarked on ambitious reforms to facilitate the entry of black Zimbabweans into productive agriculture, including support to small-scale farmers. 

Agriculture is a cornerstone of the Zimbabwean economy.

We congratulate the government of Zimbabwe for the measures it is taking to revive the country’s agricultural sector through policy reforms, investment in irrigation and mechanisation, and empowering large- and small-scale farmers. 

We know that the agricultural sector has been heavily affected by the growing impacts of the changing climate. 

Severe drought has impacted crop yields in recent years. 

Adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change are an imperative for all nations. Collaboration among countries is critical to the success of these efforts. 

Biosecurity is another area in which we must step up our cooperation. 

Outbreaks of foot and mouth disease, avian or bird flu, crop infections and others, call on us to pool our resources and strengthen our collaboration, including through our respective research institutions. 

Technological trends in agriculture must be fully embraced to increase output and conserve resources. 

By way of example, geo-spacial agriculture using earth observation and Artificial Intelligence has started to feature in some sectors of agriculture in South Africa and Zimbabwe. 

Such innovation will be key as we collectively build resilience in pursuit of food security. 

It will also help to make our industries more competitive in the global trading market and to make use of the substantial opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

President Mnangagwa and I recently attended the SADC Summit in Madagascar, where agricultural transformation in the region was a major point of discussion. 

The hosting of this Agriculture Show resonates with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, which seeks to improve domestic production and marketing as well as the facilitation of regional trade in food staples. 

Agricultural cooperation is key to sustaining jobs. 

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, agriculture accounts for between 60 and 80 percent of employment in the region. 

We must therefore work towards a more enabling regulatory environment to further boost this sector. 

We need increased investment in small and medium farming entities, particularly those owned and run by women and the youth. 

I call on the private sectors in both Zimbabwe and South Africa to use this show to explore avenues for great collaboration that will result in more trade and investment across our borders. 

We need investment in the provision of seeds, training, irrigation schemes, storage facilities and in agro-processing. 

The development of road, rail and aviation infrastructure is a key catalyst to take agriculture to an even higher level. 

Your Excellency, Mr President, 

As I conclude, I wish to once again thank you and the people of Zimbabwe for the warm welcome you have accorded us. 

I extend my warmest congratulations to the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society for successfully organising this edition of the agricultural show and to everyone present here today for ensuring that the show is a resounding success. 

I thank you. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today 29 August 2025 arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe, at the invitation of His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, for a working visit to Zimbabwe and to participate, as a Guest of Honour, in the Official Opening of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.

The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show is an annual event organised by the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society to facilitate and promote agricultural development in the country. 

This year, the show will be celebrating its 130th Anniversary since its founding in 1895 and will run under the theme “Building Bridging: Connecting Agriculture, Industry and Commerce”. 

In 2024, the show attracted 570 exhibitors including thirteen (13) international exhibitors. About 230 000 visitors visited the show last year.

The visit will also provide the President with an opportunity to solidify the cordial relations that exist between South Africa and Zimbabwe, particularly in the economic sector. 

The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show will also help promote intra-regional trade and economic integration within the SADC region. 

Zimbabwe is one of South Africa’s main trading partners in the SADC region. In 2024, South Africa exported R 69,21 billion worth of goods and merchandise to Zimbabwe compared to R 57,5 billion in 2023. 

Vegetables were the main exports and contributed R11,9 billion to the total exports to Zimbabwe. 

In terms of imports, in 2024, South Africa imported R5,4 billion worth of goods and merchandise from Zimbabwe compared to R R4,4billion in 2023. 

Over 120 South African companies are doing business in Zimbabwe in various sectors including, among others, mining, aviation, tourism, banking, property, retail, construction and fast food.

Former Presidents Nelson Mandela graced this event as Guests of Honour on 26 August 1994. 

During the working visit, President Ramaphosa will be supported by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, and senior government officials. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria