Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has emphasised that the success of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) hinges on whether strategic policies like Vision 2050 can directly improve daily life across the bloc’s 16 member nations.

The Minister delivered the opening remarks at the Public Lecture delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the University of KwaZulu-Natal on Friday.

SADC’s Vision 2050 calls for pathways towards solidarity, equality and shared prosperity, and at the heart of it all are the people of Southern Africa and their aspirations.

“SADC is not simply an institutional arrangement between governments. At its heart, SADC is about the people. It is about the young person in Lusaka, Maputo, Gaborone, Harare, Maseru, Mbabane, Windhoek, Luanda, Antananarivo, Lilongwe, Kinshasa, Victoria, Moroni, Dar es Salaam or here in Durban, who wants access to education, decent work, affordable energy, reliable connectivity and the opportunity to build a better future.

“It is about a farmer who needs access to regional markets. It is about an entrepreneur who wants to trade beyond national borders. It is about communities that require reliable infrastructure, food security and climate resilience; and it is about our collective responsibility to ensure that peace, stability and development become tangible realities in the daily lives of our citizens. 

“This is why SADC Vision 2050 matters,” she said.

Regional solidarity

Ntshavheni acknowledged that moving from policy commitments to the implementation of Vision 2050 faces challenges, as countries in the regional bloc continue to “confront unemployment and inequality, food and energy insecurity, infrastructure deficits, climate change, public health challenges and pressures on national and regional fiscal capacity”.

Internationally, myriad challenges also abound with a rapidly changing environment fraught with geopolitical tensions, geo-economic fragmentation, technological disruption and climate-related shock, which have reshaped the global economy.

This, Ntshavheni insisted, is where regional solidarity comes in.

“These developments remind us of an important lesson, that no SADC Member State can fully secure its prosperity in isolation. 

“Our economies, our security, our infrastructure, our food systems and increasingly our digital spaces are interconnected. Our response must, therefore, also be collective and we must recognise our common destiny.”

Pressing further, the Minister highlighted that regional solidarity is “not merely a political principle”.

“It is an economic and strategic necessity. Equality requires that regional integration must create opportunities that are accessible to all, particularly women, young people, rural communities and those who have historically been excluded from economic opportunity. 

“Shared prosperity requires that the benefits of regional integration are translated into productive economies, decent livelihoods, stronger communities and a better quality of life across the region,” she explained.

The core pillars of Vision 2050 are:
•    Industrial development and market integration.
•    Infrastructure development in support of regional integration.
•    Social and human capital development.

With these in mind, Ntshavheni urged those in attendance to ask difficult questions about building regional value chains, facilitating trade across borders, investing in infrastructure, preparing young people for future skills, harnessing digital technologies and measuring progress in ways that allow “citizens to experience the impact of regional integration.

“Our task today is not simply to celebrate Vision 2050. It is to interrogate it, strengthen it and, most importantly, consider how we can accelerate its implementation.

“As we commence this important programme, let us remember that 2050 is not only a destination on a distant horizon. It is being shaped by the decisions we make today — the infrastructure we build today, the young people we educate today, the industries we establish today, the institutions we strengthen today, the partnerships we forge today, and the choices we make today about solidarity, inclusion and shared prosperity,” Ntshavheni concluded.

The 46th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community will kick off this Sunday in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. – SAnews.gov.za

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Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong has called on South Africans to honour the country’s liberation history while continuing to work towards a better future.

Morolong officially launched the Milestones of Freedom campaign in Mpumalanga on Friday.

Speaking at the provincial launch in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality in the Gert Sibande District, Morolong said the campaign was an opportunity to reflect on the country’s journey since the advent of democracy in 1994.

The campaign, launched nationally by President Cyril Ramaphosa in June, is being held under the theme, “Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future” and commemorates four significant milestones: 30 years since the adoption of the Constitution, 50 years since the 1976 youth uprising, 70 years since the 1956 Women’s March and 60 years since the forced removals from District Six. 

Morolong used the occasion to honour anti-apartheid activists, whose names and legacies are closely linked to Mpumalanga, including Gert Sibande, Nokuthula Simelane and Nomoya Christina Masilela.

He described Gert Sibande, known as the “Lion of the East”, as a grassroots leader, who fought for the rights of farm workers and African communities. Sibande was among 156 anti-apartheid leaders arrested and charged with treason in 1956.

Morolong also remembered Nokuthula Simelane, who was abducted, tortured and killed by members of the apartheid-era Security Branch in 1983 at the age of 23.

He called for truth, accountability and justice for those implicated in Simelane’s murder and other apartheid-era crimes. Morolong said the judicial commission of inquiry –established by President Ramaphosa to determine whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes — demonstrated government’s commitment to helping families who have waited years for justice.

Women and life in Mpumalanga 

The Deputy Minister also highlighted the role of women in the liberation struggle, honouring Nomoya Christina Masilela, who was killed by apartheid security forces in 1985. He said the Nomoya Masilela Museum and the Nomoya Masilela Cultural Precinct play an important role in preserving the history of the liberation struggle.

Morolong said the campaign would also provide an opportunity to reflect on progress made in Mpumalanga since 1994.

The Deputy Minister pointed to improvements in education and access to basic services, while acknowledging that significant challenges remain.

The 2025 General Household Survey showed that 91.3% of people aged five and older in Mpumalanga attended school. More than 80% of learners in Mpumalanga and several other provinces also benefited from school nutrition programmes at public schools.

However, Morolong said continued challenges, including electricity interruptions, reliance on traditional fuels, such as wood for cooking and gaps in access to services, showed that the work of transformation was not complete.

Land restitution 

Land restitution was another focus of the address, with Morolong linking the progress made since 1994 to the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the forced removals from District Six.

He said that by last year March, 83 205 land claims had been settled nationally, restoring 3.9 million hectares of land to dispossessed communities and individuals since 1995.

He also highlighted the recent handover of land and title deeds to the Mtshoeni/Mtsweni family in Mpumalanga. The family’s land claim involved 18 households and 86 beneficiaries, and covered more than 627 hectares.

The associated Communal Property Association is using the restored land for maize and soybean cultivation and livestock farming. Government has provided more than R16.5 million in post-settlement support for livestock farming, grain production and skills development.

Women’s Month

Morolong said such initiatives demonstrated that freedom should be reflected not only in symbolism, but also in restored land, dignity and economic opportunity.

The launch also took place during Women’s Month, with Morolong highlighting progress in women’s political representation and economic empowerment since 1994.

Women now make up approximately 43.5% of Members of Parliament, while women occupy the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. Of the 75 members of the Executive, 32 are women, including 14 Cabinet Ministers and 18 Deputy Ministers.

He also noted the appointment of Justice Mandisa Maya in 2024 as South Africa’s first female Chief Justice and government’s 40% public procurement target for women-owned businesses.

Despite these advances, Morolong said women continued to face poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence and femicide, unequal economic opportunities, limited land ownership, underrepresentation in leadership and the digital divide.

Education

The Deputy Minister further honoured the youth of 1976, saying their resistance helped expose the brutality of apartheid and inspired resistance across South Africa.

He highlighted improvements in education since 1994, including the rise in the matric pass rate from 58% in 1994 to 88% in 2025, the highest since the dawn of democracy.

Morolong said more than two-thirds of bachelor passes in 2025 were achieved by learners from previously disadvantaged schools. He also pointed to the expansion of access to higher education through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, which has funded more than five million students up to the 2025/26 financial year.

Reflections 

For Mpumalanga MEC for Transport Thulasizwe Thomo, said that the launch in Bethal provides a powerful setting for reflecting on the meaning of freedom. 

The town’s history brings together the struggles of farm workers, political activists and young people who stood against apartheid injustice.

“To speak about the liberation history of Mpumalanga without speaking about Bethal would therefore be to leave out an important part of the province’s contribution to the broader struggle for freedom in South Africa,” Thomo said.

Closing his address, Morolong said South Africa’s journey from apartheid to democracy had been long and difficult, but that the country’s transformation remained an ongoing process.

He urged South Africans to use the Milestones of Freedom Campaign to remember those who fought for democracy, recognise the progress made since 1994 and remain committed to delivering a future that benefits all citizens. – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa’s drive to build sustainable, inclusive and resilient human settlements has received a major boost with the launch of a dedicated UN-Habitat Country Office in the country.

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane and UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach officially launched the office in the City of Tshwane, Gauteng, on Friday, marking a new chapter in the longstanding partnership between South Africa and the United Nations agency.

Simelane described the establishment of the country office as a significant step towards strengthening efforts to transform human settlements, upgrade informal settlements and advance sustainable urbanisation.

She said the office would help integrate sustainable urbanisation and human settlements development into the broader United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, while providing additional support to South Africa’s national priorities.

Through its collaboration with UN-Habitat, South Africa has gained international recognition for its efforts to provide adequate housing and upgrade informal settlements.

“With the unwavering support of UN-Habitat, our country stands as a vocal champion for the transformation and upgrading of informal settlements, addressing poverty, ensuring adequate shelter, and delivering essential services to our people,” Simelane said.

Established in 1975, UN-Habitat supports transformative change in cities and human settlements around the world through knowledge sharing, policy advice, technical assistance and collaborative action.

Simelane said the UN-Habitat Country Programme for South Africa, adopted in September 2023 following extensive consultations with stakeholders in the human settlements sector, is aligned with the country’s national priorities and government’s constitutional mandate to provide adequate housing.

The programme is aligned with the National Development Plan, particularly Chapter 8 on transforming human settlements and Chapter 12 on building safer communities.

It also supports the Medium-Term Development Plan 2024-2029, particularly Priority 2, which focuses on reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living.

“The Country Programme offers additional impetus, guidance, and support from UN-Habitat to augment the implementation of policies and initiatives related to spatial integration, the development of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient human settlements, and capacity-building within local government,” Simelane said.

She said the programme further supports the Comprehensive Plan for the Creation of Sustainable Human Settlements, which seeks to provide adequate living environments and shelter for all through the transformation of informal settlements and improvement of substandard housing conditions.

Strengthening regional cooperation

Beyond supporting South Africa’s domestic human settlements agenda, Simelane said the partnership with UN-Habitat could help strengthen the continent’s urban development agenda and contribute to the implementation of Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want.

“It serves as a springboard for establishing a Southern African Development Community (SADC) consolidated agenda on human settlements, thereby filling a critical gap in current SADC regional development programmes,” she said.

The launch builds on several years of cooperation between South Africa and UN-Habitat.

In October 2022, the then Human Settlements Minister hosted former UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif. The visit resulted in the adoption of the Global Action Plan on Accelerating the Transformation of Informal Settlements and Slums.

The two sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda in South Africa.

Discussions during the visit included plans to establish a dedicated UN-Habitat Country Office.

Simelane said the newly launched office would now provide a stronger platform for collaboration between government, UN-Habitat, other United Nations agencies, development partners and stakeholders across the human settlements sector.

The Country Programme seeks to:

• Strengthen collaboration between government, UN-Habitat, UN agencies, development partners and other human settlements stakeholders;
• Promote integrated and cross-sectoral urban interventions that accelerate progress towards national and global development goals;
• Capture lessons and global best practices to inform new partnerships and programmes;
• Identify contextual challenges and opportunities and develop catalytic solutions rooted in international experience and local realities, and
• Strengthen the capacity of national and subnational institutions to improve urban management and development.

Simelane called on all stakeholders to use the new platform to deepen their commitment to creating human settlements where communities can live safely, inclusively and with dignity.

“Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to the vision of sustainable, inclusive, prosperous human settlements and leave no one behind,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for greater investment in young people, women, health and social development as Southern Africa works towards the realisation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Vision 2050.

Addressing a Public Lecture at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Westville Campus, on Friday, President Ramaphosa said the region’s young and growing population represents its greatest strategic asset, but warned that this potential would only become a demographic dividend through deliberate and sustained investment.

More than half of SADC’s population is under the age of 30, making the creation of economic opportunities for young people essential to the region’s stability, cohesion and long-term development.

“Our population is young and growing. More than half the people of this Community are under the age of 30. This is our greatest strategic asset. It is the engine of our region’s future,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said youth unemployment remains one of the most serious threats facing countries in the region and one of the biggest obstacles to the attainment of Vision 2050.

“Youth unemployment is one of the gravest threats to the stability, cohesion and progress of every country in our Community, and it is one of the foremost obstacles to the realisation of Vision 2050,” he said.

He said young people across the region are acquiring qualifications but are struggling to find employment, underscoring the need to link education and skills development to economic opportunities. 

“Across this region are young people who did everything that was asked of them. They stayed in school. They passed. They borrowed money to study. Many graduated, but now too many young people sit at home with a qualification and no employment,” President Ramaphosa said. 

He said schools, universities, technical and vocational colleges and research institutions had a critical role to play in developing the skills required for the future economy.

Investing from early childhood

President Ramaphosa said investment in human capital needs to begin well before young people entered tertiary education or the workplace.

He warned that childhood deprivation, particularly stunting, could have lifelong consequences.

“A child whose growth is stunted carries that loss for a lifetime. No university can adequately undo it. No industrial policy can properly compensate for it,” he said.

Under the Human and Social Capital Development pillar of Vision 2050, he called for greater investment in maternal health, early nutrition and basic services.

“We must ensure that all children have food, water and shelter, that they are kept safe and that their development needs are met,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said the region also needed to invest in digital literacy and health services for adolescents, while addressing barriers including child marriage, teenage pregnancy and the digital divide affecting young people in rural areas.

“Each of the barriers we remove adds to the productive capacity of our economies,” he said.

Regional health security

President Ramaphosa said Vision 2050 could not be achieved without a healthy population and called for a harmonised regional health system.

“We seek a harmonised regional health system, in which the standard of care a person receives does not depend on which side of a border they happen to live,” he said.

He expressed concern over the continued burden of maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent deaths in the region, many of which he said were preventable.

The President also called for SADC Member States to strengthen health financing, including through the commitments made under the Abuja Declaration to allocate at least 15 percent of national budgets to healthcare.

“The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that no one is safe until everyone is safe. It taught us that disease does not respect borders.

“As a region, we must engage robustly – with one voice – in the reform of the global health architecture.”

He said the withdrawal of official development assistance has also highlighted the need for greater health security and sovereignty within the region.

Women’s economic participation and safety

President Ramaphosa said meaningful regional integration would not be possible without the full participation of women.

“Vision 2050 makes the fundamental point that there can be no meaningful regional integration if it leaves out half of our people,” he said.

He highlighted barriers that continue to affect women entrepreneurs, including limited access to productive assets, finance, markets and procurement opportunities.

President Ramaphosa also placed gender-based violence and femicide among the challenges that must be confronted if the region is to achieve equality.

“Yet there can be no equality between women and men for as long as women are not safe,” he said.

He called for a comprehensive regional response, including stronger laws, improved prosecutions, support for survivors and economic empowerment of women.

He said prevention must also focus on men and boys.

“As a Community, we must be clear that prevention does not begin with women.

“It begins with the men and the boys in our homes, our schools, our churches, our workplaces and our taverns, who must be raised to reject violence and abuse,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

Migration and regional solidarity 

President Ramaphosa also addressed migration and discrimination against nationals from other SADC countries, warning that exclusion was incompatible with the principles of regional integration.

“We cannot preach integration at summits and practise exclusion in our streets,” he said.

He expressed concern about the discrimination and ill-treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa and said the region needed to confront the conditions that drive migration.

“We seek a region where people move out of choice, not out of desperation,” President Ramaphosa said.

He called for greater cooperation in addressing conflict, instability, governance failures, poverty and social discord, alongside efforts to create equal economic opportunities and inclusive governance institutions. 

Peace remains fundamental

President Ramaphosa said none of the region’s development ambitions could be achieved without peace and stability.

“None of what we seek for our region is achievable without peace. Investment does not flow where there is conflict. People’s basic social needs cannot be provided for in a war zone. An economic corridor cannot operate where territory is contested,” he said.

He described the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as the “gravest test” of the region’s collective resolve, noting the displacement of millions of people and the deployment of SADC soldiers in support of peace and stability.

He also welcomed progress in Mozambique’s Inclusive National Dialogue and referred to SADC’s efforts to support processes in Madagascar.

“Our task is not to prescribe outcomes to the people of any Member State. It is to hold open the space within which they may determine their own,” he said.

Climate resilience

The President said climate change presented another major challenge to the attainment of Vision 2050, with the region increasingly experiencing droughts, cyclones and floods.

He warned that climate shocks could result in reduced harvests, lower exports, pressure on currencies, higher living costs and increased hunger.

“Resilience must therefore be built into our every endeavour,” he said.

President Ramaphosa called for the strengthening of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre so that the region could respond more rapidly to disasters.

“We must act before a disaster strikes, rather than scramble for assistance after it,” he said.

He also called for a common regional position on loss and damage and greater coordination in international climate negotiations.

‘Vision 2050 is yours’

President Ramaphosa concluded by placing the responsibility for the region’s future firmly in the hands of its young people.

He returned to the vision of Pixley ka Isaka Seme, whose 1906 speech, The Regeneration of Africa, imagined a continent transformed through education, science, commerce and human development.

President Ramaphosa said the “brighter day” imagined by Seme should now be understood in practical terms, including regional manufacturing, integrated infrastructure, youth entrepreneurship and opportunities for every child.

“There are many students in this hall today.

“The Southern Africa of 2050 we have described will not be run by those of us who will take our seats at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in the coming days.

“It will be run by you, the youth of our region,” he said.

President Ramaphosa told young people that Vision 2050 belonged to them and that they had the right to hold current leaders accountable for its implementation.

“Vision 2050 is not our document. It is yours, and you are entitled to demand an account of what we did with it,” he said.

He said the renewal of Africa was no longer simply an aspiration, but a programme of work with actions, responsibilities and deadlines.

“The renewal of our continent is achievable. The realisation of our vision for Southern Africa is within our means,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

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