Category: South Africa Government

South Africa has been elected to serve a two-year term on the African Union’s (AU) Peace and Security Council.

AU member states elected South Africa to the council during the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU’s Executive Council.

According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), South Africa was elected alongside Lesotho to represent Southern Africa on the council.

On the election, DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola said: “To achieve the goals of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, we have to exert more efforts on peace making and peacebuilding in our continent”.

South Africa will serve on the council from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028. 

“The Republic of South Africa thanks the AU Member States for their confidence and reaffirms its commitment to work constructively with the entire membership of the AUPSC [African Union Peace and Security Council] in addressing the many peace and security challenges that bedevil our continent.

“The continent continues to grapple with issues such as unconstitutional changes of government, a recurring trend since 2020, which persists until today; and terrorism and violent extremism that has resulted in killings and maiming of thousands of innocent civilians.

“It is in this context that South Africa’s term on the PSC will be guided by its foreign policy which prioritises the African continent’s peace, stability and development,” DIRCO said on Wednesday.

South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to “contributing to a continent that is peaceful, prosperous and embodies pan-African ideals”.

“This commitment is evident in the numerous peace and security initiatives in which South Africa has participated and continues to engage, including its role as interim Chair of the Southern African Development Community.

“South Africa will advocate for peaceful conflict resolution, inclusive dialogue and negotiations, aimed at supporting conflicting parties in finding durable solutions,” the department added. – SAnews.gov.za

By Moahlodi Maphori 

The stabilisation of water supply in Gauteng remains a priority for government as it implements infrastructure upgrades, system balancing and accelerates investment in new storage capacity.

On Thursday, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Penny Majodina, alongside Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, Deputy Minister of COGTA, Dr Dickson Namane Masemola, Gauteng MEC of COGTA, David Mamabolo and Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero conducted an oversight visit to key water infrastructure sites in Midrand. 

The visit formed part of government’s response to the ongoing water supply challenges in Midrand and surrounding areas, where residents have experienced intermittent water supply linked to system pressure constraints, high demand and ageing infrastructure.

 Early‑morning inspections at strategic reservoirs

The oversight programme began at Errand in Midrand, where political principals and city officials received a technical briefing on the current operational status of the local water supply system.

An inspection was conducted at the Johannesburg Grand Central Water Tower in Glen Austin, a critical component of the area’s distribution network. 

The delegation also received an overview of how the system functions under pressure, particularly the role of elevation in determining which areas receive water during periods of constrained supply.

The ministerial delegation proceeded to the President’s Park Reservoir, where further assessments were conducted on the reservoir’s contribution to supply stability in Midrand. 

Officials indicated that the interconnected nature of the system requires careful management to ensure equitable distribution across affected suburbs.

Another identified challenge was that lower‑lying reservoirs and towers tend to receive water more consistently, while elevated areas become vulnerable during system strain, underscoring the need for improved balancing and additional storage capacity.

New reservoirs in Carlswald

As part of long-term interventions to address Midrand’s water supply issues, the ministerial team visited a building site in the Carlswald area where two new reservoirs are currently being built. 

It is anticipated that the new reservoirs will boost system resilience and storage capacity, especially during times of high demand or operational interruptions. When complete, the infrastructure will facilitate improved pressure control and shorten supply outages’ duration and frequency. 

Minister Majodina said government was concentrating on structural solutions that would sustain water supply in quickly expanding metropolitan areas, like Midrand, rather than relying solely on temporary fixes. 

“The goal of these investments is to future-proof the system and make sure that communities are not repeatedly affected by water disruptions,” she said.

Cooperative governance at the centre of interventions

The visit highlighted the importance of coordination between national departments, municipalities and water entities in resolving water challenges. 

Minister Hlabisa emphasised that water security remains a key service delivery priority and that improved coordination between spheres of government is essential to prevent infrastructure failures from escalating into community crises.

Mayor Morero reaffirmed the City of Johannesburg’s commitment to accelerating maintenance, addressing leaks, and ensuring that new infrastructure projects are delivered on time. 

The city is investing in major infrastructure upgrades in the Brixton, Crosby, and Hursthill supply districts, including the construction of new reservoirs, the installation of modern pump stations, and the refurbishment of ageing infrastructure.

Reassurance to residents

Government has assured residents that work is underway to stabilise supply in Midrand, while longer‑term projects, including the Carlswald reservoirs, are working towards completion.

As government works to make the system stronger and more reliable, residents have been encouraged to use water sparingly and to report leaks and infrastructure failures to municipal authorities in the city.

The oversight visit signalled government’s commitment to ensure that water, as a basic service and constitutional right, is accessible to all members of the public. – SAnews.gov.za

As anticipation builds ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), leaders from government, the science industry, media and business gathered at NASDAK in Cape Town for a pre-SONA media networking session that placed storytelling, social cohesion and national branding firmly in the spotlight. 

Framed around the theme: “Post-pandemic and elections: Media, social cohesion and national branding”, the panel discussion brought together Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Acting Director-General Nomonde Mnukwa; Managing Director of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), Pontsho Maruping; Chief Financial Officer at Kagiso Tiso Holdings, Tshepo Setshedi, and Managing Director of East Coast Radio, Mzuvele Mthethwa.

At the heart of the conversation was the pressing question: how can media help unite South Africans in a time marked by global uncertainty, rapid digital transformation and the aftershocks of both the pandemic and recent elections?

Media as a driver of social cohesion

Setting the tone of the engagement on Wednesday, Mnukwa underscored the powerful and regulated space in which South Africa’s media operates.

“When you look at the South African landscape, broadcasting and media occupy a significant space. We operate in a regulated environment, where we observe free speech and access to information, while ensuring balance, fairness and accountability.” 

She highlighted how media can promote shared interests across race and geography, drawing on examples such as the “KZN Unite” campaign during the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal. Competing media houses aligned their messaging to focus on verified information and collective identity during the national crisis.

Similarly, during times of disaster and relief efforts, trusted platforms helped convert emotional responses into democratic participation, mobilising citizens across racial and social lines to contribute towards recovery efforts.

“These are examples of social capital and trust. Where there are events addressing common interests, media and government must come together to ensure social cohesion,” Mnukwa said.

Learning from science: Evidence, verification and trust

Bringing a scientific lens to the discussion, Maruping explained how the methods of science, hypothesis, testing, peer review and correction offer valuable lessons for media credibility.

“In science, you start with a hypothesis, you test it, you invite peer review and, if necessary, you correct it before presenting your findings.

“There’s a level of convergence with how people should trust media. Transparency about sources, evidence and verification builds confidence,” she said. 

She argued that increasing transparency around how stories are verified, and allowing space for differing views grounded in evidence can strengthen public trust in journalism.

Maruping also made a passionate call for greater visibility of South African scientific excellence. From groundbreaking radio astronomy discoveries to advanced predictive election models developed by local scientists, she said the country’s innovation is often underreported domestically, even when it makes international front pages.

“I want South Africans to read about those stories and understand what they mean. If we can build the most sensitive radio telescope receivers in the world, what else can we do?” 

Maruping said science can also play a vital role in combating misinformation by providing verifiable, non-political evidence to counter false claims.

Confronting misinformation in the digital age 

The rise of social media and the speed at which misinformation spreads featured prominently in the discussion.

Mthethwa stressed that credible media houses cannot afford to be absent in digital spaces.

“Our job is to be present, driving the narrative that media can be credible and trusted. Accuracy is more important than speed. It’s not about breaking news first; it’s about breaking news that is accurate and truthful,” he said.

He called for stronger user education to help the public identify fake pages and unverified sources, while also urging commitment to ethical journalism and accountability across the industry. 

Mnukwa reinforced the legal implications of spreading false information, reminding the audience that under the Cybercrimes Act, spreading misinformation is a criminal offence.

“Before you puff and pass, ask yourself: Is it true? Does it cause reputational damage?” she said, encouraging attendees to use their personal networks to raise awareness about responsible information sharing.

Mthethwa further proposed proactive measures such as incorporating social media literacy into school curricula to equip young people with the skills to navigate both the benefits and dangers of digital platforms.

Nation branding and patriotic storytelling

A significant portion of the conversation focused on South Africa’s national brand and the role media plays in shaping it.

Mnukwa outlined government’s recently approved Nation Brand Repositioning Strategy, describing it as a collective effort that requires participation from all South Africans.

“We have a country that belongs to all of us. It is the future of our children and the next generations, and therefore, it needs to be protected and preserved,” she said.

She urged citizens to differentiate between legitimate criticism of government and pride in the country itself.

“We compete as nations in Africa, in the global South and globally. We need to be proud of ourselves,” she said, noting that South Africa is globally recognised for its landscapes and democratic values, yet often underestimates its own strengths.

Nation branding, she added, is not merely a government communication exercise, but a platform to promote inclusivity, explain policy choices and foster patriotism grounded in democratic participation.

Setshedi emphasised the importance of cross-sector partnerships in strengthening democratic resilience. Reflecting on collaboration during COVID-19, he noted how media and government worked together to share life-saving information clearly and consistently.

Such partnerships, he suggested, will be equally important in ensuring smooth and credible electoral processes in future.

Storytelling as a unifying force

In closing remarks, panellists returned to a central theme: storytelling.

Maruping urged the media to “figure out how to tell good stories” and to be confident that audiences want to hear about progress, innovation and achievement.

Mthethwa described radio as “the original social media”, highlighting its long-standing role in fostering connection, conversation and community are values that remain critical in a fragmented digital age.

Mnukwa concluded with a call for stronger relationships between media, government, science and business to develop solutions that position South Africa as a world leader.

“I do believe that solutions will come from South Africa, as always,” she said.

As the country looks forward to SONA, the NASDAK discussion served as a timely reminder that beyond policy pronouncements and political debate, the power of narrative grounded in evidence, ethics and national pride remains central to building a cohesive and confident South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy Minister in The Presidency Kenny Morolong has called on media practitioners and government communicators to uphold ethical, fact-based reporting in the build up to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA). 

Speaking at a media networking session on the eve of SONA, Morolong described the media as central to safeguarding democracy and strengthening social cohesion.

“As we gather here, we do so not merely as professionals but as custodians of our democracy, as architects of social cohesion and as stewards of our nation brand,” he said on Wednesday in Cape Town.

He noted that this year’s engagement takes place at a significant moment in the country’s democratic journey, marking 30 years of the Constitution, 25 years of democratic local government, and looking ahead to the 2026 Local Government Elections.

“These are not mere anniversaries. They are testament to the resilience of our democracy and the enduring power of a constitutional vision,” Morolong said.

Reflecting on the past three decades, the Deputy Minister acknowledged both progress and challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2024 General Elections, which he said tested not only the country’s health systems and economy, but also its communication systems and social cohesion.

“The 2024 elections marked a significant chapter in our democratic journey. It demonstrated the resilience of our democracy and the maturity of our political discourse. It also highlighted something profound — the critical role that public communication plays in facilitating democratic participation, in fostering informed debate and holding all those in power to account,” he said. 

Morolong emphasised that in a diverse society such as South Africa, the media carries a unique responsibility.

“In a nation as diverse and beautiful as ours, media is not just a conveyor of information. It is a mirror that reflects who we are and the window that shows us what we can become,” the Deputy Minister said. 

He urged media platforms to amplify diverse voices, challenge stereotypes, counter divisive narratives and foster a shared national identity, while maintaining robust debate that strengthens, rather than weakens, social bonds.

Addressing the role of digital platforms, Morolong described social media as “the double-edged sword of our lifetime.

“How do we ensure that the pursuit of likes, shares and followers does not come at the expense of the truth, accuracy and responsible communication? How do we harness the reach of influencers for nation building, while maintaining standards of credible information dissemination?” he asked.

He stressed that nation branding must be rooted in authenticity.

“Nation branding is not about creating false narratives and glossing over our challenges. It is about authentic storytelling that presents the full picture of who we are as a nation.”

Morolong warned of “deliberate attempts to damage South Africa’s international reputation” through false narratives and distorted representations, including exaggerated claims about violence and instability.

“These fabricated narratives, whether about widespread violence, alleged systematic persecution or grossly exaggerated accounts of crime and instability, have real consequences. They deter investment, undermine international confidence and most painfully, they erode the pride and hope of our citizens.” 

Morolong commended South African media practitioners for defending the country’s image through “rigorous fact checking and evidence-based reporting”. He described such work as “patriotism at its finest, not blind loyalty that ignores problems, but informed advocacy that defends truth while working to address genuine, systematic challenges”.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Local Government Elections, Morolong said local government remains the sphere where citizens most directly experience governance. He called for strengthened communication capacity at municipal level, support for community media, and improved media literacy to combat misinformation, particularly around electoral processes.

On the relationship between government and the media, Morolong said it should be neither adversarial nor compliant, but built on mutual respect, shared commitment to the truth and “recognition of our complementary roles in serving the public interest”. 

As President Ramaphosa is set to outline government’s programme of action in SONA, Morolong said effective communication will be key to ensuring that it resonates with the lived realities of citizens.

“Let us commit to fact-based reporting and communication that builds public trust, inclusive storytelling that reflects the full diversity of our nation, ethical use of digital platforms that prioritises truth over virality, constructive engagement between media and government that serve the public trust. 

“Our 30-year-old Constitution gave us the framework [and] our 25-year-old democratic local government brought governance closer to the people. Now, as we prepare for another round of Local Government Elections, we must ensure that our media landscape supports informed participation and strengthens the bonds of community,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni has called for accelerated industrialisation as the most decisive intervention to address South Africa’s persistently high youth unemployment rate, warning that without a focused reindustrialisation strategy, young people will continue to bear the brunt of economic stagnation.

Delivering the keynote address at the South African Youth Economic Council (SAYEC) 4th Annual Mining Indaba Business Dialogue in Cape Town on Wednesday evening, Ndabeni placed industrial growth at the centre of the country’s economic recovery agenda, particularly within the manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors.

“Unemployment is highest among younger age groups, particularly those entering the labour market for the first time. It is an uncomfortable truth and an untenable situation for our young people,” Ndabeni said.

Ndabeni pointed to countries outside South Africa as examples, noting that they have successfully reduced youth unemployment by expanding their industrial base.

“Looking outside of our country, nations that have successfully decreased youth unemployment have done so by expanding their industries, particularly in the manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors, which attract young people on a large scale, and many are embarking on the 24-hour shift.

“The decline of the industry in South Africa has severely impacted young people, resulting in diminished opportunities for stable, skills-based employment for young people. This decline requires sector specific industrialisation targets,” the Minister said.

Ndabeni also noted that in the early 1990s, manufacturing accounted for more than 22% of South Africa’s GDP. Today, she said that figure stands at approximately 12.8 – 13%.

She said employment within the sector has also plummeted, with jobs declining from over 2.1 million in 2008, to an estimated 1.6 to 1.7 million by 2024.

“Each percentage decrease in manufacturing output equates to thousands of lost or unrealised job opportunities, particularly for young individuals seeking their first employment,” Ndabeni said.

She stressed that social support programmes alone cannot resolve the unemployment crisis.

“Without a strategy of reindustrialisation, youth unemployment is likely to remain persistently high, regardless of the effectiveness of existing social programmes.”

Sector-specific targets and funding reform

Ndabeni said government is now shifting toward sector-specific industrialisation targets to reverse the decline.

She said her department is designing funding instruments aligned with sector forecasts to better support emerging industries and small businesses operating within high-growth value chains.

“That is why even my portfolio is designing funding instruments that are sector-forecast driven.” 

She emphasised the need for “real talk” engagement within the manufacturing sector and broader industrial ecosystem to accelerate implementation.

“We must no longer debate whether industrialisation, beneficiation and inclusive ownership are necessary. The task before us now is implementation, speed of execution and the discipline to get things done quickly and efficiently.

“This will quickly set us on a path of building an inclusive industrial economy, while addressing the stubborn challenge of unemployment,” the Minister said.

Beneficiation and energy security

The Minister linked reindustrialisation to the Mining Indaba’s sub-theme: “Building South Africa’s industrial economy, driving energy security, advancing critical minerals beneficiation and ensuring inclusive ownership”.

She argued that beneficiation of critical minerals presents a strategic opportunity to move South Africa up the value chain rather than remaining primarily a raw material exporter.

“If we industrialise effectively, we can build local manufacturing capacity around our mineral wealth, create downstream industries and unlock large-scale employment.” 

Energy security, the Minister said, remains a foundational pillar of any industrial expansion strategy, backed by reliable energy supply to support 24-hour manufacturing operations and restore investor confidence.

Ndabeni also called for urgent reforms to reduce red tape and reduce turnaround times for permits, licences, and access to funding.

She said faster decision-making and coordinated implementation across departments will determine whether industrial policy translates into tangible outcomes.

The Mining Indaba Business Dialogue is SAYEC’s flagship convening platform and forms part of engagements aligned to the Mining Indaba programme, placing young people at the centre of discussions on ownership, enterprise participation, and long-term sector transformation.

The dialogue brought together government, industry leaders, investors, and young people to engage on South Africa’s mining, oil, and gas sectors as key enablers of industrialisation, beneficiation, investment mobilisation, and inclusive economic growth. – SAnews.gov.za

The Cape Town City Hall stage is set, the final preparations are underway and the parliamentary gears are turning with one moment in sight: President Cyril Ramaphosa stepping up to the podium to deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) tonight.

The agenda-setting address will be held from 7pm tonight.

The event is held in terms of Section 42(5) of the Constitution and is a Joint Sitting of both the National Council of Provinces and the National Assembly.

“The State of the Nation Address (SONA) is an annual overview delivered by the President to mobilise all sectors of society to secure ongoing development in the country.

“The Joint Sitting provides an opportunity for the President to reflect on progress made, highlight key achievements, flag challenges, and outline government’s policy direction and programme of action for the year ahead,” the Presidency said.

The President is expected to highlight government’s priorities for the upcoming year.

“During SONA 2026, President Ramaphosa will outline interventions for the coming financial year, deliberating on South Africa’s domestic priorities, as well as the country’s continental and international relations.

“The State of the Nation Address remains an important national milestone, reinforcing the strength and resilience of South Africa’s constitutional democratic system,” the Presidency said.

SONA will be held at the Cape Town’s City Hall which sits adjacent to the Grand Parade – the site where former President Nelson Mandela first appeared after spending some 27 years in prison.

Members of Parliament, former Presidents, former presiding officers, members of the judiciary, among others, have been invited to the address.

Briefing the media this week, Parliament Secretary, Xolile George, revealed that the budget for SONA 2026 stands at just over R7 million.

“Largely, it’s driven by cost of hiring equipment that covers all the broadcasting and all costs around ensuring that our ICT infrastructure is fit for purpose. Those are consistent drivers of the costs. The city hall is not costing us a lot of money. 

“Last year we budget R15.5 million and we spent R12.3 million. Equipment alone was R9.1 million. Last year we had the component of hiring the ICC… a lot of our guests were host at ICC. This year, we have a marquee and that cost driver is taken up by Public Works.

“We are aiming to significantly reduce the costs of hosting SONA,” George said.

A moment to account

In a media briefing yesterday, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza explained that the SONA represents the formal opening of Parliament’s programme for the year.

“SONA…provides the anchor around which oversight, lawmaking, budget scrutiny and public participation are organised.

“It is the moment when the President accounts to the nation on progress made. He outlines priorities for the year and presents government’s programme of action. These commitments become the benchmark against which parliament measures executive performance…during the year,” Didiza explained.

Reflecting on the importance of the occasion, the speaker described SONA as more than a “ceremonial occasion”.

“It is a reaffirmation of the Parliamentary constitutional mandate to hold the executive to account, to legislate in the public interest, to facilitate meaningful public participation and to serve as platform for national dialogue.

“We want to assure South Africans that Parliament is operationally ready, institutionally focused and firmly committed to ensure that this State of the Nation Address sets the tone for a year of intensified oversight, responsive lawmaking and tangible delivery,” she said.

The SONA will be streamed live on the Presidency and Parliament social media channels, on television and on radio. – SAnews.gov.za

Correctional Services Deputy Minister Lindiwe Ntshalintshali says the opening of the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy at Drakenstein Correctional Facility is both a historic milestone and a powerful reminder of the country’s journey since 11 February 1990.

Ntshalintshali spoke to SAnews on Wednesday following the official opening of the academy by President Cyril Ramaphosa. She described the day as deeply significant for the Department of Correctional Services and the nation.

“Today, we started at the Mandela Museum House, where [Mandela] was [taken to] before his actual release, and we walked down memory lane, and our current President was part of the team of the release committee, which was negotiating with Madiba preparing for his final release,” Ntshalintshali said.

She said being at the historic house was a moving experience, particularly witnessing President Ramaphosa reflect on his own role during the negotiations that preceded Madiba’s release.

READ | New Nelson Mandela Rules Academy signals shift toward humanised corrections

“… This day, 11 February, is very significant,” she said of the day when President Nelson Mandela was released from prison.

Ntshalintshali welcomed the President’s emphasis on preserving the site as a living heritage space to make sure that the heritage site is kept alive and it attracts people, who will in turn learn a great deal about the country’s history.

Following the visit to the museum house, the delegation proceeded to the correctional facility, where a plaque was unveiled and the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy was officially opened. 

Ntshalintshali said it was an honour for the Department of Correctional Services to play its part in the preservation of South Africa’s history. She said the President’s acknowledgement of correctional officials’ work under challenging and often dangerous conditions was particularly meaningful.

Reflecting on the symbolic weight of the day, Ntshalintshali said the President’s remarks during the formal launch took those in attendance  on a journey from 1990 to the present. 

“… [The past] 36 years… have changed South Africa drastically,” she said, reflecting on how the social and economic landscape has changed.

Ntshalintshali used the occasion to call on South Africans not to forget the sacrifices that shaped the country’s democracy.

“I’m calling on all South Africans to say, ‘You dare not fail’ (sic). We are a product of a struggle. Never forget where you come from and never forget what shaped and moulded you,” she said.

Turning to the role of Correctional Services, Ntshalintshali stressed that incarceration should never mean abandonment.

She said the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy will be pivotal in demonstrating the power of second chances. She appealed to families and communities to embrace rehabilitation and reintegration.

“Correctional Services is about community corrections, and corrections is a societal matter. Once [inmates] have served their time, they must be rehabilitated and reintegrated [into] their communities,” she said.

Ntshalintshali highlighted that much of the work showcased at the academy – from tiling and electrical work, to landscaping and furniture-making – was completed by inmates under the guidance of departmental artisans.

“We are proud to say we are rehabilitating our people… We’re saying everybody has a second chance in life,” she told SAnews.

The Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy is expected to strengthen training and rehabilitation efforts within Correctional Services, anchored in the values of dignity, restoration and second chances that defined Madiba’s legacy. – SAnews.gov.za

Exactly 36 years after President Nelson Mandela walked out of prison and into the pages of history, President Cyril Ramaphosa returned to the very grounds where that decisive moment unfolded, reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to justice anchored in human dignity.

Before the formalities began on Wednesday morning at Drakenstein Correctional Facility — where President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opened the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy — the First Citizen made a deeply personal pilgrimage to the Madiba House, the residence that housed Nelson Mandela during the final years of his imprisonment. 

It was here, on the grounds formerly known as Victor Verster Prison, that the world waited with bated breath for a man whose freedom would signal the dawn of democracy.

Standing within the same gates where the eyes of the world once converged, President Ramaphosa reflected on the anticipation, fear and hope that defined that moment.

“Leading up to this release, we were all in a moment of great excitement that our struggle was reaching a point of inflection, and with the release of the prisoners, we knew that a new era was opening up, a new opportunity was coming about, which would enable us to launch even much more positive and powerful phases of the struggle,” the President said. 

Later in the morning, the President officially opened the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy — the first of its kind on the African continent. He described the moment as both deeply personal and nationally significant.

“Thirty-six years ago – almost to the day – the eyes of the world were fixed on the gates just beyond where we stand now. They were waiting for the moment one man would walk out of the gates of history, and into legend.

“At around four-fifteen pm local time, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela beside him, walked out of the gates into the massive crowd that had gathered to greet him,” the President said during his speech. 

For President Ramaphosa, the memory is not distant history — it is lived experience. He spoke candidly of both inspiration and fear.

“This is a historic moment. It’s very moving for me, having been here to watch history unfolding. It was watching a legend move out of this place that had incarcerated him and kept him, and like a bird, Madiba could not be caged. He had to fly out,” he said. 

He also shared the lesser-known anxiety that accompanied that moment of triumph — the fear for Mandela’s safety.

“The only trepidation that I had, together with others, was his safety, because we knew that we didn’t want him to be under the safety protection of the apartheid regime. We feared that they would kill him… and so we wanted to have a separation with regards to the safety of this man, who was going to lead the nation,” the President said. 

In a remarkable recollection, the President revealed that he and Reverend Mkhatshwa even travelled to Sweden for training on how to protect President Mandela – a reflection of the uncertainty and responsibility that rested on young shoulders at the time.

“For us, that was a moment of great fear… But ahead of that, Reverend Mkhatshwa and I had gone to Sweden to be trained as people who could protect Nelson Mandela… They helped to prepare us how we would look after him,” the President said while laughing. 

For the President, that day remains profoundly personal.

“To have been there beside the father of our nation as he took his first steps as a free man, remains one of the greatest honours of my life. Few moments have marked me more than being witness – at close quarters, to the day that lit the path toward the birth of a new South Africa.”

Now, three and a half decades later, the President said Drakenstein once again stands at the centre of transformation.

“Today, the Drakenstein Correctional Facility once again stands at the threshold of a new chapter in our country’s history,” he said. 

The Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy, he said, is more than brick and mortar.

“This is not merely a building, but a story. You are welcomed by striking artwork depicting Madiba’s art created by offenders themselves. This is not incidental. It is deeply symbolic. It reflects the very essence of rehabilitation. It is about unlocking human potential, creativity and self-worth,” the President said. 

He said it is a story rooted in dignity, in second chances, and in the belief that justice must be anchored in humanity. Having endured 27 years in prison, Madiba’s life embodied the principle that even those behind bars retain their inherent dignity.

“Madiba believed that offenders are deserving of dignity, respect and humane treatment, and that justice is not measured by how harshly we punish, but by how faithfully we uphold human dignity, even in the most difficult circumstances,” he said. 

The President confronted the national frustration over crime, acknowledging the temptation toward harsh retribution.

“We cannot talk about overcoming crime in South Africa without having a frank, honest conversation about the rehabilitation of offenders, their re-integration into society, and prevention of re-offending.  

“Our people are fed up with crime, and at most times are inclined to the ‘lock the door and throw away the key’ mentality when it comes to offenders. Yet, this will not serve us in the long term as a country,” the President said. 

He painted a sobering picture of the cycle of re-offending and the stigma ex-offenders face, including unemployment, untreated mental health challenges, broken trust, gang pressures and social isolation.

“Facing social stigma, an unwelcoming environment and social isolation, far too many return to a life of crime.”

The Academy, President Ramaphosa declared, seeks to change that trajectory.

“The Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy is determined to break this cycle,” he said. 

As sunlight filtered across the grounds where Madiba once walked to freedom, the symbolism was unmistakable. From incarceration to liberation. From punishment to rehabilitation. From history to living legacy.

“This facility symbolises the humanisation of corrections, the elevation of dignity, and the global pursuit of justice rooted in humanity,” he said. 

In conclusion, the President paid tribute to the men and women of the Department of Correctional Services, who perform one of the most demanding and often unrecognised duties in the public service. 

“Your commitment affirms that even in the most difficult circumstances, our correctional system remains anchored in humanity, professionalism and service to the nation.

“May this academy stand as a living tribute to Nelson Mandela’s legacy. May it shape generations of correctional practitioners committed to dignity and reform,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za