Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa and China have signed a historic stone fruit trade protocol, opening the Chinese market to five types of South African stone fruit — apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes.

The agreement was signed in Shanghai by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Minister Sun Meijun of China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) on Wednesday.

It marks the first time China has granted market access for multiple stone fruit varieties from a single country under one deal.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Steenhuisen described the agreement as “a major breakthrough for South African fruit producers and exporters at a time when diversification is essential for our agricultural resilience.”

He said the protocol forms part of a broader strategy to reduce South Africa’s dependence on traditional export markets and more responsive to new consumption patterns, as China’s growing middle class, which is driving global demand for high-quality agricultural products.

“While markets are grown and developed over time, the access that this protocol will unlock in a vast new market, such as China, holds great potential, and will offset some of the immediate impact of the US tariffs especially on plums,” Steenhuisen said.

The Minister said the Chinese market could unlock approximately R400 million over the next five years, with that figure projected to double within a decade.
“We are of the view that the inaugural 2025/26 export season can generate approximately R28 million and R54 million in 2026/27.”

He noted that China’s demand for peach and plum imports continues to grow, with imports last year exceeding 21 million cartons of peaches and nectarines and 20 million cartons of plums, exceeding South Africa’s entire seasonal export volume.

Projections also indicate that exports to China are set to grow to 5% of South Africa’s total export volumes in 2032/2033.

Job creation

Steenhuisen said the opening of the Chinese market would also enable local producers to export more share of their harvests at more sustainable prices.
“Stronger demand in China, together with a slight reduction in exports to other markets, are expected to drive market growth. Over time, this improved demand, and increased volumes could encourage further investment at farm level, particularly the establishment of new orchards.

“Over the next decade, this protocol could create a market that will support roughly 350 new direct jobs on farms and in packhouses, and close to 600 new jobs overall once linked industries such as transport and packaging are included,” the Minister said.

During his discussions with Minister Meijun, Steenhuisen also raised the resumption of beef exports from certain South African regions and reviewed progress on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) regionalisation.

Technical team 

He also invited a GACC technical team to visit South Africa to inspect the country’s cherry and blueberries orchards and packhouses during the current harvest season.

“If the inspection proceeds smoothly, South Africa will likely secure cherry market access to China within the next harvest cycle, strengthen its trade ties, and unlock new export and job opportunities for the fruit sector. This will also consolidate our positive momentum on broader fruit trade cooperation.”

Investment 

The Minister also highlighted the impact of Chinese infrastructure investment in upgrading South Africa’s railways, ports, and highways, improving market access for farmers and boosting logistics efficiency.
This work aligns with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which prioritises infrastructure investment across Africa.

The Minister also encouraged trading partners to make use of the world-class Shanghai Freight Services network to leverage its extensive global logistics network for both sea and air freight, ensuring faster and more reliable delivery of South African agricultural exports to China.

“China has been South Africa’s largest trading partner for more than a decade, and our bilateral trade continues to deepen. We value China’s ongoing cooperation and the shared commitment to exploring opportunities within our agriculture sector and we look forward to building on this partnership through future agreements that benefit both our countries,” the Minister added. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

As the office of the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) marks 30 years, President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted its significant role in safeguarding South Africa’s vision of equality, unity, democracy, prosperity and freedom.

Addressing a dinner to celebrate the anniversary of the Office of the Public Protector on Tuesday, the President compared public institutions to guardians who protect citizens when they are failed by public officials.

“We know that failings can occur. Power can be misused and abused. Public institutions and public officials can neglect the needs of those they are meant to serve. When they do, they have to be held accountable. The deficiency needs to be remedied. That is why we need the guardians,” Ramaphosa said at the dinner held in Cape Town.

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While all public officials must abide by and enforce the Public Protector’s remedial action, the President called on public officials to support the Office of the Public Protector in its work.

“If government creates an institution that does not appear, from a reasonable person’s point of view, to be independent, it has failed to meet a critical benchmark. That is why we all carry a responsibility to both safeguard the independence of the Office of the Public Protector and affirm the binding nature of its remedial action.

“We need those institutions that ensure that the exercise of state power is restrained by law and rooted in accountability.”
He noted that the drafters of the Constitution were clear in their intent and formulation of Chapter 9 institutions. 

“They were clear that those institutions would be given substantial powers and a great responsibility to support and strengthen constitutional democracy.

“They would be given a mandate to operate without fear, favour or prejudice. The Office of the Public Protector was envisioned as, and remains, the moral mirror of the state. 

“The public protector is that guardian of the public interest, a shield for the citizen against state excess, and a key mechanism for ensuring that the government serves the people, not the other way around. Its effectiveness is often a key indicator of the health of a nation’s democracy,” the President explained.
The Public Protector often tackles issues that have a broad impact on society and investigates systemic issues. 

“While they handle individual complaints, their work often uncovers widespread problems affecting many people. Their reports can lead to policy changes that benefit the entire population.
“The Public Protector’s office Holds the Powerful to Account. The office has the authority to investigate the highest levels of government, including presidents, ministers, and senior officials, demonstrating that no one is immune from scrutiny.

“These roles remind us that a Constitution only has worth if the rights of the weakest and most vulnerable are defended as much as those of the strong,” he said.

Over 30 years, the Office of the Public Protector has forged a bond with the citizens of South Africa.
“At the same time, it has forged relationships with institutions across the arms of state and throughout society.

“It has sought to promote cooperation and collaboration, understanding that an efficient, effective and ethical state is an aspiration that we all share and a responsibility that we all have to carry. It is essential for all organs of state to see the Public Protector as a partner in serving the people of this country,” the President said.

READ | Conference to reflect on 30 years of the PPSA

–SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi, says that export-led economic growth requires a partnership between government, business, and labour.

Godlimpi was speaking at the Export Symposium and Expo in Midrand, Gauteng, on Tuesday. 

According to Godlimpi, in order to achieve export-led growth, government must create the enabling environment, negotiating market access, providing diplomatic support, offering financial support, delivering infrastructure, ensuring facilitative regulation, and providing market intelligence.

Godlimpi said business must take risks, innovate, invest and compete in tough international markets while emphasising that businesses must invest in quality, innovation, skills development, and transformation.
He urged business to look beyond short-term profits to build sustainable relationships.

Godlimpi highlighted that South Africa’s recent export performance shows both resilience and vulnerability.

“In July 2025, South Africa’s exports reached R184.3 billion, up from R170.7 billion in June [and] recorded a trade surplus in August of nearly R4 billion. Our agricultural exports to Africa account for 40% of our export value, with maize, apples, pears and wine leading the charge.”

However, the Deputy Minister noted that the country’s export basket remains too concentrated on a handful of markets and dependent on raw materials, rather than value-added products. 

“The automotive sector, aerospace and defence, pharmaceuticals, fashion, film, agro-processing, and advanced manufacturing, all represent areas where South Africa has world-class capabilities,” he said.

Against this backdrop, Godlimpi said there was a challenge to scale up these successes and ensure that small and medium enterprises, particularly those owned by women, youth, and historically disadvantaged South Africans, participate meaningfully in the economy. 

“The future must include thousands of small and medium enterprises, particularly those owned by women, youth, and historically disadvantaged South Africans. The ambition should be for these SMMEs [small, medium, and micro enterprises] to actively export within five years, creating tens of thousands of jobs and contributing billions to the economy,” he said.

Godlimpi noted that the launch of Proudly South African’s new online platform represented an exciting development in democratising market access. 

“E-commerce and digital trade have fundamentally transformed how businesses reach consumers, enabling even the smallest producer to access global markets,” the Deputy Minister said.

The Deputy Minister described value addition to raw material as the path to prosperity, adding that transforming raw materials into higher-value products was fundamental to South Africa’s industrialisation strategy. 

He underscored a need to beneficiate the country’s raw materials into finished products that have more value and create high-skilled jobs.

“As the country applies the butterfly strategy for a comprehensive approach to market diversification, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), BRICS+ and emerging markets, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Gulf States and traditional European markets offer pathways to the world’s fastest-growing economies. 

“The key is to pursue all these markets simultaneously with intelligence, coordination, and persistence.” 
Godlimpi also pointed out that the United States of America’s tariffs threaten jobs, while global uncertainty creates volatility, competition remains intense, and climate change creates new barriers.

Underway from 14-16 October 2025, the Export Symposium and Expo bring together key stakeholders, including government officials, private sector representatives, export-focused businesses, and international trade experts, to explore strategies for growing and diversifying exports.

READ | Export diversification to take centre stage at export symposium

Over 130 South African exporters from various key sectors are showcasing their high-quality proudly South African products and services. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is in Türkiye where he will co-chair the inaugural session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the two nations on Wednesday, 15 October 2025.

“The purpose of the BNC is to serve as a structured platform for enhancing and coordinating political, economic and social cooperation between South Africa and Türkiye,” the Presidency said in a statement. 

The Deputy President arrived in Ankara on Tuesday night for his working visit to that country.

According to the Presidency, the BNC will convene in line with an agreement established in 2012 that allows for co-chairing at the Deputy President and Vice President levels between the two countries. 
This means the Deputy President will co-chair the inaugural BNC with his counterpart, the Vice President of Türkiye, Cevdet Yılmaz. 

Through regular high-level dialogue and joint decision-making, the Deputy President’s Office said the BNC will provide both countries with an opportunity to conclude long-pending draft agreements, review existing instruments and explore new areas of cooperation in the political, economic, social, justice and security sectors.
READ | Mashatile to co-chair inaugural SA–Türkiye Bi-National Commission

The two nations are expected to sign a number of bilateral cooperation agreements. 
Deputy President Mashatile is scheduled to participate in the BNC and will also pay tribute to the founder and first President of Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, at the Anitkabir Mausoleum. 

He is also scheduled to have a private meeting with Vice President Yılmaz and make a courtesy call on President Recep Erdogan.

Following the BNC, the Deputy President will travel to Istanbul for economic diplomacy engagements, including addressing the 5th biennial Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) taking place tomorrow and Friday.

“South Africa’s participation at the TABEF and bilateral meetings with key role players are expected to elevate trade relations with Türkiye and cement South Africa’s position as Türkiye’s largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa and a key partner in Africa and the Global South.”

While in Istanbul, the Deputy President will also participate in the South Africa-Türkiye Business Council and engage with Turkish investors with an interest in the South African market.

Deputy President Mashatile is accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola; Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau; and Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande. 

He is also joined by Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille; Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Peace Mabe; Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture Zoleka Capa. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The Women20 (W20) South Africa Summit has concluded with a call to action for G20 leaders to prioritise key areas that significantly affect the lives of women and girls worldwide.

Women20 is an official engagement group of the Group of 20 (G20) over which South Africa presides this year. The group was established by the G20 in 2015 to promote gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. 

The communiqué at the end of the summit, which was held from 12–14 October 2025, emphasised important recommendations for G20 leaders to tackle urgent issues. 

These include entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, the care economy, education, science, technology, engineering, climate justice and violence against women and girls.

READ | Women20 Summit to gather global leaders in Johannesburg

The delegates urged the G20 leaders to take concrete actions to address the systemic inequalities and challenges faced by women and girls.

“We call on G20 leaders to prioritise the empowerment of women and girls by implementing policies and programmes that promote entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and access to education and healthcare,” said South Africa’s W20 Head of Delegation, Professor Narnia Bohler-Muller, on Tuesday. 

The communiqué was presented to the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembisile Simelane, who was tasked with forwarding it to the Departments of International Relations and Cooperation, Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, and the Presidency for transmission to the G20 leaders.

Speaking after receiving the communiqué, Simelane said that as the only African country that is a permanent member of the G20, South Africa carries a unique and special responsibility. 

“We are the fourth in a powerful cycle of Global South presidencies, following Indonesia, India, and Brazil,” she said. 

She believes this moment offers South Africa an opportunity to bring the African agenda, together with the priorities of the Global South, into the heart of global governance. 

“Within the framework of the G20 Social Summit, we hold the Women20 in high regard. The receiving of this declaration is a testament to the power of collective voice and the urgency of coordinated action. It reflects the values we hold dear – equity, dignity, and solidarity, and it challenges us to move beyond rhetoric to measurable impact,” said Simelane.

The summit’s closing plenary featured prominent voices in the development and women’s empowerment sectors. 

Apart from Minister Simelane, keynote speakers included United Nations Women Representative in South Africa Aleta Miller, Crtve Development Dr Okito Wedi, and Princess of Africa Foundation Yvonne Chaka Chaka. 

The W20 SA Summit, themed: ‘Women in Solidarity Towards a Just Future,’ aimed to advance gender equality and empower women economically by uniting global leaders, researchers, policymakers, and representatives from civil society.

As an official engagement group of the G20, W20 promotes gender equality and women’s economic empowerment and provides a platform for women from diverse backgrounds to advocate for policies and programmes that promote women’s economic empowerment and social justice.

Delegates from over 20 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Egypt, the European Union, France, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Nigeria, Lesotho, Zambia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Zimbabwe, attended the gathering.

The full communiqué is available on the W20 SA web page at https://hsrc.ac.za/women20-communique/.
All stakeholders are urged to read and engage with the recommendations outlined in the communiqué. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The second Africa Skills Week (ASW) which promotes youth skills development and fosters collaboration across the continent, is currently underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr Mimmy Gondwe is leading South Africa’s delegation to the gathering which began on Monday.

It is being hosted by the African Union Commission’s Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Labour and Skills. 

The gathering has brought together policymakers, industry leaders, educators, youth representatives, and development partners to advance actionable solutions for skills development aligned with industrialisation, sustainability, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Held under the theme: “Powering Africa’s Industrial Future: Skills for Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability”, this year’s programme aims to strengthen partnerships that build the skills required for Africa’s modern and industrial economy.

The 2025 edition of Africa Skills Week focuses on:
•    Strengthening skills for industrial growth and innovation.
•    Enhancing inclusive, quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
•    Fostering public-private partnerships and regional collaboration.
•    Leveraging digital and green technologies for workforce readiness.

The Deputy Minister is set to participate in various sessions and share South Africa’s experience in promoting public-private partnerships to address national and continental skills challenges.

“Africa Skills Week provides an essential platform for African education leaders to collaborate. By exchanging innovative ideas, practices, and insights, we can significantly improve the TVET sector, resulting in graduates who are better prepared for the workforce and possess entrepreneurial skills to start their own businesses,” the Deputy Minister said.

Upon her arrival in Addis Ababa on Monday afternoon, the Deputy Minister Gondwe was welcomed by South Africa’s Head of Mission in Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Ambassador Nonceba Losi.

During her visit, the Deputy Minister will tour the Unisa regional centre in Addis Ababa and conduct strategic bilateral discussions with selected ministers during Africa Skills Week.
Africa Skills Week will conclude on Friday, 17 October 2025.

Recently, Gondwe facilitated the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the Department of Higher Education and Training and private sector partners Old Mutual, Takealot, and Microsoft South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za