Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this week lead a South African delegation to the High-Level Segment of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in New York from 23 to 29 September 2025.

To be held under the theme: “Better together: 80 Years and more for peace, development and human rights”, this landmark session coincides with the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter.

President Ramaphosa will use this critical platform to advance a progressive agenda for a more just, peaceful and equitable world order.

Advancing a vision for peace and multilateralism

President Ramaphosa will address the General Debate on Tuesday. His address will champion robust multilateralism, the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the unwavering protection of human rights for all. He will carry a clear message from the Global South, amplified by South Africa’s current role as Chair of the G20.

The delegation will engage on urgent international issues, including the ongoing genocide in Gaza, conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the war in Ukraine and other geopolitical tensions.

South Africa will leverage its proven reputation as a trusted mediator to build bridges between opposing sides and advocate for dialogue over discord.

Championing UN reform and sustainable development

A central pillar of South Africa’s agenda is the comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council to make it more representative, democratic and effective. South Africa will assertively advance the three core pillars of the UN Charter: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.

Building on its G20 mandate to shape global economic solutions, South Africa will argue forcefully for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient global economy. 

The delegation will spotlight the disproportionate impact of current global challenges on developing nations and push for enhanced international cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Key engagements

On the margins of the General Debate, President Ramaphosa and the delegation will participate in several pivotal meetings, including:

• The inaugural Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy.
• The G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
• A high-level meeting on the two-State solution in Israel/Palestine.
• Trade and investment discussions with leading US captains of the Industry and other key US decision makers.

The President will be accompanied and supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola; the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau; the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chukunga; the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George; the Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa; the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and the Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry demonstrates government’s commitment to addressing institutional weaknesses and strengthening the capacity of the State, says Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi. 

Kubayi, who is also co-chairperson of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, addressed the JCPS Cluster and Brand South Africa Media Roundtable at the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Friday.

Kubayi said the inquiry reflects efforts to “clean up the rot where it exists”.  

“… [The commission] is also to strengthen our institutions, especially law enforcement institutions, and also the entirety of the architecture of State governance and capacity,” the Minister said. 

She explained that one of the priorities under the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) is to build a capable and ethical State. 

“… When we look at where we come from in terms of the State capture, there is a need for us to be able to emphasise the importance of ethical leadership,” she said.

Kubayi highlighted that the cluster is tasked with combating crime and corruption, while also restoring confidence for both citizens and investors. 

“You can’t build confidence in investment when you do not deal with issues such as… fighting crime because those are critical. Now we have developed, in going forward as a cluster, five outcomes that are aligned to the MTDP [and] more broadly, because we are focusing particularly on that area of building capacity to be able to fight crime and corruption in the country,” she said.

Part of the JCPS Cluster’s priorities include building safer communities where South Africans feel secure.

“… Part of the priorities that we have to be able to deal with is being able to build safer communities where South Africans feel safe, and one of those areas of feeling safe is to be able to have access to justice, where there’s visibility of police, where, when something wrong has happened, there are consequences, and [citizens] can believe in the system,” the Minister said. 

She noted that the continuation of the Madlanga Commission also reflects observations made by the Zondo Commission on the deliberate weakening and dismantling of key institutions. 

“… A continuation of the Madlanga Commission would reflect on what would have been the Zondo Commission’s observations on some of the institutions… and we’ll account as well, in terms of what we have done to rebuild those institutions,” Kubayi explained.

She outlined progress in several priority areas, including the roll out of the Integrated Persons Management System at police stations to strengthen the identification of suspects and track repeat offenders across provinces. 

Other measures include the training of 10 000 new police recruits, the establishment of 21 youth victim-friendly facilities to respond to gender-based violence, and legislative reforms to strengthen bail processes through a review of the Criminal Procedure Act.

On border security, Kubayi pointed to ongoing work under the Border Management Authority and Operation Corona to safeguard South Africa’s borders, and improve coordination between role players. While challenges remain, she said government is determined to distinguish between legal migrants, refugees and illegal immigrants.

“The issue of our porous borders is [part] of the ongoing work that in this administration will target and will ensure that we deal with illegal immigration. People must understand there’s a difference between migrants who are here legally – those who have sought refuge and are recognised in terms of international laws, [and we are] also dealing with those who come illegally.

“I don’t think South Africans… don’t welcome people from outside, but it’s and issue that we have to be able to deal with,” Kubayi said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, has urged public servants to recommit to serving with “integrity, accountability, and excellence”. 

Morolong delivered the keynote address at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Public Service Day held at the department, in Tshwane, on Friday.

Government is currently observing Integrated Public Service Month (IPSM).

“Public service is not merely a job; it is a vocation rooted in the principles of Batho Pele, putting people first. This means our work is not simply measured by time on the job, but by the lives we touch and the positive change we create. 

“It is a promise to act with empathy, to listen with patience, and to deliver with a deep sense of responsibility to every citizen and ensure their needs are met with dignity and respect,” he said.

Morolong highlighted that the work of the department “sits at the intersection of policy and the people it is meant to serve”.

“A little over two decades ago in 2004, the then Minister of Finance, Trevor Manuel [said]…‘In a developmental State, the civil servant is professional, skilled, adequately rewarded but humble. Humility towards the poor is the greatest attribute of a civil servant’.

“For the GCIS, humility towards the poor means ensuring that the right information reaches the right people at the right time – in a language they understand and through a medium they trust.

“When the GCIS does its job well, we liberate citizens from ignorance, from uncertainty, from exclusion. We enable individuals and communities to claim opportunities – to apply for bursaries, to access grants, to participate in public consultations, to hold government accountable,” Morolong said.

Call to action

The Deputy Minister highlighted that IPSM is a call to for renewal from all civil servants.

“The Integrated Public Service Month is anchored on five strategic pillars that include the visibility of the executive in communities, responsiveness, professionalism and ethical conduct of public servants, trust and citizen participation.

“In essence, the 2025 to 2026 government-wide Integrated Public Service programme is a call to action to renew and reaffirm our commitment to serve with integrity, accountability, and excellence,” Morolong emphasised.

He added that the month is also a moment to honour public servants who go above and beyond the call of duty to “make a difference in the lives of ordinary South Africans”.

“It is also a time for introspection. We turn the mirror on ourselves and ask the difficult questions: Are we truly living up to the ideals of service delivery? Are our programmes responsive, inclusive, and impactful reaching those who need them most?

“This self-reflection should help us to recommit to transparent, empowering communication that reflects humility and professionalism.

“As public servants we must be at the forefront of renewing public trust by telling the South African story with honesty, courage, and purpose,” Morolong concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, September 19, 2025