Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President Paul Mashatile and French President Emmanuel Macron have this evening led a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum to honour French citizens, who supported South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.

President Macron arrived at the heritage precinct in Pretoria in the late afternoon, where he was officially received by Deputy President Mashatile ahead of the commemorative event. 

The visit forms part of the French leader’s programme before joining other Heads of State and Government for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, taking place from 22 to 23 November under the theme: ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mashatile said Freedom Park stood as “sacred ground”, dedicated to all who sacrificed their lives for justice, freedom and human dignity. 

He said the tributes paid to French anti-apartheid activists were a powerful reminder that South Africa’s liberation struggle had been a global effort.

“As an anti-apartheid activist myself, I am deeply moved by this ceremony. This place reminds us of the price paid for our freedom and the collective sacrifices that made our democracy possible,” Mashatile said.

He emphasised that the struggle was not waged by South Africans alone but was strengthened by courageous men and women across the world, including French activists, journalists, scholars and ordinary citizens who refused to remain silent.

“Alongside President Macron, we remember and pay tribute to the French citizens who stood firmly against apartheid. Many gave their voices, their talents and, in some cases, their lives so that South Africans could one day be free,” he said.

Mashatile said their solidarity travelled across oceans, reinforcing the resolve of those resisting oppression at home and forming part of the “long moral arc that bent toward justice” in South Africa.

He stressed that the ceremony highlighted the deep historic bonds between South Africa and France, bonds rooted not only in diplomacy, but in shared values, shared sacrifice and a shared commitment to human rights.

The Deputy President said the moment served as a reminder of the responsibility carried by both nations to safeguard the freedoms that were hard-won; to promote social justice at home and globally; and to ensure that liberation stories continue to inspire future generations.

“Your Excellency, thank you for this solemn act of remembrance. May the spirits of those we honour today continue to guide our nations toward a future marked by friendship, cooperation and hope,” he told Macron. – SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says Africa’s rising trajectory and growing global influence must be matched by stronger continental cooperation to drive the economic growth needed for lasting development. 

“Deepening our economic cooperation is essential for continental development and integration, building our resilience and self-reliance. It is imperative that we build deeper collaboration and resilience within and between our countries,” the President said on Friday in Johannesburg.

Addressing a working dinner for African Heads of State and Government, Ramaphosa emphasised that investment and trade expansion must be at the centre of Africa’s economic engagements, particularly in the face of unilateral trade actions, tariffs and erosion of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

“Four days ago, I met with senior executives from South African companies with investments across the continent. Many of them outlined plans to substantially increase their investments across the continent. That is a clear demonstration that indeed Africa is on the rise as our companies are now moving forward to invest across our various countries on the continent,” the President said.

According to Ramaphosa, countries trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) preferences are already seeing the benefits.

AfCFTA is a free trade agreement that aims to create a single, integrated continental market for goods and services across 55 member states of the African Union.

“At the same time, we know of companies from elsewhere on the continent that are invested and intend to invest in South Africa. These are links that we must nurture and encourage if we are to realise our continent’s potential.

“To strengthen these trade and investment links, I plan to host a Pan African Investment Conference in 2026, where African companies can showcase their investments in other countries and outline their future investment plans,” the President said.

G20 Presidency

While presiding over the G20 Presidency, South Africa sought to position Africa as a vital partner in advancing equitable development.

“South Africa correctly felt that we need to put the interests of our continent on the global platform. By harnessing our collective strengths, we do believe that we can continue to highlight the many issues that the African continent wants the world to address. We are convinced that our beloved continent can overcome its challenges and become a leader in prosperity and development,” Ramaphosa said.

South Africa has used the  international forum to advance priorities such as disaster resilience, debt sustainability, finance for just energy transitions and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth. 

“We established an Africa expert panel to reinforce Africa’s voice on debt sustainability, the cost of capital and financing for productive investments. We’re encouraged by the ministerial declaration on debt sustainability, which outlines a clear acknowledgement of the growing debt burden on African countries and provides a basis for concrete action.

“We must work together to ensure that the commitments in this declaration, including to strengthen implementation of the common framework and extend support to countries facing liquidity challenges, are translated into meaningful action,” the Presidency said.

Furthermore, the G20 Presidency secured the agreement on the G20 Africa engagement framework, which will enable a continued focus on the G20 finance track, on the issues that matter most to Africa over the next five years. 

“By advocating for Africa’s interests globally, we have sought to ensure that the continent’s voice is heard on climate change, on the issue of debt, on trade and humanitarian assistance. Fair trade, inclusive prosperity, reformed global governance and multilateralism are fundamental to our vision for a more equal world,” the President said.

For its G20 Presidency, South Africa embraced the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” .

Heads of State and Government from the world’s largest economies meet annually at the G20 Leaders’ Summit to discuss and coordinate on major global issues.

This year, they will gather in Johannesburg on Saturday and Sunday.

G20 members include the world’s major economies, representing 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.

The G20 comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the European Union, and since 2023, the African Union. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Major private sector players have announced billions in new investment to accelerate Africa’s clean energy transition, unveiling ambitious commitments at the Global Citizen Scaling Up Renewables in Africa event on Friday.

The pledging session, led by Sabrina Dhowre Elba — activist, CEO and chair of the Global Citizen Europe Board — set an energetic tone, as she highlighted the momentum already created by governments in earlier sessions. She underscored the urgent need for private sector leadership to match that ambition.

“In addition to governments, the private sector is going to be absolutely central to driving Africa’s clean energy transition and ending extreme poverty in our lifetime. And in today’s global geopolitical climate, we can no longer rely only on official development assistance or traditional foreign aid. The world has changed, our challenges have grown more complex, and the scale of the opportunity has grown with them. That’s why we need new, ambitious investors. We need cross sector collaborations,” she said. 

Elba said the world now needs bold, innovative partnerships that can act with urgency and deliver impact at scale because when it comes to energy access and climate resilience, slow, incremental progress is no longer sufficient. 

She added that many of the global organizations represented in the room remain some of the most powerful multinational actors and when their innovation and financial strength combine with the entrepreneurial dynamism of Africa’s markets, the result is transformative. It opens the door to new projects and new possibilities.

“We create jobs, we accelerate access to affordable clean electricity for millions of people, powering homes, powering businesses and powering the next generation of African growth,” she said. 

Harith General Partners: Scaling to 5GW for 850 000 Households

Announcing one of the day’s most significant pledges, CEO of Harith General Partners, Sipho Makhubela, committed to scale the firm’s energy output from 1.5 gigawatts to 5 gigawatts over the next five years.

He said the company’s expanded renewable pipeline expected to support 850,000 households represents not just investment but dignity, productivity and opportunity.

“For us, these are us, you and us, our children, who this investment is going to give hope to as we make Africa’s future brighter. We are all about ensuring Africa’s economies have the adequate energy to industrialise,” Makhubela said. 

ENERTRAG South Africa: R32 Billion for 1.2GW and Green Hydrogen

CEO of ENERTRAG South Africa, Enos Banda fulfilled a personal commitment he made to President Ramaphosa in 2019, pledging 1.2 gigawatts of renewable investment valued at R32 billion (about €1.5 billion).

He said the commitment will electrify the equivalent of 800,000 homes and support 2.8 million people, while anchoring critical jobs in Mpumalanga and catalysing South Africa’s emerging green hydrogen economy. 

“This commitment will deliver clean energy to meet South Africa’s growing energy needs… and firmly announce South Africa as a key nation in global clean energy competitiveness,” he said.

Octopus Energy: $450 Million for a Power Africa Initiative

CEO of Octopus Energy for Business and Octopus Energy Generation, Zoisa North-Bond, unveiled a combined $450 million investment through the company’s new Power Africa initiative including $250 million in unlocked capital and an additional $200 million for renewable generation.

The investment is expected to power 1.1 million people, the equivalent of a city the size of Mombasa.

“Technology and innovation can drive down costs and unlock huge opportunity…But beyond the numbers, this commitment represents growth, jobs, lower energy costs and shared prosperity, turning abundance potential into reliable power for millions across Africa. 

“We’re proud to stand with global citizen and our partners in this vital mission, and we call on innovators, investors and governments everywhere, to join us in scaling renewables across Africa,” she said. 

Genesis Energy: Up to 10GW Across Africa

In one of the most expansive long-term commitments, Genesis Energy Group pledged to develop and deploy up to 10 gigawatts of renewable energy across Africa over the next decade representing $8.5 billion to $10 billion in capital deployment.

Executive Vice President Melissa Fadzai Sikwila said the commitment would deliver 500MW annually and reach more than 33 million people, while creating around 250,000 construction jobs and tens of thousands of long-term positions, prioritising young people and women.

“Beyond the numbers, this is about transforming communities, powering hospitals, enabling small businesses and unlocking the clean energy future Africans deserve,” she said.

CrossBoundary Energy: $1 Billion Target and New Capital Inflows

Tessa Lee, Chief Regulatory Officer at CrossBoundary Energy, highlighted the company’s mission to decarbonise African industry, unveiling a path to unlocking $1 billion in renewable projects by 2030.

Backed by $200 million in new senior debt commitments, CrossBoundary is scaling projects already transforming African industrial hubs from solar powering some of the continent’s largest mines to pioneering wind in Madagascar.

“We can create a future where every African business has access to reliable, sustainable and affordable power,” she said, urging strong regulatory frameworks and investment partnerships to match project ambition.

A turning point for Private Investment in Africa’s Energy Future

The pledges mark one of the most substantial showings of private-sector commitment to Africa’s energy transition in recent years, reinforcing calls from African leaders and global partners to accelerate clean energy deployment beyond promises and into implementation.

With billions committed and gigawatts promised, Global Citizen’s campaign has signalled a new era of cross-sector collaboration, one that could reshape energy access, industrial growth and climate resilience across the continent. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Global Fund Eighth Replenishment Summit has concluded with pledges reaching some US$11.34 billion to bolster the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

President Cyril Ramaphosa – co-hosted the summit alongside United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer – announced the outcome at final Summit held in Johannesburg.

“This is an extraordinary achievement. We hope that future generations will look back on this moment as a turning point in the global fight against HIV, AIDS, TB and Malaria.  

“The pledge amount is no mere number. It is a solid foundation for impact and a renewed impetus for transformation and change. Millions of lives will be saved. Stronger, more resilient health systems will be built,” President Ramaphosa said.

He hailed the pledges as a “defining moment for global health and for global solidarity”.

“At a time when multilateralism has come under increasing strain and global cooperation in health is being sorely tested, this 8th Replenishment Summit of the Global Fund is a milestone for global health.

“Building resilient health systems, scaling-up local manufacturing of medicines and diagnostics, and securing sustainable financing are vital for both social and economic development,” President Ramaphosa said.

Leading by example, President Ramaphosa announced combined pledges of about US$36.6 million (R630 million) from the South African government and the local private sector.

This includes some US$5.5 million from Goodbye Malaria as well as US$4.5 million from mining giant, Anglo American.

“We commend them for their unwavering commitment to improve the health of the people of our country, our continent and the world. The South African private sector has indicated that more pledges will follow.

“I call on the private sector in our country and elsewhere to step up and be counted amongst those that made a smart investment towards the elimination of HIV, TB and Malaria

“Our pledge represents our confidence in the Global Fund partnership and in its ability to deliver on its promises,” he said.

Furthermore, the outcome is a result of the “determination of a diverse coalition that has come together in the interest of global health security”.

“But we are not done yet. More countries, regional organisations and companies will rise up and meet us on this occasion.

“We must remain unified behind the purpose that makes the Global Fund unique and effective in equal measure.

“As part of our commitment to the Lusaka Agenda on global health initiatives, we need to work smarter and more efficiently. We need to eliminate waste and duplication and address the fragmentation of the global health financing system,” he said.

The President said the “robust” year-long campaign ought to be celebrated as a “collective effort to end HIV, TB and Malaria across the globe”.

“We reflect on the difficult journey we have travelled and the great progress we have made.  

“This Summit reflects our shared commitment to invest in universal health coverage today for social protection and resilient health systems. It is up to us to demonstrate that solidarity and collective action can prevail over division.  

“Without a healthy population, nations cannot prosper. It is therefore essential that we close gaps in access to medicines, diagnostics and financing, so that every country can protect its people and achieve health equity,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the billions pledged to expand renewable energy across Africa, while emphasising that the real test will lie in implementation and in ensuring that the funds are spent on the right people.

“The funding pledged today is only the first step. The real test will lie in implementation. That is whether the pledges we made today will indeed be realised. I say advisedly, because I don’t only want to smell the money, I don’t only want to touch it, I want to see it being spent. It must be spent here in Africa to realise the dreams of African people on this continent,” President Ramaphosa said. 

The President was speaking at the Global Citizen Scaling Up Renewables in Africa event in Johannesburg on Friday, held alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans, on the eve of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

The remarks came as governments, development institutions and private-sector partners confirmed €15.5 billion in commitments to the campaign, alongside plans expected to generate nearly 27 gigawatts of renewable power and expand electricity access to millions of households across Africa.

The gathering marked the culmination of a year-long drive under South Africa’s G20 Presidency to push Africa’s energy priorities to the centre of global dialogue. 

Before the President’s remarks, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a landmark €7 billion Team Europe pledge, describing it as Europe “standing with Africa now and in future.”

President Ramaphosa said the scale of commitments reflected renewed global confidence in Africa’s energy potential.

“The scale of the commitments we have witnessed today are extraordinary. They affirm the relevance of our G20 theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” he said.

South Africa, he noted, has already installed over 17 gigawatts of renewable energy, and aims to raise this to 45 GW by 2035, guided by its Just Energy Transition Investment Plan and Renewable Energy Masterplan.

He stressed that the transition must uplift workers, communities and young entrepreneurs, warning that pledges alone do not build power plants or expand access.

The President added that Africa’s renewable energy transformation must be rooted in community ownership and local benefit, urging that households across the continent be the ones that benefit the most. 

“This will require discipline, partnership and an unwavering commitment to action. As we scale renewable energy across our continent, African ownership must be at the heart of this revolution. 

“This must be people centred, the various communities that we talk about as we make these announcements must be the ones that are the beneficiaries, the households we say we are going to light up must be the ones that benefit the most,” he said. 

The President added that Africa’s clean energy future will only succeed if investment strengthens local capabilities.

“These initiatives will ensure that the next gigawatts of renewable energy are built through local skills, local manufacturing and local innovation. Scaling renewables across Africa is essential for inclusive economic development,” he said. 

Calling on global partners to remain engaged, President Ramaphosa closed with a message of optimism. 

“I want to thank everyone who has made a pledge, we say thank you, indeed Africa is on the rise and we call everyone to join in the rise of this continent,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The European Union has announced a new €7 billion pledge to accelerate renewable energy rollout across Africa, marking one of the largest commitments to the continent’s clean-power transition ahead of this weekend’s G20 Leaders’ Summit.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the pledge during the Global Citizen Scaling Up Renewables in Africa event in Johannesburg on Friday, saying Europe was committed to standing with African nations now and in future.

“We can be so proud of what we have accomplished together… Now I promised that Europe will make a new pledge for this campaign. I’m delighted to pledge on behalf of Team Europe, an additional 7 billion euros for renewables in Africa…This is basically Europe standing with you now and in future,” von der Leyen said.

The EU commitment forms part of a broader global effort championed by Global Citizen to mobilise new investment for clean energy infrastructure across the continent. Von der Leyen announced that, counting all contributions made since November last year, the campaign has reached a total of €15.5 billion.

“What a great journey. So many partners. And now it’s time to take stock… It is extraordinary. The world has stepped up for Africa.

“The final tally of our campaign is €15.5 billion in total and now, in addition, you heard it, commitments announced will generate almost 27 gigawatts of clean power and will bring renewable electricity to 17.5 million households… This is more than funding. This is power for millions of people, fuel for progress, and this is hope for the future,” von der Leyen said.

Global Citizen CEO and co-founder Hugh Evans said the scale of the pledges marks a turning point for Africa’s energy transition.

“This is what extraordinary leadership looks like, partnership grounded in ambition and focused on impact,” Evans said. 

He noted that the commitments made through the campaign will double the continent’s current renewable energy capability.

He added that the €15.5 billion mobilised represents 1/6 of the total investment needed for Africa to meet its energy and climate targets by 2030.

“This is what real progress looks like. This is what happens when global citizens take action, when millions of people raise their voices and demand a cleaner, more just energy future for Africa,” he said.

Calling the campaign’s results only the beginning, Evans urged continued global engagement to help end extreme poverty, quoting Nelson Mandela’s words that poverty “can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.”

The Scaling Up Renewables in Africa campaign is part of broader efforts to close the continent’s energy access gap and expand clean-power infrastructure amid rising global climate commitments. 

The new pledges announced on Friday are expected to catalyse further public and private investment into solar, wind, and grid-strengthening projects across Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, has urged developed nations to urgently accelerate climate finance to developing countries to deal with the unavoidable climate impacts that threaten to devastate vulnerable communities.

Addressing a media briefing on Friday in Johannesburg, ahead of the Group Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit, Guterres made a plea to developed countries to keep their promise to double adaptation finance to at least US$40 billion this year.

“By mobilising the $300 billion per year promised to developing countries by 2035 and by delivering on the Baku to Belém plan, mobilising all relevant partners for the US$1.3 trillion annually to be achieved in climate finance and in the same time framework for developing countries — this goal can be achieved,” he said.

The Baku to Belém plan was designed to help developing nations fund low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways, implement their national climate plans (NDCs and NAPs), and manage financial instruments that don’t increase debt, all while reforming global financial systems to make them fairer and more accessible.

“Countries have failed to keep temperatures to the 1.5°C temperature rise limit. Science tells us that a temporary overshoot above this limit is now inevitable. We must make this overshoot as small, short and safe as possible. 

“Avoiding more climate chaos means bridging the adaptation gap urgently. That requires a massive scale-up of financing. Simultaneously, it’s time to capitalise the loss and damage fund, including exploring possibilities of innovative finance,” Guterres said.

With the continent only attracting a fraction of global renewable-energy investments, he called for Africa to be prioritised in the clean energy transition.

Last year, 90% of new power capacity came from renewables. Global investment in clean energy reached US$2 trillion, US$800 billion more than fossil fuels.

“The continent holds immense solar and wind potential but lacks the investments needed to harness them. A just energy transition must also mean to entirely electrify Africa, powering homes, schools, clinics and industries, and creating decent jobs for its young people. 

“No one should be left in the dark by the clean energy age, least of all a continent that has contributed the least to the climate crisis. The economics are on our side, but political will needs to catch up,” Guterres said.

He noted that fossil fuels still receive vast subsidies, corporations are porting reptile profits from climate devastation, and lobbyists continue to “greenwash” the truth, while developing countries are locked out of a greener future.

“Ensuring that all countries can make this shift means aligning national policies and budgets with a just energy transition. And it means providing resources and technology to help developing countries invest in grids, storage and efficiency.

“It means supporting workers and affected communities to make the transition through training, protection and new opportunities. And it means unlocking finance at scale for developing countries by cutting the cost of capital and crowding in private investments. I will discuss these issues in detail with G20 leaders tomorrow,” the UN Secretary-General said.

Global leaders will gather at the G20 Leaders’ Summit taking in Johannesburg on Saturday and Sunday to discuss key economic and financial issues under South Africa’s Presidency theme: “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.” –SAnews.gov.za