Category: South Africa Government

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Deputy President Paul Mashatile meets with Visa executives on the sidelines of the B20 Summit

Source: President of South Africa –

His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Paul Mashatile, met with VISA’s Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Mr. Tareq Muhmood, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Government Affairs, Mr. Bobby Thomson, and their delegation on the sidelines of the B20 Summit at the OR Tambo House in Pretoria.  

Deputy President Paul Mashatile expressed his gratitude to VISA’s executives for their ongoing support and commitment to improving local infrastructure and the digital environment, significantly bolstering economic development and sustainability. 

The meeting reaffirms Visa’s long-term commitment to South Africa, anchored by a R1 billion investment over the next three years. A key component of this investment is the establishment of South Africa’s first domestic Visa data centre, the first of its kind in Africa. 

“As a government, we remain receptive to new avenues or concepts for investment, and we are committed to enhancing partnerships to augment investment in our beautiful nation. Your commitment to our country’s infrastructure development has not gone unnoticed,” said Deputy President Mashatile. 

Deputy President Mashatile emphasised the importance of VISA’s partnership and investment in South Africa, as it will help localise transaction processing, improve payment service reliability, support innovations such as digital wallets, and, most importantly, empower SMEs, enhance township economies, and promote youth development through training and mentorship. 

The Deputy President concluded the meeting by extending an invitation to VISA Executives to attend the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference. “South Africa will host the Investment Conference in March 2026, and we would like to encourage you to participate in this event as we explore further areas of investment and partnership that will benefit you as a company as well as South Africa and its people, especially the youth,” said Deputy President Mashatile. 

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

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Repo rate reduced to 6.75%

Source: Government of South Africa

Repo rate reduced to 6.75%

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to reduce the policy rate by 25 basis points, to 6.75%, with effect from 20 November 2025.

Delivering the last MPC statement of the year on Thursday, SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago said the decision to reduce the policy rate was unanimous. 

“Members agreed there was scope now to make the policy stance less restrictive, in the context of an improved inflation outlook. The risks to the growth outlook are assessed as balanced. Inflation has accelerated somewhat over the past few months, reaching 3.6% for October. This is higher than the 3% average for the first half of the year. 

“The uptick is mainly due to non-core items: meat, vegetables, and fuel. We continue to see this pressure as temporary, with inflation heading lower again from the beginning of next year. Indeed, recent outcomes have undershot our forecasts slightly,” the Governor said.

Due to a stronger rand, and a lower oil price assumption, there is a small downward revision to the inflation outlook, for both 2025 and 2026.

“For inflation expectations, we do not have an update from our usual survey this meeting, but market rates and surveys of analysts both show further progress towards the 3% objective. 

“Core goods prices are benefitting from exchange rate strength. Food price inflation seems to have peaked, although we have a small upward revision to this forecast, mainly from beef prices. 

“Services inflation is unchanged from the last meeting: the announced medical aid increases are lower than last year’s; at the same time, housing inflation has accelerated, which warrants ongoing scrutiny,” Kganyago said.

The MPC assessed the risks to the inflation outlook as balanced.

“The Quarterly Projection Model continues to forecast gradual rate cuts as inflation subsides. As before, this rate path remains a broad policy guide. Our decisions will continue to be taken on a meeting-by-meeting basis, with careful attention to the outlook, data outcomes, and the balance of risks to the forecast.

“Domestic growth is looking better than last year. The second quarter data surprised on the upside and the third quarter indicators are looking broadly positive. Household consumption has also been rising but investment continues to disappoint,” he said.

For this meeting, the MPC considered two risk scenarios.
“The first scenario featured a US dollar rebound, recognising that while the rand has appreciated this year, this partly reflects broad dollar weakness, not just rand strength. In this scenario, the rand depreciates back to its 2023 levels against the dollar, rather than holding on to its recent gains, as in our baseline.

“The second scenario was based on higher administered prices, linked to a rapid correction of the R54 billion electricity pricing error disclosed a few months back. The scenario also had inflation expectations staying higher for longer, in response,” the Governor said.

Both scenarios featured tighter monetary policy, with rates coming down more slowly compared to the baseline. 

The administered price scenario in particular shows that if price setters take on board the 3% target, South Africa will have space to get to lower rates faster.

At its second last meeting of the year in September, the central bank kept the repo rate unchanged at 10.5%.
READ | SA Reserve Bank keeps repo rate unchanged

At the tabling of the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) earlier this month, National Treasury announced a new inflation target for South Africa of 3% with a 1 percentage point tolerance band. The announcement followed agreement between the Governor and the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana.

Godongwana had further consulted with the President and Cabinet on the decision.
The new target immediately replaces the previous target range of between 3 and 6%, and will be implemented over the next two years. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

 

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President Ramaphosa hails G20 Social Summit as ‘possibly the best of all G20 summits’

Source: Government of South Africa

President Ramaphosa hails G20 Social Summit as ‘possibly the best of all G20 summits’

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the G20 Social Summit as “possibly the best of all the G20 summits” praising it as a global gathering defined by inclusiveness, unity and the spirit of Ubuntu.

Delivering his address at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, on Thursday, President Ramaphosa said the Summit’s strength lay in the breadth of voices brought together. 

He added with humour that South Africa was effectively hosting a “G-million,” after some had joked that the country was hosting a G100 and G1000 due to the number of related G-processes happening alongside the main summit. 

“That is true. We are having a G-million because we are about inclusiveness, bringing people together. And this summit is possibly the best of all the G20 summits that we are going to have. I want to applaud you and thank you all for being here. Thank you for your contributions which have ended up with a beautiful declaration. Beautiful things are happening in South Africa,” the President said. 

Ramaphosa arrived to loud cheers from delegates, who welcomed him with a reception fit for a G20 President. The atmosphere set the tone for a session focused on unity, people-centred development and reshaping global cooperation.

A summit rooted in history and solidarity

The President drew parallels between this year’s Social Summit and two historic gatherings held in 1955, the Bandung Conference, where the Global South found its collective voice, and the Congress of the People in Kliptown, where South Africans adopted the Freedom Charter.

He said the 2025 Summit should similarly be remembered as a moment where ordinary people across nations helped shape a new direction for global cooperation.

“One of our greetings, sanibonani, literally means ‘we see each other’,” he said, invoking the principle of Ubuntu. 

“We are acknowledging the personhood, value and dignity of the one we are greeting. This is the spirit in which this G20 Social Summit is being held.”

People speaking for themselves

Echoing the deliberations from civil society, President Ramaphosa said the summit ensured global action would be informed by the voices of those most affected by poverty, inequality, climate change and exclusion, instead of decisions being made on their behalf.

He emphasised South Africa’s commitment to ensuring that developing nations’ priorities, including just energy transitions, financial reform, inclusive trade and protection of the vulnerable, remain at the heart of the G20 Presidency.

Over the past year, delegates from Women20, Youth20, Media20, Labour20, Parliament20, Business20, and other formations contributed to what President Ramaphosa called a “beautiful declaration” that will feed directly into the G20 Leaders’ Summit, later this week.

Call for global solidarity

With today marking World Children’s Day, President Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of global investment in children, women and marginalised communities. 

He warned that gender-based violence remains a crisis that undermines development and fractures societies, calling for men and boys to be active partners in challenging harmful norms.

“No society can thrive for as long as gender-based violence and femicide continues and the agency of women is denied. The violence perpetrated by men against women erodes the social fabric of nations. Here in South Africa, we have declared gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) a national crisis. 

“The collective perspectives that have been expressed at this Summit on all these issues and more will enable governments and decision-makers to better understand people’s practical, lived experiences,” he said.

The President said the G20 Social Summit must now serve as the compass that guides the G20 Leaders’ Summit, a reliable tool ensuring that decisions reflect the needs of all nations, not only the most powerful.

“No matter the headwinds, no matter the geopolitical shifts, we will keep our eyes fixed on the horizon of progress and shared prosperity. We will set a new course for the world, and we will create a new future for its people,” the President said. 

As the crowd once again erupted in applause, the message was unmistakable – South Africa’s G20 Presidency is not just historic; it is redefining the meaning of global cooperation through unity, humanity and inclusion. – SAnews.gov.za

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G20: weather outlook

Source: Government of South Africa

G20: weather outlook

As South Africa prepares to welcome the world for its first-ever G20 Leaders’ Summit in Gauteng this weekend, delegates can look forward to a cool, partly cloudy backdrop, with the chance of scattered showers for this historic gathering. 

The weather outlook for the weekend shows partly cloudy and cool conditions for the central and eastern parts of the country. 

“It will be warm in places in the northern parts of Limpopo, as well as into the lowveld of Mpumalanga, with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers possible from the afternoon over Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, Mpumalanga and the eastern parts of the Free State,” South African Weather Service (SAWS) Meteorologist, Lehlohonolo Thobela said on Thursday.

Global leaders will gather in Johannesburg on Saturday and Sunday to discuss key economic and financial issues under South Africa’s Presidency theme: ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’.

“The area [Gauteng] will be affected by a surface high pressure in the east, with a surface trough over the western interior of the country. 

“The influence of these weather systems usually results in thundershowers over the eastern parts of the country, which is common the for spring and summer seasons. However, the weather conditions will be better than the previous week,” Thobela said.

Isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers are possible over Gauteng as a whole and it will be a bit windy in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The summit will be taking place at NASREC, also known as the Johannesburg Expo Centre. Weather conditions for the area are follows:

  • Friday, 21 November: Min/max – 12/23 C; cloudy at times with a 30% chance of storms.
  • Saturday, 22 November: Min/max – 11/23 C; cloudy conditions and a 30% chance of storms in the afternoon.
  • Sunday, 23 November: Min/max – 13/25 C; partly cloudy becoming cloudy in the evening with a 30% chance of storms in the late afternoon and early evening.

The public is advised to stay informed by monitoring weather warnings and updates from SAWS website (www.weathersa.co.za), and broadcasts on local radios and television channels. 

Furthermore, intermediate updates may be followed on X (@SAWeatherServic), Facebook (South African Weather Service) or other SAWS-supported social media platforms. – SAnews.gov.za

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NW police arrest 994 suspects during Operation Shanela II

Source: Government of South Africa

NW police arrest 994 suspects during Operation Shanela II

Police in the North West have arrested 994 suspects during the weekly Joint Law Enforcement high density Operation Shanela II, conducted between Monday, 10 November and Sunday, 16 November 2025, across all five districts.

The arrests build a strong foundation for the Safer Festive Season Operations, aimed at addressing the heightened risk of criminality associated with increased movement of people and elevated social activity during the holiday period.

According to the police, out of the 994 arrested suspects, 366 were arrested by the detectives after being traced from circulated wanted suspects’ lists. The operation also led to the arrest of 15 undocumented foreign nationals.

The operations also addressed identified crime generators through compliance inspections to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts. 

The multi-disciplinary teams conducted compliance inspections targeting identified crime generators, including liquor outlets and second-hand goods dealers. A total of 151 licensed liquor outlets were inspected, resulting in 56 arrests for illegal liquor trading, while large quantities of liquor were confiscated. 

“Moreover, the operations led to the confiscation of a variety of drugs, firearms, ammunition, vehicles, precious metals and tobacco products,” the police said in a statement.

In Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Provincial Proactive Drug Operations, Ventersdorp Crime Prevention and Community Police Forum (CPF) members executed search and seizure warrants at Boikhutsong and Goedgevonden villages, and Tshing location, Ventersdorp on Friday, 14 November 2025. 

Silengene Tokwana (35) and Molefi Elliot Sakhachane (35) were arrested for dealing in drugs and possession of suspected illegal substances. Police seized dagga and crystal meth with estimated street value of R32 000. 

The pair appeared in the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 17 November 2025, and were remanded in custody until 20 and 24 November2025, respectively.

“A multidisciplinary Inter-Provincial roadblock was conducted on Friday, 14 November 2025, on the N12 road between Potchefstroom and Fochville culminated in the arrest of five individuals for contravening Section 49 (1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002. (Act No. 13 of 2002). 

In a separate operation, a multidisciplinary Inter-Provincial roadblock was conducted on the N12 between Potchefstroom and Fochville on Friday, 14 November 2005, resulted in the arrest of five suspects for contravening immigration laws. 

Two others were arrested for drug-related offences after police confiscated about 8kg of dagga. Nine traffic fines were also issued to motorists.

In Bojanala Sub-District 2, Rustenburg police responded on Saturday, 15 November, to a local hospital, where a man was found with multiple stab wounds on his upper body.

“Initial investigations indicated that the deceased, Dumile Patrick Mthunzana (45) was fatally stabbed during an argument. The police tracked down and arrested the suspect shortly after the incident.

“Phathilizwe Malongwane (46) appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, on a charge of murder. Malongwane was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Thursday, 27 November 2025,” the SAPS said.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the North West, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo commended all law-enforcement agencies for working together in enhancing safety and security across the province. – SAnews.gov.za

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Operation Basadi engages Eastern Cape communities

Source: Government of South Africa

Empowering communities to stay safe throughout the Festive Season was among the key aspects of an Operation Basadi (women) carried out by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“Basadi” means women in several local languages.

Wednesday’s awareness campaign that took place in Tembisa in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, saw women from various SAPS units, supported by partners from different law enforcement agencies, the Community Police Forum (CPF), Youth Crime Prevention Committee, Spiritual Crime Prevention, and the Women’s Network, continue to stand united. 

“This initiative combines operational and proactive measures aimed at protecting, serving, educating, and empowering communities to stay safe throughout the festive season,” said the police.

The SAPS further added that community members came out in their numbers to participate in the campaign and stakeholders delivered messages of support on gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), substance abuse, and teenage pregnancy, equipping the community with vital information.

The second phase of the day involved a door-to-door campaign in the same locality, during which pamphlets were distributed and community concerns were documented. 
“Residents highlighted several pressing issues, including: high levels of GBVF and substance abuse, poverty and the abuse of elderly citizens, whose social grants are often misused by family members and loan sharks.”

All cases and concerns raised were referred to the relevant departments for further intervention.

Earlier this month, Operation Basadi activities were also conducted in Sterkspruit where role players continued their outreach around the local mall and taxi rank, engaging directly with community members and raising awareness on safety and crime prevention.
Joe Gqabi District Commissioner, Major General Lindelwa Vellem, acknowledged and commended the combined efforts of all stakeholders during the Safer Festive Season operations. She emphasised that Operation Basadi is not only about law enforcement, but also about building strong partnerships with communities.

“We want our communities to know that the SAPS is here – ready, present, and committed. We call on our communities to take our hand and stand with us as we work together to ensure a safe and secure Festive Season,” she said.-SAnews.gov.za

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Impact of G20 Social Summit will ‘last a lifetime’, says Ntshavheni

Source: Government of South Africa

A bold vision for an inclusive global future has been cemented at the G20 Social Summit — a vision designed not just for the moment, but for future generations to come.

As the summit drew to a close on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency and summit co-convenor, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, revealed the monumental effort behind the scenes, with over 100 preparatory meetings dedicated to forging consensus for the G20 Social Legacy programmes and the summit declaration.

“The deliberations at the preparatory meetings sought to build consensus around five thematic areas: digital inclusion and equitable transformation; trade resilience and inclusive value chains; inclusive climate justice and just transition and energy democracy; a just and sustainable finance and international finance architecture, and building momentum for the SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals] and Agenda 2063.

“The engagement groups worked very hard to get to where we are and also to agree on a continued partnership in the implementation of the legacy programmes for the future of this beautiful country and the continent,” Ntshavheni said. 

The seven legacy programmes announced at the summit are:

  • The Pan-African sovereign wealth fund initiative.
  • The public-private health accelerator.
  • Empower youth and communities through inclusive, sustainable social infrastructure and opportunity pathways.
  • Accelerator for digitally enabled MSME [Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises] finance and trade for women and youth.
  • The Timbuktu creatives hub.
  • Digitally enabled higher education systems aligned with Africa’s development goals.
  • Securing the next decade of impact to guarantee the future of adolescent girls and young women in Africa.

An inclusive presidency

Throughout its G20 Presidency, South Africa has sought to include groups from all corners of society to participate and contribute to the G20 programmes. 

“Your due pronouncement, Mr President [Cyril Ramaphosa], that declared that South Africa’s G20 Presidency is an African presidency, which the whole African continent must partake in and benefit from, was fulfilled through the work of the engagements and as part of the G20 Social.

“When we started South Africa’s G20 Presidency… you also instructed us to be inclusive and we have done exactly that, as we accommodated additional engagement groups and the general public through the GCIS [Government Communication and Information System] outreach activities and all their inputs are included in the declaration,” she said.

Furthermore, Ntshavheni said South Africa’s G20 Presidency and Social Summit are not just a diplomatic exercise but a strategically expanded initiative infused with a distinctive “African flair”. 

“Although we are continuing on the innovation of Brazil, who introduced the G20 Social, South Africa expanded on the innovation to include an African flair with participation of traditional leaders and the Khoi-San indigenous people. 

“South Africa also expanded the engagement groups from 14 in Brazil to 22 participating at this Social Summit. South Africa also took it another step further by introducing legacy projects that will ensure that the impact of the G20 Social Summit South Africa on the African continent will last a lifetime,” Ntshaveni said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the G20 Social Summit, Birchwood Conference Centre, Ekurhuleni

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director, Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni;
Former Deputy President of South Africa, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka;
Minister of Human Rights of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Ms Macaé Evaristo;
Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Members of Parliament;
Delegates from the G20 member states;
Representatives of international organisations;
Co-Convenors of the Social Summit and Sherpas of the G20;
Members of the diplomatic corps;
Heads of delegation;
Representatives of religious and traditional leadership;
Delegates;
Guests;
Friends; 
 
Good morning. 
 
Sanibonani. Dumelang. Avuxeni. Goeie môre. Molweni. Ndi Matsheloni. Lotjhani. 
 
I greet you all in some of South Africa’s beautiful languages. 
 
One of these greetings, Sanibonani, is in the Zulu language. It literally means, ‘we see each other’. 
 
We are acknowledging the personhood, value and dignity of the one we are greeting. We are affirming the cherished principle of Ubuntu: I am because we are. 
 
This is the spirit in which this G20 Social Summit is being held.
 
Seventy years ago, in 1955, two seminal events took place that would be pivotal in defining human relations in our country and across the world. 
 
The first was the Asian-African Conference in Indonesia, also known as the Bandung Conference. 
 
At the time, a wave of independence was reshaping Africa and Asia. This conference has been described as the moment the Global South began to speak for itself.
 
The delegates to the Bandung Conference made a commitment to advancing peace and equality, to solidarity, and to economic and political cooperation rooted in mutual respect. 
 
The second seminal event of 1955 was the Conference of the People here in Johannesburg, in a place called Kliptown. 
 
It was the height of apartheid rule. Repression was rife. 
 
It was at the Congress of the People that South Africans of all races, all faiths and all creeds gathered to adopt the Freedom Charter, which would be the forerunner to South Africa’s democratic constitution. 
 
The Freedom Charter boldly declares that ‘There shall be Peace and Friendship’, and that this shall be secured by upholding the equal rights, opportunities and status of all. 
 
History too will record this year as a milestone for global cooperation. 
 
We affirm the historic nature not only of the first summit of the G20 to take place on African soil, but also of this Social Summit, a gathering of peoples from across the world.
 
We meet at a time of great uncertainty. 
 
Political polarisation, global poverty, conflict and war, and the growing impact of climate change are threatening global development.
 
Inequality in wealth distribution, imbalances in international development financing, and disparities in access to financial resources are holding back our ability to meet the aspirations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 
 
As a continent, we are in tandem striving to realise the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa we Want. 
 
This is the second G20 Social Summit to take place since the concept was inaugurated by the Brazilian Presidency last year.
 
The breadth of representation and the depth of engagement is most impressive. 
 
It is here, in this room, where we lay the groundwork for global action on the G20 priorities. 
 
We know that global action will be credible because it is informed by the voices of the people. 
 
South Africa’s G20 Presidency has been premised on ensuring the interests of developing economy countries are elevated on the G20 agenda. 
 
We have sought to address poverty, inequality and underdevelopment. 
 
We have worked to strengthen and reform the international financial architecture, to democratise the systems of global governance, and to promote the right of all nations to development, equality and dignity. 
 
We have used our G20 Presidency to reiterate the call for the world’s leading economies to invest in sustainable development and in the conservation of the planet for future generations. 
 
But for the decisions taken at the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit to stand tall, to grow, to have credibility and legitimacy, they have to be nourished by strong roots. 
 
These roots are our civil society and community organisations, women’s organisations, youth formations, academia and think-tanks, business, labour and other grassroots formations. 
 
We are fortunate to have secured the full and meaningful participation of all the formations in this Summit, including Women20, Youth20, Business20, Civil20, Labour20, Parliament20, Media20 and others. 
 
There has been broad and far-reaching consultation over the last year. 
 
There have been dialogues on issues as diverse as digital inclusion, equitable transformation and climate justice.
 
There have been discussions on just and sustainable finance, on media freedom, on strengthening democracy, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. 
 
Delegates to this Summit have recognised the need to build resilience and inclusive value chains to protect vulnerable countries from increased volatility in global trade. 
 
The Social Summit has reaffirmed the importance of an inclusive transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient economy that is guided by those most affected.
 
Delegates are calling on the G20 Leaders’ Summit to demonstrate leadership in scaling up global water investment for the benefit of all. 
 
The G20 Social Summit has sought to ensure that global leadership protects society’s most vulnerable. 
 
Today is World Children’s Day, when we commemorate the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 
 
This was the first global UN convention ratified by the newly democratic South Africa. 
 
This Social Summit has called for more resources to be devoted to eliminating child poverty and hunger and to ensure that children are protected. 
 
The progressive deliberations at this Social Summit have culminated in calls for greater political commitment to advancing young people’s access to opportunities.
 
It has called for the health and wellbeing of women and children to be prioritised and for greater representation of women in all facets of society. 
 
As South Africa, we have lent our support to the Global Leaders Network for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health. 
 
As the Global Leaders Network, we are deeply concerned by the effects of the withdrawal of overseas development assistance on initiatives supporting health service delivery and health systems.
 
We are committed to work together to mobilise global health financing so that the most vulnerable are not further deprived of their rights to care. 
 
It was the great African revolutionary Thomas Sankara who said there is no true social revolution without the liberation of women. 
 
He said: “May my eyes never see, and my feet never take me to a society where half the people are held in silence.” 
 
We cannot build societies rooted in equality unless those societies uphold the rights of women and girls.
 
Sustainable societies are those that recognise, value and compensate the labour and economic contribution of women.
 
No society can thrive for as long as gender-based violence and femicide continues and the agency of women is denied. 
 
The violence perpetrated by men against women erodes the social fabric of nations. 
 
It imposes a heavy burden that constrains development and weakens inclusive growth. 
 
Men and boys are critical partners in transforming harmful norms and advancing gender justice.
 
They must be actively involved in challenging inherited attitudes, power imbalances and social structures that normalise violence and silence survivors. 
 
Here in South Africa, we have declared gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) a national crisis. 
 
We have agreed, among all social partners, that we need to take extraordinary and concerted action – using every means at our disposal – to end this crisis. 
 
The collective perspectives that have been expressed at this Summit on all these issues and more will enable governments and decision-makers to better understand people’s practical, lived experiences. 
 
They will be able to better understand what works and what doesn’t – and to better understand what must change. 
 
Collectively, the members of the G20 represent 85 percent of global GDP, 75 percent of global trade and two-thirds of the global population. 
 
For the G20 to fully live up to its mission of promoting international financial stability and deepening global economic cooperation there should be no unwritten rules about those who feast and those who must settle for scraps. 
 
It cannot be that a country’s geographical location or income or army determines who has a voice and who is spoken down to. 
 
In choosing the theme for our G20 Presidency, South Africa sought to advance a vision of meaningful, credible global cooperation. 
 
It is our expectation that this Social Summit will be remembered for being far more than a marketplace of ideas. 
 
Just as the Bandung Conference elevated the voice of the Global South and just as the Conference of the People harnessed global solidarity against apartheid, this year’s G20 Social Summit must be remembered for having given practical meaning to global solidarity. 
 
Thank you to all who have been part of making this Summit a success. 
 
We commend the delegates from various civil society organisations present here for shaping the agenda and direction of the G20 Social Summit. 
 
These efforts will foster ongoing cooperation between governments and civil society in advancing sustainable global development. 
 
For millennia, our forebears were guided by the sun by day and the stars by night. 
 
They relied on nature to show them the way as they traversed the ancient trading routes of Timbuktu, as they navigated the mighty Congo River, and as they made their way across the vast expanses of the Kalahari. 
 
Today, we are counting on this Social Summit to guide the G20. 
 
We are relying on this Social Summit to be the reliable, trustworthy compass that ensures the G20 agenda takes the needs and aspirations of all the countries and all the peoples of the world into account. 
 
It is our collective wish that this Social Summit will guide us along the path of solidarity, equality and sustainability. 
 
No matter the headwinds, no matter the geopolitical shifts, no matter the challenges, we will keep our eyes fixed on the horizon of progress and shared prosperity. 
 
We will set a new course for the world, and we will create a new future for its people.
 
I thank you.

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South Africa congratulates Iraq on successful parliamentary elections

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, November 20, 2025

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has, on behalf of the South African government and its citizens, congratulated Iraq on the successful conclusion of its parliamentary elections held on 11 November 2025.

Reports indicate that a coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, won the parliamentary election. 

According to Al Jazeera, the Independent High Electoral Commission reported that al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Change coalition received 1.3 million votes, approximately 370 000 more than the closest competitor.

DIRCO believes that these elections reflect the dedication of the Iraqi people to uphold democratic governance and ensure national stability.

“South Africa looks forward to the formation of a new government in Iraq and reaffirms its commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, as well as various sectoral spheres of engagement. 

“We also remain committed to collaborating with Iraq on matters related to global governance as well as promoting shared goals in pursuit of global and regional peace, security and development.

“We wish Iraq every success and will continue building and strengthening our bilateral partnership to advance the mutual interests of our two nations,” the department added. – SAnews.gov.za

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Nzimande hails Prof Motaung’s legacy, calls for ethical and people-centred science

Source: Government of South Africa

In a heartfelt tribute, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, called on scientists to always put humanity at the heart of their work – a principle that defined the life and legacy of Professor Keolebogile Shirley Motaung.

“This means that our scientists and researchers must uphold the principle that scientific knowledge must be used responsibly and ethically,” he said on Wednesday. 

The Minister delivered a speech at the memorial service in Pretoria for Motaung, who passed away last week.

Motaung served as the Chair of the Female Academic Leaders Fellowship at the Financial Research and Entrepreneurship Foundation – Nelson Mandela University Research Chair in Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion, where she led transformative research that connected innovation, commercialisation, and entrepreneurship.

She was the founder and CEO of Global Health Biotech, which is best known for developing La-Africa Soother – a plant-based anti-inflammatory ointment made from indigenous medicinal plants. 

The ointment effectively relieves muscle and joint aches, offering athletes and women a natural alternative for anti-inflammatory relief.

“The first lesson we learn from Prof Motaung’s life is the need for our scientists and researchers to always remember the question: what problem does my knowledge seek to solve?”

He told mourners that one of the driving forces behind Motaung’s founding of Global Health Biotech was to address graduate unemployment, a mission she advanced by making her PhD students shareholders in the company.

“She did not just identify the problem or lament about it. She ventured to find a solution. Not the professional lamenters who are forever complaining and never provide any solutions.”

Even though she had risen to the highest levels possible and had earned a variety of national and international honours, the Minister said Motaung made time to mentor thousands of young, black, and female scientists and entrepreneurs. 

Nzimande also remembered Motaung for her commitment to placing indigenous knowledge at the centre of research and development.

“We also learn that research must be responsive to the lived reality of ordinary people. This means that the research that is produced by our public research institutions must be deliberate about addressing our immediate development challenges as a country.”

Nzimande took the time to urge all public research institutions to concern themselves with proactively finding sustainable solutions for such issues as poverty, inequality, unemployment, gender-based violence, energy security, the deleterious impact of climate change and the growing problem of cancer in South Africa. 

In addition, the Minister said Motaung’s life demonstrates that not only can black people and in particular black women, do science, but they are more than capable of breaking new ground in the various fields of science. 

“We are also paying tribute to someone who was driven by a deep commitment to change the lives of the young people of our country through education, science, and entrepreneurship.”

Nzimande believes that the best tribute to Motaung would empower marginalised young girls and boys to pursue their dreams of becoming scientists, academics, and entrepreneurs.

“On behalf of our President, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, I wish to convey our deepest condolences as government to the children and family of Prof Motaung and also express our country’s gratitude to her for her selfless service to our country and its people.” – SAnews.gov.za