South Africa commemorates Freedom Month in April to mark the transition from the oppressive apartheid regime to a free democratic country, and to reflect on the first democratic elections on 27 April 1994 that gave birth to our constitutional democracy.
This year’s Freedom Month will be commemorated under the theme “United in Resilience for The Defence of Our Freedom and Democracy”. The official national Freedom Day event will be celebrated on 27 April 2025 at AJ Swanepoel Stadium, Ermelo in Mpumalanga province.
H.E. The President of the General Assembly, Ambassador Philémon Yang, Your Excellences, Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen
Let me express my gratitude and that of my delegation for this opportunity to brief the United Nations General Assembly on the priorities of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, a historical first for the African continent.
In July 2005, President Nelson Mandela said “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest. We shall never forget how millions of people around the world joined us in solidarity to fight the injustice of our oppression. Those efforts paid off and we are able to stand here and join the millions around the world in support of freedom against poverty”.
These ideals mentioned by former President Mandela resonate with our chosen theme for our G20 Presidency “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.
Thus South Africa has a moral obligation and responsibility to advance these ideals.
We indeed take our cue from General Assembly resolution 71/327, entitled ‘The United Nations in Global Economic Governance’ adopted on 11 September 2017, where the General Assembly, amongst others, “welcomed the practice of informal engagement between the United Nations and intergovernmental groupings that make policy recommendations or take policy decisions with global implications, including the Group of 20 (G20), through informal briefings organised at the initiative of the President of the General Assembly”.
As the resolution quite correctly stipulates, the purpose of this interaction is to amongst others, “promote transparency and coherence as well as strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation in matters of global economic governance”.
Let me from the onset reiterate that for South Africa, the United Nations and its General Assembly, with its universal representation where every country participates on an equal footing, is and will always remain the chief deliberative, and policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations the community of nations, in every sphere, including in global economic governance. In this respect, the work being done in the G20, an informal grouping, seeks to support, contribute to and reinforce the reform efforts of already existing processes of the United Nations and its organs in a complimentary manner, rather than pursuing parallel processes.
The Pact of the Future, adopted at the UN’s Summit of the Future in 2024, presents a significant opportunity to revitalise global governance. South Africa is working to ensure that the actions of the Pact of the Future are integrated into the G20 agenda to ensure its full implementation. We highly appreciate the leadership role that you, the President of the General Assembly, are playing in driving Pact implementation, including the dialogue on Means of Implementation that will be held this week.
Distinguished delegates,
As we convene here today, we are amidst what the United Nations Secretary-General has referred to as a global polycrises. The interconnected nature of the threats facing humanity today, from extreme poverty and hunger to escalating geopolitical tensions and fragmentation, global warming, pandemics, energy and food insecurity, extreme poverty and inequality to rising intolerance and armed conflict, is causing further hardship and suffering, jeopardizing our collective future, particularly that of generations to come.
One of the greatest impediments to growth, development and stability is the persistence of inequality within and between countries.
Furthermore, we are in a race against time to meet the deadline that we have set for ourselves to reach the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In this address at the G20 High Level Opening Session in New York on 25 September 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa remarked that “With less than six years to go before the 2030 deadline for the achievement of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, we are at a crucial inflection point in humankind’s history. The imperative of sustainable development has become all the more crucial. It cannot be business as usual. It cannot be more platitudes and empty promises”.
In response to this dire state of the international situation that we have put forward as the theme of our G20 Presidency.
Through solidarity, we seek to achieve a future that is people-centred, development- orientated and inclusive. In an interconnected world, the challenges faced by one nation affect all nations.
By advancing equality we seek to ensure fair treatment, opportunities and advancement for all individuals and nations, irrespective of their economic status, gender, race, geographic location or other characteristics.
Sustainability is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Interwoven in this theme is the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which underpins our leadership and vision for our G20 Presidency. The spirit of Ubuntu – the profound belief that ‘I am because we are’ – further reminds us of the interconnectedness of humanity. Likewise, our challenges can only be resolved through cooperation, collaboration and partnership, because no challenge and no triumph exists in isolation. They require responses that are inclusive and coordinated. Cooperation is our greatest strength and our most powerful weapon.
Distinguished delegates,
South Africa’s G20 priorities and deliverables are aligned to the original G20 mandate of promoting Strong, Sustainable, Balanced and Inclusive Growth.
Our four overarching priorities thus seek to address those challenges that stifle the ability of our world, in particular the Global South to achieve our desired levels of growth and development.
Firstly, we are working to strengthen disaster resilience and response.
Secondly, we are focusing on means to ensure debt sustainability for low-income countries.
Under this priority, we are also undertaking a Cost of Capital Review that is intended to deliver a comprehensive expert review on the issues impacting the cost of capital for developing economies which could help address future debt sustainability issues and the related fiscal space challenges.
Thirdly, under the priority of mobilising finance for a Just Energy Transition.
And finally, we are seeking to harness critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Under this priority, South Africa is also taking forward the outcomes of the 2024 report of the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals.
Distinguished delegates,
The South African Presidency of the G20 has introduced three Task Forces that will bring together role players across the Sherpa and Finance Tracks and various Working Groups. These are:
Task Force 1: on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Reduced Inequality.
Task Force 2: on Food Security
Task Force 3 on Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development.
The work of this Task Force will complement the Global Digital Compact that was adopted as part of the Pact of the Future. We are pleased that the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies is one of our technical partners on this Task Force.
Additional initiatives under our Presidency include the following:
A Broadened Compact with Africa 2.0: Building on the German G20 Presidency’s Compact with Africa deliverable, South Africa will work with all G20 members to pursue a G20 broadened and effective Compact with Africa (CwA).
Review of the work of the G20: A review of the work of the G20 during its first full cycle: A Reflection on Key Achievements and the way forward, feature as one of South Africa’s deliverables
Building on the successes of the past three presidencies led by the Global South (Indonesia (2022); India (2023); and Brazil (2024)), South Africa is also, through both the Sherpa and Finance Tracks:
Championing reform of the multilateral trading system and the international financial architecture, including strengthening of multilateral development banks,
Addressing the challenge of Climate Change,
Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion,
Advocating for Gender Equality, and
Pursing enhanced international tax cooperation and addressing illicit financial
Your Excellences,
2025 will mark the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations and its lodestar document, the UN Charter, and the 20th Anniversary of the World Summit on Social Development. In South Africa, we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter, which is the cornerstone of our democratic Constitution. Indeed, anniversaries provide us with the opportunity to assess progress, challenges and propose solutions relevant to the present.
South Africa strongly believes that we need to strengthen the multilateral system and enhance international cooperation to solve the complex challenges facing the world today. The erosion of multilateralism therefore presents a threat to global growth and stability, and it should be vigorously contested.
It is thus imperative that we place the respect for the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter, international law, international humanitarian law and human rights at the centre of our discussions on the global geopolitical situation.
We must also appreciate that the world today is a different place compared to what it was in 1945 when the United Nations was established. Today, most UN member states are from the developing world. We thus need to amplify the call for the UN to be reformed and made fit for purpose for today’s realities. This includes the revitalisation of the General Assembly, ECOSOC and the reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Your Excellences,
We greatly welcome the African Union’s inclusion in the G20, which is an opportunity to amplify Africa’s voice in global economic governance, whilst ensuring that the development priorities of the African Continent and the Global South find expression firmly, and permanently onto the agenda of the G20.
As a group representing 80% of the world’s population and 85% of global GDP, the G20 has a role to play in terms of providing impetus in pursuit of solutions to address some of the urgent challenges confronting humanity and the planet we share.
South Africa also notes the complementarities and synergies between our G20 Presidency, the Pact of the Future, the FfD4 process, the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025 and COP30. The G20 has held discussions on FfD4 and is considering the opportunity to contribute constructively to ambitious outcomes to close the sustainable development financing gap and reform the international financial architecture.
The United Nations and the G20 cannot work in isolation. And so, South Africa is championing cooperation, collaboration and partnerships– between countries, individuals and groups during its G20 Presidency.
There should be a collective recognition that the United Nations remains the most relevant global and international platform for tackling challenges and threats to peace and security, addressing poverty and development, and ensuring the protection of human rights.
Strengthening cooperation between the G20 and the UN is essential to foster coherence and synergy between both agendas.
The conflicts in Africa, Europe and the Middle East continue to exact a heavy human toll and heighten global insecurity. As the international community, we must continue to advocate for diplomatic solutions. Inclusive dialogue is the foremost guarantor of sustainable, lasting peace.
In line with the G20’s New Delhi Declaration, “all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seeks territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible”
It is our strong conviction that today’s era must be that of peace.
South Africa has showed firm resolve in its foreign policy, by promoting principles of justice, solidarity, equality, peace and respect, underpinned by its commitment to human dignity and to leaving no one behind.
We see the G20 Summit in November 2025 as a forum where cooperation and collaboration amongst global leaders will be taken to a higher level. This will be South Africa’s enduring legacy in the G20.
Let me conclude your Excellences, by reminding this august gathering of very apt remarks delivered by former President Nelson Mandela at the UN World Summit for Social Development, 20-years ago on 12 March 1995. He said:
“We are gathered here to answer one question: how does humanity cooperate to build a better life for all. If this question sounds trite in its simplicity and too familiar in its rhyme, it is because this challenge has been with us for millennia….We either rise together as humanity, or together fall”,
I thank you for your attention and look forward to engaging further.
Fair and inclusive trade is important for growth and jobs in SA
Dear Fellow South African,
Trade between nations is a vital part of economic progress.
That is why, as part of our G20 Presidency, South Africa is promoting a trade agenda in which G20 members commit to measures to promote expanded, more inclusive and more sustainable value chains.
I recently came across an inspiring story of a farmer from Elukwatini in Mpumalanga that highlights how deepening G20 trade can support the growth of local industry. In February, Bongani Thobela took part in the world’s largest fresh produce trade fair in Germany, a G20 member and the third largest market for South African exports. There he was able to meet potential buyers and has since secured an export license and sent samples of his produce to Germany and China.
He was part of an initiative by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to support local producers to attend international trade fairs and exhibitions to expose them to international markets. This reflects our conviction that greater exports of a more diverse variety of goods and service are essential for the growth of our economy and the creation of more jobs.
We are committed to measures that support industrial development and bolster the value of our exports. At the same time, we are pursuing a trade policy that uses international trade agreements to secure fairer terms, promote market access and facilitate expansion into new markets.
Developing economies such as ours are vulnerable to volatility in international trade. This is particularly the case in the face of unilateral actions and coercive measures that undermine multilateral agreements and the global rules-based trading system.
We are therefore working in different ways to make our domestic industries more resilient.
To bolster the value of our exports we are strengthening the regulatory regime. For example, last month we signed the Plant Health Act into law. This will improve domestic biosecurity and ensure there is greater alignment with international export requirements.
We are intensifying our efforts to diversify destinations for South African goods, products and services.
Last year marked a number of ‘firsts’ for South African agricultural exports. We gained access to the Thailand market for apples for the first time in 16 years and exported our first container of avocados to Japan. This month we also gained market access for South African table grapes to the Philippines.
We are deepening relations with countries and regions with which we have regional and bilateral trade agreements that provide preferential trade terms. These include the Southern African Customs Union and the Southern African Development Community Free Trade Area.
We are working to make effective use of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Last year, we commenced trading under the AfCFTA. A shipment of ‘Made in SA’ consumer goods, copper, cement, electrical and pharmaceutical goods and fresh produce left the port of Durban for markets elsewhere on the continent.
At last month’s European Union-South Africa Summit in Cape Town we signed a trade and investment package worth around R90 billion. This package will support the export of more SA-made products into the EU.
We are increasing investment in domestic industries that contribute to exports. The 2025 Budget allocates increased funding to boost manufacturing and agro-processing, as well as for incentive programmes that strengthen local value chains and open access to key international markets.
As we undertake all these measures, South Africa will continue to advocate for a level playing field in global trade.
Trade must remain free, predictable and governed by a rules-based system. This is particularly critical for developing economies, many of which remain locked into the lower end of global value chains.
South Africa endorses the reform process underway within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that seeks to address deficiencies in the global trade regime that work against developing economies.
South Africa remains committed to maintaining favourable relations with existing trade partners and to forging new trade relationships.
As Government, business and labour, we will continue to deepen our collaboration as we navigate a global trade environment that has become increasingly complex.
Our ultimate goal is to secure favourable trade terms that advance our national interest, drive inclusive growth and create jobs for the South African people.
Last week, Parliament adopted the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals as tabled in the Budget Speech by the Minister of Finance.
The 2025 Budget is directed at growing the economy and supporting the livelihoods of our people.
It is a critical instrument to drive development, eradicate poverty and narrow inequality. At a time of constrained economic growth and narrow fiscal space, the budget must direct sufficient resources to activities that encourage inclusive growth and lay the groundwork for sustained economic recovery.
It reflects the strategic priorities of the Government of National Unity: inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living and building a capable, ethical and developmental state.
The Budget advances Government’s commitment to uplift the material conditions of South Africans.
Once our debt repayments have been taken out, 61% of spending over the next three years has been allocated to the social wage. This includes the provision of free primary healthcare, basic and tertiary education and housing. Over the past 24 years we have implemented an indigent policy under which free water, electricity and sanitation services are provided to qualifying households.
Social grants, like the child care, old age and disability grants, are another tool for alleviating poverty. This year, the value of these grants will increase at above inflation. The Social Relief of Distress grant, which has played an important role in poverty alleviation, will also be extended for another year.
As part of improving access to healthcare, there will be a higher allocation of funding to clinics and community health centres. We are investing in the recruitment and retention of health personnel, particularly doctors and nurses, and to employ newly qualified doctors after their community service ends.
The Budget allocates substantial funds to other frontline services such as teachers, police, emergency personnel and the Border Management Authority.
Improving educational outcomes is key to community upliftment, development and producing the skills needed by our economy. Budgetary allocations have been made to support teacher training, for expanded mother-tongue bilingual education and for early reading programmes. This year sees a substantial investment in early childhood development, reflecting our commitment to establishing a solid foundation for the development of every child.
Additional funds have been allocated to public employment programmes, which play an important role in providing work opportunities at a time when economic growth is constrained.
To encourage entrepreneurship, funds have been made available to support small businesses. Adjustments are being made to the Employee Tax Incentive to further incentivise businesses to hire more young people.
South Africa’s expenditure on the social wage can only be sustained if there are higher levels of economic growth. The Budget allocates considerable resources to encourage infrastructure development, which drives growth and job creation.
Taken together, up to R1 trillion will be spent on infrastructure over the medium term. This includes the allocation in this Budget of an additional R62 billion over the next three years for road maintenance, electricity transmission lines, water and sanitation projects, school infrastructure and to support the ongoing recovery of our rail networks.
Support is also provided to other growth-enhancing measures in the medium term, including incentive programmes in automotive, business process outsourcing, special economic zones, electric vehicle production, clothing and textiles and other sectors.
The 2025 Budget makes adjustments to allocations to municipalities to enable them to address their infrastructure needs, improve service delivery and improve their revenue collection systems.
In a challenging economic environment – both locally and globally – this year’s Budget supports measures to drive growth and relieve the effects of poverty. At the same time, it aims to stabilise public finances and continue to reduce our national debt.
The Budget reflects the priorities of Government’s Medium Term Development Plan, a five-year programme of action that prioritises rapid, inclusive growth, creating a more just society and building state capacity.
At a time when our singular focus must be the South African people, we need to use the limited resources we have to work together for the common good.
A clear path towards efficiency in water and sanitation delivery
Dear Fellow South African,
Last week government convened a landmark National Water and Sanitation Indaba to develop a clear plan for resolving challenges in the sector.
The Indaba brought together delegates representing national and local government, water boards, catchment management entities, the South African Local Government Association, scientific experts, innovators and the private sector.
The recommendations emanating from the Indaba give cause for great optimism.
A number of the suggestions and solutions are focused, evidence-based and accompanied by clear delivery timelines.
As the suggested solutions are implemented, we will chart a new course for the management of this most critical of resources.
The Government of National Unity has prioritised achieving a secure and reliable water supply to sustain communities and support economic growth.
Delegates were tasked with developing a sustainable turnaround plan that harnesses the momentum of the structural reform process initiated under the sixth administration.
These include reinstating the Drop water quality monitoring system, significantly improving the turnaround time for processing water use license applications, and a Raw Water Pricing Strategy.
The establishment of a National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency is one of the most significant reforms in the sector to date.
The Agency will be responsible for developing and managing national water infrastructure, and will mobilise financing for water infrastructure.
Water infrastructure build is currently on an upward trajectory.
The Infrastructure Fund has to date secured R23 billion for seven large water infrastructure projects including Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, the Polihali Dam, and the Ntabelanga Dam on the uMzimvubu River.
The Indaba resolved that there should be deeper collaboration between the Water Partnerships Office and the private sector to mobilise financing over the next three years.
A number of innovative financing models are being explored, including Green and Blue Bonds.
A resolution was also taken to forge more non-commercial water provision partnerships with industrial sectors. A successful model of this kind is the Olifants Management Model project in Limpopo in partnership with mining houses.
Water delivery implementation models and processes will be subject to rigorous review. By way of example, the process for the appointment of capable Water Service Providers will be standardised, and capacity assessments will be introduced for water boards.
A large percentage of South Africa’s purified water is being lost to leaks from municipal distribution systems.
Water Services Authorities will have to develop mitigation programmes that include adequate budgets for maintenance, reducing leaks, closing illegal water connections and strengthening metering, billing and revenue collection.
Demand management is an imperative.
Government will roll out an extensive public awareness campaign to encourage people and businesses to use water sparingly.
The crackdown on corruption and organised crime in the sector is being intensified.
A National Water and Sanitation Anti-Corruption Forum will be set up in collaboration with the Special Investigating Unit.
A number of SIU investigations into allegations of fraud and corruption at several water boards have already been completed, and have resulted in resignations, dismissals, and criminal charges.
In line with the resolutions taken at the Indaba, Water Service Authorities have to develop water infrastructure security plans to combat vandalism and theft of infrastructure within six months.
The Indaba further resolved that communities should be more actively involved in the protection of our country’s water infrastructure. One of the promising proposals that will be considered is setting up water committees in communities.
The overwhelming consensus at the Water and Sanitation Indaba was that all efforts need to be made to support municipal authorities to fulfil their service delivery mandate.
Minimum competency regulations for water service providers will be developed, and municipalities will have to urgently fill key technical positions.
It was further resolved that mechanisms should be urgently developed to capacitate municipalities to utilise their Municipal Infrastructure Grant and Urban Settlements Development Grant for infrastructure upkeep.
The resolutions taken by the Water and Sanitation Indaba, once successfully implemented, will help us turn the tide in our ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and build a capable, ethical, developmental state.
As the old adage goes, water is life.
A well-functioning, efficient water and sanitation sector isn’t just a constitutional imperative and a driver of development. It also instils business and investor confidence that in turn spurs economic growth and job creation.
Working together as all spheres of government, business, communities and civil society, it is within our means to give effect to the constitutional right to access clean water and sufficient sanitation, and to achieve the water security our country needs.
