Government Opinion Pieces

Taking Parliament to the people is vital for democracy

 Fellow South African,

Twenty-eight years since the first democratic Parliament sat in Cape Town, we continue to have a Parliament that is activist, responsive and determined to make a…

From the desk of the President
Broad-Based Black Economic empowerment is here to stay

Fellow South African,

With the advent of democracy in 1994, a key priority of the new government was to transform the economy…

From the desk of the President
Our common future depends on climate action now

Fellow South African,

Seven months ago, parts of our country experienced a deadly natural disaster that showed how vulnerable South Africa is…

From the Desk of the President
Towards a more professional and capable public service

One of the bitter lessons we take from the state capture era is how fragile our public sector can be and how we need to strengthen it…

From the Desk of the President
Together we can ensure state capture never happens again

Dear Fellow South African,

Over the coming days and weeks, from hashtags to homes to the halls of Parliament, South Africans from…

From the Desk of the President
Media freedom in South Africa is cause for optimism and pride

Dear Fellow South African,A free press is among the most significant dividends of our democracy, yet it is one that we perhaps take…

From the Desk of the President
Early childhood development holds the key to our future

Dear Fellow South African,There are few presidential activities more fulfilling than spending a morning in the company of small children.…

From the Desk of the President
A million work and livelihood opportunities, and counting

Dear Fellow South African,

Less than two years ago, we launched the Presidential Employment Stimulus to create jobs and support…

From the Desk of the President
No quick fix for load shedding but real progress is being made

Dear Fellow South African,

For every person living in this country, the past two weeks of load shedding have been extremely…

From the Desk of the President
Solving the electricity challenge is vital for South Africa’s investment drive

Dear Fellow South African,A few days ago, I met with US President Joe Biden in Washington to discuss several issues…

From the Desk of the President
The struggle to give South Africa a more human face

Dear Fellow South African,

On this day 45 years ago, Stephen Bantu Biko died in police custody in Pretoria Central Prison.

Human…

From the Desk of the President
Jobs figures show our economy is on the road to recovery

Dear Fellow South African, 

Over the last few years, South Africans have had to contend with slow growth and rising…

From the Desk of the President
New approach to fighting corruption gets results

Dear Fellow South African,

The fight against corruption requires both firm political will and independent, capable crime-fighting…

From the Desk of the President
Youth Employment Programme Is Changing Lives

Dear Fellow South African,

I was recently shown an inspiring and deeply touching post on a Facebook group for participants in government’s…

From the Desk of the President
We must celebrate the achievements of South African women

Dear Fellow South African,

Tomorrow we will commemorate the day in 1956 when thousands of women marched on the Union Buildings to…

From the Desk of the President
We must act now and together to end violence against women

Dear Fellow South African,It has been a tragic start to Women’s Month.Last week, we were once more confronted with the dark and ugly side…

From the Desk of the President
Social compact for growth and jobs must make a lasting difference

Dear Fellow South African,Since the advent of democracy, our people and indeed social partners have on many occasions been…

From the Desk of the President
Nelson Mandela Day reminds us that the future is in our hands

Dear Fellow South African,Today is Nelson Mandela Day, which is commemorated in South Africa and around the world.In honour of the…

From the Desk of the President
We can and will do more to end load shedding

Dear Fellow South African

Over the past two weeks, severe load shedding has disrupted our economy and caused extreme hardship for all…

From the Desk of the President
Our nation mourns the young lives lost in Enyobeni Tavern Tragedy

Dear Fellow South African

Just over a week ago, in the early hours of a Sunday morning, families in the township of…