Posts in category: Speeches

Your Excellency Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Ministers, Ambassadors, Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen, We have just concluded a successful 7th session of the Bi-National Commission between the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and the Republic of South Africa. President Tebboune and I were extremely satisfied with the detailed report that was presented on progress in the key

Your Excellency, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Honourable Ministers, Ambassadors, Officials, This Seventh Session of the Bi-National Commission between our two countries has been most productive. It has set our partnership on a promising trajectory. Our task now is to ensure the effective implementation of the key decisions we have made here. It is important that Ministerial Review sessions take place between our BNC sessions. South Africa

Your Excellency Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Honourable Ministers, Ambassadors, Senior Officials, Members of the Media, Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my privilege to address this Seventh Session of the Bi-National Commission between South Africa and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. South Africa commends Algeria for holding successful Presidential elections on 7 September 2024. We congratulate you on

Speaker of the National Assembly, Speaker of the Senate, Members of Parliament, Ministers, Ambassadors, Honourable Brahim Boughali, President of the Algerian People’s National Assembly, Honourable Members, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Evening, It is an honour to be here in the Parliament of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. My delegation and I have been received with great warmth and

Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, Members of the media, Colleagues, Fellow South Africans, Two days ago, on the 1st of December 2024, South Africa assumed the Presidency of the G20 group of countries. The G20 comprises many of the world’s largest developing and developed economies. It was established to tackle pressing global economic and financial

Your Excellency, President Tinubu, Honourable Ministers, High Commissioners, Senior Government Officials, I wish to thank you, Your Excellency, for your warm and positive concluding remarks. They reinforce the strong bonds of friendship and solidarity between our countries. The ministerial report we have received and deliberated on highlights the various priorities we should pursue as partners and allies. Our ministers and senior officials have done excellent

Your Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Honourable Ministers, High Commissioner, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and gentlemen, I warmly welcome you and your esteemed delegation to our country. As we gather here on the occasion of the 11th Session of the Bi-National Commission between our countries, we reaffirm our close bonds of friendship, solidarity and cooperation. We are two countries

His Excellency, the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Mr Parks Tau, Minister of Trade and Industry of Nigeria, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, High Commissioners, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Leaders of business, Distinguished guests, It gives me great pleasure to address this South Africa-Nigeria Business Roundtable. We see

Your Excellency, President Mr Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Heads of State and Government of the G20 Members and Invited Countries, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr António Guterres, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is an honour to accept, on behalf of the people of South Africa, the responsibility of the Presidency of the G20 for the next year. I congratulate President Lula da Silva and

His Excellency President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Heads of State and Government of the G20 Members and Invited Countries, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr António Guterres, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you for ensuring that the reform of the global governance institutions takes centre stage during this G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The reform of these institutions is more urgent now than ever

His Excellency, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Heads of State and Government of the G20 Members and Invited Countries, His Excellency, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr António Guterres, Ladies and Gentlemen, South Africa fully supports the Brazilian Presidency’s focus on social inclusion and the fight against hunger. It is only through an integrated and comprehensive system of social support that we will be

Your Excellency, President Vladimir Putin, Your Excellencies, Leaders of BRICS nations, Your Excellencies, Leaders of Global and Regional Institutions, Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, Allow me to begin by congratulating the Russian Federation and President Putin on chairing a successful BRICS Summit, as well as leading us all on adopting an excellent declaration. The BRICS Outreach

Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security Your Excellency, President Vladimir Putin, Excellencies, fellow BRICS Leaders, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and gentlemen, Let me thank our Chair, President Putin, for hosting us in Kazan for the XVI BRICS Summit. Fifteen years ago, South Africa attended its first BRICS Summit in Sanya, China. Today, we gather as a group of nine leading emerging countries. Our historic

Programme Director, His Majesty, King Letsie III and Queen Mohato Seeiso, The Right Honourable Samuel Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Eminent Majesties, Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, The Deputy President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Honourable, Kembo Mohadi, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina J. Mohammed, Honourable Ministers, Senior Government officials, Members of the media, Dumelang Basotho ba batle. It is

President of the General Assembly, Ambassador Philémon Yang, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr António Guterres, President of the Republic of Brazil, Mr Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Your Excellencies, Foreign Ministers, Ladies and gentlemen, Allow me to begin by expressing my appreciation to Brazil as the current President of the G20 for convening this meeting. We further commend the excellent manner in which Brazil

President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, Mr Philemon Yang, United Nations Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres, Excellencies Heads of State and Government, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thirty years ago, South Africa was born as a new nation; equal, united and free from apartheid. We adopted a new constitution as the birth certificate of our new nation. Our first democratic elections brought the tyranny

Coordinator of Prosper Africa, Ms British Robinson, President of the Business Council for International Understanding, Mr Peter Tichansky, South African Ministers, Representatives of industry, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning and thank you for this opportunity. I wish to thank the BCIU and Prosper Africa for hosting this Critical Minerals Roundtable. Four months ago, South Africa held national general elections, which ushered in a

President of the New York Stock Exchange, Ms Lynn Martin, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Parks Tau, Ministers from the Republic of South Africa, Representatives of business from the US and South Africa, Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, Allow me to begin by thanking the leadership of the New York Stock Exchange for hosting this South

Chair of the African Union, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, African Union Commission Chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Fellow Heads of State, The threat of potential pandemics looms large. Scientists have predicted that climate change will likely increase the frequency of outbreaks of pandemic potential. When the Mpox epidemic began spreading across several African countries, our CDC Director General convened a meeting of African scientists and international

President, of the General Assembly, Secretary-General, Excellencies, We meet at a time when the world faces many challenges and threats. Wars, conflict, and the spectre of emerging conflicts are ever-persistent features of our time. Climate change is an existential threat. It is reversing economic growth and development gains in the Global North and Global South alike. The COVID-19 pandemic that wreaked havoc across our world

Your Excellency, Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, Your Excellency, Mr Mohamed Ghazouani, Chairperson of the African Union and President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Your Excellency, Mr Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal and co-chair of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, Your Excellency, Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Your Excellency,

Ambassador Wu Peng of the Peoples Republic of China, Ambassador Siyabonge Cwele of the Republic of South Africa, Business Leaders from China and South Africa, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentleman, It gives me great pleasure to address you today at this South Africa-China Business Forum. This meeting is taking place on the margins of a State Visit and the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa

Leadership of Guandong Province and the city of Beijing, Ministers, Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Oscar Mabuyane, Business leaders, Thank you to the leadership of Guangdong province and the city of Shenzhen for your generous hospitality. This important business roundtable meeting strengthens our economic relationship. We are truly inspired by the sheer pace of development and growth in Shenzhen and in the province of

Your Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers from China and South Africa, Ambassadors of China and South Africa, Senior officials, Ladies and gentlemen, Your Excellency, I am grateful for your invitation to undertake this second State Visit to your wonderful country. I fondly recall your fourth State Visit to South Africa last year, as we celebrated

Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Thoko Didiza, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Honourable Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Former President Thabo Mbeki, Former Deputy President and Former Speaker, Baleka Mbete, Former Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Former Chairperson of the NCOP, Amos Masondo, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, Heads of Institutions

Today, we gather under this vast Highveld sky at the seat of our government, the Union Buildings, to witness before all South Africans and our honoured guests from various countries on our beloved continent and from far afield a fundamental rite of our democracy. In our brilliant diversity, we gather to affirm our solemn conviction that this country belongs to all who live in it,

Madame Speaker, Madame Deputy Speaker, Chief Justice, Leaders of all political parties represented in this National Assembly,   I congratulate you Speaker and Deputy Speaker for your election.   I am humbled and honoured that members of this National Assembly have through their votes tonight decided to elect me as President of the Republic of South Africa.   It is with pleasure that I accept.

Your Excellency, President Akufo-Addo, Honourable Ministers, High Commissioners, Senior Officials, Members of the Media,   We have now come to the end of the Second Session of the BNC.   We have exchanged views on several issues affecting our continent and the rest of the world. We have reaffirmed our resolve to work together bilaterally and at the level of the African Union to contribute

Your Excellency, President Nana Akufo-Addo of the Republic of Ghana, Honourable Ministers, High Commissioners, Senior Officials, Ladies and Gentlemen,   Good Morning,   Welcome to the Second Session of the Bi-National Commission between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Ghana.   It is an honour, my dear brother, to receive you and your delegation in this most auspicious year for South Africa,

Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Amos Masondo, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Former President Thabo Mbeki, Former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Baleka Mbete, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, Mayor of Cape Town, Cllr Geordin Hill-Lewis, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Regional Deans, Heads

Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Ebrahim Patel, Ministers, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Mr Wamkele Mene, Ministers of Trade from AfCFTA State Parties, Mayor of eThekwini, Mr Mxolisi Kaunda, Representatives of business, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,   Today, we are witness to a historic moment in Africa’s economic destiny.   Today, we

Your Excellency President Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda and Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Your Excellencies, Ministers and Ambassadors, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,   I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Uganda for the warm reception we have received here in the Pearl of Africa.   We thank our former Chairperson,

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the inaugural G77 + China Summit on Climate Change during the United Nations Climate-Focused Conference of Parties (COP 28), in Dubai, 2 December 2023   President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermudez, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,   I wish to convey my appreciation to Cuba for convening the Group of 77 and China at Summit level for the first

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the first Global Stock-Take High Level Segment of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP 28), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2 December 2023   Moderators, Excellencies,   Developing countries have borne the brunt of the adverse effects of climate change.   Yet, they have still not received anywhere near the required multilateral support to face the climate

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the High-Level Segment for the Heads of State and Government during the UN Climate Change Conference 2023, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 1 December 2023   His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Your Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of COP28, Dr Sultan Al-Jaber, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Ladies

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Third African Union Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity, Pretoria, 28 November 2023   Programme Director and former Chair of UN Women, former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Your Excellency Azali Assoumani, Chair of the African Union and President of the Union of the Comoros, Your Excellency Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia, Your Excellency Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius,

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Extraordinary Joint Meeting of BRICS Leaders and Leaders of invited BRICS members on the situation in the Middle East, 21 November 2023   Your Excellencies, Leaders of BRICS nations, Your Excellencies, Leaders of Invited BRICS Members, Ministers, Sherpas and Sous Sherpas, Officials,   Thank you for your attendance at this Extraordinary Joint Meeting to address a matter

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Qatar-South Africa Business Roundtable, Doha, Qatar, 15 November 2023   Ministers from South Africa, Leaders of business from South Africa and the State of Qatar, Distinguished guests,   Good Afternoon,   I would like to thank the government of the State of Qatar for their warm and friendly hospitality and I welcome this opportunity to engage with Qatari

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Opening Ceremony of the 20th AGOA Forum, Johannesburg Expo Centre, 3 November 2023   Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Mr Ebrahim Patel, United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, Mr Albert Muchanga, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Mr

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Cairo Summit for Peace, Cairo, Egypt, 21 October 2023   Your Excellency, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, Your Majesties, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Representatives and Officials,   President Sisi thank you for convening this important summit that will hopefully raise the awareness of the world of what

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Official Talks with King Willem-Alexander on the occasion of the Netherlands State Visit, Union Buildings, Pretoria, 19 October 2023   Your Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Honourable Ministers of the Netherlands and South Africa, Ambassadors, Officials, Ladies and Gentlemen,   It is my privilege to welcome you, Your Majesties, on this, your first

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the Third South Africa–Namibia Bi-National Commission Business Forum, Windhoek, Namibia, 13 October 2023   Programme Directors, His Excellency President Dr Hage Geingob, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Mr Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Industrialisation and Trade of Namibia, Ms Lucia Lipumbu, Ministers, High Commissioners, Members of the diplomatic corps, Leaders of business from

President Ramaphosa’s Closing Remarks during the Third Session of the South Africa–Namibia Bi-National Commission, Windhoek, Namibia, 13 October 2023   Your Excellency, President Geingob, Honourable Ministers, Our respective High Commissioners, Senior Government Officials,   We have come to the end of the Third Session of the Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Namibia.   The Ministerial Report that we have just considered and approved has

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Third Session of the South Africa–Namibia Bi-National Commission, Windhoek, Namibia, 13 October 2023   Your Excellency, President Dr Hage Geingob, Honourable Ministers, High Commissioner, Senior Officials, Members of the media from Namibia and South Africa, Ladies and Gentlemen,   Good Morning,   Your Excellency President Geingob, thank you for receiving us in Windhoek.   We are pleased

Eulogy by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Official Funeral of former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Aziz Goolam Hoosein Pahad, West Park Cemetery, Johannesburg, 30 September 2023   Programme Director, The extended Pahad family, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Leadership of the African National Congress, Leadership of the Alliance and Democratic Movement, Leaders of Political Parties, Members of the Diplomatic Community, Religious and community leaders

Closing Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the conclusion of the Inaugural Lesotho–South Africa Bi-National Commission, 28 September 2023   Your Excellency, Prime Minister Matekane, Ministers, High Commissioners, Colleagues,   We have come to the end of our bilateral discussions, which have been frank and cordial.   We remain forever grateful for the strong ties that exist between our countries and peoples. The work we

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the launch of the Inaugural Lesotho–South Africa Bi-National Commission, 28 September 2023   Your Excellency, Prime Minister Matekane, Honourable Ministers, Our respective High Commissioners, Senior Government Officials, Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Excellency,   I am pleased to welcome you and your delegation to South Africa.   It is indeed a pleasure to co-chair this

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Climate Ambition Summit, New York, USA, 20 September 2023   President of the UN General Assembly, Amb Dennis Francis, UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres, Your Excellencies,   We have witnessed with increasing alarm the effects of climate change, environmental degradation, unsustainable production and resource scarcity on human health and well-being.   As countries across the globe seek practical

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, New York, USA, 20 September 2023   President of the UN General Assembly, Amb Dennis Francis, UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres, Your Excellencies,   Humanity is confronted with the convergence of a climate crisis, recession, increasing conflict, environmental degradation, rising food insecurity, deepening poverty and unacceptable levels of hunger.

Seventy-eight years ago, in the aftermath of the Second World War, the nations of the world made a solemn commitment to save future generations from the horror and the suffering of war. Through the United Nations Charter these nations accepted a shared mandate to foster peace and to promote fundamental human rights, social progress and a better standard of life for all.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Remarks on advancing Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in Africa, New York, USA, 18 September 2023   Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General, Africa Centres for Disease Prevention and Control Ministers of Health and Delegates, Leaders of Specialised AU Organs, Partners, Ladies and Gentlemen,   I wish to thank Africa CDC for inviting us to co-host this critical meeting on the margins of

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Remarks at the US–South Africa Trade and Investment Business Roundtable Dialogue, New York, USA, 18 September 2023   Mr Scott Eisner, President of the US-Africa Business Center, US Chamber of Commerce, Mr Stephen Kehoe, Chair, US-Africa Business Center, Mr Cas Coovadia, Chief Executive Officer, Business Unity South Africa, Honoured guests, colleagues and friends,   Thank you for the opportunity to spend some

President Ramaphosa Addresses Sustainable Development Goals and Investments during Day 1 and Day 2 of Engagements in New York, USA, 18 September 2023   President Ramaphosa, spent the first and second day of his working visit to the United States for the 78th United Nations General Assembly, discussing sustainable development goals and investments to South Africa.   On Sunday, 17 September, President Ramaphosa held a

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Remarks at the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, UN General Assembly, New York, USA, 18 September 2023   President of the UN General Assembly, Amb Dennis Francis, UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres, Your Excellencies,   This is a vital Summit that must revive and accelerate progress towards the fulfilment of the promises we made to the peoples of the world in 2015.  

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the High-Level Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) Event, UN General Assembly, New York, USA, 18 September 2023   Your Excellency, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Your Excellency Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, UNICEF Executive Director, Dr Catherine Russell, Vice President of Global Programs at

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Working Session II: One Family, G20 Leaders’ Summit, New Delhi, India, 9 September 2023   Your Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and President of the G20, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Representatives of International Organisations, Ladies and Gentlemen,   South Africa welcomes the Indian Presidency’s efforts to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Working Session I: One Earth One Earth, G20 Leaders’ Summit, 9 September 2023, New Delhi, India   Your Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and President of the G20, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Representatives of International Organisations, Ladies and Gentlemen,   We are delighted that the G20 has accepted the African Union as a

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s China–Africa Roundtable Closing Remarks on the occasion of the State Visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Hilton Hotel, Sandton, 24 August 2023   Your Excellency President Xi Jinping, Heads of State and Government and Chairs of the Regional Economic Communities in Africa, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ministers and Advisors, Ladies and Gentlemen,   Our deliberations this evening have been robust,

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s China–Africa Roundtable Opening Remarks on the occasion of State Visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Hilton Hotel, Sandton, 24 August 2023   Your Excellency President Xi Jinping, Co-Chair of the China–Africa Leaders’ Roundtable Dialogue, Heads of State and Government and Chairs of the Regional Economic Communities in Africa, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat, Ministers and Advisors, Ladies

Welcome Remarks by BRICS Chair, President Cyril Ramaphosa, at the BRICS–Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue, 24 August 2023   Your Excellency, Mr António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Your Excellency, President Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros and Chair of the African Union, Your Excellencies, Leaders of BRICS nations, Leaders of Africa and the Global South, Leaders of Global and

BRICS Chair President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Media Briefing Remarks announcing the outcomes of the XV BRICS Summit, 24 August 2023   Excellencies, Members of the Media, Good Afternoon,   We successfully concluded the XV BRICS Summit yesterday.   It is the first BRICS Summit to be hosted in-person since the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global travel restrictions.   Leading up to the Summit, there was

Welcome Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the Cultural Performance and State Banquet of the XV BRICS Summit, 23 August 2023   Your Excellencies, Leaders of the BRICS nations, Your Excellencies, Leaders from across Africa, Your Excellencies, Leaders of the Global South, Representatives of global and regional institutions, Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,   Good Evening.   Thank you for accepting my

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the XV BRICS Summit Open Plenary, Sandton International Convention Centre, 23 August 2023   Your Excellency President Lula Da Silva, Your Excellency President Vladimir Putin Your Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Your Excellency President Xi Jinping, Your Excellency Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank, Chair of the BRICS Business Council, Ms Busi Mabuza, Chair

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue, 22 August 2023   Your Excellency, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Your Excellency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ministers and Officials, Business Leaders, Friends,   It is a great honour to participate in this Leaders’ Session of the BRICS Business Forum.   I thank you all for your attendance and participation.   The

Media Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the State Visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 22 August 2023   Your Excellency President Xi Jinping, Honourable Ministers, Ambassadors from China and South Africa, Members of delegations, Members of the media, Ladies and Gentlemen,   South Africa is honoured to receive President Xi Jinping on his fourth State Visit to South

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Official Talks on the occasion of the State Visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 22 August 2023   Your Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers from China and South Africa, Ambassador of China and South Africa, Senior officials, Ladies and Gentlemen,   I am pleased

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa on South Africa’s foreign policy, 20 August 2023   Fellow South Africans,   I would like to address you this evening on South Africa’s foreign policy in the light of our country being the host of the 15th BRICS Summit.   I would also like us to understand and appreciate the significance of this gathering for our country and the

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during a Plenary Session in the Second Russia–Africa Summit in St. Petersburg in the Russian Federation, 28 July 2023   Your Excellency, President Vladimir Putin, Your Excellency, President Azali Assoumani, Chair of the African Union and President of the Comoros, Your Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chair of the African Union Commission, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Ministers, Guests,

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the DRC-South Africa Business Forum, 12th Session of DRC-SA Binational Commission, Kinshasa, DRC, 6 July 2023   His Excellency Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Minister of Industry of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr Julien Paluku Kahongya, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Mr Ebrahim Patel, Ministers from the DRC and South

Opening Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the Eighth Summit of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Ezulwini, Eswatini, 29 June 2023   Your Majesty King Mswati III, Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Trade and Finance of SACU, Executive Secretary of SACU, Mr Thabo Khasipe, Members of the SACU Secretariat, Officials, Ladies and Gentlemen,   We are meeting at a

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of his participation in the Round Table Discussion on Green Growth Partnerships at the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, 22 June 2023   President Emmanuel Macron, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,   This Summit is taking place at an important moment in the international climate discussions.   The Summit is a valuable platform for engagement

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the SA–Denmark–Netherlands Business Forum, 20 June 2023   Your Excellency, Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, Your Excellency, Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Mr Ebrahim Patel, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Ambassadors, Business leaders from the Netherlands, Denmark and South Africa, Representatives of organised labour, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during Official Talks of the Denmark and Netherlands Joint Working Visit, Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria, 20 June 2023   Your Excellency Prime Minister Frederiksen, Your Excellency Prime Minister Rutte, Ambassadors representing South Africa, Denmark and the Netherlands, Ministers, Officials,   It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to South Africa.   It is not every day

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the World of Work Summit of the International Labour Organisation, Palais De Nations, Geneva, Switzerland   President of the International Labour Conference, Dr Al bin Samikh Al Marri, Director-General of the International Labour Organisation, Mr Gilbert Houngbo, Heads of State and Government, Representatives of international agencies, Representatives of employers and workers groups present, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,  

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Media Briefing Remarks on the occasion of the State Visit by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal, Union Buildings, Pretoria, 6 June 2023   Your Excellency, President de Sousa, Honourable Ministers, Members of the Portuguese and South African delegations, Members of the Portuguese, South African and international media,   Good morning,   South Africa is honoured that President de Sousa is

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Opening Remarks at Official Talks with President de Sousa during the Portugal State Visit, Union Buildings, Pretoria, 6 June 2023   Your Excellency, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Chargé d’Affaires of the Portuguese Embassy, Mr Manuel do Vale, Ambassador-Designate of the Portuguese Republic to South Africa, Mr José Costa Pereira, Ambassador Mmamokoena Gaoretelelwe, Head of Mission at the South African Embassy in

Media Briefing Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the Official Visit by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of the Republic of Singapore, Tuynhuys, Cape Town, 16 May 2023   Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Honourable Ministers, Members of the media, Ladies and gentlemen,   Prime Minister Lee and I have just concluded productive discussions during his first Official Visit to South Africa.

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the closed session on Advancing Political Dialogue and Security Cooperation in the Region, 6 May 2023   11TH HIGH-LEVEL REGIONAL OVERSIGHT MECHANISM OF THE PEACE, SECURITY AND COOPERATION FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND THE GREAT LAKES REGION   Your Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the Peace, Security and Cooperation

Media Briefing Remarks by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa during the State Visit by His Excellency President Sauli Niinistö of the Republic of Finland, 25 April 2023   Your Excellency, President Sauli Niinistö, President of the Republic of Finland,   Ministers and Ambassadors,   Members of the Media,   Ladies and Gentlemen,   Good morning, thank you for being here.   It has been an

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Official Talks on the occasion of the State Visit by President Sauli Niinisto of the Republic of Finland, Union Buildings, Pretoria, 25 April 2023   Your Excellency, President Sauli Niinistö, President of the Republic of Finland, Honourable Ministers, Ambassadors, Senior Officials, Ladies and Gentlemen,   It is always an honour to welcome friends, and an even greater honour

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during a media briefing on the occasion of the State Visit by President Hage Geingob of the Republic of Namibia, Union Buildings, 20 April 2023   Your Excellency Dr Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, Members of the media, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,   I would like to take this opportunity to express once again my appreciation

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa, during the Official Talks on the occasion of the Namibia State Visit, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 20 April 2023   Your Excellency and Dear Brother, President Dr Hage Geingob, Honourable Ministers, High Commissioners, Senior Officials, Ladies and Gentlemen,   Good morning,   Allow me to begin by thanking you, Your Excellency, for honouring our invitation.   Too many years have

Closing Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Fifth South Africa Investment Conference, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, 13 April 2023   Programme Director, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,   We have come to the end of the Fifth South Africa Investment Conference.   Having now officially concluded the first phase of our national investment mobilisations drive, we can say this has been a watershed conference.

Opening Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Fifth South Africa Investment Conference, Sandton Convention Centre, 13 April 2023   Programme Director, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Ebrahim Patel, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Mr Wamkele Mene, Premiers, Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Business leaders, Distinguished

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Business Forum on the occasion of the State Visit by Their Majesties the King and the Queen of the Belgians, CSIR Convention Centre, Tshwane, 23 March 2023   Your Majesty, King Philippe of the Belgians, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Federal Cultural Institutions of Belgium, Ms Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Trade, Industry

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during Official Talks on the occasion of the State Visit by Your Majesties the King Philippe and Queen Mathilda of the Belgians, Union Buildings, 23 March 2023   Your Majesty, King Philippe of the Belgians, Your Majesty, Queen Mathilde of the Belgian, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the South Africa – Tanzania Business Forum, CSIR Convention Centre, Tshwane, 16 March 2023   Your Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, High Commissioners of South Africa and Tanzania, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Mr Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Tanzania, Hon Dr Ashatu Kijaji, Ministers

Media Briefing Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the State Visit by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 16 March 2023   Your Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Ministers, Officials, Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen,   Good Afternoon,   We have held productive discussions with Her Excellency President Hassan and the delegation of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Official Talks of the State Visit by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Union Buildings, 16 March 2023   Your Excellency, My Dear Sister, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Honourable Ministers, Officials, Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen,   It is my privilege to welcome you, Madam President on this, your first State Visit to South Africa. I

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the South Africa – Uganda Business Forum during the State Visit by President Yoweri Museveni to South Africa, 28 February 2023   Your Excellency, President Yoweri Museveni, High Commissioners of South Africa and Uganda, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Mr Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives of Uganda, Mr Francis Mwebesa, Ministers and

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during Official Talks on the occasion of the State Visit by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, 28 February 2023   Your Excellency, my dear brother President Yoweri Museveni, High Commissioners of South Africa and Uganda, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Members of delegations, Ladies and Gentlemen,   Welcome, Mr President, to you and your delegation.   South Africa is proud

Solidarity message by African Union Champion on COVID-19 Response, President Cyril Ramaphosa, at the High-Level Breakfast Meeting of Heads of State and Government on Africa Centres for Disease Control, Addis Ababa   Your Excellency, Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Your Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, Your Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, Your

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the meeting of the AU PSC of Heads of State and Government on the consideration of the situation in eastern DRC   Your Excellency, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Your Excellency António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, Your Excellencies, Members of the Peace, and Security Council, Your Excellency Felix Tshisikedi, President of

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during Official Talks with President Pedro Sánchez on the occasion of the Official Visit by Spain, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 27 October 2022   Your Excellency President Pedro Sánchez, Ambassador Robredo Raimundo Rubio, Ambassador Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele, Honourable Ministers, Senior Members of the Spanish and South African delegations,   Allow me to begin by thanking you, Your Excellency, for honouring our invitation

Media Briefing Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during an Official Visit by Spain, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 27 October 2022   Your Excellency President Pedro Sánchez, Ambassadors, Ministers, Officials, Members of the Media,   Good afternoon.   It has been an honour to receive His Excellency President Sánchez and his delegation.   We have just concluded a very successful engagement, where we exchanged views on how

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the South Africa – Spain Business Forum on the occasion of an Official Visit to South Africa by President Pedro Sánchez of the Government of Spain, 27 October 2022   Your Excellency President Pedro Sánchez, Ambassadors, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Leaders of business from Spain and South Africa, Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,   Welcome once again to our guests

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during Official Talks, Saharawi State Visit, Union Buildings, 18 October 2022   Your Excellency, President Brahim Ghali, Honourable Ministers, Your Excellencies, Ambassadors, Ladies and Gentlemen,   On behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa I welcome you, Mr President, and your esteemed delegation on this significant visit to South Africa.   We enjoy fraternal bilateral relations

Media Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the State Visit by the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 18 October 2022   Your Excellency, President Brahim Ghali, Honourable Ministers, Your Excellencies, Members of the media, Ladies and Gentlemen,   This morning I welcomed His Excellency Brahim Ghali, President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, to South Africa and to our seat of Government here

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Remarks at the closing session of the Saudi Arabia-South Africa Investment Conference on the occasion of the State Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 15 October 2022   Minister Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Minister Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition South Africa, Ministers from Saudi Arabia and South Africa, Business leaders from

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Official Talks on the occasion of State Visit by Guinea-Bissau President Embaló, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 28 April 2022   Your Excellency, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, Honourable Ministers, Senior Officials, Ladies and Gentlemen,   On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, I welcome you and your esteemed delegation to our country on the occasion

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Plenary Session of the South Africa – Botswana Bi-National Commission, 22 April 2022, Pretoria   Your Excellency, My Dear Brother, President Mokgweetsi Masisi, Honourable Ministers, Our respective High Commissioners, Senior Government Officials, Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Excellency,   I am pleased to welcome you and your delegation to South Africa.   It is

Closing Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Plenary Session of the Fifth South Africa – Botswana Bi-National Commission, 22 April 2022   Your Excellency, My Dear Brother, President Masisi, Ministers, High Commissioners, Colleagues and Friends,   We have come to the end of our bilateral discussions, which have been frank and cordial in equal measure.   We remain forever grateful for the strong ties

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the South African Heads of Mission Conference, 7 April 2022   Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, Deputy Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini and Mr Alvin Botes, Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Zane Dangor, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Consuls-General, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning,  

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Joint Press Briefing with President Mohammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1 December 2021   President Muhammadu Buhari, High Commissioners, Ministers, Members of the media,   Allow me to express my gratitude to President Buhari and the Government of Nigeria for receiving us so warmly in Abuja.   I think it is important that I emphasise

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the South Africa – Kenya Business Forum during the State Visit by President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, CSIR Conference Centre, Tshwane, 23 November 2021   Your Excellency, President Uhuru Kenyatta, Honourable Ministers, Business Leaders, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,   We gather here today to celebrate the promise of the relationship between our two great nations that spans over

Statement by HE Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, on the occasion of the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, 23 September 2021   President of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, Mr Abdulla Shahid, Secretary General, Mr António Guterres, Excellencies Heads of State and Government, Colleagues, Friends,   We join today’s General

Statement by President Ramaphosa on the occasion of the High-Level Meeting on the 20th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, 22 September 2021   President of the General Assembly, Mr Abdulla Shahid, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,   It is 20 years since the world

President Cyril Ramaphosa remarks at the G7 Leaders’ Summit session on building back stronger-health, 13 June 2021   Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Your Excellencies,   South Africa commends the G7 and other countries present for the collective action taken to overcome the current global health crisis and the commitment to create a better, greener and more prosperous world.   Ending the pandemic must be our

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, 11 January 2021   Fellow South Africans,   We are now 11 days into a new year.   Once again, I wish you all the very best for 2021.   We enter this year with a great deal of hope – hope that we will restore our nation to

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa, during UN Security Council High-Level Debate on the cooperation between the UN and Regional and Sub-Regional Organisations, 4 December 2020 Members of the Security Council, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Invited Member States, It is an honour for South Africa to preside over this meeting as our term as an elected member of the

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the General Debate of the 31st UN General Assembly Special Session on COVID-19, UN Headquarters, New York, 3 December 2020 Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr António Guterres, President of the UN General Assembly, Mr Volkan Bozkir, Excellencies, We meet in this important Special Session of the UN General Assembly at a time when the Coronavirus

Opening Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Third South Africa Investment Conference, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, 18 November 2020 Programme Director, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Third South Africa Investment Conference. I would like to extend a particular welcome to those delegates from the SA Tomorrow Conference who are joining us from the African

Recorded Statement by the African Union Chair and President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, on the occasion of the High-Level event on reinforcing Multilateralism, 10 November 2020 Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr António Guterres, Your Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, South Africa is honoured to participate in this high-level event in support of multilateralism. As the countries of the world we have committed to the

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Remarks to the United Nations General Assembly: High-Level Meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, 2 October 2020 Mr President, For as long as nuclear weapons exist, humankind will continue to face the threat of catastrophe. It is impossible to imagine that there could be any acceptable justification within established international norms for the

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Remarks to United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, 1 October 2020 Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, As we mark the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, we can say that we have come a long way. The material conditions of the world’s women have vastly improved, as has access to

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Address on the occasion of a virtual UNGA75 Summit on Biodiversity, 30 September 2020 Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, The Ccoronavirus pandemic has had badly affected the ability of national economies to respond to challenges like environmental degradation and climate change. But even as we prioritise economic revival and reconstruction, we must maintain our collective commitment to environmental conservation. This is

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Address to the virtual High-Level Meeting on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the era of COVID-19, 29 September 2020 Mr President, Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, As we begin the task of reconstruction in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, financing for development becomes all the more critical. The overarching principle of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development

Statement by HE Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, during the Security Council Meeting on the Global Order post COVID-19, 24 September 2020 Mr President, Allow me to begin by congratulating the Republic of Niger on assuming the Presidency of the Security Council. Please be assured of South Africa’s full support and cooperation. The threat to lives, livelihoods and social stability

Remarks by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, at the High Level virtual Panel G7 Partnership for African Women’s Financial Inclusion, 23 September 2020 Your Excellencies, As South Africa and as Chair of the African Union we fully support the G7 Partnership for Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion in Africa. By giving women the tools to become financially secure and independent, we are investing in a society

Address by President of the Republic of South Africa and African Union Chair, President Cyril Ramaphosa, at the 75th United Nations General Assembly Debate, 22 September 2020 President of the General Assembly, Secretary-General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Seventy-five years ago the United Nations was established to introduce a new world order to achieve peace in the world. It was the dawn of a new era

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the 75th Commemoration of the United Nations General Assembly, 21 September 2020 Mr President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, South Africa is honoured to participate in this virtual commemoration of the establishment of the United Nations. Seventy-five years ago the UN Charter was signed by pioneering men and women determined to save successive generations from the scourge of war. The

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the virtual High Level Meeting of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Moment, 18 September 2020 Mr Secretary-General, Mr President, Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, South Africa welcomes this opportunity to engage on accelerated global action towards sustainable development. As we do so, we face the reality that the immense resources we have directed to fighting the Coronavirus

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 August 2020 My fellow South Africans, It has been five months since we declared a national state of disaster to combat to the coronavirus pandemic. As I said then, and as I repeat now, never before in the history of our democracy has our country been confronted with

My fellow South Africans,   I wish to address you this evening on two matters that are of great interest and concern to South Africans as we struggle to overcome the Coronavirus pandemic.   The first issue is the re-opening of schools and the second is the management of the resources that we have dedicated towards the fight against COVID-19.   Since I last addressed

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the launch of the 2020 Report of the UN Secretary-General’s Independent Accountability Panel for every Woman, Every Child, 13 July 2020   Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,   Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this event, which addresses some of the most important issues facing humanity today.   The Coronavirus pandemic is testing the social, economic and political

Remarks by the President of the Republic of South Africa and African Union Chair, HE Cyril Ramaphosa, during the 73rd Session of the World Health Assembly, 18 May 2020   President of the 73rd World Health Assembly, Her Excellency Ms Keva Bain, Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,   It is my privilege to address the World

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on South Africa’s response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 23 April 2020   My Fellow South Africans,   It has been exactly seven weeks since the first case of the Coronavirus was confirmed in our country.   Since then, all our lives have changed in fundamental ways.   As a nation we have been forced to take aggressive action