In a candid and wide-ranging conversation inside Cape Town’s National Assembly, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended his administration’s response to U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s 30 percent tariffs on South African exports—calling them “senseless” and “shortsighted.” Ramaphosa outlined a strategy aimed at shielding local industries, diversifying export markets, and preserving Pretoria’s long-standing partnership with Washington while pursuing a more assertive, self-reliant African economic agenda.
The interview also delved into domestic reform: from the long-awaited licensing of the Postbank and measures to expand financial inclusion, to preparations for South Africa’s G20 Presidency under the banner “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.” Ramaphosa further addressed the ongoing National Dialogue initiative, the battle against gender-based violence, and the enduring challenge of building a capable, inclusive state. The discussion revealed a leader balancing diplomacy with defiance—determined to defend South Africa’s sovereignty in an era of global economic turbulence.
Considering the imposition of 30% tariffs on South African products by the President of the United States of America (USA), Mr D Trump, what is the full spectrum of the response of the Government to the specified senseless tariffs and impact does he envisage will the tariffs have on current and future diplomatic and trade relations with the USA?
Like many other countries, South Africa is facing the prospect of significantly higher tariffs on exports to the US. The Government is therefore in continued engagement with the United States to secure a mutually-beneficial trade and investment deal. The Presidency and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition have sent representatives to the United States who are preparing for further formal negotiations with the US government.
They are meeting a number of stakeholders, including representatives in the administration, legislators, business people and others. Many other countries are doing the same to secure agreements with the United States government. The US is South Africa’s second largest trading partner.Our economic relations are strong and go back many decades.Trade between our countries has historically been complementary in nature.We buy many good and services from the US, such as petroleum, aircraft and parts, medical instruments, soya beans, motor vehicles, poultry and pharmaceuticals. South Africa exports to the US include minerals, agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, motor vehicles and medical isotopes.South Africa is the biggest investor from the African Continent into the US, with 22 of our companies investing in areas like mining, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and the food chain. More than 600 US companies operate in South Africa.
To advance our negotiation position our Government submitted a mutually beneficial trade and investment package as a basis for negotiations with the US.This builds on the previous package submitted on 20 May 2025. In addition to the proposal put to the United States, Cabinet has also endorsed our own country’s Economic Response Package.This includes measures that we are putting in place to support South African businesses that are affected by the tariffs.Government has decided that in response to the US position on tariffs, South Africa should take this as an opportunity to diversify our export markets for increased resilience and facilitate the entry into alternative markets for affected exporters. As part of measures to assist companies to absorb the effects of tariffs and facilitate long-term resilience, the Localisation Support Fund has made a commitment to support affected companies.
We have initiated an Export and Competitiveness Support Programme. This will include working capital, plant and equipment facilities to address short to medium term needs across all industries.Working with industry, we are accelerating efforts to diversify export markets and enhance competitiveness to mitigate the economic impact of losing preferential trade access.A crucial part of this work is to make full use of the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area. We are also looking at better using the buying power of local consumers, businesses and government to support local producers.South Africa is responding to the imposition of tariffs by the United States by intensifying its engagement with the US administration on trade and investment.We are working to stabilise diplomatic relations and we are introducing a range of measures to make South African companies more resilient and more competitive.
(1)With reference to his 9 February 2023 State of the Nation Address in which he emphasised that the creation of a state bank, which entails the licensing of the Post Bank, is essential for financial inclusion and the provision of services to small-, medium and micro enterprises, youth- and women-owned businesses and underserved communities, as an affordable alternative to commercial banks, what measures is the Government taking therefore, to support the Post Bank in obtaining its full commercial banking licence;
(2) whether the Government has established the need to capitalise the Post Bank to ensure its commercial viability; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Driving financial inclusion remains a national priority. When more South Africans, especially those in rural and underserved communities, are able to access affordable banking and credit, we unlock entrepreneurship, support job creation and stimulate growth in local economies. Financial inclusion also empowers youth- and women-owned enterprises, narrows inequality and builds resilience in households and communities.South Africa has a well-developed and competitive financial services sector. Our commercial banks, development finance institutions, co-operative banks and new digital entrants, all provide a range of financial products and services to small businesses and individuals.The Postbank Amendment Act was enacted to strengthen the diversity of our financial sector and ensure a dedicated focus on underserved communities.The Act was meant to establish Postbank as a developmental state-owned commercial bank, offering accessible financial services to all South Africans.
While obtaining a banking license is an independent regulatory process, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, as the representative shareholder and executive authority of the Postbank, is tasked with ensuring that the Postbank receives the necessary support to obtain the banking license. According to the Minister, the Postbank has not yet fully met the conditions for a banking licence, particularly around its card key management processes and compliance with prudential standards. Its immediate challenge is to strengthen its governance, ensure compliance with prudential standards and stabilise its finances. Capitalisation will be considered once Post Bank is granted authorisation to establish a bank, after which it has 12 months to raise the funding to be registered as a bank. This will be determined by its business case, for which the Postbank board is responsible, and submitting that business case to government via the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies. These steps are essential to ensure that the Postbank obtains its banking licence and is able to fulfil the vital mandate that it bears to promote financial inclusion for all.
Whether the intended outcome of the National Dialogue is to assist the Government in achieving its priorities, such as economic growth, poverty reduction, job creation, lowering the cost of living and building a capable State; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
The outcomes of the National Dialogue will be determined by the citizens of this country.The National Dialogue should be seen as a structured process where citizens, political actors, civil society and other stakeholders come together to deliberate on the future of their country. Its importance lies in several interconnected dimensions. The National Dialogue is aimed at giving ordinary South Africans a voice to articulate precisely the South Africa they want and how they can participate in crafting the solutions of our country.Over the next few months, South Africans from across the length and the breadth of the country will be engaging in conversations on the issues that most deeply concern them.
The first National Convention, which was held from the 15th to the 16th of August at UNISA in Tshwane, was attended by over 1,000 delegates, representing more than 200 organisations.The convention brought together around 30 different sectors in society, ranging from business and labour to traditional leaders and faith based organisations. There were organisations of women, youth, students, academics, emerging businesses, older persons, military veterans, persons with disabilities and unemployed persons.Also among those represented were organisations involved in media, sport, arts and culture, justice and peace, governance, democracy and human rights. The National Convention reflected the broad and vibrant diversity of our society.The first National Convention was a great success, where delegates endorsed the need for, and the value of, a National Dialogue.The Convention agreed on key themes for the National Dialogue, understanding that citizens will be able to raise any issues they want.
The nine broad themes that were identified are:
─ Building a dynamic, inclusive economy, jobs and livelihoods
─ Tackling crime and corruption
─ Winning the future through education and a healthy nation
─ Fixing the State and making the Constitution work
─ Building South African values, culture and strengthening our social fabric
─ Advancing gender equality and ending gender-based violence and femicide
─ Dealing with intergenerational trauma and healing
─ Promoting environmental justice
─ Advancing land and mineral rights
Delegates to the first National Convention expressed their support for a representative Steering Committee to drive the National Dialogue process. Over the last three weeks, organisations involved in the 32 identified sectors have been meeting to nominate their representatives to the Steering Committee.These nominations will now be compiled by the Eminent Persons Group to ensure inclusivity and representivity before the Steering Committee is constituted.
Once established, the Steering Committee will work together with the Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Deputy President and with the advice of the Eminent Persons Group to coordinate public dialogues across the country. Let us be clear the Steering Committee will be led by the citizens of our country, giving credence to our intention that this must be citizen-led process, while government’s role is that of a facilitator.
The purpose of the dialogues that will take place at a local level and within various sectors is to develop sustainable and effective responses to the challenges that the country faces.It is expected that this process will result in a social compact that outlines the roles and responsibilities of each sector of society in building the South African nation.While South Africans still have to have their say, it can be anticipated that the National Dialogue will make a significant contribution to economic growth, poverty reduction, job creation, lowering the cost of living and building a capable State. Citizens feel ownership over national decisions when they are directly involved in shaping them, complementing the important role that is played by elected representatives.Involving the people directly enhances the process of developing a shared vision for the future of our country.
Given that the Republic is preparing for the G20 Summit in November 2025 in Johannesburg, what has been the assessment so far of South Africa’s G20 Presidency in line with the theme of solidarity, equality and sustainability?
South Africa’s G20 Presidency, under the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’, has received strong support from G20 Members, invited countries and international organisations. South Africa’s G20 Presidency has entered its final 90 days. Approximately 87 of the 132 official meetings on the G20 calendar have already taken place.These meetings addressed some of the most urgent and significant challenges facing the global community, demonstrating our firm commitment to finding sustainable and innovative solutions through dialogue, collaboration and cooperation.The ongoing G20 discussions aim to advance South Africa’s overarching priorities.
These priorities are to:
─ Strengthen disaster resilience and response.
─ Ensure debt sustainability for low-income countries.
─ Mobilise finance for a just energy transition.
─ Harness critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
South Africa is also championing broader and cross-cutting issues through all the G20 Working Groups.These include reform of the multilateral trading system and the international financial architecture, including strengthening of multilateral development banks.While there is divergence on some issues, as is expected in multilateral engagements, there is strong support for South Africa’s priorities among G20 members. Negotiations on the G20 Working Group Ministerial Declarations and Outcomes are currently underway. Most of the last round of Ministerial meetings will be held in September and October 2025.A significant milestone was the Third Meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in July 2025. The meeting outcomes were agreed in a communiqué consented to by all members. The meeting delivered productive and constructive discussions on Africa, the global economic outlook and macroeconomic stability, the international financial architecture, sustainable finance, global health, infrastructure, tax, financial sector issues and financial inclusion.
On the 29th of August 2025, we launched the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Wealth Inequality. The panel is being chaired by the Nobel Laureate, Professor Joseph Stiglitz. This initiative seeks to heighten global attention on inequality and outline practical action to address growing disparities in income, wealth and opportunity. The outcomes of the G20 Ministerial Meetings will form a key part of the G20 Leaders’ Declaration, which will be adopted at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November. South Africa aims to produce an ambitious Leaders’ Declaration that will promote the development agenda of the Global South in general and the African continent in particular.
(1) Whether, given that the Republic’s 42 Deputy Ministers cost the fiscus R287 million in salaries, R135 million in travel and millions more in VIP protection and housing, despite holding no executive authority and, as in the case surrounding the Minister of Police, unable even to act in his absence, the Cabinet intends to approve a Constitutional Amendment Bill to abolish the position of Deputy Ministers; if not,
(2) whether the position of Deputy Ministers will be retained as a multimillion Rand means of patronage that takes higher priority over the needs of the unemployed, the hungry and/or the hopeless; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Since the advent of democracy in 1994, Deputy Ministers have played an important role in assisting Ministers in the performance of their functions and responsibilities.The Constitution provides for the appointment of Deputy Ministers to assist the members of the Cabinet. According to the Constitution, Deputy Ministers are accountable to Parliament for the exercise of their powers and the performance of their functions.Ministers and their respective Deputy Ministers agree on the delegation of responsibility in certain areas of work in terms of Departments’ Annual Performance Plans, ensuring that there is consistent political attention and oversight.In announcing appointments to the National Executive following the May 2024 elections, I indicated that due to the need to ensure that the National Executive is inclusive of all the parties to the Government of National Unity, it was not possible to reduce the number of portfolios in the National Executive.We have sought to ensure that the National Executive is representative of the people of South Africa, giving due consideration to gender, youth, demographics and regional distribution.The Deputy Ministers appointed in June 2024 continue to add value to the work of government and to support in a meaningful way the implementation of the priorities of the 7th democratic administration.
Considering that the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, Act 9 of 2024, which establishes the National Council on gender-based violence and femicide (GBV-F), shows the seriousness of the Government’s intent to address the national crisis under his leadership, however, little progress has been made to date to appoint the council as only R5 million has been made available for the interim secretariat which is too little for the work ahead, what plans does the Government have in place to ensure that the council will soon be functional with enough budget and all the necessary support needed for it to carry out its work optimally?
It is vital that the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide is established with the authority and resources outlined in the Act. The interim allocation of R5 million for the secretariat is a transitional measure, enabling the coordination of the implementation of the National Strategic Plan against GBVF.To ensure that the National Council is able to fulfil its critical functions, National Treasury has approved the Council as a separate sub programme with ring-fenced funds from 1 April 2026.The Council is planned for establishment from 1 April 2026, following due processes.Ministers have nominated government representatives to the Council and the relevant Portfolio Committee in the National Assembly will call for civil society and private sector nominations. The Board will appoint the CEO and secretariat staff.Draft Regulations to coordinate provincial and local GBVF structures are being developed.
The strength of the National Strategic Plan lies in mobilising multiple stakeholders and mainstreaming this work across government. Every government department and entity is expected to contribute to the implementation of the National Strategic Plan within its mandate, while the National Council provides leadership and oversight. All relevent government departments have dedicated funds towards the implementation of those pillars of the National Strategic Plan that fall within their respective areas of responsibility.While the work to establish the National Council is underway, the implementation of the NSP is proceeding. For example, the GBVF Natjoints established in April has strengthened government-wide coordination.
Awareness campaigns, school and university interventions are ongoing.Sexual Offences Courts, Thuthuzela Care Centres and GBV desks are operational nationwide.Psychosocial support and integrated services are provided through the Department of Social Development, Khuseleka One-Stop Centres and the GBV Command Centre.There is also progress with economic empowerment initiatives, mainly through improving the access of women-owned businesses to procurement opportunities in both government and the private sector.These initiatives show that the National Strategic Plan is a living framework. The National Council is expected, once operational, to accelerate this progress through stronger oversight, coordination and accountability.Gender-based violence and femicide is a stain on the conscience of our nation. The National Council is an important instrument in strengthening our response to this epidemic, ensuring that all South Africans are mobilised to ensure that is brought to an end.
Discussion about this post