Sandile Nene

The eyes of the world are firmly focused on South Africa as President of the G20 and the host nation of the G20 Summit in November. This gathering will see the country welcoming over 40 global heads of state to our shores. The G20 accounts for 85 percent of the global economy, 75 percent of international trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

The summit will be held under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”, which aligns with our vision of inclusive growth, where all individuals and nations benefit from economic progress.

Hardly a day goes by without us witnessing or reading about a disaster or extreme weather event somewhere in the world.  In South Africa, we have seen firsthand the devastation effect of extreme weather in KwaZulu-Natal and in other areas.  

One of the key government’s strategic outcomes is secure and efficient management of international migration resulting in South Africa’s interests being served and fulfilling international commitments. To this end, government continues refine its policy and regulation that will result in the efficient determination and safeguarding of the identity and status of South African citizens and the regulation of migration to ensure security as well as to promote and fulfil this country’s international obligations.

Media diversity in any country is regarded as a measure of the depth of its democracy. It is therefore important that every citizen should have access to a range of media. A pluralistic and free media sector has always been needed to ensure that all voices in society are heard. The strengthening of the media sector arguably has a twin function-with media serving society as an agent of development and acting as an agent for economic growth by stimulating the growth of consumer markets.

When it comes to digital migration programme or the digital terrestrial television project, it is a universal norm that government has the final right to make policy, even if government does not directly implement all sections of the programme.