Statement on the Cabinet meeting of Wednesday, 3 June 2026

A. Issues in the environment

1. Tourism growth, expanded air transport and tourist safety measures

1.1 Cabinet welcomed the strong performance of the tourism sector which according to Statistics South Africa’s International Tourism Report, recorded 989 329 tourist arrivals in April 2026. This marks the highest monthly year-on-year growth ever recorded, reaffirming South Africa’s enduring appeal as a global tourism destination.

1.2 To sustain this momentum, government continues to expand international air connectivity, recently LATAM Airlines decided to bring forward, the launch of its three weekly direct flights between São Paulo and Cape Town to July 2026, ahead of its original September schedule. In addition, on 24 June 2026, Air Europa’s launched its direct flight between Madrid and Johannesburg which will strengthen connectivity with Europe and support growth across the tourism and hospitality sectors.

1.3 The rise in tourism arrivals comes at the back of reported drop in crime statistics in key categories and faster turnaround times by law enforcement to crack criminal cases.

2. Outstanding Telkom’s financial and operational performance

2.1 Cabinet has congratulated Telkom, a majority government-owned company, for its robust financial and operational performance for the financial year ended 31 March 2026. During this period, Telkom activities supported 362 SMMEs through R593 million procurement opportunities, supported the creation of 74 114 jobs through the SMME development programme, 1 524 unemployed youth were trained through ICT learnerships. Telkom also surpassed two million subscribers.

2.2 Government will receive approximately R559 million in dividend income (excluding dividends to other government-owned shareholder entities). This additional income will help support the state’s broader developmental priorities and public service delivery commitments.

2.3 Cabinet further acknowledged the role the company plays in bridging the digital divide and supporting inclusive economic development, and is confident that Telkom, under the leadership of Group CEO Mr. Serame Taukobong and the Board of Directors will remain resilient in the current challenging economic climate.

3. Concerted fight against illicit drugs operations and syndicates

3.1 Cabinet commended the Border Management Authority, the Hawks, SAPS K9 units and all other law enforcement agencies involved in the intelligence-driven interception of a drug consignment worth nearly R1 billion at the Beitbridge Port of Entry.

3.2 The coordinated operation on the 27th of May 2026 led to the interception of a truck travelling through Zimbabwe into South Africa. An extensive physical search led to the discovery of approximately 713 000 grams of methaqualone, commonly known as ABBA, a substance widely used in the manufacturing of Mandrax.

3.3 Furthermore, Cabinet commended the South African Police Service for the arrest of 11 suspects, including four Mexican nationals, following the discovery of a multimillion-rand drug manufacturing laboratory on a farm in Swartruggens in the North-West Province.

4. SA supporting the continental fight against Ebola

4.1 Cabinet supports the country’s pledge of an US$5 million contribution to a $319 million continental preparedness and response plan following the Ebola outbreak that has swept through the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

4.2 Although the outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation there is currently no cause for alarm in South Africa. Ebola is not endemic to South Africa and human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected, symptomatic person.

5. SA-Botswana Bi-National Commission

5.1 South Africa and Botswana successfully concluded the sixth Bi-National Commission (BNC) during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent two-day State Visit to Botswana.

5.2 The BNC reaffirmed the strong and historic bilateral relations between the two countries while advancing cooperation in key areas such as science, technology, innovation, trade, tourism and regional development.

5.3 The BNC culminated in the signing of four new bilateral instruments aimed at advancing sustainable economic growth and regional integration and this is in addition to the 28 legal instruments that are already being implemented.

5.4 The four new bilateral instruments are: A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on the Joint Management of Water Quality and Aquatic Invasive Species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin; An agreement on the Co-ordination of Aeronautical Search and Rescue Services; An agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Energy; and A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Cooperation in the Field of Correctional and Prison Services.

6. Kenya state visit (Inbound)

6.1 President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted His Excellency President William Ruto of the Republic of Kenya who is on a state visit to South Africa from 3 to 5 June 2026. at the invitation of President Ramaphosa.

6.2 This state visit advances trade, investments, and cooperation with six (6) agreements signed at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.

6.3 The Memoranda of Agreements signed are on Facilitation of Trade through Cooperation in the Areas of Standardisation, Technical Regulation, Conformity Assessment, Accreditation, Metrology; Shipping and Maritime Cooperation; Technical and Vocational Education and Training; Promotion of Partnership on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment; Arts, Culture & Heritage; and Sports & Recreation.

6.4 The State Visit included a Business Forum consisting of the private sectors of South Africa and Kenya, where participants shared information and experiences in the business environment and explore opportunities to enhance reciprocal trade and investment.

7. Deputy President’s working visit to India

8.1 The Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile undertook a working visit to New Delhi, India.

8.2 The visit strengthened cooperation in multilateral forums such as the UN, BRICS and the G20, and enhanced collaboration in trade, investment, research, technology transfer, while supporting small enterprises.

8.3 The Deputy President engaged in a bilateral meeting with Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, and paid a courtesy call on Her Excellency Mrs Smt. Droupadi Murmu, President of the Republic of India.

B. Cabinet decisions

1. Comprehensive approach for managing migration in South Africa

1.1. Cabinet received and approved a comprehensive approach to migration in South Africa, developed by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, and also approved the National Action Plan (NAP) Country Report on Migration in South Africa.

1.2. The President will address the nation on this matter.

2. Revised Industrial Development Strategy (IDS)

2.1. Cabinet approved the Revised Industrial Development Strategy for implementation. Developed through extensive consultation, the strategy focuses on high-impact, inclusive industrialisation of South Africa’s economy. The strategy aligns with the policy priorities of the 7th Administration and is anchored in three key pillars to drive industrial growth and transformation, namely: decarbonisation, digitalisation, and diversification.

2.2. The IDS prioritises sectors critical to industrialisation, including the protection of strategic industries such as steel, automotive, manufacturing and mining. It also promotes expansion in future growth areas including agro-processing, the digital economy and the green economy. In addition, the strategy targets sectors with strong potential for economic growth and job creation, especially for young people, including tourism and global business services.

2.3. The IDS is expected to create thousands of jobs each year, with a strong focus on skills development and preparing unemployed people for high-demand sectors such as renewable energy and manufacturing. A Committee of Ministers, chaired by the President, will oversee the implementation of the strategy to ensure coordinated delivery and impact.

2.4. The full document is available on the dtic website: www.thedtic.gov.za.

3. Closure of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP)

3.1. Cabinet approved that SANRAL implements the closure of the GFIP including the orderly resolution of OUTA litigation, the treatment of any residual litigation exposure, and the closure of all matters associated with the historical recovery of e-toll debt.

3.2. This follows government’s decision to discontinue the electronic tolling system on the GFIP which took effect of 12 April 2024.

3.3. Cabinet noted the recommendations by the SANRAL to write off debt owed by road users who did not pay, and that National Treasury would service this debt, and that the road users who paid toll fees would not be refunded because this was the law at the time.

4. Bi-annual progress reports on the Medium-Term Strategic Framework

4.1. Cabinet received and considered the bi-annual progress reports on the implementation of the 2024–2029 Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) for the period October 2025 to March 2026. The reports provide an overview of departmental performance against government’s national priorities, highlighting key achievements, progress made and implementation challenges.

4.2. Cabinet notes strong progress in the implementation of the MTDP across key priorities.

4.3. The Minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation together with the Chairpersons of Cabinet Clusters, will brief on further details on the bi-annual progress reports on period October 2025 to March 2026. GCIS will provide the details of the briefing.

5. Withdrawal of the Draft Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

5.1. Cabinet approved the withdrawal of the draft AI policy, which was published for public comment in March 2026. The withdrawal will allow a rework of the AI policy to ensure it achieves its intended goals and that it establishes national standards on the ethical use of AI.

C. Bill

1. Repeal of Certain Pre-1994 Justice Laws Bill, 2026

1.1. Cabinet approved the submission of the Repeal of Certain Pre-1994 Justice Laws Bill, 2026 to Parliament for further consideration. The Bill seeks to review and repeal outdated colonial and apartheid-era legislation that is no longer aligned with the values of the democratic constitutional order and no longer serves a practical purpose.

1.2. Once finalised by Parliament, the Bill will repeal 149 pieces of Apartheid era justice laws that had remain in force and operation even in the democratic government era. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development have already started working on additional Apartheid-era justice laws for their repeal.

D. Updates to Cabinet

1. Hosting of the SADC Summit 2026

1.1. Cabinet received a briefing on South Africa’s preparations to host the 46th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit from 16 to 17 August 2026. The summit will mark the beginning of South Africa’s 12-month tenure as Chair of SADC. A SADC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat was held from 22 to 24 May 2026 in Skukuza, Mpumalanga, where delegates discussed strategies to strengthen regional cooperation.

1.2. The Retreat deliberated on five thematic areas, namely Financing Regional Integration, Investment, Public Debt Management and Domestic Revenue Mobilisation, Industrialisation, Value Chains and Trade; Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics and the Free Movement of People, Goods and Services; Energy, Oil and Gas and Mineral Resources; and Agriculture, Agricultural Inputs, Supply Chains, Markets and Food Security, and identified priority measures for collective action.

1.3. Hosting the SADC summit and assuming the Chair is critical as it will enable South Africa to lead regional structural economic transformation, drive industrialisation, and boost both political and economic integration across the region.

2. The National Conventional Arms Control (NCACC) Annual and 1st Quarter reports

2.1.1. Cabinet received a report on the NCACC 2025 annual report as well as the 2026 first quarterly report on authorised transfers of conventional arms.

2.1.2. For the year ended December 2025, the NCACC approved 582 munitions export permits to the value of R10 billion, 197 registration certificates, and 183 contracting permits amounting to R41 billion.

3.1.3. Munitions import permits approved totalled 366 at the value of R269 million while 132 Dual-Use Export Permits valued at R600 Million were approved during the period. South Africa imported R269 million worth of equipment.

3.1.4. The report further notes that, in 2025, 5% more companies were registered when compared to 2024.

5. Rationationalisation of Courts

5.1. Cabinet was briefed on the work undertaken towards the rationalisation of the areas of jurisdiction of the Divisions of the High Court and supported the implementation of the immediate recommendations of the Rationalisation Committee regarding the magisterial districts and sub-districts over which the main and local seats of the Divisions of the High Court shall exercise jurisdiction. This is intended to enhance access to justice and supports the phased approach to increasing judicial posts to address capacity constraints within the judiciary, as well as the establishment of additional local seats in identified divisions.

5.2. Minister Kubayi will provide further details on this matter next week. GCIS will provide the details of the briefing.

E. Appointments

All appointments are subject to verification of qualifications and relevant security clearances.

1. Mr Bongikhaya Dayimani as the Director-General in the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development
2. Ms Gcobisa Joyce Soci as Deputy Director-General (DDG): Administration in the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies
3. Mr Dick Andries Sono as the DDG: Digital Infrastructure and Technologies at the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies.
4. Ms Jeanette Morwane Mmatsiate as the DDG-Media and Content at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

5. Board of the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa

a. Mr Sipho Bhanisi as the National Treasury representative

6. Appointment of additional members to the South African Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

a. Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo; (Deputy Chairperson and DIRCO representative); and

b. Dr Praise Sibuyi (State Security Agency representative)

7. Appointment of the Board of the South African Post Office

c. Ms Regina Sizakele Madlala (Chairperson);

d. Ms Margarete Mosibudi Phiri (Deputy chairperson);

e. Mr Vuyo Mafata;

f. Ms Tanya van Meelis;

g. Ms Mantombi Lekhuleni;

h. Adv. Mthokozisi Daluxolo Xulu;

i. Dr Mduduzi Justice Kennedy Bophela;

j. Mr Charley Fred Chain;

k. Mr David Mangena; and

l. Mr Khonanjalo Buthelezi.

F. Upcoming events

8. Launch of Lenacapavir Roll-Out

8.1 President Ramaphosa supported by Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will launch the rollout of Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting HIV prevention injection administered twice a year.

8.2 The intervention expands HIV prevention options, especially for people who struggle to take daily oral PrEP. The rollout forms part of South Africa’s combination HIV prevention strategy aimed at reducing new infections and improving quality of life.

8.3 The launch is taking place on Friday, 5 June 2026 at the Lilian Ngoyi Stadium, Secunda, Mpumalanga

9. Youth Month

9.1 This month South Africa marks the historic 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, a powerful reminder of the immense sacrifice of our young people in the struggle for freedom, justice and equality.

9.2 To honour the enduring legacy of the Class of 1976, Youth Month will be commemorated under the theme “RESET@50 – The Future Calls”. In celebration of the milestone, government will roll out a year-long programme aimed at bridging the historic struggle for liberation with contemporary youth empowerment. The programme will focus heavily on equal education, inclusive economic participation, skills development, and active citizenship.

9.3 Cabinet calls on all sectors of society to partner with government on interventions that drive youth employment, boost entrepreneurship and restore hope to young people. Through these collaborative efforts, the nation will continue to strengthen youth participation in nation-building and economic transformation.

10. Celebrating the Milestones of Freedom

10.1 Government will launch the Milestones of Freedom Campaign under the theme “Honouring the Past, Delivering the Future” on 18 June 2026 at the Union Buildings.

10.2 Cabinet will support the launch of the 70th Commemoration of the 1956 Women’s march that forms part of the National Milestones of Freedom events, marking the beginning of a national programme of activities commemorating the historic 1956 Women’s march.

11. Commemorative circulation coins

11.1 Cabinet approved the reverse designs of the commemorative circulation coins that will be issued by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) in 2026 under the education theme. The series will include R2 coins commemorating the 125th anniversary struggle stalwart Charlotte Maxeke’s graduation, marking her as the first black South African woman to obtain a university degree.

11.2 Commemorative R2 coins will also be issued by the SARB to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto uprisings, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of South Africa, and to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Constitution of South Africa. In addition, R5 coins will feature the symbols represented on the R2 coins. These commemorations highlight the role of education in advancing constitutional values and promoting inclusive social and economic participation.

2026 Local Government Elections Voter Registration Weekend

11.3 Cabinet reminds all eligible voters to register for the upcoming Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026.

11.4 The first voter registration weekend is taking place on Saturday, 20 June 2026, and Sunday, 21 June 2026 at their nearest voter registration, OR by visiting registertovote.elections.org.za, OR visiting their local Electoral Commission offices during working hours

11.5 Citizens are reminded that they can only vote where they have registered and can also locate their correct voting station at maps.elections.org.za/vsfinder.

11.6 Cabinet calls on young people, in particular, to participate actively in shaping the future of their communities through participation in elections.

12. Sassa cards

12.1 Cabinet urges all social grant beneficiaries using SASSA Gold Cards to replace them with the new Postbank Black Cards before the deadline of 31 August 2026.

12.2 The replacement process is free of charge and can be completed at designated Postbank service points in participating retail outlets nationwide.

2027 Messages

1. Condolences

Cabinet expresses condolences to the friends and family of:

• Respected journalist, Baldwin Ndaba, whose distinguished career spanned across several publications over many years. He will be remembered for his love for our country, his professionalism and commitment to the truth.
• Ma Griet Margaret Messelaar, the matriarch of the Griqua Royal House who passed away at the remarkable age of 106. She will be remembered as an advocate for the Griqua language and heritage, as well as for her immense dignity and wisdom.
• Mrs Dina and Ernest Marais, the couple who were killed in KNP and commend the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies for the speedy arrest of the suspects on these murders.

2. Congratulations

Cabinet extends its congratulations and well-wishes to:

• The national soccer team Bafana Bafana as they represent the country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Cabinet wishes the team strength, unity and success on the world stage. Make the nation proud!
• Mamelodi Sundowns (Masandawana, Kabo Yellow) on being crowned the 2026 CAF champions. The team has made our nation proud on the continental stage, once again demonstrating their status as a true powerhouse in African football.
• Orlando Pirates (The Bucaneers, ezimnyama ngenkani) on being crowned the 2026 PSL champions.
• Iconic South African DJ Black Coffee for his sold-out performance at London’s 20 000-capacity The O2 Arena, becoming the first DJ from Africa to achieve this feat. Black Coffee his generation of South African DJs has helped bring South African dance music to mainstream audiences around the world, and he has played at iconic venues like Ibiza, Coachella and Madison Square Garden.

Issued on behalf of Cabinet by: 

Minister in the Presidency, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Enquiries: 

Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)

Contact: Ms Nomonde Mnukwa, Acting Director-General

Mobile: 083 653 7485     www.gcis.gov.za; www.gov.za

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