Latest news with #SIDSSA
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Will Ramaphosa's R1. 3 trillion infrastructure investment transform South Africa's economy?
With 250 projects worth R238 billion, Ramaphosa says infrastructure is the 'flywheel' for growth, pledging faster approvals and streamlined partnerships to boost public and private sector collaboration nationwide. Image: GCIS President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to infrastructure development as a central pillar of economic growth and social upliftment. During his address at the 2025 Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) on Tuesday, Ramaphosa emphasised the nation's achievements and outlined strategic plans to enhance infrastructure investment, aiming to unlock South Africa's full development potential. Ramaphosa pointed to the growing pipeline of Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs), stating: 'The capital value of the Strategic Integrated Projects has grown from an initial R340 billion in 2020 to over R1.3 trillion in 2025.' He said this massive pipeline is driven by strong public and private investment, aimed at stimulating inclusive growth, reducing inequality, and preparing the country for the African Continental Free Trade Area. 'Infrastructure is the flywheel that our economy needs to boost growth and to create jobs,' Ramaphosa said, highlighting the central role infrastructure plays in the country's economic recovery. He noted that public infrastructure investment over the next three years will exceed R1 trillion. The 2024/2025 Construction Book, released by Infrastructure South Africa, includes 'around 250 construction projects with an estimated value of more than R238 billion,' marking the largest ever investment of this kind in South Africa. These projects encompass various sectors, including roads, energy, water, logistics, and social infrastructure. Ramaphosa stressed the need to mobilise private capital through improved public-private partnerships. He said: 'Some of the reforms we are focusing on will make it easier for public-private partnerships under the value of R2 billion to gain approval.' He said these reforms are designed to reduce procedural complexity, make infrastructure delivery faster and more predictable, and provide investors with long-term certainty. Highlighting the role of Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), Ramaphosa said: 'Over the last five years, more than three-quarters of all requests to Infrastructure South Africa to unlock permits, authorisations and licences were successfully resolved.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'When Infrastructure South Africa is involved, it takes just 85 days on average for permits, licences and approvals to be issued by regulatory entities.' Ramaphosa cited successful completed projects such as 'the Hazelmere Dam wall raising project in KwaZulu-Natal', which has increased water security, and 'the 100 MW Redstone Concentrated Solar Power Plant near Postmasburg in the Northern Cape,' which he said 'now supplies clean energy to more than 400,000 people a day and to over 100,000 households each year.' He also highlighted the Infrastructure Fund, stating: 'Since its inception, the fund has packaged around 26 blended finance projects across several sectors, with a capital value of approximately R102 billion.' 'Through this model, we are de-risking projects and unlocking capital from pension funds, commercial banks and international financiers.' Turning to continental cooperation, he praised the work of the SIDSSA Leaders Forum, saying: 'By bringing together our collective expertise and political will, we strengthen the foundations for inclusive and sustainable growth across Africa.' He urged continued focus on infrastructure-led development, stating: 'We must place infrastructure at the heart of our development agenda, not only as a tool for economic growth and social development, but as a symbol of our great ambition and our hope for a better future.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
The Star
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ramaphosa stands firm against Trump: 'We will not arrest Malema over Kill the Boer'
Simon Majadibodu | Published 1 day ago President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to United States President Donald Trump confronting him with clips of EFF leader Julius Malema chanting 'Kill the boer,' saying that South Africa will not be instructed by any foreign leader on whom it should arrest. 'When it comes to the issue of arresting anyone for any slogan, that is a sovereign issue,' Ramaphosa told the media on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) conference in Cape Town 'It's not a matter where we need to be instructed by anyone to go and arrest this one.' Ramaphosa defended the controversial 'Kill the boer, kill the farmer' chant, often sung by Malema, and called it a liberation song. 'We are a very proud, sovereign country that has its laws, that has its processes, and we take into account what the constitutional courts also decided.' 'The slogan, kill the boer, kill the farmer, is a liberation chant and slogan.' 'That's not meant to be a message that elicits or calls upon anyone to go and be killed. And that is what our court decided,' he added. He warned against external attempts to influence South Africa's legal system. 'We follow the dictates of our constitution because we are a constitutional state and we are a country where freedom of expression is the bedrock of our constitutional arrangement.' Ramaphosa's comments come after Trump called for the arrest of Malema over his use of the controversial 'Kill the Boer' chant, escalating already strained relations between the two countries. Trump made the remarks during the meeting with President Ramaphosa at the White House. The meeting aimed to address growing diplomatic and economic tensions. During the discussion, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen told Trump, top US officials, and media that his party joined the Government of National Unity to prevent certain political parties, particularly the EFF and uMkhonto weSizwe, from entering government. In an explosive start to the talks, Trump sharply criticised what he described as the targeting of Afrikaner farmers. His comments were based on a video clip showing Malema speaking in Parliament about land reform. The EFF claims the clip was misused to support a misleading narrative. On Sunday, IOL News reported that just days after Trump called on Ramaphosa to arrest Malema for singing the controversial 'Kill the Boer' chant, Malema once again led the song on Sunday and vowed to continue doing so. 'I'm not going to be silenced by the threat of violence. I'm not going to be silenced by the threat of death,' he said. Malema made the remarks on Sunday at the Mminara Sports Ground in Kwakwatsi, Free State, ahead of local by-elections this week. 'When you say 'don't tell him,' Ramaphosa should have said, 'In South Africa, we don't tell people like that.' There are codes in South Africa, and the codes have said there is nothing wrong with this song,' he said. Malema said he neither owns nor composed the song, which has been widely criticised for inciting violence. 'This is not my song. I did not compose this song. I found this song; the struggle heroes composed this song. All I'm doing is defending the legacy of our struggle…,' he said. He described the chant as a part of South Africa's liberation heritage. 'This is the song that was sung by Peter Mokaba in the presence of Chris Hani, in the presence of Winnie Mandela,' Malema said. 'And therefore, I will never stop singing a song that Winnie Mandela sang before she died. That would be a betrayal of the struggle of our people.' [email protected] IOL Politics
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Piers Morgan slams Ramaphosa for defending 'Kill The Boer chant'
Ramaphosa reacted to Trump's call for EFF leader Julius Malema's arrest. Controversial UK talk show host Piers Morgan has slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa's comments that 'Kill The Boer' is a 'liberation chant' and should not be taken literally. Ramaphosa made the remarks on the sidelines of the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium (SIDSSA) held at the Century City Convention Centre on Tuesday. The president delivered the keynote address at the symposium. Ramaphosa ambush His comments come a week after US President Donald Trump ambushed Ramaphosa with graphic footage falsely claiming 'white genocide' against South African farmers. During the bilateral talks, which played out before the media, the US president showed videos of EFF leader Julius Malema chanting 'Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer' to support his false belief in genocide against whites in the country, asking why the red berets leader has not been arrested. ALSO READ: WATCH: 'Dim the lights' — Ramaphosa pokes fun at Trump meeting 'Sovereign issue' Speaking to reporters, Ramaphosa reacted to Trump's call for Malema's arrest. 'When it comes to the issues of arresting anyone for any slogan, that is a sovereign issue. It's not a matter of where we need to be instructed by anyone to go and arrest this one. We are a very proud sovereign country that has its own laws and processes. 'We take it to account where the Constitutional Court also decided when it said that the slogan 'Kill the Boer', 'Kill the Farmer' is a liberation chant and slogan and it's not meant to be a message that illicitly calls upon anyone to go and be killed,' Ramaphosa said. Morgan reacts However, Ramaphosa's comment did not sit well with Morgan. 'Oh come off it, Mr President – it's literally a threat, and incitement, to kill,' Morgan said in a post on X. ALSO READ: Trump changes tune and 'agrees' to participate in G20 Summit, Ramaphosa says Ramaphosa said South Africa is a country where 'freedom of expression is the bedrock of our constitution'. 'Kill the Boer' In March, lobby group AfriForum suffered a final blow in its attempt to have the controversial chant 'Kill the Boer, kill the farmer' declared as hate speech. The Constitutional Court (ConCourt) delivered a brief ruling dismissing AfriForum's application for leave to appeal. The ConCourt concluded that the application 'bears no reasonable prospects of success'. On Sunday, Malema said he doesn't fear for his life after Trump called for his arrest. Addressing EFF supporters during a rally in Ward 16, Koppies, in the Free State on Africa Day, Malema said he would never be intimidated by Trump. 'Well, I'm not fearful. As a revolutionary, part of being killed is one of those honours you must wear with pride, but I'm not going to be reckless. When he says to Ramaphosa, why is this man not in jail, why are you not arresting this man? He simply means, why are you not killing this man, because this man wants to kill white people? That's what he believes.' Malema said Ramaphosa could not present the facts to Trump. 'I will never stop singing a song that Winnie Mandela sang. That would be a betrayal to the struggle of our people'. Malema criticised Ramaphosa and his delegation for their failure to defend the constitution of South Africa, particularly the right to freedom of speech in the context of the 'Kill the Boer'. ALSO READ: WATCH: Donald Trump ambushes Cyril Ramaphosa in Oval Office
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
24 hours in pictures, 27 May 2025
24 hours in pictures, 27 May 2025 Through the lens: The Citizen's Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world. Jordy Smith of South Africa surfs in Heat 2 of the Semifinals at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro on May 27, 2025 at Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia. Smith went on to win the competition. (Photo by Beatriz Ryder/World Surf League) Supporters of South Korea's Democratic Party's presidential election candidate Lee Jae-myung, cheer during a campaign event in Suwon city, Gyeoggi-do, South Korea, May 26, 2025. South Korea will hold its presidential election on 03 June 2025. Picture: Matrix Images The remnants of a small dwelling where six family members lost their lives when their home caught fire in the Marikana informal settlement located in Ekurhuleni on May 27, 2025 in Kwa-Thema, South Africa. It is reported that six family members died in the tragedy. The cause of the fire is still unknown. (Photo by Gallo Images/OJ Koloti) A young woman cools off amongst the water jets of a fountain during a hot spring day in Moscow, Russia, 26 May 2025. According to the Russian Hydrometeorological Centre, air temperatures are expected to climb up to 30 degrees Celsius in some areas of Moscow. Picture: EPA-EFE/YURI KOCHETKOV Cyril Ramaphosa ( President of the republic of South Africa) delivers keynote address at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) at Century City on May 27, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. The symposium showcases infrastructure investment opportunities in both South Africa and the African continent, and also fosters regional cooperation and integration. (Photo by Gallo Images/ER Lombard) A handout photo made available by the press service of the 65th Separate Mechanised Brigade shows new recruits of the 65th Separate Mechanised Brigade attending their training on an obstacle course with psychological elements and a tank used on a shooting range in the Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, 26 May 2025, amid the ongoing Russian invasion. Russian troops entered Ukrainian territory on 24 February 2022, marking the beginning of a conflict that has led to widespread damage and a humanitarian situation. Picture: EPA-EFE/Press service of the 65th Mechanized Brigade A female Hippopotamus seen along with her two days old calf at Delhi Zoo on May 22, 2025 in New Delhi, India. The National Zoological Park in the capital has welcomed a newborn hippopotamus calf after a gap of four years. The female calf was born on Monday to a nine-year-old hippopotamus. Picture: Matrix Images Actors defending the fortress of Zons at the medieval spectacle 'Sturm auf Zons', in Germany . The event focuses on a simulated attack on Zons by Burgundians in April 1475, which is staged with numerous disguised actors, and which is said to have happened in a similar way during the Neuss War in 1474 – 1475. Picture: Matrix Images Egrets build nests as they prepare to breed in the forest in Suqian City, Jiangsu Province, China on May 25, 2025. Picture: Matrix Images This aerial view shows damages following the passage of a tornado in the city of Puerto Varas, Region de los Lagos, southern Chile, on May 26, 2025. An unusual tornado rated as category EF-1 on the Fujita scale hit on the eve the city of Puerto Varas, almost 1,000 km south of Santiago, leaving eight people injured and some 150 homes affected, authorities said. (Photo by Javier TORRES / AFP) Contestants in the men's downhill race chase the cheese down the hill during Gloucestershire's famous Cheese-Rolling contest on May 26, 2025 in Brockworth, England. Every year competitors and spectators from around the world gather for the Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling competition that sees participants fling themselves down a steep hill in pursuit of a rolling 7 pound (3 kilogram) wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. The first contestant to the bottom of the 590 foot (180 meter) Cooper's Hill wins the wheel of cheese. The ankle-breaking extreme sport has officially been recorded since 1826, but is thought to have roots in an ancient pagan tradition. (Photo by) This aerial view shows trucks towing shipping containers at the port of Umm Qasr in Iraq's southern city of Basra on May 26, 2025. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP) PICTURES: Colourful Hillbrow parade entertains Joburg residents
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Ramaphosa heralds a new era of infrastructure development in South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the keynote address at the Century City Conference Centre during the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa. Image: Supplied President Cyril Ramaphosa heralded a new era of infrastructure development in South Africa, describing it as the "flywheel" of economic growth and job creation during his address at the 2025 Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) in Cape Town on Monday. Ramaphosa outlined ambitious plans to leverage infrastructure to drive economic progress, reduce inequality, and position South Africa as a prime investment destination. "Infrastructure is fundamental to the development of our country," Ramaphosa said, saying it served as the backbone of economic growth and social progress. "Good infrastructure will boost trade and will reduce the cost of doing business. This is essential as we open up to the advent of the African Continental Free Trade Area. This will enable us to trade with ease with our sister countries on the continent, representing a market of 1.3 billion people." he said. He referred to the recently released Construction Book 2024/2025 by Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), which details 250 fully funded projects valued at over R238 billion. He said this marked a record for public investment in roads, energy, water, logistics, and social infrastructure, reversing a prolonged decline exacerbated by the Covis-19 pandemic. The symposium, held at Century City, showcased South Africa's commitment to transforming infrastructure development from plans to reality. Ramaphosa noted that public infrastructure spending is projected to exceed R1 trillion over the next three years, making it the fastest-growing budget item. However, he acknowledged the government's financial constraints, stressing the need for public-private partnerships (PPPs) to mobilise domestic and international capital. Reforms are underway to streamline PPP approvals for projects under R2 billion, reducing regulatory hurdles and enhancing investor confidence. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ramaphosa underscored ISA's role as a "centre of excellence," expediting project approvals and mobilising financing. Since 2020, ISA has grown the capital value of Strategic Integrated Projects from R340bn to over R1.3 trillion, with projects spanning energy, water, transport, and digital infrastructure. Notable completions include the Hazelmere Dam in KwaZulu-Natal and the 100 MW Redstone Concentrated Solar Power Plant in the Northern Cape, which powers over 100,000 households annually. The president also highlighted the Infrastructure Fund's impact, packaging 26 blended finance projects worth R102 billion, de-risking investments for pension funds and banks. Additionally, the Leaders Forum at SIDSSA fosters collaboration among African infrastructure ministers, aligning policies to support the African Continental Free Trade Area and regional integration. Ramaphosa called for infrastructure to be placed at the heart of South Africa's development agenda. "We are moving from great ideas to executable plans and implementation," he said, expressing optimism for SIDSSA 2025's outcomes in driving sustainable growth across the continent. Visit: BUSINESS REPORT
