PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has told Parliament that South Africa is making “real, measurable progress” under the strategic leadership of his Presidency and set out a forward-looking agenda aimed at accelerating growth, creating jobs and improving services.
Speaking during the Presidency’s Budget Vote in the National Assembly, Ramaphosa said the Presidency plays a strategic coordination role across government – driving implementation, resolving bottlenecks and mobilising partnerships – and that the institution’s work is translating into concrete results for citizens.
“Our Constitution remains the foundation of our national project,” the President said, adding that stronger parliamentary oversight, exemplified by the new Committee on the Presidency, will enhance transparency and accountability.
Economic recovery and investment
Ramaphosa said the economy is “on the mend,” pointing to improved macroeconomic conditions, stable public finances and two recent credit-rating upgrades that have strengthened investor confidence. He highlighted the 6th South Africa Investment Conference in March, where R890 billion in pledges were secured across a range of industries, with a significant share from domestic investors.
“Economic growth must deliver jobs and opportunity,” he said, noting targeted support to protect employment in distressed industries such as autos, steel and cement, and coordination of the national investment drive by the Presidency.
Infrastructure push and energy turnaround
The Presidency is coordinating what the President described as the largest infrastructure programme in South African history, with R1 trillion planned for roads, dams, schools, hospitals, energy and transport projects over the next three years. Ramaphosa credited the National Energy Crisis Committee, Eskom and partners for delivering more than a year without load shedding and said Eskom has returned to financial and operational viability. New generation, including renewables, is being added to the grid, and efforts are underway to end power shortfalls experienced by many municipalities.
Logistics and trade
Transnet’s improved performance, backed by the National Logistics Crisis Committee, is easing long-standing bottlenecks in mining, agriculture and manufacturing, the President said. Agriculture export earnings rose 11% in the first quarter year-on-year, and South Africa remains the world’s largest citrus exporter by volume. Tourism also recorded record arrivals, with 10.5 million international visitors last year and arrivals up more than 12% in the first quarter of 2026.
Land, rural economies and youth workstreams
Ramaphosa announced a programme to convert about 2.5 million hectares acquired under the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy from short-term leases to title deeds for deserving beneficiaries, to improve access to finance and support commercial agriculture. On youth employment, the Presidency will expand the National Youth Service to 100,000 positions and continue to coordinate the Presidential Employment Stimulus and youth-skills reforms, including TVET reform and SETA rationalisation.
Crime, corruption and accountability
On law enforcement and anti-corruption, the President outlined progress in rebuilding agencies and implementing recommendations from the State Capture Commission. He said 80% of the 60 actions in the Presidency’s implementation plan are complete, substantially complete or on track, and that law-enforcement recoveries linked to the Commission exceed R17 billion. The Presidency has pushed for legislative reforms, including ten new Acts aimed at closing gaps exploited during state capture, and the Cabinet has approved a draft Bill to strengthen whistleblower protections.
Gender-based violence and social cohesion
The Presidency is leading implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender‑Based Violence and Femicide, working to prevent violence through programmes focused on positive masculinity while strengthening police, prosecutorial and survivor-support responses. The President reiterated a zero-tolerance stance on xenophobic violence and lawlessness, underlining simultaneous efforts to manage migration through tougher enforcement of immigration and labour laws and stronger border security.
Water and local government reform
To tackle the country’s water crisis, Ramaphosa announced the National Water Crisis Committee has begun executing a National Water Action Plan to deliver both immediate relief and systemic reform. Interventions will include direct national support to municipalities with acute failures and long-term changes, such as ring‑fencing water revenues so consumer payments are reinvested in infrastructure. Fixing local government, he said, is central to restoring service delivery and attracting investment.
Continental diplomacy and global engagement
Ramaphosa said the Presidency is deepening economic diplomacy, pushing South Africa’s priorities in the G20, BRICS and AU, and preparing to chair SADC this year with a focus on regional stability and integration. The Presidency is also advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area and supporting peace initiatives in the DRC and South Sudan.
Caveats and outlook
The President warned of external risks, including the conflict in the Middle East and a global oil shock that could slow growth and raise living costs. He acknowledged recent declines in employment data and urged accelerated delivery on priority reforms, cautioning that progress requires focus and unity rather than political distraction.
“The progress we have made is the result of deliberate state action — strategic direction to unlock growth and restore investor confidence,” Ramaphosa said. “We must move faster. Corruption must be uprooted. Local government must be fixed. Government must serve the people with dignity.”
