With just two weeks to go to the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 Exhibition and Conference, President Cyril Ramaphosa paid an oversight visit to Denel, touring four of the state-owned defence manufacturer’s facilities across Gauteng on Wednesday 2 September.

The Presidency said that the visit follows a commitment made by the President to do so during AAD 2024 and signals the government’s continued support for Denel as efforts continue to rebuild the embattled company’s capabilities.

The President’s tour began at Denel Aerospace in Kempton Park, where he, accompanied by Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga, was welcomed by Denel Aerospace Group Executive Chris Boshoff. The President was subsequently taken on a brief tour of the facilities, including the Oryx and Rooivalk helicopter hangars, where he took the opportunity to sit in a Rooivalk cockpit.

President Ramaphosa sits in the cockpit of a Denel Rooivalk attack helicopter. Photo: via the Presidency

While at Denel’s Kempton Park facility Ramaphosa also visited the Denel Technical Academy, taking the opportunity to talk with a number of Denel staff and trainees under the guidance of General Manager Zandile Dotwana.

Following this, the President moved on to Denel Land Systems in Lyttleton, Centurion, where he undertook a guided tour of the Badger programme, stock and simulator stations, as well as infantry, artillery, and armoured vehicles under the direction of Denel Land Systems General Manager Tebogo Chauke.

President Cyril Ramaphosa at Denel’s Lyttelton campus. Photo: SANDF

The President’s final visit was to Denel Pretoria Metal Pressings (PMP) in Lotus Gardens, Pretoria. Denel PMP General Manager Thabo Meletse guided the President through the facilities, providing insight into PMP’s production capabilities and its role in supporting South Africa’s defence manufacturing requirements.

PMP, which manufactures small- and medium-calibre ammunition, brass products, detonics, power cartridges and mining drill bits, has been gaining increased attention in recent months following reports of renewed interest in reviving and modernising its production capabilities, including an offer from US-based investors.

According to several social media posts by the Presidency, the visit to Denel’s various operations served as an opportunity for the President to assess Denel’s capabilities and contribution to South Africa’s defence industry and national security.

“The company plays a strategic role in national security by providing South Africa with access to advanced technologies, systems and platforms that contribute to the operational readiness and strategic independence of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF),” the Presidency said.

A later post added that the President’s visit “underscores the strategic importance of Denel to South Africa’s defence capabilities and demonstrates continued government support for the company as a state-owned enterprise with a critical role in the country’s defence architecture and defence industry.”

The President’s visit to Denel follows less than two months after the conclusion of the country’s inaugural Defence Industry Lekgotla held in Pretoria the past July, where around 300 delegates from government and the private sector discussed proposals to enhance South Africa’s defence industrial capabilities not just to ensure the industry’s continued viability, but to safeguard South Africa’s national sovereignty.