Honourable Members,   Driving financial inclusion remains a national priority.   When more South Africans, especially those in rural and underserved communities, are able to access affordable banking and credit, we unlock entrepreneurship, support job creation and stimulate growth in local economies.   Financial inclusion also empowers youth- and women-owned enterprises, narrows inequality and builds resilience in households and communities.   South Africa has a well-developed and competitive financial services sector.   Our commercial banks, development finance institutions, co-operative banks and new digital entrants, all provide a range of financial products and services to small businesses and individuals.   The Postbank Amendment Act was enacted to strengthen the diversity of our financial sector and ensure a dedicated focus on underserved communities.   The Act was meant to establish Postbank as a developmental state-owned commercial bank, offering accessible financial services to all South Africans.   While obtaining a banking license is an independent regulatory process, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, as the representative shareholder and executive authority of the Postbank, is tasked with ensuring that the Postbank receives the necessary support to obtain the banking license.   According to the Minister, the Postbank has not yet fully met the conditions for a banking licence, particularly around its card key management processes and compliance with prudential standards.   Its immediate challenge is to strengthen its governance, ensure compliance with prudential standards and stabilise its finances.   Capitalisation will be considered once Post Bank is granted authorisation to establish a bank, after which it has 12 months to raise the funding to be registered as a bank.   This will be determined by its business case, for which the Postbank board is responsible, and submitting that business case to government via the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies.   These steps are essential to ensure that the Postbankobtains its banking licence and is able to fulfil the vital mandate that it bears to promote financial inclusion for all.   #RamaphosaQandA(Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦)