President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 15 November 2023, undertake a State Visit to Qatar at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar.

The State Visit will form part of two days of engagement between the governments of South Africa and Qatar on 14 and 15 November.

The visit occurs in the context of three decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries who will celebrate the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations on 11 May 2024. This visit will be President Ramaphosa's first visit to the State of Qatar as Head of State.

The programme will include meetings with His Highness Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and high-level business engagements.

During their meeting, President Ramaphosa and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani are expected to deliberate on various geopolitical issues that are currently impacting the world.

Both parties are committed to enhancing their economic ties and focusing on improving economic relations including trade, investment, and tourism.

In 2022, Qatar became South Africa's fifth-largest trading partner in the Middle East.

There is significant potential for further economic cooperation between the two countries. South Africa exported USD 206 million worth of trade to Qatar in 2022.

The bulk of the exports were in the manufacturing sector, accounting for about 56% of total exports. South Africa has witnessed a surge in its imports from Qatar between 2017 and 2022, primarily due to the import of petroleum oils.

South African imports from Qatar amounted to USD 252 million in 2022.

The President will be joined by a high-level business delegation and is expected to engage the Qatari business community to explore opportunities for cooperation in areas such as the creative industries, energy, mining, agro-processing, retail, healthcare, tourism, and shipbuilding. 

South Africa is a significant investor in Qatar, especially in the petrochemical-related sector, with a total investment of approximately USD 8.7 billion.

Sasol has a 49% shareholding with Qatar Petroleum, and established ORYX GTL, the world's first commercial-scale gas-to-liquids plant. Sasol's GTL technology is used in ORYX GTL to convert natural gas into liquid fuel and chemical products.

The governments of South Africa and Qatar share deep concern regarding the conflict, notably the unfolding human catastrophe in Palestine, violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, the large-scale loss of life and the ongoing hostilities, especially in Gaza.

Thre leaders will discuss respective efforts to ensure that the conflict does not escalate to other parts of the region and that a peaceful resolution is found.

South Africa also welcomes Qatar’s mediation efforts in this crisis.

The President will be accompanied by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation; Trade, Industry and Competition; Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; Mineral Resources and Energy; Defence, Basic Education and the Minister in the Presidency. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa – media@presidency.gov.za 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa today received a report from the Presidential Climate Commission to support a just transition at the recently the decommissioned Komati coal power station in Mpumalanga.

In a Special Meeting of the Commission, the President welcomed the report as an important consolidation of the evidence and perspectives of impacted stakeholders and communities in Steve Tswhete and Emalahleni Municipalities.

“The report, which was developed in an inclusive and consultative manner, provides a factual assessment of the decommissioning process followed at Komati. The report’s recommendations should move us closer to bringing and reclaiming restorative justice to affected workers and communities,” said President Ramaphosa

The Presidential Climate Commission began interacting with the Komati community and workers in January 2022, as part of the development of the national Just Transition Framework.

The Commission also visited Komati on 7 July 2023 and 27 October 2023, at the request of the President, with the aim of exploring the decommissioning process followed at Komati, and to help guide future coal decommissioning and repurposing projects.

The hand over of the report follows the Adoption of the Interim Report by the Commission in September and further interactions with the various stakeholders including local government, business, Eskom, and the Komati community.

The President emphasised the aim to bring coherence to just transition planning, and to use the report as  a blueprint for ensuring justice in future coal plant decommissioning projects, including engaging with communities to promote agency, spurring economic diversification, and ensuring resources are provided by government for regions in the transition.

“Poor people, workers, the unemployed, and rural communities remain the most vulnerable as our economy transitions to a low carbon future. We must find ways to protect jobs and cushion communities if the vision for the just transition is to be realised as we navigate our journey to a net-zero economy and society.” said President Ramaphosa.

The President thanked the Commissioners, the social partners, and the various stakeholders for delivering the report with far reaching proposals based on sound evidence, broad social engagement, and consensus.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa on media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his warm congratulations to Prof Dire Tladi of the University of Pretoria on his election by the United Nations as a judge of the International Court of Justice.

In May 2023, Cabinet endorsed Prof Tladi’s nomination by the South African Government, together with South Africa’s membership on the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and one of the six principal bodies of the UN.

The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised United Nations organs and specialised agencies.

The Court comprises 15 judges who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council.

Professor Tladi is a leading international law scholar whose accomplishments span different areas of the field, including academic, government service, diplomatic and practice.

He is Professor of International Law at the University of Pretoria and serves as President of the South African Branch of the International Law Association and Executive Member of the International Law Association.

He has served as Chair of the International Law Commission, an organ of the UN generally regarded as a feeder body for the International Court of Justice.

He was previously Legal Adviser of the South African Mission in New York and Special Adviser to South African Ministers of international relations.

President Ramaphosa said: “Prof Tladi’s election as a judge of the International Court of Justice is an outstanding personal achievement in which the nation shares with great pride.

“We appreciate the confidence expressed by the United Nations in Prof Tladi’s capabilities.

“He becomes the newest member of a fraternity of South Africans globally who are in positions of service to the international community and making important contributions to the better world we seek to build.

“We wish Prof Tladi well as he prepares to contribute to the Court and its jurisprudence from the Palace of Peace in The Hague, Netherlands.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the employment of 3 300 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for service in cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to prevent and combat crime, and maintain and preserve law and order, under Operation Prosper.

Members of the SANDF will, in cooperation with the SAPS, conduct an intensified anti-criminality operation against illegal mining across all provinces, from 28 October 2023 until 28 April 2024.

The expenditure expected to be incurred for this deployment amounts to R492 143 296.

The President set out the employment in a letter to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Amos Masondo.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 174(6) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, appointed Judges to the Supreme Court of Appeal, the Gauteng Division of the High Court and the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court. The appointed judges are: 
(i) Madam Justice Fayeeza Kathree- Setiloane as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, with effect from 01 December 2023 in an existing vacancy;

(ii) Madam Justice Anna Maleshane Kgoele as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, with effect from 01 December 2023 in an existing vacancy;

(iii) Adv Soraya Khatija Hassim SC as a Judge of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, with effect from 01 January 2024 in an existing vacancy;

(iv) Adv Omphemetse Mooki SC as a Judge of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, with effect from 01 January 2024 in an existing vacancy;

(v) Adv Jacobus Johannes Strijdom SC as a Judge of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, with effect from 01 January 2024 in an existing vacancy;

(vi) Adv Brad Christopher Wanless SC as a Judge of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, with effect from 01 January 2024 in an existing vacancy; and 

(vii) Prof Mbuzeni Johnson Mathenjwa as a Judge of the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court, with effect from 01 November 2023 in an existing vacancy;

Furthermore, President Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 153 (1)(b) of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act 66 of 1995), acting on the advice of NEDLAC and the Judicial Service Commission and after consultation with the Minister of Justice and the Judge President of the Labour Court, appointed Mr Justice Mogomotsi Edwin Molahlehi as Deputy Judge President of the Labour and Labour Appeal Courts with effect from 1 November 2023 in an existing vacancy.

In terms of Section 169(1) of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act 66 of 1995), acting on the advice of NEDLAC and the Judicial Service Commission and after consultation with the Minister of Justice and the Judge President of the Labour Appeal Court, President Ramaphosa has appointed:
(i) Madam Justice Madeline Portia Nompi Nkutha-Nkontwana as a Judge of the Labour Appeal Court with effect from 01 January 2024 in an existing vacancy;

(ii) Madam Justice Katherine Mary Savage as a Judge of the Labour Appeal Court with effect from 01 January 2024 in an existing vacancy; and 

(iii) Mr Justice André Johann Van Niekerk with effect from 01 January 2024 in an existing vacancy.

Additionally, President Ramaphosa has, in terms of Section 153(4) of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act 66 of 1995), acting on the advice of NEDLAC and the Judicial Service Commission and after consultation with the Minister of Justice and the Judge President of the Labour Court, appointed the following judges:
(i) Adv Kelsey Allen-Yaman as a Judge of the Labour Court with effect from 1 December 2023 in an existing vacancy;

(ii) Mr Reynaud Neil Daniels as a Judge of the Labour Court with effect from 01 January 2024 in an existing vacancy; and 

(iii) Mr Molatelo Robert Makhura as a Judge of the Labour Court with effect from 1 January 2024 in an existing vacancy.

These appointments will ensure continuity in the administration of justice at all levels and centres of the judiciary.

President Ramaphosa wishes the newly appointed justices well as they take up their new roles in upholding the rule of law in the country.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President- media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Wednesday, 08 November 2023, deliver the keynote address at the opening session of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council’s (NACAC) National Dialogue on building a corruption-free South Africa.

The National Dialogue is themed “Together Building A Corruption-Free Society - Xelela Abanye, Bolella ba Bangwe, Vhudzani Vhanwe, Byelani Vanwani, Tell Others”, and will take place at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng.

The National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council is a multi-sectoral advisory body appointed by President Ramaphosa in August 2022 to oversee the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) and to advise on the future of the country’s anti-corruption institutional architecture.

The National Anti-Corruption Strategy is a whole-of-society effort that envisions an ethical and accountable state, business and society characterised by high levels of integrity and respect for the rule of law.

It promotes active citizenry that is empowered to hold leaders and organisations accountable. It foresees a state where all members of society have zero tolerance for corruption and commits all stakeholders and citizens to an anti-corruption compact.

The two-day National Dialogue brings together a spectrum of stakeholders and social partners who are engaged in consequence management for past corruption – including the gross instances identified by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture – and in developing new anti-corruption measures and movements.

The Dialogue and the multi-sectoral mobilisation of the advisory council is a contribution to the development objectives of the Constitution and the National Development Plan as espoused through the National Anti-corruption Strategy (NACS).

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA ARE INVITED AS FOLLOWS:
Date: Wednesday, 08 November 2023
Time: 11h00
Venue: Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre,Boksburg, Gauteng Province.
Address: 44 Viewpoint Road, Bartlett, Boksburg

For media accreditation please contact Patience Mtshali on 083 376 9468.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President on media@presidency.gov.za  

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 03 November 2023, officially open and deliver the  keynote address at the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum taking place in Johannesburg. 

The AGOA Forum is being hosted in South Africa between, from 2 to 4 November 2023 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre at Nasrec.

The theme for this intergovernmental gathering is “Partnering to Build a Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive AGOA to support Economic Development, Industrialisation and Quality Job Creation". 

The Forum deliberations will be complemented by a “Made in Africa Exhibition" which highlights diverse and thriving industries in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The AGOA Forum, established in terms of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) passed by the US Congress in May 2000, serves as a crucial platform for strengthening economic partnerships between the United States and eligible African states.

The Forum brings together government representatives from the United States and AGOA-eligible countries, alongside key regional economic organisations, the private sector, civil society, and organised labour.

Since its inception in 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been pivotal in strengthening economic ties and promoting growth and development across the African continent. AGOA's rigorous eligibility requirements include establishing a market-based economy, upholding the rule of law, political pluralism, and the right to due process.

Discussions during the Forum will primarily focus on enhancing trade and investment ties between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular emphasis on fostering resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth and development.
 
AGOA has surpassed initial expectations, creating job opportunities, promoting investment, facilitating the emergence of new business prospects, and contributing to economic development in beneficiary countries.
 
With AGOA scheduled to expire in 2025, the Forum will among others showcase successful beneficiary stories, deliberate on the challenges hindering the diversification of export sectors, and improving AGOA utilisation.

An extension of AGOA beyond 2025 is expected to promote inward investment in Africa and provide mutual benefits to the United States and African countries. This extension will further support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), covering 54 countries and 1.4 billion people.

Details of the Official Opening of the 20th AGOA Forum are as follows:
Date: Friday, 03 November 2023
Time: 10:15 Opening Keynote Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa
Venue: Johannesburg Expo Centre , Johannesburg 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - media@enquires.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of section 193(4) of Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and on the recommendation of the National Assembly, appointed Advocate Nompilo Kholeka Gcaleka as Public Protector of the Republic of South Africa for a non-renewable term of seven years with effect from 1 November 2023. 

The President wishes Advocate Gcaleka well in her position and trust that she will serve the people of South Africa with honor and dedication.
 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - media@presidency.gov.za  
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 02 November 2023, welcome the Rugby World Cup Champions, the Springboks, to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

The Springboks won the 2023 Rugby World Cup against New Zealand at the finals in Paris, France, on Saturday, 28 October 2023.

The welcome ceremony to the Union Buildings for the national team signifies the start of the Rugby World Champions’ National Trophy Tour.

The team touched down at the OR Tambo International Airport today, 31 October 2023 to a rousing welcome from the public.

The Webb Ellis Cup parade will kick off on 02 November 2023 in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto, concluding at FNB Stadium; and proceed in Cape Town on 03 November 2023; Durban on 04 November 2023 before the tour ends in the Eastern Cape (East London) on 05 November 2023.

Members of the public in Pretoria are welcome to witness this event from Government Avenue, Arcadia.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Thursday, 02 November 2023
Time: 08h30 (media to arrive at 07h00)
Venue: The Union Buildings, Pretoria.

Members of the media are requested to send their details for access to Hlobisile Nkosi on +2779 988 9954 or hlobisile@presidency.gov.za by no later than 12h00 on Wednesday, 01 November 2023.
 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - media@presidency.gov.za  
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director, Prof Somadoda Fikeni, 
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo,
Chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, Prof Firoz Cachalia, 
Members of the Council,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps, 
Leaders from all spheres of our society,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Next year, it will be 30 years since South Africans won their freedom.

We will reflect on how far we have come as a country in improving people’s quality of life and in entrenching a culture of democracy and human rights.

We will reflect on the progressive policies that have enabled millions to be lifted out of absolute poverty and that have provided housing, electricity, water and other basic services to the overwhelming majority of the South African people. 

At the same time, we will acknowledge where we have not achieved enough, where expectations have not been met, and, indeed, where the promise of our democracy has been betrayed.

As we consider the great achievements of our democracy, we must be forthright about one of our greatest failings: corruption.

All South Africans suffer when goods, services and resources meant for public benefit are misappropriated, mismanaged and stolen, but it is the poor who suffer most.

Corruption carries a huge opportunity cost. Economic growth is stifled and businesses suffer. Development stalls and institutions fail.

Corruption has wounded our democracy and shaken people’s faith in our institutions.

If corruption is not arrested, the greatest damage will not be in the funds stolen, the jobs lost or the services not delivered.

The greatest damage will be to the belief in democracy itself.

It is therefore our shared responsibility, as we celebrate 30 years of democracy, to build a society in which corruption has no place.

To do so, we must challenge the contention that corruption is a creation of our democratic order. Corruption in South Africa has much deeper roots.

As we have noted before, apartheid was both morally and materially corrupt. 

Even as apartheid laws enabled the theft of resources that rightly belonged to the people of South Africa, there were many in the administration, in state companies, in bantustans and in business who flouted even those corrupt laws to enrich themselves. 

Having fought a just struggle against this system, it was our intention that the overthrow of apartheid would herald a new era of integrity, honesty and ethical conduct by all in positions of responsibility.

We sought not merely to change the political system, but to build a new nation on a fundamentally different moral foundation.

Our Constitution, which embeds the values of social justice, human dignity, accountability, transparency and the rule of law, is the most powerful instrument we have to fight crime and corruption.

The people of South Africa are the guarantors of the integrity of the political, social and economic life of this country.

After all, it was the people of South Africa, in all their formations, who stood up against state capture and who, through their democratic institutions, took action to end it.

The establishment of the State Capture Commission was an affirmation of the strength of our democracy.

The ongoing work of the Public Protector, law enforcement agencies, the courts, the media and civil society in exposing corruption and acting against perpetrators is testimony to the power of our constitutional order.

The completion of the work of the State Capture Commission was a watershed moment in our history.

Not only did the Commission lay bare the extent and depth of state capture, but it also presented the country with the means to both remedy the great harm caused by state capture and to create the conditions that would prevent its recurrence.

Viewed overall, the recommendations of the State Capture Commission have provided the country with a clear way forward.

What the Commission laid bare was the extent to which corruption had become so pervasive across the state and across society. 

While it was charged with investigating specific activities at a certain time in our history, the State Capture Commission revealed that corruption is a far broader societal challenge. 

It therefore requires a society-wide response that marshalls all our resources and capabilities in a concerted effort to end corruption in all its forms.

As part of this effort, last year, I appointed this National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council to advise government on the measures necessary to address the structural causes and consequences of corruption in South Africa. 

Part of the work of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council is to provide advice on the implementation of the policy and institutional reforms contained in the recommendations of the State Capture Commission.

Over the last five years, we have invested significant resources to rebuild the law enforcement agencies and other bodies that were devastated by state capture.

We appointed new leadership with the track record, integrity and capability to tackle crime and corruption. We are now in the process of developing legislation that will insulate the appointment and removal processes for key positions shown to be vulnerable to state capture. 

In 2018, we established the NPA Investigating Directorate to focus on state capture and other serious crimes. We established the Special Tribunal to enable the Special Investigating Unit to fast track the recovery of public funds.

In November 2020, Cabinet adopted the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, whose six strategic pillars anchor the deliberations of this National Dialogue. 

The Strategy is an ‘anti-corruption compact’, since it is all-of-society effort to achieve an ethical and accountable state, business and society characterised by high levels of integrity and respect for the rule of law. 

The Strategy fills an important gap in that it focuses on preventive measures that complement the actions of our law enforcement agencies and Constitutional bodies in responding to corruption. 

The Strategy aims to stop corruption before it occurs.

The areas it covers include ethical leadership, protection and support for whistleblowers, the integrity of procurement systems, and capacity building of staff in law enforcement agencies.

While those individuals and companies that have enriched themselves at the expense of the people must face the consequences of their misdeeds, we must go deeper if we are going to emerge as a prosperous society. 

It is now just over a year since I submitted to Parliament government’s response to the recommendations of the State Capture Commission.

Significant progress has been made in implementing the measures set out in this response.

We have initiated 16 pieces of legislative reforms to address specific recommendations of the State Capture Commission. 

Eight of these legislative reforms are now before Parliament. 

These Bills address areas such as public procurement, administrative reform, the conduct of public servants, the intelligence services, money laundering and electoral reform. 

The NPA Amendment Bill, for example, creates a permanent Investigating Directorate for Corruption in the NPA with significant investigative powers.

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has recommended significant reforms to the Protected Disclosures Act and Witness Protection Act in accordance with the Commission’s recommendations on enhancing whistleblower protection.

The State Capture Commission made recommendations for the establishment of new institutions to safeguard the state against capture. 

These included the establishment of an independent public procurement anti-corruption agency and a permanent commission on corruption and state capture to create an alternative platform for accountability should the legislature fail in its oversight duty. 

These and other proposals are the focus of an intensive process of research and consultation led by the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

While much work has been done to strengthen the ability of our institutions to prevent and combat corruption, significant progress has been made in bringing to justice those responsible for state capture.

Nine separate court cases, involving 47 individuals and 21 companies, have been brought to court. 

Freezing orders amounting to R14 billion have been authorised by the Asset Forfeiture Unit and a total of R5.4 billion has been recovered and returned to the state.

Government departments, municipalities and professional bodies are taking disciplinary action against individuals identified by the Commission. 

The South African Revenue Service has collected R4.9 billion in unpaid taxes as a result of evidence brought before the State Capture Commission. 

While there is a long road ahead, the fight against corruption is gaining momentum.

This dialogue is a valuable opportunity to mobilise all key stakeholders behind this effort, from civil society, business and labour, to academia, government and political parties.

We meet here as diverse constituencies, but with a common purpose. 

We are here to identify the further measures we need to take to build a South Africa that does not allow for corruption or capture.

We are here to strengthen our shared determination to build an ethical society founded on the values of our democratic Constitution.

I wish you a successful National Dialogue and look forward to its outcomes.

I thank you.