President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is pleased with progress made by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on a number of issues of regional importance it is dealing with including the reform process in the Kingdom of Lesotho, the conflict in Mozambique, the setting up of the SADC logistics Centre, and the anti-terrorism centre.

President Ramaphosa said this on conclusion of his working visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where he was leading a South African delegation to the 42nd Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on 16 – 17 August 2022. 

On the reform process in the Kingdom of Lesotho, President Ramaphosa said he was pleased with the positive report tabled by Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro that serves as a real milestone in the lives of Basotho. SADC and South Africa played a very important role in bringing about peace and normalcy in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

President Ramaphosa said that SADC was also pleased with progress made in pushing back the insurgents in the Cabo Delgado area of the Republic of Mozambique and that SADC reaffirmed its “total commitment to supporting the people of Mozambique”. 

“The pleasing thing was that the people who had fled the various areas in Cabo Delgado are now returning to their homes, with increased confidence that SADC has been helping them to bring about peace,” said President Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa said he was also pleased with progress brought about by SADC in the setting up of its Logistics Centre in the Republic of Botswana that will assist the countries in the region to deal with emergency situations. He said he was also pleased with progress made in the already operational anti-terrorism centre that is situated in the Republic of Tanzania. 

Regarding the logistics centre President Ramaphosa said “We will be able to bring around the various assistance measures when there are either situations where our armed forces needs to intervene, so there should be a good logistics depot or where there are other forms of emergency”. 

The President is also pleased with SADC’s recorded progress on issues in the Kingdom of Eswatini and on challenges in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

He said that he was happy that SADC s setting up a fact-finding mission on Eswatini and on its decision to send a panel of elders “to go and find effective ways to deal with the situation”. 


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315 or media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today Tuesday, 16 August 2022, arrived in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on a Working Visit to participate in the 42nd Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government.

Regional leaders are expected to deliberate on the region’s development under the theme “Promoting industrialisation through, agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, and regional value chains for inclusive and resilient economic growth”.

The theme underscores efforts to strengthen implementation of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030.

South Africa leverages SADC as its primary foreign policy vehicle for achieving regional development and integration within Southern Africa.

At the same time, SADC is guided by the SADC Vision 2050 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) (2020 – 2030), the Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap, and the Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan.

The SADC Summit will take place on 17 and 18 August 2022 at Palais du Peuple (Parliament Building) and SADC Member States will receive an update on progress made in the implementation of these strategic policies and previous Summit decisions, since the last meeting in August of 2021 held in Lilongwe Malawi.

Given the frequency of natural disasters in the region, the Summit is expected to adopt a Memorandum of Agreement on the establishment and operationalisation of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) to be hosted in Mozambique.

In recognising the role played by non-state actors in this sector, the Summit will consider a proposed SADC Mechanism for Engagement with Non-State Actors. 

This year’s Summit will also consider the status of ratification, accession and implementation of SADC Agreements and Protocols by member states.

The Summit will also deliberate on a proposed amendment to a protocol on the development of tourism in the region, as well as an amendment to the Treaty of the Southern African Development Community that entails recognition of the SADC Parliament as a SADC Institution.

President Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the outgoing Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and Facilitator of the Lesotho Peace Process, will lead discussions of the SADC Organ Troika Summit, which is responsible for promoting peace and security in the region.

The Summit will be preceded by meetings of the Standing Committee of Senior Officials and the Finance Committee; the Council of Ministers, as well as a SADC Public Lecture and Organ Troika Summit.

During the Summit, President Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the DRC will take over the chairpersonship of SADC from President Lazarus Chakwera of the Republic of Malawi. 

Malawi assumed the Chair on 17th August 2021 during the 41st SADC Summit held in Lilongwe, Malawi. 

President Ramaphosa is accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister in The Presidency, Mondli Gungubele; and Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thabang Makwetla.


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315 or media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today  Tuesday, 16 August 2022, departed South Africa for  the Democratic Republic of Congo on a Working Visit to participate in the 42nd Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government.

Regional leaders are expected to deliberate on the region’s development under the theme “Promoting industrialisation through, agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, and regional value chains for inclusive and resilient economic growth”.

The theme underscores efforts to strengthen implementation of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030.

South Africa leverages SADC as its primary foreign policy vehicle for achieving regional development and integration within Southern Africa.

At the same time, SADC is guided by the SADC Vision 2050 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) (2020 – 2030), the Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap, and the Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan.

The SADC Summit will take place on 17 and 18 August 2022 at Palais du Peuple (Parliament Building) and SADC Member States will receive an update on progress made in the implementation of these strategic policies and previous Summit decisions, since the last meeting in August of 2021 held in Lilongwe Malawi.

Given the frequency of natural disasters in the region, the Summit is expected to adopt a Memorandum of Agreement on the establishment and operationalisation of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) to be hosted in Mozambique.

In recognising the role played by non-state actors in this sector, the Summit will consider a proposed SADC Mechanism for Engagement with Non-State Actors. 

This  year’s Summit will also consider the status of ratification, accession and implementation of SADC Agreements and Protocols by member states.

The Summit will also deliberate on a proposed amendment to a protocol on the development of tourism in the region, as well as an amendment to the Treaty of the Southern African Development Community that entails recognition of the SADC Parliament as a SADC Institution.

President Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the outgoing Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and Facilitator of the Lesotho Peace Process, will lead discussions of the SADC Organ Troika Summit, which is responsible for promoting peace and security in the region.

The Summit will be preceded by meetings of the Standing Committee of Senior Officials and the Finance Committee; the Council of Ministers, as well as a SADC Public Lecture and Organ Troika Summit.

During the Summit, President Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the DRC will take over the chairpersonship of SADC from President Lazarus Chakwera of the Republic of Malawi. 

Malawi assumed the Chair on 17th August 2021 during the 41st SADC Summit held in Lilongwe, Malawi. 

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele and Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thabang Makwetla.


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315 or media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 04 August 2022, embark on a working visit to the Republic of Botswana to lead talks at the High Level South Africa - Botswana Business Roundtable. 

President will travel to Gaborone at the invitation of the His Excellency Dr.Eric Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana. 

The High Level South Africa – Botswana Business Roundtable happens at the backdrop of the fifth session of the South Africa - Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC) which took place on 22 April 2022 in Tshwane. 

The two neighboring countries are this year marking 28 years of diplomatic and bilateral cooperation which spans across trade and investment, energy, agriculture, tourism, youth and sport, infrastructure development, culture, mining, defence and security, immigration, environmental conservation and management, transport as well as information and communication technologies.

Preceded by the South Africa - Botswana Business Forum scheduled on 03 August 2022, which draws government and business leaders from both countries, the business forum will among others identify a package of concrete actions to create a conducive environment to strengthen business to business linkages; support the implementation of Southern African Customs Union (SACU) regional value chains and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 

Over the two-day South Africa – Botswana Business Forum, 22 South African businesses from a wide range of sectors will form part of the trade expo of the businesses operating in both countries at the Gaborone International Convention Centre. South Africa is Botswana’s number one source of imports, whilst Botswana ranked as South Africa’s 7th largest export market. South Africa’s exports to Botswana were R64.4 billion in 2021, exports to Botswana grew by 2.53 percent or R13.4 billion over the last five years. 

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor and Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel. 

Media Programme of the High Level South Africa – Botswana Business Roundtable is as follows:

Opening of the High Level South Africa- Botswana Business Roundtable
 
Date: Thursday, 04 August 2022
Time: 09h00 – 10h00
Venue: Gaborone International Convention Centre, Botswana 

Closing of the High Level South Africa - Botswana Business Roundtable and Media Briefing  

Date: Thursday, 04 August 2022
Time: 12h00 – 12h45
Venue: Gaborone International Convention Centre, Botswana

Tour of the South Africa – Botswana Trade Expo
 
Date: Thursday, 04 August 2022 
Time: 12h50 - 13h00
Venue: Gaborone International Convention Centre, Botswana


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President on +27 82 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 05 August 2022, deliver the keynote address during the closing ceremony of the Presidential Social Sector Summit to be held at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Gauteng Province.

The Presidential Social Sector takes place on 4 and 5 August 2022 under the theme "Fostering Social Cohesion to enable Socio-Economic Participation in Communities". The event will be held at the Birchwood Conference Centre, Boksburg.

In his 2018 State of the Nation Address, President Ramaphosa issued a call to the nation for a social compact - a shared national agenda and commitment that will guide with all sectors of society in building the South Africa envisaged in Vision 2030 of the National Development Plan.

In line with the National Development Plan’s advancement of active citizenry, the Summit will bring together stakeholders from a wide range of constituencies to work with  government to address socio-economic challenges and mobilise resources for civil society, among other objectives.

The Department of Social Development set up a National Task Team comprising key departments, civil society organisations, the National Lotteries Commission and the NEDLAC Community Constituency to coordinate and ensure the inclusiveness of the Social Sector Summit.

Dialogues were held in all provinces between provincial governments and social partner organisations as part of the build-up to the Summit.

The Summit will consider dialogue reports from the nine provinces covering challenges that have been raised.

These challenges include access to funding, regulatory issues, transformation of the social sector with a view to fostering a state-civil society partnership to address challenges related to poverty, inequality, and employment, and the deepening of democratic participation.

About 600 delegates from various Civil Society Organisations (CSO) from across South Africa are expected to attend the Summit.

These organisations play an important role in society through welfare, economic empowerment, skills development, sports and recreation, advocacy and human rights.

President Ramaphosa will underscore the role of civil society organisations in the realisation of the National Development Plan.

The closing session will take place as follows:

Date: Friday, 05 August 2022
Time: 09h00
Venue: Birchwood Conference Centre, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 05 August 2022, address a Gala Dinner hosted by the South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges (SAC-IAWJ).
 
SAC-IAWJ is an Association of Women Judicial Officers that includes Magistrates and Judges, established in 2004 for the purpose of "Advancing Human Rights and Equality for All" in South Africa.
 
The South African Chapter of the IAWJ will, in collaboration with the University of South Africa (UNISA) and the Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, host the Chapter’s 16th Conference and Annual General Meeting from 5 to 7 August 2022 at UNISA in Tshwane.
 
The conference will be attended by key jurists and academics, under the theme “Empowerment as a tool to fight Gender Based Violence #Breaking Barriers and Bias”. 
 
This association’s conference forms part of a diverse range of activities that constitute Women’s Month 2022 which is being observed under the theme “Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Resilience”
 
The SAC-IAWJ will also during the gala dinner confer its Pioneers in the Judiciary Award to the newly appointed Deputy Chief Justice Designate of the Republic of South Africa, Justice Mandisa Muriel Lindelwa Maya, the first woman jurist to be appointed to this position in the history of South Africa.
 
Deputy Chief Justice Designate Justice Maya will assume her new role on 1 September 2022.
 
The Gala Dinner will be held as follows:
 Date:           Friday, 05 August 2022
Time:            18:00 (Media to arrive at 17h00)
Venue:          Maslow Hotel Time Square, 209B Aramist Ave, Menlyn, Tshwane
 
 
Media wishing to cover the event should send details to Senior Media Officers Tommy Huma, UNISA on 072 218 6197 / 012 429 3981 / humatm@unisa.ac.za OR Edgar Rathelele on 063 731 5456 / 012 429 3981 / ratheme@unisa.ac.za
 
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa led succesful talks with His Excellency President Mokgweetsi  Masisi  at the South Africa - Botswana Business Roundtable at the Gaborone International Convention Centre in the Republic of Botswana. 
 
 
The South Africa - Botswana Business  Round Table was yesterday , 03 August 2022 , preceded  by the Business Forum which enhanced linkages , trade and investment and prospective joint venture partnerships between the two countries. 
 
 
Celebrating 28 years of diplomatic , cultural and  economic relations under theme " Tirisanyo Mmogo " at the two day business engagement , President Ramaphosa welcomed the 9 FDI projects from Botswana to South Africa worth R 3,9 billion over the last decade. 
 
 
The High Level South Africa – Botswana Business Roundtable happens at the backdrop of the fifth session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC) which took place on 22 April 2022 in Tshwane.
 
 
"Even as our bilateral relations have grown stronger over the years, we want to see far greater levels of trade and investment between our two countries.  
As we noted earlier, South Africa’s foreign direct investment stock in Botswana reached $5.1 billion last year." President Ramaphosa said.
 
 
At the South Africa - Botswana Business Round Table chaired by the two Heads of State , business leaders from the two sisterly countries  participated in identifying measures to address trade and investment barriers as well as strengthening cooperation between government  and private sector in maximizing localization,  export promotion efforts and industrialization. 
 
President Ramaphosa principally agreed to a feasible joint public - private partnership investment  of both governments on  the 129 km Lephalale - Mamabule rail line which will enhance regional value chains. 
 
 
The President further called for accelerated investment in catalytic development projects particularly in infrasture which have a positive  ripple effect on  sectors among them manufacturing , logistics , tourism and technology. 
 
 
President Ramaphosa highlighted that the Southern African region has the potential to distinguish itself worldwide as an economic bloc  in multiple areas of specialisation due to its abundance of natural resources and skills.
 
 
 
President Ramaphosa expressed confidence at the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) programme of creating industrial value chains in  leather and leather products , textiles , fresh produce, meat and meat products,clothing , cosmetics and essential oils. 
 
 
The President also implored that women and youth run businesses in both countries should partake in these value chains to grow the respective economies. 
 
 
The President also welcomed Botswana's declaration of opening  all border posts  to South Africa following the easing of  COVID-19 regulations  which will speed up trade and economic recovery between the two countries. 
 
 
President Ramaphosa was accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor , Minister of Trade , Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel and a South African business delegation including representatives from across a range of sectors including pharmaceuticals, automotive, manufacturing and  agriculture.
 
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President on +27 82 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 09 August 2022, deliver the keynote address at the Women’s Day national commemorative event in Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal.

The event will take place at the Silahla Sport Field in Richmond in the uMngungundlovu district municipality.

Women’s Day is an annual commemoration of the 9 August 1956 protest march to the Union Buildings by 20 000 women from all backgrounds who resisted the apartheid authorities’ imposition of pass laws that restricted the movement of black South Africans in the country of their birth.

In the democratic era, Women’s Day focuses the nation’s attention on the country’s progress towards gender equity and celebrates the diverse contributions of women to the development of our society and economy.

However, Women’s Day and Women’s Month also serve as a period during which the country reflects on the challenges that face women, and during which all sectors of society can discuss these challenges and develop or highlight programmes aimed at empowering and affirming women.

The National Women’s Day commemoration event will take place as follows: 

Date: Tuesday, 09 August 2022
Time: 11h00 – 15h00 (Media to arrive at 09:00)
Venue: Silahla Sport Field, Richmond Municipality, Kwa-Zulu Natal Province 

For media logistics: Naledi Malatji – 078 633 6302 or Madimetja Moleba - 066 301 4675


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315 or media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 11 August 2022, receive letters of credence from Heads of Mission-Designate at a Credentials Ceremony. The President will receive 14 Heads of Mission-Designate who have arrived in South Africa to serve in diplomatic missions in South Africa.
 
The Heads of Mission-Designate from the following countries will serve at missions in South Africa with the aim of advancing diplomatic relations:
 
·       Kingdom of Thailand
 
·       Kingdom of Spain
 
·       Republic of Paraguay
 
·       Slovak Republic
 
·       State of Libya
 
·       Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
 
·       Kingdom of Eswatini
 
·       Republic of Chile
 
·       Republic of Mali
 
·       Republic of Sudan
 
·       Republic of Uganda
 
·       European Union
 
·       United States of America
 
·       Turkmenistan
 
Proceedings of the Credentials Ceremony can be followed on Presidency and government digital platforms. 
 
Details of the Credentials Ceremony are as follows:
 
Date:            Thursday, 11 August 2022 
 
Time:            15h00 (Media to arrive at 14h00)
 
Venue:          Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria.
 
Members of the media wishing to cover the event are required to RSVP by submitting their name and surname, designation, media house and ID number to Shadi Baloyi on shadi@presidency.gov.za / 072 571 6415 on or before Wednesday, 10 August 2022 at 13:00.
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315 or media@presidency.gov.za
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo to Sedibeng in Gauteng on Friday, 12 August 2022.

Under the theme, "Leave No One Behind", the Presidential Imbizo will take place at the Sharpeville Cricket Pitch, where leaders from all three spheres of government will interact with residents on service delivery challenges which communities have brought to government’s attention, as well plans for the development of this district.

In Sedibeng, as in all districts countrywide, the District Development Model is based on a “One District. One Plan” approach in which all three spheres of government and representatives of civil society jointly plan development.

This approach aims to address service delivery challenges, advance local procurement and create jobs in ways that promote social cohesion and economic opportunities in the 44 Districts and 8 Metros around the country.

The Sedibeng Presidential Imbizo will be the fourth interaction of this kind, following oversight visits by President Ramaphosa to the North West, Free State and Mpumalanga since his commitment in the February 2022 State of the Nation Address that he would engage with communities throughout South Africa.

The President will use the Sedibeng visit to assess progress in service delivery and in the implementation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.

The Sedibeng District Municipality comprises the Emfuleni, Midvaal and Lesedi local municipalities which all feature high levels of unemployment, skills shortages and aged water and sanitation infrastructure which results in sewer blockages, spillages, pump station breakdowns, water leaks and pipe bursts.

Government is responding with various actions, including a R700 million allocation to Rand Water to rehabilitate the Vaal sewer network. Funding is also being sourced to upgrade bulk infrastructure, such as electricity, roads, water and sewerage.

Major progress has been made towards the designation of the Vaal Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The provincial government has received commitments from local investors to the tune of R40 billion and the SEZ holds the potential to create 170 000 jobs over five years.

The special economic zone will ensure an increase in skilled labour, easy access to a strong consumer base and connectivity to suppliers and potential markets.

It will also promote export-orientated industries and local integration. More than 3 000 hectares of land has been secured across all the local municipalities in the Sedibeng District for the SEZ.

Growing Gauteng Together (GGT) 2030 has identified a number of catalytic investment projects in the Sedibeng District, such as :

- The Savannah City housing development;
- Vaal River City and the Vaal University Village precinct;
- A cargo airport and logistics hub;
- The Vaal Special Economic Zone;
- The AB InBev investment project;
- The Vaal Marina development and logistics and mining investments in Lesedi; and
- The Gauteng Highlands projects.

The District Development Model prioritises social partnerships and collaboration with all sectors of society and communities in addressing service delivery obstructions.

For the Sedibeng event, members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Friday, 12 August 2022
Time: 10h00
Venue: Sharpeville Cricket Pitch, Sedibeng District Municipality

NB: Members of media who have applied for accreditation to cover the forthcoming Presidential Imbizo are advised to collect accreditation cards as stated below.  All media personnel have to collect their own accreditation. They are to present their id cards /press cards to verify their identity when collecting their accreditation.

Details for the collection of media accreditation:

Venue: Sharpeville Library, Sedibeng in Gauteng Province
Dates: Wednesday, 10 August 2022: 09h00 – 17h00
           Thursday, 11 August 2022: 09h00 – 18h00
           Friday, 12 August 2022: 08h00 – 10h00

Enquiries for accreditation should be directed to: Lerato Mdiya on 066 288 1251


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President on 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria