President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his heartfelt condolences to the victims of a train accident in Pretoria at the Mountain View station, which has left three people fatally wounded.
 
“I have learned with sadness of the train accident, with three fatalities at this point and over 600 being attended to at various hospitals, mostly with light injuries.  Our thoughts are with those who lost their lives and their families. To the injured I would like to wish you all a speedy recovery”, said   president Ramaphosa.
 
President Ramaphosa further said “I would like to also encourage emergency services team on the scene to do all in their powers to help those who are  still trapped under the train”.
 
President Ramaphosa welcomes efforts by Gauteng Metrorail to institute a board of enquiry to determine the cause of the accident.
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President, on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Beijing - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Wednesday 15 July 2015 address the South Africa-China state-owned enterprises seminar in Beijing as part of his official visit to the People’s Republic of China.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is currently leading a South African delegation consisting of Ministers Lynne Brown, Blade Nzimande and Deputy Ministers, Thembi Majola, Mcebisi Jonas, Nomaindia Mfeketo, Mzwandile Masina including business leaders, state-owned enterprises executives   and senior government officials on the visit to the People’s Republic of China that began on Tuesday 13 July 2015.

The address to the South Africa-China state owned enterprises seminar comes against the background of the objective of the official visit of Deputy President Ramaphosa to study how Chinese state-owned enterprises are used to promote economic growth while addressing challenges of poverty and unemployment.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is also expected later on Wednesday 15 July to address the South Africa-China Business Forum, hold discussions with the Chairperson of the Chinese State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, visit the Beijing Economic Technological Development and interact with members of the African diplomatic corps based in Beijing.

Within the objective of the official visit to the People’s Republic of China, Deputy President Ramaphosa will later in the week visit several Chinese State-owned enterprises in Qingdao and Shenzhen with a view to learning how South Africa could utilise the Chinese state-owned enterprises model in its own re-industrialisation process.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Beijing - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today Wednesday 15 July responded to media questions regarding the arrests of a number of South Africans and other nationals in the Peoples Republic of China.  In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa said ‘’Yes we have known that there are a number of South Africans as well as people from other nations who were arrested.  The matter is being addressed at our Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) level.

“They are dealing with the matter. We are hoping that there will be a solution as time goes on. So that matter is being handled. We think it is best to leave it at that level because the Chinese officials as well as our Department of International Relations are dealing with the matter, actively on an hour by hour basis, yes it is being addressed’’ concluded Deputy President Ramaphosa.

Deputy President Ramaphosa was speaking during a media briefing in Beijing on Wednesday 15 July following the conclusion of the first part of his official visit to the People’s Republic of China in effort to understand how state-owned enterprises can be utilised to promote economic growth while addressing challenges of poverty and unemployment.  In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa has interacted with a number of Chinese State-owned enterprises with a view of learning how South Africa could utilise the Chinese model in its own re-industrialisation process.

Accordingly, Deputy President Ramaphosa will on Thursday 16 July visit the coastal city of Qingdao in the second part of his official visit to the People’s Republic of China. The city of Qingdao has over 50 percent of the Peoples Republic of China’s ocean-related research institute. It is one of China’s five largest foreign trade ports, a home to a large petro-chemical industry which hosts many international companies.

During his visit to Qingdao, Deputy President Ramaphosa will meet the management of large Chinese companies, Haier and Hisense.  Hisense is a multinational white goods and electronics manufacturer which recently expanded its existing operations in South Africa by establishing a manufacturing centre in Atlantis, Western Cape. Of the products manufactured in South Africa, approximately 40% are sold locally and the rest exported to other African countries. Hisense indicated that it intends to establish a Research and Development centre in South Africa the near future.

Haier Group on the other hand is a leading global networked home appliance and furnishing supplier. Currently, Haier has a sales office in South Africa. There are plans to set up a  sale, Research and Development Centre and a manufacturing operation aimed at producing products for both the South African in particular and the African markets in general.

While in Qingdao Deputy President Ramaphosa will also visit the China Rail Company. The China Rail Company is, home to China’s high speed train factory. The company is engaged in the design and manufacture of high-end trains, as well as subway vehicles and light railway vehicles.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will be joined by Sport and Recreation Minister Thokozile Xasa tomorrow, Thursday, 10 January 2019, in an early morning 5km walk to promote active and healthy lifestyles in Pietermaritzburg.
 
The walk will start at Freedom Square in the Pietermaritzburg CBD at 06h00 and end at the new Msunduzi Athletics Track. 
 
The walk will be followed by the official handover of the world-class athletics track to the local municipality and sports fraternity by President Ramaphosa.
 
Accompanied by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, President Cyril Ramaphosa will later in the day, at 09h00, visit the Siqongweni High School  in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg.
 
The aim of the visit is to welcome the 2019 academic year and to conduct oversight to ensure full scale readiness for learning and teaching at the beginning of the school calendar.
 
Media details:
 
Session 1
 
Date: Thursday, 10 January 2019
Time: 06h00 (Registration at 5am)
Venue: Freedom Square, Pietermaritzburg
 
Session 2
 
Date: Thursday, 10 January 2019
Time: 09h00 (members of the media are required to be at the venue at 08h00)
Venue: Siqongweni High School, 297 Phezulu Road, Imbali, Pietermaritzburg
 

Media Enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707 
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Shenzhen - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will conclude his official visit to the Peoples Republic of China by holding several meetings in the city of Shenzhen.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is currently leading a high powered government delegation comprising Minister Lynne Brown, Deputy Ministers Nomaindia Mfeketo, Mcebisi Jonas, Thembi Majola , Mzwandile Masina, Deputy Director-General in the office of the Deputy President Busani Ngcaweni, advisors Dr. Nono Simelela, Adv. Nokukhanya Jele, Steyn Speed, Directors-General and senior government officials on his first official visit to the Peoples Republic of China.

During his stay in Shenzhen, Deputy President Ramaphosa will visit the Shenzhen Comprehensive Traffic Command Centre, as part of the integrated Smart City concept. The Command Centre is a programme of initiatives supported and advanced by ICT. It is managed and run by a governing entity in order to improve the quality of experiences for residents, business and visitors.

Key features of the Command centre include intelligent traffic systems, to build an entire high-speed network for combination and renovation of various industries as well as to further develop the construction of infrastructure for the enhancement of a city’s management ability.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also have an opportunity to visit the Shenzhen Port, the world’s third largest container port and  the headquarters of Huawei which is interlinked with the Smart City on all levels, including municipal services, urban ICT infrastructure and real-estate, such as smart buildings. Deputy President Ramaphosa and his delegation will later in the day interact with top executives of ZTE in Shenzhen

Deputy President Ramaphosa was visiting the Peoples Republic of China with specific reference to economic and trade matters and to study how state-owned enterprises can be utilised to promote economic growth and address challenges of poverty and unemployment in South Africa

In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa visited a several Chinese state owned enterprises to see how South Africa could utilise the Chinese model in its own re-industrialisation process.

While in China Deputy President Ramaphosa held bilateral political and economic discussions with his counterpart, Vice President Li Yuanchao and Premier Li Keqiang within the context Five to Ten Year Strategic Programme, which was signed by President Jacob Zuma during his state visit to the Peoples Republic of China in 2014.

This strategic programme focuses essentially on trade and investment cooperation, financial cooperation with reference to the BRICS new Development Bank, infrastructure development, energy issues, vocational training and the co-hosting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled to be held in South Africa later this year.

Deputy President Ramaphosa also addressed the South Africa-China Business Forum, visited the Chinese Academy of Governance to explore possibilities of co-operation  in training and skills development. He also addressed South Africa China state owned seminar and visited the Beijing Economic Technological Development Area (BDA) a state-level economic and technological development zone.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will return to South Africa on Saturday 18 July ahead of celebrations of the International Nelson Mandela Day.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will no longer join the Department of Sport and Recreation Walk scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, 10 January 2019 at 06h00. 
 
President Ramaphosa will however officially handover the world-class Msunduzi Athletics Track to the local municipality and the sport fraternity at 10h00.
 
President Ramaphosa will commence the day by joining Minister Angie Motshekga on a visit to Siqongweni High School in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg.
 
The aim of the visit is to welcome the 2019 academic year and to conduct oversight to ensure full-scale readiness for learning and teaching at the  beginning of the school calendar.
 
Media details:
 
Session 1 - Visit to Siqongweni High School
 
Date: Thursday, 10 January 2019
Time: 09h00 (media to arrive at 08h00)
Venue: Siqongweni High School, 297 Phezulu Road, Imbali, Pietermaritzburg
 
Session 2 - The handing over of the Msunduzi Athletics Track
 
Date: Thursday, 10 January 2018
Time: 10h00
Venue: Msunduzi Athletics Stadium, Pietermaritzburg


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

1. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa returned to South Africa today Sunday 19 July following a successful official visit to the Peoples Republic of China scheduled from 13 to 17 July 2015.

2. Deputy President Ramaphosa led a senior government delegation comprising Ministers Blade Nzimande and Lynne Brown and Deputy Ministers Nomanindia Mfeketo, Mcebisi Jonas,Thembi Majola and Mzwandile Masina.

3. The delegation also included senior government officials and executives of several state-owned enterprises, including Telkom, Eskom, Denel, South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), Transnet, NECSA, Mpumalanga Economic Development Agency and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Also in attendance were business leaders including representatives of the Black Business Council and Business Unity South Africa.

4. Deputy President Ramaphosa held strategic bilateral political and economic discussions with his counterpart, Vice President Li Yuanchao, at the Great Hall of the People and with Premier Li Kieqang at the Zhongnanhai. He also met other provincial and local leaders of the Communist Party of China

5. The bilateral discussions took place within the framework of the Five-to-Ten Year Strategic Programme, which was signed by President Jacob Zuma and President Xi Jinping in December 2014.

6. The bilateral discussions focused on trade and investment cooperation, financial cooperation, including on the BRICS New Development Bank, infrastructure development, energy, vocational training and South Africa’s hosting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) later this year.

KEY OUTCOMES

1. The bilateral discussions with Vice President Li Yuanchao and Premier Li Kieqang reaffirmed the important strategic relationship between South Africa and China.

2. China will continue to work with South Africa in implementing the five to ten year strategic programme of cooperation signed during the South Africa State visit to China in December 2014.

3. To reinforce the commitment made during President Zuma’s State visit in December 2014, it was further agreed that six priority areas identified for 2015 will be implemented. China will assist South Africa to:

3.1 advance its industrialisation process;

3.2 develop its special economic zones;

3.3 fast-track its infrastructure build programme;

3.4 develop its oceans economy;

3.5 develop its human resources; and

3.6 access development financing.

4. The Chinese Academy of Governance agreed to a placement of South African government officials and business leaders on a training and skills development programme. South Africa’s National School of Government will finalise details with counterparts in the Chinese Academy of Governance. Initiatives are already underway to identify relevant training programmes for public service managers.

5. South Africa and the Peoples Republic of China will extend the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Public Enterprises and SASAC on the management of SOEs. This aims to enhance the capacity of the state to position SOEs to drive industrialisation and unlock private sector investment between the two countries. This builds on the strong relationship that already exists between South African and Chinese SOEs.

6. Each of the companies the Deputy President met expressed an interest in establishing or expanding existing operations in South Africa. Several undertook to provide training opportunities to young South Africans in China. This included a firm offer from Huawei to support a five-year ICT training programme for 1,000 South African students aiming to pursue a career in technology and innovation.

INTERACTION WITH STATE OWNED ENTERPRISES

1. The visit provided an opportunity for Deputy President Ramaphosa and his delegation to examine how lessons from the Chinese model of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) could assist South Africa in promoting industrialisation and economic development.

2. Deputy President Ramaphosa visited the Chinese Academy of Governance, met with the Chairperson of the Chinese State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) and exchanged views about building the capacity of SOE managers and strengthening governance and accountability.

3. Deputy President Ramaphosa also addressed the South Africa-China State Owned Enterprises Seminar in Beijing, which was attended by representatives of South African and Chinese SOEs.

4. Deputy President Ramaphosa visited the Beijing Economic Technological Development Area, which has successfully combined innovative urban development with industrial and commercial development.

VISITS TO QINGDAO AND SHENZHEN

1. Deputy President Ramaphosa also paid visits to Qingdao and Shenzhen.

2. He met with senior executives of several companies, including Haier, Hisense, Huawei, the China Rail Company, the China Merchant Group, ZTE and the Mayor of Shenzhen.

3. Deputy President Ramaphosa also visited the Shenzhen Comprehensive Traffic Command Centre, which is an integral part of Shenzhen’s smart city concept.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

“South Africa, the sporting fraternity and football in particular is today poorer, death be not proud”, this is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa on learning of the passing of one of South Africa’s prolific professional footballer Philemon “Chippa Phil” Masinga.

“We shall forever be grateful to Philemon “Chippa” Masinga, as he was affectionately known, for being part of a collective in his deserved call ups, to Bafana Bafana.  A collective that helped put South Africa back on the international stage when he scored the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier goal”.

“He continued to put South Africa on an international stage when he, also deservedly, became our ambassador and diligently played for teams in the   English Premier League and Italian Serie A League.  I say deservedly because he was equally outstanding here at home when he played for Premier   Soccer League clubs where he dazzled many South Africans”.  

“Our thoughts and prayers are with family, relatives, friends and millions of his admirers. May his soul rest in eternal peace”, said President Ramaphosa.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Orange Farm - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 22 July 2015, chair the inaugural meeting of the Public Employment Programme-Inter ministerial Committee (PEP-IMC) at Orange Farm, Gauteng.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Public Employment Programme chaired by Deputy President Ramaphosa champions the importance of the Public Employment opportunities within government and the wider society.

Public employment programmes are implemented under the auspices of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), and create short-term employment for poor and unemployed South Africans.

The EPWP is one of government's strategic priorities aimed at creating 6 million work opportunities by 2019, hence the need for public employment programmes to contribute optimally to social cohesion and community development. The rationale for the formation of the PEP-IMC is to provide a high-level and collective leadership to achieve these outcomes.

As part of the programme for the day, Deputy President Ramaphosa will also visit a community work programme site in the Orange Farm area, to highlight progress achieved in skills development and job creation.

Media is invited to cover the event as follows:

1. Site visit - Orange Farm Skill Centre

Date: 22 July 2015

Time: 14:30

2. PEP - IMC Meeting

Venue: Orange Farm Skills Centre

Date: 22 July 2015

Time: 15:00

For accreditation and enquiries please contact Sam Matome Bopape, cell: 082 318 5251 email: matome@presidency.gov.za or Kgomotso Mathuloe, cell: 082 957 3667 email: Kgomotso.mathuloe@dpw.gov.za

For comments please contact, Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today, 22 July 2015, chaired the inaugural working meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Public Employment Programmes (PEP-IMC) at Orange Farm, Gauteng.

The PEP-IMC is driving government’s effort to create 6 million work opportunities by 2019 through programmes that create jobs for those who cannot find work and that create public goods in the form of new infrastructure or the improvement of existing infrastructure. These programmes   also address service delivery challenges.

At its Orange Farm meeting, the IMC committed itself to improved coordination of public employment programmes among local, provincial and national structures in order to sustain progress to date on reaching the target of 6 million. In the 2014/15 financial year, just more than a million work opportunities were created in public employment programmes.

The committee also resolved to pay closer attention to the geographic distribution of such programmes, in order to achieve particular impact in provinces such as Limpopo, the North West, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape where youth unemployment is concentrated. South Africa is among many countries that view public employment programmes as part of ongoing employment and social protection policies.

The IMC will work towards the integration of databases that will enable all partners to know which programmes are in progress in which parts of the country and in which sectors, so that work opportunities can be streamlined and managed in a transparent and productive way.

The committee comprises the Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Public Works, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Environmental Affairs, Social Development, Labour, Higher Education, Finance, Small Business Development, Economic Development and Rural Development and Land Reform.

The meeting received a progress report on implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) by all spheres of government. In this regard, government entities, departments and municipalities are prioritising work and training opportunities for especially for the youth, women and people with disability.

During his visit to Orange Farm, Deputy President Ramaphosa and delegation undertook a walkabout at a skills development centre where computer skills, a community food garden and a clothes bank for families in distress are being implemented. 

Following his visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa commended the City of Johannesburg and its partners, including the Department of Cooperative Governance, on the “very inspiring and exciting work” he and the delegation had seen.

“We were impressed by the determination of those working in this project to use this as an opportunity to improve their lives” said Deputy President Ramaphosa. “Many see this work not only as a source of income, but as an opportunity to gain experience and skills that can stand them in good stead in the future.

“We encourage all those working in public employment programmes to seize the opportunities that this work provides for developing their skills and capabilities – and thereby improve their chances of employment beyond the life of the project”

The committee will meet three to four times a year to maintain momentum in providing income to vulnerable individuals and building social cohesion by involving communities in their own development. The committee also views Public Employment Programme as an entry point into entrepreneurship for some participants.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa, Spokesperson for the Deputy President 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria