President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 21 February 2019, respond to the debate in the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) on the address delivered by the President to the House on Tuesday, 19 February.

The members of the NHTL, supported by senior traditional leaders from provinces, will debate the President's address which sets out government's priorities for the year ahead.

The official opening address, delivered annually by the President after the State of the Nation Address, affords an opportunity to the nation's traditional  leadership to engage on how the President’s vision touches on communities under traditional authority and the role they can play in moving South Africa  forward.

Media are invited as follows:

Date: Thursday, 21 February 2019
Time: 16h30
Venue: Old Assembly Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The office of the Deputy President has noted reports and questions from various media houses enquiring about the Deputy President’s role in supporting the turn-around strategies of various SOE’s. In particular, we note reports about the Deputy President’s role in resolving what is   reported to be a crisis at SAA.  

In this connection, we wish to reiterate the following matters of principle. 

Government remains on course to address pressing challenges facing state-owned enterprises like Eskom, SAA and the SA Post Office. We do so recognising the significance SOEs in the economy which should manifest in their continuing to discharge their mandates thus assisting the country to tackle challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality. 

Government’s interventions in these state-owned enterprises takes place within the context of the announcement made by President Jacob Zuma that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would oversee the turnaround of SAA, SAPO and Eskom.

Since that announcement was made, various steps have been taken under the leadership of Deputy President Ramaphosa, working in conjunction with relevant government departments and ministries, to help create stability in these state-owned enterprises.

These interventions comprised the finalisation of turn-around strategies with a specific focus on mandate positioning and market development, strengthening of corporate governance structures, stabilising finances and fast-tracking transformation. In this regard and with respect to Eskom, government interventions have had a direct impact in the stabilisation of electricity supply while mitigating the effects of load shedding. 

These measures at Eskom, taking place within the context of Cabinet’s five-point plan included the appointment of the CEO and CFO, stabilisation of executive management and strengthening the board, while working with Public Enterprises and National Treasury to address some of the pressing funding shortfalls of the institution. Eskom remains seized with the urgent matter of demand management and measures are being taken to accelerate the build programme.

On SAA, a 90-day Action Plan was successfully implemented and new turn-around strategy developed and adopted by Cabinet in June 2015. Currently, government is in a process of finalising the appointment of a new board of directors as part of efforts to ensure good corporate governance. The task of the new board will be to stabilise executive management by recruiting skilled professionals to implement the turn-around strategy as approved by the board and endorsed by cabinet. 

The formula to helping SAA change its fortunes is similar to that government has used at Eskom: that is to strengthen the board which in turn recruits and stabilises executive management. National Treasury, as shareholder department, continues to work with the leadership at SAA to stabilise the financial situation and to implement the turn-around strategy as approved.   

Similarly, with the South African Post Office, government interventions have led to the appointment of a competent chief executive with a clear mandate to revitalised the Post Office by stabilising labour relations, expanding service offerings of the organisation in order to regain the trust of clients and members of the public who receive essential services from the Post Office. There is now a new board of directors overseeing the implementation of the Strategic Turn-around Plan as endorsed by the executive. 

Government remains confident that interventions currently underway would in the long term lead to the sustainability of these institutions with good corporate governance structures in place and a leadership committed to the advancement of the country’s goals as set out in the National Development Plan.

We therefore urge all South Africans to give all SOEs a chance to reengineer their operations, sharpen their focus in a considered and responsible manner. We should respect the demarcation of roles and responsibilities especially when it comes to operational decisions which are delegated to boards and executive management. The Deputy President therefore cannot be involved in operational matters at SAA or any other SOE as suggested by members of the media. 

Enquiries:  Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Johannesburg – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially launch “The Good Life Network”, South Africa's first dedicated health, fitness and lifestyle television channel at “The Venue”, in Melrose Arch today, Tuesday, 01 December 2015 at 18h00.

The Good Life Network, to air on channel 199, is spearheaded by Soul City and Ochre Media in partnership with the National Department of Health.

The network will focus on producing and broadcasting content that contribute towards positive individual and societal health outcomes. Shows on this network will cover content on nutrition, health and fitness, human rights, youth sexuality, HIV and TB, as well as consumer and gender rights.

Members of the media are invited as follows

Date: Tuesday, 01 December 2015

Venue: “The Venue”, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg

Time: 17h00

Enquiries and RSVPs:

The Presidency

Terrence Manase

0823386707

The Department of Health

Joe Maila

0828873581

Soul City

Marang Setshwaelo of Dreamcatcher on

011 447 5655

082 559 1802

marang@dreammultimedia.co.za

Issued By: The Presidency

Pretoria

Port Shepstone - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, supported by Premier Senzo Mchunu and several MEC will tomorrow,  Tuesday, 01 December 2015, address the World Aids Day service at the Ugu District, Port Shepstone in Kwazulu Natal. The theme of this year’s services is   “Rise, Act, Protect”

In a message released ahead of World AIDS Day, Deputy President Ramaphosa rallied the nation with a call to action thus “As a nation, we must rise to this challenge, determined and committed and confident that we can succeed.

“As a people, and as individuals, we must act to inform, to support and to encourage. No action is too small. No contribution is wasted.

“We must protect ourselves and those who are nearest to us. We must protect the vulnerable. We must combat stigma and create an environment in which all can feel safe and comfortable to test and be treated. The end of HIV as a public health threat is in sight”.

This year 2015, the government hopes to utilize the occasion of World AIDS Day to acknowledge the vital role that communities play in contributing towards the achievement an  AIDS-free generation.

Media are invited as follows:

Date: 01 December 2015

Time: 08h00

Venue: Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre, Ugu District, Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal

Media Programme

Part 1

Venue: Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre

08h30: Welcome remarks by Premier Senzo Mchunu

09h00: Local Champions from the Ugu District: Inputs from the community

09h45: Message by HIV Ambassador

09h50: Message from SANAC Civil Society Forum

09h55: Message of support from UNAIDS

10h10: Remarks by Minister Motswaledi

10h20: World Aids Day message by Deputy President Ramaphosa

Part 2 Deputy President Ramaphosa and Ministers lead teams on a community outreach to the Wards

11h30: Visits to War Rooms

12h00: Visits to projects and HIV Awareness Blitz

13h00: Community engagement/Dialogue

Part 3

Venue: Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre

15h45: Feedback from Wards

16h30: Vote of Thanks                                

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 and for RSVP Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440 or Nthabiseng Rantau-Machiya on 082 570 5503 

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

The South African National Aids Council (SANAC) scored big at the Telkom Knockout final between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns in Durban on Day of Reconciliation, December 16, 2015.

SANAC distributed half a million condoms to the approximately 56 000 football supporters at the Moses Mabhida Stadium as part of its ongoing campaign to promote healthy lifestyles and urge South Africans to abstain, be faithful, condomise and circumcise in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Deputy President and SANAC Chairperson Mr Cyril Ramaphosa commended the match organisers, sponsors, fans and the 25 volunteers who distributed the condoms for making the HIV awareness activation a success.

Deputy President Ramaphosa wished all South Africans a safe and enjoyable festive break and called on citizens and all sectors of society to make the achievement of an HIV-free South Africa a priority.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - The Presidency has been inundated with media queries from several media houses with regard to a statement made by ANC Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was in Lesotho last week when Mr David Van Rooyen was initially sworn in as Minister of Finance.

The Presidency wishes to state that on the day of the swearing in of Mr Van Rooyen as Minister of Finance, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa  was in consultation with a delegation from the office of the Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi regarding preparations for an urgent visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

These consultations followed a decision of the SADC Organ Troika held on the margins of the China-Africa Summit held at the Sandton Convention Centre which decided that the Deputy President in his capacity as Facilitator should visit Lesotho as a matter of urgency. The purpose of the visit was to convey SADC’’s concerns regarding a court case that had been brought against the SADC Commission of Inquiry by a Lesotho citizen. As a result of those consultations the visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho went ahead on 16 December 2015.

The Presidency further wishes to state that Deputy President Ramaphosa was involved in all consultations with President Jacob Zuma and all other stakeholders regarding the appointment of Mr David Van Rooyen. In this context and as stated by the ANC, Deputy President Ramaphosa led on behalf of ANC officials the briefing to the ruling party’s National Working Committee outlining the process that led to the reappointment of Pravin Gordhan as Minister of Finance.

The Presidency is of the view that any other suggestion from the stated facts is nothing but an attempt to create suspicion, sow divisions and mistrust the highest echelons of government. Deputy President Ramaphosa was and remains part of the government collective that sought to stabilise the ministry of finance.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the passing away of jazz performer, composer and recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga, Mama Dorothy Masuka at the age of 83, is a significant loss to the cultural heritage of South Africa and the continent.

Dorothy Masuka passed away on Saturday, 23 February 2019 after more than 50 years of being feted globally as an artist whose performances also directed the spotlight at the injustices of apartheid.

President Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to Mama Dorothy’s family and friends in South Africa and elsewhere.

Ms Masuka was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for excellent achievement in and contribution to music composition and performance.

Born in Zimbabwe in 1935, Ms Masuka moved to South Africa with her family when she was aged 12 and needed treatment for health issues.

She started out as a performer at the age of 16 and developed into an accomplished songwriter and internationally acclaimed artist in the course of half a century.

Her music challenged the apartheid state and she was outspoken offstage on a range of social and political issues in South Africa and around the continent.

Paying tribute to the late artist, President Ramaphosa said: “Another golden voice in the chorus line of our nation has been silenced with the passing of Mama Dorothy Masuka.

“She belonged to a generation of artists who transcended boundaries in art and politics long before we coined the concept of globalisation.

“Mama Dorothy was part of a cohort of performers – notably women - who were driven by wanting to create a better society and a better world.

“Mama Dorothy’s voice and poetry took us on stirring, uplifting and agitating journeys through the human experience.

“While the spotlight of stages all around the world were trained in her, she shone a light on the joys and struggles of life across the lines of race, class and nationality that were so starkly entrenched in the world and era in which she first emerged as an artistic force.”

President Ramaphosa called on South Africans to celebrate Mama Dorothy’s life and legacy and to emulate the resilience with which she conducted her life and career into the advanced years of her life.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of Section (2)(1) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, established a Special Tribunal.
 
The establishment of this Special Tribunal is occasioned by the need to fast-track the finalisation of matters that the SIU refers for civil litigation following conclusion of their investigations. These are matters where the SIU would have referred to civil litigation contracts entered into by state   institutions to be declared irregularly invalid or set aside.
 
Fast-tracking these matters through the Special Tribunal will enable the SIU to recover monies and or assets lost by state institutions through irregular  and corrupt means; thus ensuring that those who are responsible for the loss of monies and or assets by state institutions are held accountable. The  litigation process includes both public and private sectors persons and entities.
 
The powers and functions of the Special Tribunal are to adjudicate upon any civil proceedings brought before it by a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in its own name or on behalf of a state institution or any interested party as defined by the regulations, emanating from the investigation by such SIU. Such civil proceedings will be based on the outcomes from the investigations by SIU.
 
The President has, in terms of Section 7 (2) and (5) of the Special Tribunals Act, 1996 (Act No.74 of 1996)(hereinafter referred to as “The Act”) appointed Judge Gidfonia Mlindelwa Makhanya, as the President of the Tribunal for a period of 3 years.
 
President Ramaphosa has also appointed the following judges as additional members, in terms of Section 7 (3)(a) of the Act:
 
1. Judge Icantharuby Pillay
2. Judge Johannes Eksteen
3. Judge Selewe Peter Mothle
4. Judge Lebogang Modiba
5. Judge Thina Siwendu
6. Judge David van Zyl and
7. Judge Sirajudien Desai
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the passing away of jazz performer, composer and recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga, Mama Dorothy Masuka at the age of 83, is a significant loss to the cultural heritage of South Africa and the continent.

Dorothy Masuka passed away on Saturday, 23 February 2019 after more than 50 years of being feted globally as an artist whose performances also directed the spotlight at the injustices of apartheid.

President Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to Mama Dorothy’s family and friends in South Africa and elsewhere.

Ms Masuka was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for excellent achievement in and contribution to music composition and performance.

Born in Zimbabwe in 1935, Ms Masuka moved to South Africa with her family when she was aged 12 and needed treatment for health issues.

She started out as a performer at the age of 16 and developed into an accomplished songwriter and internationally acclaimed artist in the course of half a century.

Her music challenged the apartheid state and she was outspoken offstage on a range of social and political issues in South Africa and around the continent.

Paying tribute to the late artist, President Ramaphosa said: “Another golden voice in the chorus line of our nation has been silenced with the passing of Mama Dorothy Masuka.

“She belonged to a generation of artists who transcended boundaries in art and politics long before we coined the concept of globalisation.

“Mama Dorothy was part of a cohort of performers – notably women - who were driven by wanting to create a better society and a better world.

“Mama Dorothy’s voice and poetry took us on stirring, uplifting and agitating journeys through the human experience.

“While the spotlight of stages all around the world were trained in her, she shone a light on the joys and struggles of life across the lines of race, class and nationality that were so starkly entrenched in the world and era in which she first emerged as an artistic force.”

President Ramaphosa called on South Africans to celebrate Mama Dorothy’s life and legacy and to emulate the resilience with which she conducted her life and career into the advanced years of her life.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Tuesday, 26 February 2019, chair a meeting of the Presidential Working Group on Disability at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
 
In his recent Reply to the Debate on the State of the Nation Address President Ramaphosa said government’s Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for the years 2020-2025 should mainstream   the empowerment and support to people with disability across all government departments and   programmes.
 
The President said the MTSF should be accompanied by an integrated information system that is able to track performance against targets and every state organ should be reporting substantively on the inclusion of people with disability within their respective mandates.
 
The President assured the joint sitting of Parliament that government was working to ensure that people living with disabilities had equitable access to education, health services, employment, social security and all the opportunities that come with living in a democracy.
 
President Ramaphosa has characterised the meeting with the Presidential Working Group on Disability as a valuable opportunity for dialogue between government and a section of society that for too long has not been able to fully realise the promise of our Constitution.
 
Media are invited to cover the President’s opening remarks at the session. A statement will be issued later on the outcomes of the meeting.
 
Details of the meeting as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 26 February 2019
Time: 09:00 (Media to arrive at 08:00)
Venue: Union Buildings, Pretoria
 
Media who would like to cover the media opportunity are requested to liaise with Khutjo Sebata and rsvp on khutjo@presidency.gov.za /079 898 4621 with full details of ID/Passport Number, Media House and designation by no later than 16h00 on 25 February 2019.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria