President Cyril Ramaphosa will, in his capacity as outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, attend the SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit Plus and Force Intervention Brigade Troop Contributing Countries taking place in Windhoek, Namibia , on Monday, 08 May 2023.

The Extraordinary Summit Plus is expected to receive an update on the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and consider a report of the SADC Field Assessment Mission to Eastern DRC on the deployment of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) - Force Intervention Brigade (FIB).

The Summit will also discuss a SADC common position to guide the region’s engagement at the envisaged Tripartite Summit on the coordination of interventions and multiple deployments in the Eastern DRC.

The Extraordinary Troika Summit Plus follows the January 2023 Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit held in Namibia which considered the security situation in the SADC region. 

The insecurity in the Eastern DRC has been receiving sharp focus of the SADC, the African Union, and other regional mechanisms. 

The outcomes of the Summit are expected to contribute to continental efforts aimed at finding a coordinated and lasting solution to the insecurity in the eastern DRC. South Africa is among  the Troop Contributing Countries to the FIB which is deployed under MONUSCO.

The Summit will be preceded by the meetings of the Senior Officials and Ministerial Committee of the Organ Troika Plus, respectively.

The President will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Thandi Modise; Minister in The Presidency responsible for State Security, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; and the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa – 082 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning, Saturday, 06 May 2023, arrived in Bujumbura, Burundi, to participate in the 11th High Level Segment of the Regional Oversight Mechanism (ROM) of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes Region.

The Summit for Heads of State and Government is taking place today, 06 May 2023.

The PSC Framework, otherwise known as the Addis Ababa Agreement, was signed on 24 February 2013 through a AU/UN-brokered Framework aimed at stabilising the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

At the time, signatories to the agreement included Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In early 2014, Kenya and Sudan became the 12th and 13th signatories of the Framework.

The PSC Framework’s key mandate is to end recurring cycles of devastating conflict in eastern DRC which impact on stability and development in the Great Lakes region.

The framework also aims at addressing the root causes of conflict in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes Region.

The Summit takes  place against the backdrop of the deteriorating political and security situation in the Eastern DRC caused by a resurgence of the M23 Movement that has led to tensions between the DRC and Rwanda.

The Summit will receive an update on various initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions between the two countries.

The Summit will deliberate on the deployment of East African Community (EAC) troops and their role in dealing with negative forces in the eastern DRC, especially the M23.

Since 2023 marks the 10th Anniversary of the PSC Framework, the Summit will focus on the revitalisation of the framework and will consider a plan to enable this.

The current crisis caused by the clashes between Sudan Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces will likely be discussed during the Summit.

President Ramaphosa is accompanied by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

YOUTH MONTH
This year’s Youth Month will be commemorated under the banner and theme of “Accelerating youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future”. 

This afternoon we would like to highlight the key milestones reached by the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative since its inception.

President Ramaphosa remains committed to the empowerment of young people through the various employment initiatives and readiness to work programs which capacitates our youth for the world of work, as well providing them with funding and mentorship opportunities.

Today I am joined by Waseem Carrim the CEO of the NYDA and Ms Lerato Shai who is a Director of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative. They’ll both share some highlights of their work as we shine the spotlight of various government programs aimed at supporting youth.
 
WORLD WORK SUMMIT – GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 14-15 JUNE 2023
President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit Geneva, Switzerland on a Working visit to attend and address the World of Work Summit, hosted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), on the margins of the 111th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC).

Themed "Social Justice for All", the Summit will be held in Geneva from 14 to 15 June 2023 and will be convened by the ILO Director-General (DG), Gilbert Houngbo.

The objective of the summit is to generate renewed momentum for advancing social justice at national, regional, and global levels. 

Furthermore the summit will play an instrumental role in forging a Global Coalition for Social Justice (the Coalition), that will seek to accelerate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals in view of the many challenges facing the world today, including stagflation, climate change, poverty, unemployment, and inequalities.

South Africa's participation in the Summit will contribute to shaping the Coalition and ensure the interests and aspirations of developing countries are considered.

Over the course of two days, the Summit will feature addresses by Heads of State and Government, the UN Secretary-General, DG Houngbo, and other high-level representatives of employers' and workers' organisations. 

In this regard, it is envisaged that the Summit will: 
• Highlight the key role of social justice in creating a more sustainable and equitable world and will discuss strategies for increased and better-aligned joint action to advance social justice and ensure policy coherence.
• Provide a forum for participants to share their vision of, and priorities for, social justice; as well as showcase the actions they are taking and the actions they commit to taking to advance social justice.
• Contribute to informing discussions in other multilateral forums regarding the centrality of social justice and strategies for achieving greater social justice.
 
JOINT WORKING VISIT BY PRIME MINSTER MR MARK RUTTE OF THE NETHERLANDS AND PM MS METTE FREDERIKSEN OF DENMARK – 20 JUNE 2023
President Ramaphosa will on Tuesday 20 June 2023, host a joint working visit by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte and the Prime Minister of Denmark Ms Mette Frederiksen.

The join nature of the visit is toi maximise the positive impact of a combined Dutch and Danish high level business and investment delegations that are expected to accompany the two Prime Ministers. The joint visit will entail a common programme if joint bilateral talks and joint business seminar.

The joint visit also brings synergy between two partners in the area of green hydrogen investments, both Netherlands and Denmark will participate at the G20 to be hosted by India and in the working groups on energy transitions, environment and climate sustainability. The visit brings together a larger group of investors to South Africa and sends a strong message of cooperation and good relations with two important European partners.
 
SUMMIT FOR A NEW GLOBAL FINANCING PACT 22-23 JUNE 2023
President Ramaphosa will on 22 - 23 June 2023, participate at the summit for a new global financing pact, which will be hosted France in Paris. The goal of the summit is top build a new contract between the countries of the North and the South to adress climate change as a global crisis. The event will be an opportunity to address key issues that are also of interest to South Africa such as the reform multilateral development financial institutions, debt crisis, innovative financing, international taxes and special withdrawing rights (SDRs).
 
ENQUIRY PANEL ON COURSE WITH ITS WORK
The enquiry panel led by retired Judge Phineas Mojapelo, investigating the circumstances of the docking of a Russian vessel, Lady R in Simons Town is progressing with its work.

The panel will interact with all concerned role players on the matter.
The panel will also seek to hear from interested parties with any information that will assist its investigation.

Written submissions can be made to the panel’s secretariat by email to LadyRsubmissions@presidency.gov.za.

Once all submissions have been processed, the panel will be in contact for further engagements.
 
CLIVE BARKER CONDOLENCES
President Ramaphosa has expressed his deepest condolences to the family, friends and football colleagues in the soccer fraternity, of the legendary Bafana coach, affectionately known as the “dog”, Clive Barker who sadly passed away on Saturday 10 June 2023 at the age of 78.

Clive Barker contributed immensely to South African football and its development. He was behind our proudest and unforgettable moments as a nation as the only coach to lead South Africa to victory during the African Cup of Nations in 1996 by famously defeating Tunisia at the old FNB Stadium.
 
SILVIO BERLUSCONI CONDOLENCES
President Ramaphosa joins the global media fraternity in mourning the passing of media tycoon Mr Silvio Berlusconi who has died at the age of 86.

Berlusconi created Italy’s largest media company, with assets in print and television. He also served as Italy’s Prime Minister in four governments.

The President extends heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of Italy for his passing.


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Wednesday, 14 June 2023, arrived in Geneva, Switzerland on a Working Visit to participate in the World of Work Summit, hosted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The two-day Summit, between the 14th and 15 June 2023, is taking place on the margins of the 111th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC).

The ILO is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) which aims to promote social justice and decent working conditions for all.

Themed "Social Justice for All", the Summit is convened by ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo.

Endorsed by the ILO Governing Body during its 347th Session in March 2023, this high-level forum will address the need for increased, coordinated, and coherent action in support of social justice.

The objective is the creation of a Global Coalition for Social Justice (the Coalition), which reflects the ILO DG Gilbert Houngbo's vision for the organisation in light of the many challenges facing the world today, including stagflation, climate change, poverty, unemployment, and inequalities.

South Africa's participation in the Summit aims to help shape the Coalition and ensure the interests and aspirations of developing countries are considered.

Over the course of two days, the Summit will feature addresses by Heads of State and Government, the UN Secretary-General, the ILO Director-General and other high-level representatives of employers' and workers' organisations.

It is envisaged that the Summit will:
• Highlight the key role of social justice in creating a more sustainable and equitable world and will discuss strategies for increased and better-aligned joint action to advance social justice and ensure policy coherence.
• Provide a forum for participants to share their vision of, and priorities for, social justice; as well as showcase the actions they are taking and the actions they commit to taking to advance social justice.
• Contribute to informing discussions in other multilateral forums regarding the centrality of social justice and strategies for achieving greater social justice.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi and senior officials.


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa – +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Thursday 15 June 2023, concluded his working visit to Geneva, Switzerland encouraged by the emerging  social contract that aims to give effect to a shared responsibility to create a more just and equitable Society. 

President Ramaphosa was in Geneva to participate and address the two-day World of Work Summit themed "Social Justice for All", convened by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on the margins of the 111^th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC).

Addressing the Summit President Ramaphosa called on world leaders to prioritise the actions needed to be taken to advance social justice.

In this regard the President said “we are encouraged by – and support – the proposed Global Coalition for Social Justice, which aligns with the vision of the UN Secretary-General and seeks to promote decent work while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through this Summit, we should generate renewed momentum towards a more sustainable and equitable world”.

President Ramaphosa said South Africa was honoured to participate in the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work that produced a report that highlighted the transformative forces shaping the world of work and the need for decisive action to harness the opportunities they present. 

“We fully support the report's human-centred agenda for the future of work and its recommendations, such as increasing investment in people's capabilities and in decent and sustainable work. We firmly believe that social justice is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development”, said President Ramaphosa.

“That means we must remove the structural barriers that hamper equal access to opportunities. We must prioritise the removal of discrimination based on gender, age, race, migration status and other grounds. Institutions must deliberately work to dismantle these barriers, while actors in society should work towards eliminating discrimination and ensuring equal treatment for all”, concluded President Ramaphosa. 

The ILO is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) which aims to promote social justice and decent working conditions for all.

President Ramaphosa was accompanied by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi and senior government officials.


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa – +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Thursday 15 June 2023, travelled to Poland, en route to Ukraine and the Russian Federation as part of his participation in the African Peace Mission aimed at a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

President Ramaphosa has over the past two days participated in the International Labour Organisation’s World of Work Summit in Geneva, Switzerland.

This afternoon the President visited the Polish capital, Warsaw, to pay a courtesy call on President Andrzej Duda, who leads a country that shares borders with Ukraine and Russia and is deeply affected by the regional conflict.

President Ramaphosa is now proceeding to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for deliberations tomorrow – as a member of the African Peace Mission - with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Mission comprises the leaders of South Africa, Zambia, the Comoros, Congo Brazzaville, Egypt, Senegal and Uganda, as representative of a continent that has felt the adverse economic impact of the conflict.

President Ramaphosa has in recent weeks been in conversation with President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, President Zelenskyy, President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, leaders of BRICS countries and the Secretary-General of the United Nations regarding efforts to facilitate a peaceful process to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, in line with South Africa’s standing as a non-aligned state.

Later tomorrow, Friday 16 June, President Ramaphosa will leave Kyiv en route to St Petersburg, Russia, where the African delegation will engage with President Putin on Saturday, 17 June.

President Ramaphosa is scheduled to return home on Sunday, 18 June.

On the eve of the Mission, President Ramaphosa said: “The human and negative economic impact and tension arising from the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is a grave situation that affects all of us in an interconnected world".

“The African Peace Mission brings an African perspective and an appeal for a peace process to deliberations that are underway in various parts of the world and within different formations of nations on how to address the conflict in Ukraine and Russia".

“We are pleased and encouraged by the openness with which the two Presidents have undertaken to engage with African leaders on this matter. From our own experience, it is at times of escalated conflict that a search for peace must be equally accelerated. This peace initiative should be seen as complementing other peace initiatives that other parties have put forward. The strength of this mission is that African leaders will be engaging with both parties”.


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa – +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing of Dutch anti-apartheid activist and uMkhonto weSizwe fighter, Klaas de Jonge.
 
Mr De Jonge passed away yesterday on Friday, 5 May 2023, at the age of 85 following an extended illness.
 
Mr De Jonge and his life partner, Belgian citizen Helene Pastoors, who was imprisoned for her armed action against the apartheid regime, are remembered as distinguished liberation fighters on whom South Africa conferred the National Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.
 
President Ramaphosa extends his condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Klaas de Jonge who, under Dutch law, exercised his right to assisted death to end his battle against cancer.
 
Klaas de Jonge was a Dutch civil rights activist who became internationally known as an activist against apartheid in South Africa, when he was forced to spend two years as an asylum seeker at the Dutch Embassy in Pretoria in 1985.

From 1981 until 1985, De Jonge was a member of a ‘special operations unit’ of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the armed branch of the African National Congress (ANC), doing reconnaissance work and bringing in arms and explosives into South Africa.
 
This led to his arrest in 1985 by the South African Police; he managed to escape and acquired asylum in the Dutch embassy in Pretoria until – after two years – he was exchanged for the South African commander of the apartheid regime, Wynand du Toit, in 1987.
 
He continued to do work for MK and the Dutch Anti- Apartheid Movement until the end of 1989.

President Ramaphosa said: “At the very close of his life, Klaas de Jonge exercised the characteristic clarity and bravery with which he had conducted his multifaceted life, a great deal of which he dedicated to fighting for our liberation.
 
“He made critical and perilous sacrifices for the cause of freedom in South Africa – a struggle that took him to different parts of our continent where he established bonds of solidarity and built networks of armed resistance to apartheid and colonialism as part of a new generation of progressive Dutch internationalists.
 
“We remain appreciative of his heroic and unselfish contribution to our struggle and he will live on in the memory and values of our nation and our continent.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed Parliament that he has authorised the employment of 880 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to safeguard a number of Eskom power stations around the country.

The President has informed Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Amos Masondo, in writing of the employment of SANDF personnel for service in cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the prevention and combating of crime and maintenance and preservation of law and order in the Republic of South Africa under Operation Prosper.

Members of the SANDF employed will assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in protecting Eskom power stations around the country where sabotage, theft and other crimes may threaten the functioning of power stations and the supply of electricity.

The employment is from 17 April 2023 to 17 October 2023.

Previously, 2700 members of the SANDF were employed to assist the SAPS in protecting Eskom power stations under Operation Prosper from 17 March 2023 to 17 April 2023.

The current employment is authorised in accordance with the provisions of Section 201(2) (a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.

The expenditure expected to be incurred for this employment is R 146 718 427.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 05 May 2023, travel to Bunjumbura, Burundi, to participate in the 11th High Level Segment of the Regional Oversight Mechanism (ROM) of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes Region.

The Summit is scheduled for 04 to 06 May 2023.

The PSC Framework, otherwise known as the Addis Ababa Agreement, was signed on 24 February 2013 through a AU/UN-brokered Framework aimed at stabilising the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

At the time, signatories to the agreement included Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In early 2014, Kenya and Sudan became the 12th and 13th signatories of the Framework.

The PSC Framework’s key mandate is to end recurring cycles of devastating conflict in eastern DRC which impact on stability and development in the Great Lakes region.

The framework also aims at addressing the root causes of conflict in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes Region.

The Summit will take place against the backdrop of the deteriorating political and security situation in the Eastern DRC caused by a resurgence of the M23 Movement that has led to tensions between the DRC and Rwanda.

The Summit will receive an update on various initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions between the two countries.

The Summit will deliberate on the deployment of East African Community (EAC) troops and their role in dealing with negative forces in the eastern DRC, especially the M23.

Since 2023 marks the 10th Anniversary of the PSC Framework, the Summit will focus on the revitalisation of the framework and will consider a plan to enable this.

The current crisis caused by the clashes between Sudan Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces will likely be discussed during the Summit.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a high-level government delegation to the 2nd Presidential Health Summit to be held on Thursday and Friday, 4 and 5 May 2023, at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Gauteng.

President Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address on the second day of the Summit.

The Summit brings together key stakeholders from various constituencies within the health sector, to review the implementation of interventions agreed to during the first Summit held in 2018.  

The Summit also aims to assess the performance of the health system against the Presidential Health Compact that was signed by the President and all social partners in 2019, committing social partners to a five-year program to improve healthcare services in the country. 

The Summit will also serve as a platform for government to assess the readiness of the health system to implement National Health Insurance (NHI).

Details of the Summit are as follows:

DAY ONE 

Date: Thursday, 04 May 2023 
Time: 08h30 – 17h00 
Venue: Birchwood Conference Centre 

DAY TWO 

Date: Friday, 05 May 2023 
Time: 13h00 – 15h00 (President Ramaphosa to speak at 13h20)
Venue: Birchwood Conference Centre 

Members of the media wishing to cover the Summit should register online and provide their names and ID/Passport numbers by 18h00 on Wednesday, 03 May 2023 (today), through the following link: https://tinyurl.com/3cjfp38x 

Please RSVP to Howard Kgoa on 076 374 0314 / Howard.kgoa@health.gov.za.

  
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya , Spokesperson to the President - 27 82 835 6315

Issued by:  The Presidency
Pretoria