President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 29 June 2023, participate at the 8th Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) Heads of State and Government Summit in the Kingdom of Eswatini. 

The President‘s working visit at the SACU Heads of State and Government Summit is at the invitation of the current Chair of SACU, His Majesty King Mswati III, and the iNgwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini. 

The 8th SACU Heads of State and Government Summit will be preceded by the meeting of the Council of Ministers taking place on 27 – 28 June 2023. The Council of Ministers meeting will reflect and update on the status of the implementation of the SACU Strategic Plan 2022- 2027, of which the Heads of State and Government will provide political and strategic guidance. 

The SACU Strategic Plan 2022- 2027, which will be in its first year of review since being adopted at the 7th SACU Heads of State and Government Summit is centered on six pillars, namely;  Industrialisation, Export and Investment Promotion, Trade Facilitation and Logistics, Implementation and Leveraging of The AFCFTA Opportunities, Trade Relations/Unified Engagement with Third Parties, Finance and Resource Mobilisation and Effectiveness of SACU Institutions.

Established in 1910, SACU is the oldest Customs Union in the world and has since its agreed new dispensation by its five members states (Eswatini, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa) in 2002 assumed the status of an international organisation which facilitates compliance with the World Trade Organization treaty in pursuit of its goal of regional economic integration. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a delegation comprising Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza; Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana; and the South African Revenue Service Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter. 
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

PUBLIC PROGRAM OF THE PRESIDENT

28 JUNE 2023: INCOMING SOUTH SUDAN WORKING VISIT

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this afternoon, 28 June 2023, host President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan for a working visit in Pretoria.

The two leaders are expected to discuss issues of mutual concern and progress on the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement of the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan(R-ARCSS), and the ongoing conflict in the Republic of Sudan.


29 JUNE 2023: 8th SOUTHERN AFRICA CUSTOMS UNION SUMMIT IN ESWATINI

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 29 June 2023, participate at the 8th Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) Heads of State and Government Summit in the Kingdom of Eswatini.

The President‘s working visit at the SACU summit is at the invitation of the current Chair of SACU, His Majesty King Mswati III, and the iNgwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

The 8th SACU Heads of State and Government Summit will be preceded by the meeting of the Council of Ministers taking place on 27 – 28 June 2023. The Council of Ministers meeting will reflect and update on the status of the implementation of the SACU Strategic Plan 2022- 2027, of which the Heads of State and Government will provide political and strategic guidance.

The SACU Strategic Plan 2022- 2027, which will be in its first year of review since being adopted at the 7th SACU Heads of State and Government Summit is centered on six pillars, namely; Industrialisation, Export and Investment Promotion; Trade Facilitation and Logistics; Implementation and Leveraging of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) Opportunities; Trade Relations/Unified Engagement with Third Parties; Finance and Resource Mobilisation and Effectiveness of SACU Institutions.

Established in 1910, SACU is the oldest Customs Union in the world and has since it’s agreed new dispensation by its five members states (Eswatini, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa) in 2002 assumed the status of an international organization which facilitates compliance with the World Trade Organization treaty in pursuit of its goal of regional economic integration.


30 JUNE 2023: DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT MODEL 7TH PRESIDENTIAL IMBIZO 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this Friday, 30 June 2023, forge ahead in fulfilling his February 2022 State of the Nation Address commitment to engage with communities of all provinces, by leading the 7th installment of the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo to uThukela District in KwaZulu-Natal.

In the spirit and theme of leaving no one behind in the development of our communities, rebuilding of the economy and service delivery, the President and leaders from all spheres of government will interact with members of communities at the Oqungweni Sports Field at the Alfred Duma Municipality, in Ladysmith. 

This 7th Imbizo follows similar engagements that have taken place in the provinces of the Eastern Cape, North West, Free State, Mpumalanga, Gauteng in Sedibeng, Northern Cape at the ZFM District Municipality and Drakenstein Local Municipality in the Western Cape.

These engagements have been a key and direct platform for communities to voice their concerns and contribute their ideas to lasting solutions.  This has enabled all spheres of government to have a direct appreciation of everyday issues that affect communities and an opportunity to outline and improve plans and programmes that are underway.  


06 July 2023: DRC-SA BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION

At the invitation of President Félix Tshisekedi, President Cyril Ramaphosa will travel to Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Co-Chair the 12th session of the DRC-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) scheduled to take place on 06 July 2023.

The BNC provides an opportunity to further strengthen the solid ties of friendship and cooperation that exist between the two countries.  This will further improve and strengthen economic relations and increase investment through cooperation in the areas of politics and governance, defence and security, economy, finance and infrastructure, energy and agriculture.

The working visit will also provide an opportunity for the two Presidents to discuss political and economic bilateral issues, as well as regional, continental, and international matters of mutual concern.
 

President Ramaphosa remains engaged and focused on the task at hand 

The Presidency has noted with concern the ongoing narrative that seeks to suggest that President Ramaphosa is not fully engaged with his job and task of leading South Africa. This false assertion is devoid of any facts or evidence. On the contrary, the President remains deeply motivated with leading reforms aimed at resolving the many challenges facing our country, particularly on the economic front. The Presidency rejects this impression as nothing but cheap political point-scoring and an attempt to distract from the difficult task of reforming our economy.  Over the last six months, the President has focused on resolving multiple challenges and advancing the economic growth agenda and these are:

- Investment: The President convened the 5th SA Investment Conference. Exceeded 5-year investment target

- Employment: Established and champions Youth Employment Service (YES) [placed 100,000 youth in 1-year work experience] and Presidential Employment Stimulus [created 1.2 million public employment opportunities since 2020]

- Electricity: President Ramaphosa has taken a hands-on approach to solving the crisis by chairing the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM). Reforms have led to a pipeline of over 100 private sector projects totaling 10,000MW. Incentives for rooftop solar. Most significantly, driving fundamental reform of the electricity sector to establish a competitive market.

- Economic Reforms: The President is actively involved in Operation Vulindlela, which has driven reforms in water, electricity, ports, rail, telecommunications and visas. e.g. skills visa system is undergoing a major overhaul.

- Public enterprises: The President convenes the Presidential SOE Council, which is undertaking a major overhaul of the SOE landscape.

- Infrastructure: The President has provided visible support to infrastructure projects like Lesotho Highlands Water project Phase 2, N2 Wild Coast, and renewable energy in Northern Cape.

- Just Transition: President Ramaphosa Chairs the Presidential Climate Commission which has been leading the development of the just transition framework and brought on board experts in the Presidency to develop the Just Energy Transition investment plan.

- Leading government: Met with every Minister over the last two months to define their top 3-5 priorities until the end of the term to ensure focused delivery.

- Working with stakeholders: This week (Tuesday) finalised a partnership with organised business on three joint work streams: electricity; logistics; and crime and corruption. Ongoing interactions with business in different sectors, organised labour, disability sector, etc.


Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

PRESIDENT'S FOCUS & ACTIVITIES JAN - JUNE 2023.pdf

President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his deepest condolences to Premier of Limpopo Province, Chupu Stanley Mathabatha, on the passing of his wife, Mrs Maggie Mathabatha.

Mrs Mathabatha passed away on Wednesday, 28 June, following a short illness.

President Ramaphosa said: “My thoughts and those of the National Executive as well as the nation are with Premier Mathabatha, his family, and the administration of Limpopo in this moment of loss.

“As a community-focused leader, Maggie Mathabatha dedicated herself to the development and dignity of the people of Limpopo through housing opportunities, food security and support to people with disabilities.

“Her involvement with communities was a valued and exemplary complement to the work of Government led by the Premier and the Provincial Executive.

“We join the people of Limpopo in this hour of mourning and in our shared prayer that the soul of Maggie Mathabatha will rest in peace.”


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Ramaphosa to host State Visit by Their Majesties the King and the Queen of the Belgians
 
Their Majesties the King and the Queen of the Belgians will undertake a State Visit to South Africa from 22 to 27 March 2023 at the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
 
The visit – the first to South Africa by the Belgian monarchy – is a demonstration of the strong bilateral relations that exist between the two countries.
 
The State Visit will serve to expand and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and revitalise economic relations with a focus on trade, foreign direct investment, and tourism.
 
South Africa and Belgium are also pursuing cooperation in renewable energy and in particular, green hydrogen.
 
Belgium is one of South Africa’s most important economic partners and many of South Africa’s exports enter Europe through the Port of Antwerp, which is the second largest in the European Union.
 
South Africa enjoys a healthy trade surplus with Belgium with organic chemicals as the key export, followed closely by diamonds and motor vehicles.
 
Belgian companies are also significant investors in the South African economy.
 
Belgium is traditionally among the ten major sources of international tourists to South Africa.
 
Relations between South Africa and Belgium are managed through a Joint Commission that meets at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers.
 
Mr Alvin Botes, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation hosted the Fourth Meeting of South Africa – Belgium Joint Commission in Pretoria on 8 November 2022.
 
His Majesty the King of the Belgians’ The official Belgian delegation will comprise political, economic, and academic leadership including the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hadja Lahbib, as well as Ministers-Presidents and representatives of the regions and communities of Belgium.
 
The programme of the monarchs will include official engagements with President Ramaphosa and members of government as well as visits to Johannesburg and Cape Town where they will engage with academia, business, and civil society, and visit historical and cultural sites.
 
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Members of the media wishing to cover the Union Buildings programme are requested to submit their details (see attached accreditation form) to Naledi Malatji on naledi@presidency.gov.za. She may be reached on 078 633 6302
 
Members of the media who are intend to cover the Business Forum only are requested to submit their details using the same form (see attached accreditation form) to Tshilidzi Mugovhoro via telephone: (012) 394 1399/082 879 6792 or e-mail: TMugovhoro@thedtic.gov.za.  
 
Closing Date for accreditation is Monday, 20 March 2023 at 11h00
 
Journalists that have been accredited for the state visit do not need to apply for the business forum accreditation. 
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa - + 27 82 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
THE UNION BUILDINGS PROGRAMME ACCREDITATION FORM.xlsx
DTIC. CSIR - BUSINESS FORUM.xlsx

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning, Thursday, 29 June 2023, arrived in the Kingdom of Eswatini to participate at the 8th Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) Heads of State and Government Summit. 

The President‘s working visit at the SACU  Heads of State and Government Summit is at the invitation of the current Chair of SACU, His Majesty King Mswati III, and the iNgwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The Summit will take place at the Mandvulo Royal Palace under the theme " SACU Industrialization Opportunities through Improving Economic Complexity”. 

President Ramaphosa will deliver a statement at the opening ceremony of the 8th Southern Africa Customs Union Heads of State and Government Summit. 

The SACU Strategic Plan 2022- 2027, which will be in its first year of review since being adopted at the 7th SACU Heads of State and Government Summit is centered on six pillars, namely;  Industrialisation, Export and Investment Promotion, Trade Facilitation and Logistics, Implementation and Leveraging of The AFCFTA Opportunities, Trade Relations/Unified Engagement with Third Parties, Finance and Resource Mobilisation and Effectiveness of SACU Institutions.

Established in 1910, SACU is the oldest Customs Union in the world. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa is accompanied by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza; Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana; and the South African Revenue Service Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 17 March 2023, participate in the annual dialogue of government and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) at Southern Sun Hotel in Arcadia, Pretoria.
 
The dialogue entails a debate on the address delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 23 February 2023 at the Annual Official Opening of the House.
 
The dialogue will be attended by invited guests including Cabinet Ministers; Deputy Ministers; Premiers; MECs responsible for Traditional Affairs; Kings; EXCO Members of Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders; CONTRALESA; Business Sector; Religious Sector; NGOs and Representatives from amongst others, SADC Countries; National Khoi-San Council as well as Chapter 9 Institutions.
 
Details of the proceedings are as follows:
Date: 17 March 2023 (Friday)
Time: 10:00 (media to arrive at 09:00)
Venue: Southern Sun Hotel, Arcadia, Pretoria (corner Steve Biko and Pretorius roads)
 
Members of the media are invited to cover the proceedings.
 
For media rsvp's: Mandla Linda, 079 517 4402 (NHTKL); Ms Tsakane Khambane, 082 084 5566 (Presidency) and Ms Kearabetswe Mabatle, 066 219 2162 (Presidency)
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa - +27 82 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and people, offered condolences to the governments and citizens of Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar which have been affected by Cyclone Freddy.

This tropical cyclone, which originated off the north-west of Australia in recent weeks and has travelled across the Indian Ocean, has resulted in nearly 140 deaths, a high rate of injury and the loss of public infrastructure and private property in the three Southern African states.

President Ramaphosa said: “As the Government and people of South Africa, we are saddened by the loss of human life, livestock, infrastructure and property experienced by our sister nations.

“Our thoughts are with the many families who have lost loved ones in this disaster and we share the wishes of the people of Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar that these extreme weather incidents will subside so that recovery and rebuilding efforts can proceed.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 14 March 2023, receive Letters of Credence from Heads of Mission-Designate at a Credentials Ceremony in Pretoria.

The President will welcome 18 Heads of Mission-Designate who have arrived in South Africa to serve in diplomatic missions.
 
Heads of Mission-Designate from the following countries will serve in South Africa with the aim of advancing diplomatic relations:

Republic of the Philippines;
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka;
Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal;
Kingdom of Norway;
Republic of Austria;
Kingdom of Belgium;
Republic of The Gambia;
Republic of South Sudan;
Democratic Republic of East Timor;
Republic of Slovenia;
Japan;
Republic of Botswana;
Commonwealth of Australia;
Republic of Mozambique;
Islamic Republic of Pakistan;
Republic of Kazakhstan;
Syrian Arab Republic;
St Kitts and Nevis.
 
Proceedings of the Credentials Ceremony can be followed on The Presidency and Government digital platforms.
 
Details are as follows:
 
Date: Tuesday, 14 March 2023
Time: 15h00 (media to arrive at 13h30)
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 Tsakane Khambane – Tsakane@presidency.gov.za / 082 084 5566 or to Kearabetswe Mabatle – Kearabetswe@presidency.gov.za / 066 219 2162 on or before Monday, 13 March 2023 at 17:00.
 
Members of the media are also requested to present valid press cards on arrival at the venue.
 

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

Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United Republic of Tanzania will pay a State Visit to South Africa on Thursday, 16 March 2023, at the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The State Visit will crown the 2nd Session of the South Africa-Tanzania Bi-National Commission (BNC).

The Commission comprises four committees: Political and Diplomatic; Defence and Security; Economic Affairs, and Social and Cultural Affairs.

South Africa and Tanzania enjoy deep historical relations arising from Tanzania’s solidarity with South Africa’s liberation struggle.

The ruling party in Tanzania, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), supported the African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) in the struggle against apartheid. 

These ties culminated in the establishment of official diplomatic relations when South Africa achieved freedom in 1994 and have since evolved into 
excellent political, economic, and social relations.

The Bi-National Commission is a platform for strengthening cooperation especially in areas such as trade and investment, infrastructure, transport, energy, water, science and innovation, education, defence, agriculture, environment, health, and culture, among others.

Tanzania is one of South Africa’s foremost trading partners on the continent. 

South Africa wishes to see an increase in trade and investment and broader economic development between the two countries. To this end, total trade between South Africa and Tanzania increased from R6,89 billion in 2021 to R8,71 billion in 2022. 

The strong economic ties are evidenced by the presence of more than 250 South African companies in diverse sectors in Tanzania.

The programme of the Heads of State and Government will be preceded by meetings of senior officials on 13 and 14 March 2023 and the Ministerial Bi-National Commission on the Senior Officials on 15 March 2023. These engagements will take place at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s OR Tambo headquarters in Pretoria.

On the margins of the State Visit and the BNC, a Business Forum will take place under the theme ““Forging a New Deal between South Africa and Tanzania Towards High Levels of Trade and Investment”.

The forum will focus on agriculture, agro-processing, oil and gas, mining and infrastructure development.

President Ramaphosa and President Hassan will address a plenary session of the Business Forum on the afternoon of the State Visit on 16 March.

Accredited Members of the media are invited as follows:
STATE VISIT AND HEADS OF STATE BNC
Date: Thursday, 16 March 2023
Time: 10h00 (Media to arrive at 08h30)
Venue: The Union Buildings, Pretoria 

SA-TANZANIA BUSINESS FORUM 
Date: Thursday, 16 March 2023
Time: 15h00 (Media to arrive at 13h00)
Venue: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Meiring Naude Road Brummeria, Pretoria 

NOTE TO MEDIA: MEDIA ACCREDITATATION APPLICATION FOR ALL THE ENGAGEMENTS CLOSED ON 06 MARCH 2023. ONLY ACCREDITED MEDIA WILL BE ALLOWED ACCESS.

Accreditation enquiries: Shadi Baloyi 072 571 6415 (State Visit); Kgopotso Rapakuana 073 058 3876 (Senior Officials and Ministerial BNC) and Phumzile Kotane 063 114 3704 (Business Forum)

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Presidency is in receipt of the Public Protector's preliminary report on the investigation of whether the President breached the executive ethics code with respect to the Phala Phala matter. We note the report. 

As stated before, we reiterate that the President did not participate in any wrong doing, nor did he violate the oath of his office. Instead, the President was a victim of a crime that he duly reported to the relevant authorities.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria