The Presidency and National Treasury have yesterday, Wednesday 14 December 2022, released a progress report on the implementation of economic reforms to mark two years since the establishment of Operation Vulindlela.

Operation Vulindlela was established in October 2020 as a joint initiative of The Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms. By fostering collaboration and coordination across Government in support of the reform agenda, Operation Vulindlela has achieved significant progress in a short space of time.

The report provides a detailed update on progress in the implementation of priority reforms in the electricity, transport, water, and telecommunications sectors as well as reforms to the visa regime. 

It highlights the following key achievements to date:

- Paving the way for private investment in electricity generation for the first time, with reforms underway to establish a competitive electricity market

- Clearing the backlog of water use licenses and re-engineered the license application system, unlocking billions of Rands in investment

- Ending a more than ten-year delay in the auction of high-demand spectrum, enabling substantial new investment in telecommunications

- Facilitating the introduction of private sector participation in container terminals, to crowd in investment and improve the efficiency of port operations

- Undertaking a comprehensive review of the work visa system, with recommendations to overhaul the work visa system and attract skills and investment

- Published a new Critical Skills List for the first time since 2014, with new occupations in IT and other sectors with a need for skills

- Adopted a new National Rail Policy to guide the modernisation and reform of the rail sector, including the introduction of third-party access to the rail network

- Developing and/or passing legislation to create a transport economic regulator, reform the electricity sector, and establish a National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency.

The report also provides details on new reforms which have been prioritised by Operation Vulindlela to drive inclusive economic growth, including creating an enabling legislative framework for hemp and cannabis, developing a devolution strategy for passenger rail, and addressing the backlog of title deeds for subsidised housing.

The full report can be downloaded at https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/operation-vulindlela.

Joint statement issued by:

Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President
media@presidency.gov.za / +27 (82) 835-6315

Cleopatra Mosana, Head of Communications in the National Treasury
cleopatra.mosana@treasury.gov.za / +27 63 686-8413

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on the advice of the Judicial Services Commission (“JSC”) and in terms of section 177(3) of the Constitution, decided to suspend Judge President Mandlakayise John Hlophe from his duties pending a decision of the National Assembly as contemplated in section 177 of the Constitution.

In order to ensure continuity and stability in the work of the divisional high court, the suspension which is in effect immediately, is on condition that Judge President Hlophe completes all part-heard matters and reserved judgments.

President Ramaphosa received the JSC report on the 27th of July 2022. Due to the long history and complexity of the matter, President Ramaphosa took time to carefully consider all the permutations of the JSC recommendations, including obtaining guidance from an independent legal opinion. 

The President fully appreciated the need to balance Judge President Hlophe’s rights with those of the public and the interest of the Judiciary as a whole.

Section 177 (3) of the Constitution provides that the President, on the advice of the JSC, may suspend a judge who is the subject of a procedure in terms of subsection (1) that deals with the removal of a judge who is found guilty of gross misconduct.  

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal (“JCT”) concluded that Judge President Hlophe’s conduct breached the provisions of section 165 of the Constitution by improperly attempting to influence the two Justices of the Constitutional Court to violate their oaths of office. The JCT established that Judge Hlophe’s behavior seriously threatened and interfered with the independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness of the Constitutional Court and further undermined public confidence in the judicial system. The JSC has referred the matter to Parliament for the National Assembly to institute impeachment proceedings against Judge President Hlophe.

In May 2008, 11 Justices of the Constitutional Court lodged a complaint with the JSC against Judge President Hlophe for his improper attempt to influence the outcome of certain cases pending before the Constitutional Court in favour of former President Jacob Zuma.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele,
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson,
Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale,
National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola,
Instructors, commanders and personnel of the Tshwane Police Training Academy,
Representatives of Community Policing National and Provincial Boards,
All stakeholders and guests,
The newly trained constables on parade, their families and friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today is a special day for our new police recruits, who now undergo the passing out parade after the completion of their training. 

This is a culmination of a long and demanding training programme.

Your success attests to your grit, determination and sacrifice to ultimately reach the finishing line.

Congratulations to you and to your other colleagues who will be holding the passing out parade at different training centres across the country this week. 

This is a job that demands commitment beyond the call of duty.

It is a role that will test your resolve in fighting crime, upholding the law and making South Africa a safe and peaceful country. 

Safety and security affects so many other areas of life.

Safety and security is necessary for economic growth and social development, for better education and health outcomes, and for social cohesion. 

When crime is high, small businesses cannot thrive because they have to spend more resources on security, and it is difficult to persuade companies to invest here. 

Crime affects the safety, well-being and cohesion of our communities.

It affects the delivery of services and the functioning of public institutions.

If we do not tackle crime, we will not be able to build the better society that we seek. 

It is for this reason that during the State of the Nation Address in February this year, we made a commitment to recruit and train an additional 12,000 new police personnel. 

Today is a great milestone in the implementation of that commitment, as the SAPS’s ‘Project Ten Thousand’ comes to fruition. 

As Minister Cele indicated, we have a 9,252 new police constables who have successfully completed the required nine months of intensive training at the various police training academies across the country and at the SANDF facilities in the Northern Cape. 

This is in addition to the 495 constables who successfully completed the shorter six months programme in September. 

We applaud the SAPS for its recruitment strategy, which saw qualified forensic scientists, criminologists and policing science experts joining the service.

During the State of the Nation Address, I also said that the staffing of the SAPS Public Order Policing Unit will be brought to required levels, with appropriate training courses in place. 

This was in direct reference to the findings and recommendations from the report of the Expert Panel into the July 2021 Civil Unrest. 

In this regard, 4,000 recruits will be deployed to the Public Order Policing Unit. 

Some of the newly-qualified constables will be deployed to other specialised units within the SAPS.

These include the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unites to bolster our capacity to fight the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. 

Other constables will be deployed at frontline service delivery points at crime-heavy police stations. 

All of the new constables will be joining the Safer Festive Season Operations that are already underway. 

These operations will be important to combat violence against women and children and aggravated crime like robberies and carjacking.

These operations will include enhanced border security, enforcement of legislation and municipal by-laws and road safety enforcement. 

To the new constables gathered here today, this parade affirms that you are ready to join the SAPS to help eradicate crime, to serve and protect the people of South Africa and make them safe and secure. 

Wear this blue uniform with pride and dignity, abiding by the SAPS Code of Conduct and committed to the service of the people.

As you commence with your workplace duties after today, it is important that you remain vigilant, agile and alert at all times.

Take a firm stance against corruption or unethical conduct, and against any actions that could erode the faith of the nation in our police service. 

Work with communities to address their problems.

You are as strong as the communities you are deployed to serve. 

Finally, I congratulate the trainees who have been recognised by the respective Academy Commanders as having performed best in the areas of Street Survival, Law, Physical Training and Drill. 

We believe that you will continue to distinguish yourselves in the service as you did in your training. 

I wish you all well in your careers in the police service. 

Serve your country with pride and commitment. 

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday,13 December 2022, officiate the South African Police Service passing out parade of trainees who have successfully completed the nine-month Basic Police Development Learning Programme.  

The President will also address the newly recruited police officials at the South African Police Service Academy in Tshwane. 

The South African Police Service is this week conducting passing out parades across the country where close to 10 000 successful recruits will formally join the ranks of the police service. 

This is an important contribution to the fight against crime, as the police service will have a higher number of personnel to work with communities to keep neighbourhoods and businesses safe.

At the Tshwane parade, the President will be joined by Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele, and National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, to observe the certification of 3 000 trainees. 

Details of the event are as follows  :

Date: Tuesday, 13 December 2022
Time: 08h00 (Media to arrive at 07h00)
Venue: SAPS Academy, 1 Rebecca Street, Tshwane

Members of the media interested in covering the Tshwane passing out parade should rsvp to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe on 082 040 8808 by midday on Monday, 12 December 2022. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this Sunday, 11 December 2022, conduct a site visit to Limpopo to inspect the Giyani Bulk Water Project and engage with community members.

President Ramaphosa, accompanied by Minister of Water and Sanitation Mr Senzo Mchunu, will conduct site inspections of the Giyani Bulk Water Project to assess progress made to alleviate challenges of water scarcity and ensure consistent and reliable water supply in the area. 

The Giyani Bulk Water Project was initiated in 2014 to address severe water challenges in the Greater Giyani Local Municipality through the transfer of water from Nandoni Dam to augment Nsami and Middle Letaba water systems. 

The President will visit the Nandoni Dam and the Nandoni-Nsami Pipeline and later engage with community members at the Giyani Stadium. 

Members of the media are invited to cover the events as follows:

Date: Sunday, 11 December 2022

PART 1: PROJECT INSPECTION

Venue: Nandoni Dam pump station 
Time: 10:30 for 11:00

Second venue: Xikukwani Canal
Time: 11:30 for 12:00

PART TWO: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Venue: Giyani Stadium, Giyani Town
Time: 12:30 for 13:00

Media interested in covering the event can send their details as follows:

Part 1: Ms Lebogang Maseko on MasekoL2@dws.gov.za or 083 661 7859 or Ms Mashilo Raletjana on 082 928 4148.

Part 2: Ms Naledi Malatji on naledi@presidency.gov.za / 078 633 6302 or Ms Tsakane Khambane on 082 084 5566


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

South Africans will enjoy Tuesday, 27 December 2022, as a public holiday in lieu of Christmas Day falling on a Sunday.
 
This follows a declaration to this effect by President Cyril Ramaphosa in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act (Act No 36 of 1994).
 
In terms of the 2022 annual calendar, Christmas Day, 25 December, falls on a Sunday.
 
Section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act provides that "whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be a public holiday”.
 
In this instance, the Monday following the 25 December 2022 is another public holiday, Day of Goodwill.
 
If the holiday of Sunday, 25 December were to be moved to Monday, 26 December, this would cancel the holiday of 26 December or cause the two holidays – which are part of 12 paid public holidays annually - to overlap.
 
This would mean workers would only have 11 paid public holidays in this year, while Section 5 of the Public Holidays Act provides that "... every employee shall be entitled to ... at least the number of public holidays as provided for in this Act."
 
In view of the unique circumstances around the 2022 calendar, and to uphold relevant labour law principles and practices, President Ramaphosa has declared Tuesday, 27 December, as a public holiday in lieu of Christmas Day.
 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 9315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 08 December 2022, deliver the keynote address on Day 2 of the Summit on Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, which will take place at the Radisson Hotel in Bredell, Kempton Park, Johannesburg. 

The two-day summit, on 7 and 8 December, forms part of the Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) which runs from 3 November to 3 December each year, coordinated by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. The Department is located within The Presidency.

The theme for this year’s focus month is “Empowering persons with disabilities through resourceful, sustainable and safe environments”.

The Summit is one of several Government interventions to improve the economic status of persons with disabilities, especially in the area of economic rights. 

More than 50 organisations and interest groups will participate in the Summit which will showcase entrepreneurship and capacity building opportunities.

Discussions will focus on barriers in the economic landscape inhibiting market access for persons with disabilities and access to funding, but will also celebrate the impact and role of persons with disabilities in business.

Media are invited by the Department of Women and Persons with Disabilities to cover the Summit. 

The President’s address will take place as follows:

Date: Thursday, 8 December 2022
Time: 11h00 for 11h45
Venue: Radisson Hotel, 3rd Avenue, Bredell AH, Kempton Park, Johannesburg

Media interested in covering the summit may RSVP with Shalen Gajadhar on 060 979 4235 or Tsakane Khambane on 0820845566 


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - 082 835 9315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the 1,6% growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded in the third quarter of 2022 as an encouraging and hopeful indication that the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan is bearing fruit.

Earlier today, Tuesday, 6 December 2022, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) published released GDP data for Quarter 3 of 2022 which reveals that after contracting by 0,7% in the second quarter of 2022, the economy rallied in the third quarter, expanding by 1,6%. This constitutes year-on-year growth of 4.1%.

The agriculture, finance, transport and manufacturing industries were the main drivers of growth on the supply side of the economy. 

The demand side of the economy was lifted by a rise in exports and Government consumption.

The size of the economy now exceeds pre-pandemic levels. Real gross domestic product (GDP), measured by production, was R1 161 billion in the third quarter, which is above the previous peak of R1 152 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The GDP findings follow Stats SA’s recent finding, in the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for Quarter 3 as well, that the official unemployment rate had decreased by one percentage point compared with  Quarter 2 and that about 204 000 more people had been employed in Quarter 3 compared to the previous three months.

President Ramaphosa said: “Given the condition of our economy, we have no room to be complacent, but we do have room to acknowledge that our economic recovery is in progress and that our Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, conceived amid the COVID-19 pandemic, is bearing fruit.

“We owe the progress we are making to the high-level partnerships between government and all sectors of our economy, as well as to the hard work of millions of South Africans who report for duty or open their businesses daily to add value to our economy and bring services and products to the nation.

“Through increased economic activity, we will see more and more South Africans in employment and sharing in the prosperity of the nation.”


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 9315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Tuesday, 6 December 2022, deliver the keynote address at the opening session of the World Science Forum (WSF) in Cape Town.
 
The President’s participation in the World Science Forum will be a highlight of South Africa’s first hosting of this global forum under the auspices of the Department of Science and Innovation.
 
The theme for the forum, which will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 6 to 9 December 2022, is "Science for Social Justice". 
 
The WSF takes place every two years and is among the most significant science gatherings worldwide, where scientists from all over the world engage on the role science should play in society.
 
South Africa’s hosting of the event itself creates significant economic activity in the host city of Cape Town, as well as industries countrywide that support such an occasion.
 
In hosting this forum, South Africa is looking to promote global debate that inspires action, provide support for African leadership in global science policy discussions, and to promote South Africa as a strategic partner for global science collaboration in response to societal challenges.
 
Established by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the United Nations' Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the gathering will see renowned thought leaders deliberate on various topics that include science for human dignity, science for climate justice, science diplomacy for multilateralism, and science for Africa and the World.
 
The event will be a platform for more than 900 leading scientists and decision-makers from the politics and industry, representatives of civil society, and the media to express their views on new challenges facing science in the 21st century.
 
A series of pre-events has also been organised, including a Science Journalism Programme, discussions about the green hydrogen economy, an air-quality fun run in Sea Point and Khayelitsha, excursions to scientific facilities in and around Cape Town, a robotics boot camp for learners, a Women in Science film festival and a breakfast function with the international Square Kilometre Array Organisation.
 
The Opening Ceremony will take place as follows:
 
Date: Tuesday, 06 December 2022
Time:17h00
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre
 
Media accreditation enquiries: Veronica Mohapeloa at 083 400 5750 or Thabang Setlhare at 072 659 9690 (Department of Science and Innovation)


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - +27 82 835 9315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane,
Members of the Presidential Working Group on Disability,
Organisations of persons with disabilities,
Representatives of business and labour,
Representatives of institutions of higher learning,
Government officials,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
It is an honour to address this Summit on Economic Empowerment.
 
This summit gives effect to a resolution of a meeting of the Presidential Working Group in 2020.
 
It is a concern that we have not managed to fulfil our commitment to convene the Presidential Working Group on Disability at least once a year.
 
We are determined to correct this and to ensure that we intensify the work that must be done to advance the rights and improve the circumstances of persons with disabilities.
 
There was no better way to celebrate International Persons with Disabilities Day this past Saturday than to hear about the recipients of the global 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards.
 
This year, among the six recipients of this award was Nkosinathi Freddy Ndlovu, a member of our Presidential Working Group on Disability.
 
This award is given to distinguished visionaries, role models and advocates making a profound impact within the disability community and beyond.
 
We extend our congratulations to Nkosinathi on a great achievement that recognises an exemplary contribution to our society.
 
We have just concluded Disability Rights Awareness Month.
 
Our national theme was “Empowering Persons with Disabilities through resourceful, sustainable and safe environments”.
 
This theme reflects the need to take an approach to development that mainstreams disability.
 
It calls for the effective implementation of policy frameworks to promote the unique needs, experiences and expertise of persons with disabilities.
 
Despite these progressive frameworks, persons with disabilities remain largely marginalised and excluded from meaningful participation in the social, political and economic spheres.
 
Since the location of responsibility for the rights of persons with disabilities was transferred from the Department of Social Development to the Presidency, there has been important progress to address these deficiencies.
 
Areas of focus include advancing communication methods and developing practical technological solutions for persons with disabilities.
 
To improve self-representation in decision-making, government has created a consultative platform through the National Disability Rights Machinery, provincial disability forums and representation in local government.
 
The Presidential Working Group on Disability works directly with the Presidency on consultation and mandates on legislation and policy.
 
As government, we have a responsibility to work with all social partners to empower persons with disabilities and improve their quality of life.
 
This is important for the advancement of a free and just society.
 
Our Constitution emphasises that everyone is equal before the law and has equal protection and benefit of the law.
 
No person, including the State and private companies, may unfairly discriminate against any person on grounds such as race, gender, belief, age or disability.
 
At a practical level, this means removing barriers that impede the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in all areas of public life.
 
It means that we need to address all the areas in which persons with disabilities face discrimination through, for example, increasing job and training opportunities, promoting inclusive education and ensuring access to health care services.
 
Critical to ensuring we empower and promote the rights of persons with disabilities is to prevent all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse.
 
This requires a concerted public awareness campaign to tackle prejudice and discrimination.
 
It means that our criminal justice system, public authorities and Chapter 9 institutions need to play a prominent role to ensure that persons with disabilities are safe, secure and treated with dignity.
 
As we observe 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, we are reminded that persons with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence.
 
We are reminded that they often do not receive the necessary psychosocial support and access to justice.
 
At the second Presidential Summit on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide held last month, there was great awareness of the specific vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities.
 
It was resolved that priority needs to be given to disability mainstreaming and inclusion in the criminal justice system.
 
It was resolved that there should be research on how GBV affects persons with disabilities and the socio-economic factors that impact on them.
 
A programme on accessible courts and police stations is being implemented to improve the access of persons with disabilities to justice.
 
As a society, our responsibility is not only to protect persons with disabilities from harm, but to ensure that they are able to realise their full potential and live lives of comfort, security and material well-being.
 
That is why we are holding this summit on economic empowerment.
 
This summit seeks to advance economic justice, to create opportunities for all people to achieve financial independence and reduce income inequality.
 
To exercise one’s economic rights, one must be able to actively and equally participate in economic activities.
 
One must have access to land, capital, infrastructure and decent work.
 
This cannot take place in isolation, but must be part of structural change in the economy that will unlock growth and allow for development.
 
Persons with disabilities must be involved in conceptualising, developing, implementing and monitoring economic development policies and programmes.
 
All social partners and participants in this summit need to work together to achieve certain outcomes.
 
These outcomes include the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability across the employment value chain, and that persons with disabilities have equal access to just and favourable conditions of work.
 
We need to work together to enable persons with disabilities to access technical and vocational guidance programmes, placement services and continuing training.
 
We must promote – in an active and deliberate manner – employment opportunities and career advancement for persons with disabilities.
 
This requires appropriate policies, which may include affirmative action programmes, incentives and other measures.
 
We also need to mobilise our collective resources – both public and private – to promote opportunities for self-employment, entrepreneurship and the development of cooperatives.
 
For its part, government has introduced targeted programmes on economic empowerment that include a procurement target of 7% for companies owned and run by persons with disabilities.
 
The conditions for economic empowerment must be created before individuals enter the labour market or look to start their own business.
 
We need to provide quality inclusive education for children with disabilities.
 
This entails improving and strengthening reasonable accommodation support measures for learners in both special and ordinary schools.
 
We must ensure that children with disabilities in ordinary schools have accessible learning materials no matter where the school is located.
 
The government has developed a process to review Education White Paper 6 on Inclusive Education towards developing full-service schools and inclusive methods in mainstream schools.
 
All children – including children with disabilities – need to receive a quality education wherever they are and whatever their circumstances.
 
Let us work together to build an inclusive and transformative society where the needs of all are advanced with equal priority and equitable resourcing.
 
Let us work to give practical meaning to the principle of ‘nothing about us, without us’.
 
Let us emerge from this summit not only with a clear sense of what needs to be done to empower persons with disabilities for economic and financial inclusion, but also with a renewed determination to make it happen.
 
The success of this summit will be measured not by what we have achieved by the time it ends, but by what we achieve in the weeks and months and years to come.
 
I thank you.