Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa accompanied by the Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, will on Wednesday, 11 February 2015, visit the community of Khayelitsha in Western Cape, to promote the culture of reading.

As chair of the Human Resource Development Council, Deputy President Ramaphosa champions the national effort to advance education and skills development and to position South Africa as a knowledge economy.

As part of a build-up programme to the State of the Nation Address, the Deputy President will engage with a group of young people on the importance of reading. 

The Deputy President will also share his vision of establishing a national reading club. The club will be launched on the World Book Day celebrations on 23 April 2015.

In 2007, the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) commissioned the South African Book Development Council (SABDC) to conduct a study on the reading habits of adult South Africans from age sixteen.

The findings of the study confirmed the grim reality that there is a very low reading culture in South Africa and only 5% of our population read to their children.

Furthermore the study reveals that more than half of our households have no leisure books and that only one in seven South Africans regularly read in their spare time.

During his visit to Cape Town last month, the Deputy President addressed young people at a youth dialogue hosted by the South African Youth Council. In his address, the Deputy President called on young people to be educated and innovative in order to achieve economic freedom in their lifetime. The drive of a national reading club follows the call made by Deputy President Ramaphosa for young people to embrace a culture of reading.

Media is invited as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 11 February 2015

Time: 14h00

Venue: Harare Library in Khayelitsha, Cape Town

For accreditation please contact, Sam Bopape 082 318 5251 Madimetja Moleba on 060 971 7482

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

The SADC Troika of Heads of State and Government will meet later this week to give impetus to efforts to create peace and stability in Lesotho, announced Facilitator, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Deputy President Ramaphosa was speaking at the conclusion of his working visit to Maseru on Saturday 14 February 2015 where he met with various role players including His Majesty King Letsie III and Prime Minister Dr Tom Thabane

The Troika meeting will be preceded by the deployment of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission on Tuesday 18 February 2015 in Maseru as part of preparations for the forthcoming elections scheduled for 28 February 2015

Deputy President Ramaphosa had visited the Kingdom following discussions held in Pretoria on Monday 9 February hosted by President Jacob Zuma, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security, with a delegation of the Lesotho government’s coalition partners led by Prime Minister Dr. Tom Thabane.

In this regard, President Jacob Zuma had requested the Facilitator to return to the country as soon as possible to address the security challenges, reported violation of the Maseru Facilitation and Security Accords including the request for SADC to provide material support for the successful holding of elections as requested by the Lesotho delegation

During his visit to Lesotho, the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa had expressed satisfaction with the levels of preparations for the forthcoming elections as organised by Lesotho’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). This view was also expressed by the SADC Electoral Advisory Council which had recently visited the country to assess the readiness for the holding of elections.

As part of efforts to create a climate conducive for the holding of elections, the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa held meetings with officers of Lesotho’s Defence Force  and Lesotho’s Mounted Police Service, following which he announced an agreement that members of of the Lesotho’s Defence Force will remain in barracks during the elections and only assist upon request from Lesotho’s IEC

Deputy President Ramaphosa who had also met with leaders of the Christian Council of Lesotho, announced the Council’s intention to host a National Day of Prayer service to be held in Maseru on 21 February 2015.

Deputy President Ramaphosa further indicated that issues around security challenges and the request for SADC to provide material support for the brought forward elections will continue to receive the attention of the SADC Facilitation Mission.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

On behalf of the SADC Facilitation Mission to Lesotho

Cape Town - SADC Facilitator and South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will pay a working visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho from Saturday- Sunday 28 February-01 March 2015 to observe democracy in action during the SADC Facilitated national general elections scheduled   for the weekend.

In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa has extended his best wishes to all political parties and the people of Lesotho ahead of the SADC Facilitated brought forward elections scheduled for Saturday 28 February 2015 as proclaimed by His Majesty King Letsie III.

“On behalf of the SADC Facilitation Mission and indeed on my own behalf may I take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to the leaders of all political parties and the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho as they cast their votes during the forthcoming SADC Facilitated brought forward elections scheduled for Saturday 28 February 2015, said Deputy President Ramaphosa.

“’We express our confidence that all conditions for the holding of free and fair elections have been met - that elections will be held under peaceful condition - within provisions of the electoral and constitutional laws of Lesotho and the SADC Guidelines and Principles for the holding of free and fair elections" continued Facilitator Deputy President Ramaphosa.

“We were encouraged by the huge turn-out of the masses of the people of Lesotho at electoral political rallies which took place under peaceful conditions and within the framework of the SADC facilitated Electoral Pledge. This is testimony of the determination of the people of Lesotho to shape the destiny of their country in line with their rich history and democratic culture. Let the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho speak!’’ concluded Deputy President Ramaphosa.

The Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to the Republic of South Africa on Sunday 01 March 2015. 

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on +27 82 990 4853.

Issued on behalf of the SADC Facilitation Mission to Lesotho

Maseru - South African Deputy President and SADC Facilitator, Cyril Ramaphosa concluded his visit to Maseru, the capital of the Kingdom of Lesotho today Sunday 01 March 2015. The Facilitator was in Lesotho where he observed the electoral process which took place on Saturday 28 February around the country.

While in Maseru, Deputy President Ramaphosa was also appraised of the voting processes by leaders of various observer missions including   the SADC, African Union, the Commonwealth and EISA, Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Former Prime Minister Riala Odinga, Former President Festus Mogae and Adv. Pansy Tlakula respectively as well as members of the SADC Facilitation Mission based in Lesotho.

During his visit the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa had the privilege and honour to pay a visit to four voting stations around Maseru, namely the Tikoe ACL Primary School, the Ha-Ratjomose Moreneng, Boitelo Primary School and the Maseru Methodist Primary School to witness democracy in action. The facilitator also had an opportunity to pay a visit to the Lesotho IEC Centre in Maseru.

The Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa also held discussions with senior officers of the Lesotho Defence Force and Lesotho Mounted Police Services who had played a major role in securing and distributing voting material to various voting districts before and during the SADC brought forward elections.

The Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to the Kingdom of Lesotho on Wednesday 4 March 2015.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Issued on behalf of the SADC Facilitation Mission

Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is poised to offer oral replies to questions posed to him as Leader of Government Business in Parliament by members of the National Assembly, scheduled for Wednesday 04 March 2015 in Cape Town.

In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa is scheduled to provide answers to the following questions:

1. What the outcomes of his visit to South Sudan on 29 October 2014 were?

2. What date he was made aware of the intended use of signal jammers and other additional measures to be used during the State of the Nation Address on 12 February 2015?

3. What measures legislative or otherwise are being taken by the government to prevent the country from losing billions of rand every year through illicit financial flows?

4. What practical and positive measures has the Deputy President planned or does he envisage to ensure that all indigenous languages are promoted to the same level as those given preference under apartheid and how he envisages to encourage the private sector to provide a platform for the use of all the official languages?

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Cape Town - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday and Thursday 04-05 March 2015 pay a Working Visit to Maseru in the Kingdom of Lesotho in his capacity as the SADC Facilitator to the country.

The Facilitator Deputy President Ramaphosa’s visit comes against the background of the recently concluded SADC Facilitated brought forward elections held on Saturday 28 February 2015. The elections were declared credible, free and fair by the various elections observer missions deployed in the country before and on elections day- namely SADC, AU, Commonwealth and EISA.

Deputy President Ramaphosa had visited the country on the day of elections, Saturday 28 February 2015 to bear  witness to history and democracy in action during the voting processes. In this regard and during his visit on Saturday, Deputy President Ramaphosa visited four voting stations and the IEC Elections Results Centre.

The elections were held in line with decisions of the SADC Troika of Heads of State and Government and facilitated by the SADC Observer Mission led by Deputy President Ramaphosa as an integral part of regional efforts to restore peace and stability in Lesotho.

The Facilitator is expected to return to South Africa on Thursday 5 March 2015.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Issued on behalf of the SADC Facilitation Mission

Maseru - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Wednesday 4 March 2015, arrived in Maseru in the Kingdom of Lesotho on a working in his capacity as the SADC Facilitator to the country.

During his visit to Maseru, the Facilitator Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to pay a courtesy call on his Majesty King Letsie III, meet Leader of Democratic Congress Prof Mosisili, Leader of All Basotho Convention Dr. Tom Thabane, Leader of Lesotho Congress for Democracy Mr. Mothejoa Metsing, Chairperson of the IEC, Christian Council of Lesotho, Collage of Chiefs, Coalition of NGOs and senior officers of the Lesotho Defence force and Lesotho Mounted Police.

The Facilitator Deputy President Ramaphosa’s visit comes against the background of the recently concluded SADC Facilitated brought forward elections held on Saturday 28 February 2015. The elections were declared credible, free and fair by the various elections observer missions deployed in the country before and on elections day- namely SADC, AU, Commonwealth and EISA.

Deputy President Ramaphosa had visited the country on the day of elections, Saturday 28 February 2015 to bear witness to history and democracy in action during the voting processes. In this regard and during his visit on Saturday, Deputy President Ramaphosa visited four voting stations and the IEC Elections Results Centre.

The elections were held in line with decisions of the SADC Troika of Heads of State and Government and facilitated by the SADC Observer Mission led by Deputy President Ramaphosa as an integral part of regional efforts to restore peace and stability in Lesotho.

The Facilitator is expected to return to South Africa on Thursday 5 March 2015.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

SADC CONGRATULATES BASOTHO ON PEACEFUL ELECTIONS

· SADC congratulates the people of Lesotho for their turnout during the SADC-facilitated brought forward elections

· The outcome of the elections is a true reflection of the will of the people of Lesotho

· The people have spoken and categorically voted for peace and stability

· It is now incumbent upon the leadership of political parties to ensure the realisation of the aspirations the people of Lesotho

· We applaud all political parties who participated in the electoral process

· We congratulate all those political parties who have won seats in the assembly including the newly formed coalition government

· We extend our gratitude to Lesotho’s IEC for the excellent organisational and logistical arrangements made for the brought forward elections.

SADC CONGRATULATES LESOTHO’S SECURITY FORCES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT DURING ELECTIONS

· SADC is satisfied that Lesotho’s security forces honoured their commitment to observe the country’s laws and Constitution during the election period

· Their conduct was largely in keeping with the provisions of the Maseru Security Accord

· We express our gratitude to the Lesotho Defence Force for their logistical assistance to the IEC in the distribution of ballot papers, particularly to areas that are not easily accessible

· Our thanks also go to the Lesotho Defence Force for honouring their commitment to remain barracks during the elections period

· We thank members of the Lesotho Mounted Police Services for providing the necessary security at storage facilities and voting stations during elections

FACILITATION MISSION EXTENDS ITS GRATITUDE TO ELECTIONS OBSERVER MISSIONS

· The Facilitation Mission expresses its appreciation to all Election Observer Missions- from SADC, the African Union, Commonwealth and EISA for the work done before and during the elections.

· We also take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the work done by the SADC Electoral Advisory Council which expressed its satisfaction with the readiness of Lesotho to go to elections.

· Our gratitude also goes to security force members from SADC member states who were deployed to Lesotho to augment Lesotho’s Mounted Police Services in ensuring elections are held under peaceful conditions.

· Together with their Lesotho counterparts, these SADC security forces assisted greatly in ensuring a peaceful elections

· Finally we thank the Head of Mission and members of the SADC Facilitation Mission who have worked tirelessly since the events of 30 August 2014 to ensure peace and stability in the Kingdom.

SADC WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT LESOTHO POST THE ELECTIONS

· The SADC  Troika of Heads of State and Government  has committed itself to remain seized with the situation in Lesotho  on the agenda of the body

· SADC will continue to provide support beyond the elections to create peace and stability through the Facilitation Mission

· This will include supporting Lesotho as it embarks upon the immediate task of constitutional reforms

· The work of SADC will also extend to the critical area of security sector reforms.

I thank you

Issued on behalf of the SADC Facilitation Mission 

Maseru

Maseru - SADC Facilitator, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, Thursday 5 March 2015, address a media briefing following the recently held SADC brought forward elections.

The Media briefing is scheduled as follows:

Time: 16h30

Venue: Pitso Hall 2, Lesotho Sun Hotel in Maseru

RSVP: Lesego Setshedi +266 5886 8653

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Maseru - SADC Facilitator and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Friday 6 March 2015 concluded his official visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho where he paid a working visit to consolidate peace and stability efforts in the country on behalf of the regional body.

The visit came against the background of the recently concluded SADC Facilitated brought forward elections held on Saturday 28 February 2015 and declared credible, free and fair by the SADC, African Union, Commonwealth and EISA elections observer missions.

As part of his visit, the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa paid a courtesy call on His Majesty King Letsie III, met with key political role-players including leaders of the LCD, DC, ABC and BNP, Prof. Phakalitha Mosisili, Mothejoa Metsing, Tom Thabane and Theselle Maseribane respectively. All leaders of political parties expressed their gratitude to Deputy President Ramaphosa for the sterling role he played culminating in the holding of peaceful election.

The Facilitator also met and exchanged views with members of the Lesotho’s Independent Election Commission led by its Chairperson Justice Lehohla, leaders of the College of Chiefs, Christian Council of Lesotho, the Coalition of NGO’s as well as senior officers of the Lesotho Defence Force and Lesotho Mounted Police Service.

The Facilitator expressed satisfaction with the logistical arrangements made by the IEC for the holding of elections. Deputy President Ramaphosa applauded all political parties that had participated in the elections. In addition Deputy President Ramaphosa congratulated members of the Lesotho security forces who together with their SADC counterparts ensured the elections were held under peaceful conditions.

The Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa also extended his gratitude to all members of the SADC Facilitation Mission to Lesotho who had toiled through days and nights to help create a climate of peace and stability in Lesotho. Deputy President Ramaphosa promised Basotho that SADC will continue to support the people of Lesotho particularly as they embark upon the critical process of constitutional and security sector reforms in line with the decision of the SADC Troika of Heads of State and Government meeting held in Pretoria recently.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Issued on behalf of the SADC Facilitation Mission