Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa reported in parliament today that China is set to encourage its own companies to invest in South Africa’s   special economic zones.

Deputy President Ramaphosa was fielding questions from Members of Parliament on the outcomes of his recent visit to the Peoples Republic of   China on Wednesday 12 August in Cape Town.

“Among the key outcomes from bilateral discussions was a commitment from China to cooperate with South Africa in promoting industrialisation and improving our economic capacity and ability to create jobs.

“China has agreed and committed to share its experience and expertise on special economic zones, said Deputy President Ramaphosa.

“It has agreed to encourage its companies to invest in South Africa’s special economic zones and science and technology parks. China has also agreed to share its experience and assist South Africa in expediting the implementation of our ocean economy programme, continued Deputy President Ramaphosa.

“An important area of cooperation is in the development of the skills needed for South Africa’s economic growth and development. The area of vocational training was highlighted as important for the implementation of our industrialisation programme. China has offered thousands of training opportunities over the next 5 years”, concluded Deputy President Ramaphosa.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 15 January 2019, visit the Department of Defence and Military Veterans as well as the State Security Agency   in Pretoria.

The visits form part of the commitment given in the President’s 2018 State of the Nation Address that he would engage with and visit senior officials in government departments to ensure that the work of government is effectively aligned.

Last year the President visited the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional  Affairs.

President Ramaphosa has emphasised the building of a developmental state that puts people first and has dedicated public servants who work diligently to improve the lives of the people.

The President has commended many public servants who are committed and dedicated professionals who perform their tasks faithfully but has also noted that there are some whose indifference to the needs and concerns of citizens has led to a deterioration in the quality of services and assistance rendered.

The President has called on public servants to serve the nation with commitment, diligence, humility, respect and honesty and make sure that they are effective agents of transformation.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on +27 72 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will engage with the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) Committee of Principals   tomorrow, Friday 14 August 2015 at the Nedlac offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

The meeting will receive progress reports from two Technical Task Teams; namely the Labour Relations Technical Task Team and the Wage   Inequalities Technical Task Team.

The Technical Task Teams were established to support the work of the Committee of Principals and focuses on the implementation of the committee’s Terms of Reference.

Members of the media are invited for a photo opportunity and opening remarks

Time: 10h00

Venue: Nedlac House, 14a Jellicoe Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg

President Jacob Zuma has tasked Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa with the responsibility to convene social partner's dialogue, within the ambit of Nedlac to deliberate on the violent nature and duration of strikes and also to deliberate on wage inequalities.

For more information contact Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President and SADC Facilitator Cyril Ramaphosa today, Wednesday 19 August 2015 welcomed the decision of the SADC Double   Troika meeting held in Botswana on Sunday to reaffirm the current terms of reference for the SADC Commission of Inquiry into Lesotho.

Deputy President Ramaphosa was  part of the South African delegation led by President Jacob Zuma which attended the SADC Summit of   Heads of State and Government held in Gaborone, Botswana from Sunday, 16 August to Tuesday, 18 August 2015.

In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa was invited to attend the SADC Double Troika Summit which was held on the margins of the SADC Summit in Gaborone on Sunday, 17 August 2015 to discuss among others terms of reference for the SADC Commission of inquiry into Lesotho. These terms of reference were agreed to during the Double Troika Summit held in Pretoria on 3 July 2015.

During his visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho on 30 July 2015 and in his interaction with Prime Minister Phakalitha Mosisili as well as members of the opposition political parties, proposals were presented to Deputy President Ramaphosa for SADC to consider amending the terms of reference for the Commission of Inquiry.

“In its deliberations in Botswana on Sunday, 16 August 2015, the SADC Double Troika decided that the SADC terms of reference as agreed to on 3 July 2015 in Pretoria should stand,” said Deputy President Ramaphosa.

“In this context, the Troika was of the view that the current SADC terms of reference in their original form are broad enough to accommodate  proposals raised with the Facilitator by the Lesotho government and members of the opposition political parties,” said Deputy President Ramaphosa.

“The Lesotho government is thus expected to gazette the  SADC terms of reference to enable the SADC Commission of inquiry  to continue with its work as soon as possible,” continued Deputy President Ramaphosa.

“As the SADC Facilitation mission, we look forward to the SADC Commission of Inquiry beginning its work in earnest within the framework of the terms of reference as set out by the Double Troika Summit. We reiterate our call for Basotho to give the commission their unreserved support as part of efforts to find a lasting solution to their security challenges,” concluded Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa.

Issued by: Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 16 January 2019, undertake a Working Visit to Addis Ababa in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to attend a Southern African Development Community (SADC) Double Troika Summit. 

The Summit which takes place on 17 January 2019 will review and assess the political situation in the DRC following the recently held elections.

The SADC Summit will later be followed by a  consultative meeting of Head of States and Government of SADC Double Troika members, International Conference of Great Lakes Region (ICGLR); African Union Troika and the African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu and Minister of State Security, Dipuo  Letsatsi-Duba.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

A high-level South African government and business delegation led by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to touch down in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday 22 August 2015 to consolidate political and economic bilateral relations between the two countries.

The government delegation will include Ministers Naledi Pandor, Rob Davies, Tina Joemat-Pettersson and Deputy Ministers Bheki Cele, Nomaindia Mfeketo, Mzwandile Masina, Dr Nono Simelelela Special Advisor to Deputy President, senior government officials including Deputy   Director- General in the office of the Deputy President Busani Ngcaweni, Ambassador Anil Sooklal and South Africa’s Ambassador to Japan Mohau Pheko.

The visit which take place from 22 to 25 August 2015 is also aimed at reassuring Japanese business that South Africa is indeed open for business and to brief them about the stability, vibrancy and conducive business environment that exists in South Africa for Japanese business to invest in the country particularly in ventures that can create jobs. South Africa is currently exploring new and innovative ways of growing the economy.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also utilise the visit to secure commitments from Japan regarding efforts to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. Similarly Deputy President Ramaphosa will seek to tap into the vast Japanese expertise and innovative technologies to increase collaboration in the fields of science and technology with a view to attracting essential skills in support of South Africa’s training and human resource development. In this context, South Africa and Japan will explore partnerships to promote innovation and technology to boost economic growth. This also comes within the context of South Africa’s implementation of the 9-point plan to strengthen the economy.

Simultaneously, Deputy President Ramaphosa will utilise the opportunity of the visit to strengthen alignment of South Africa and Japan’s approach to global issues of mutual concern including the enhancement of multilateral institutions and the reform of global political and economic governance.

The visit is also expected to consolidate the objectives of the African agenda through the strengthening of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) partnership by promoting increased trade, investment growth and infrastructure development in the continent of Africa. In this context South Africa continues to act within efforts of the African continent to facilitate African growth through Agenda 2063.

Accordingly, and at a political level Deputy President Ramaphosa and the high-level government delegation will pay courtesy calls on the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and hold discussions with the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party Sadakazu Tanigaki.

On trade and investment issues, Deputy President Ramaphosa will address the Japanese Captains of Industry, an organisation boosting a membership of about 1329 representative companies, 109 nation-wide industrial associations and 47 regional economic organisation.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is also expected to address the South Africa-Business Forum Plenary, chair a round-table discussion on investment in energy and meet with the Vice-President of Jetro, Tomiyasu Nakamura.  Jetro is an organisation that promotes trade and investment between Japan the rest of the world. It also promotes foreign direct investment into Japan while assisting to small and medium size enterprises to maximise their global export potential.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will furthermore pay a site visit to Toyota plant in Tokyo which will include a presentation of the MIRAI Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicle developed by the company.

In addition, Deputy President Ramaphosa will pay a visit to Miraikan – a Japanese national museum of emerging science and innovation located in Daiba, Tokyo. The visit will include ICT, manufacturing, engineering and the Advance Step Innovative Mobility- a humanoid robot developed by Honda. It is also used to encourage students to study science and mathematics.  He will also meet with Hideaki Domichi, senior vice President of the Japan international co-operation Agency.

During his visit to Tokyo, Deputy President Ramaphosa will also seize the opportunity to hold discussions with Ambassador Yasushi Akashi on peace-building efforts, rehabilitation and reconstruction in Sri Lanka. Deputy President Ramaphosa is President Jacob Zuma’s Special Envoy to Sri Lanka.

Issued by: Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

The Presidency

Johannesburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust fundraising gala dinner at the Killarney Country Club in Johannesburg, Gauteng on Friday, 21 August 2015.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: 21 August 2015

Time: 18h00 (media to arrive at 17h30)

Please RSVP via SMS, with your name and media house, with Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Addis Ababa, in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Double Troika Summit. 

The Summit taking place tomorrow, 17 January 2019 will review and assess the political situation in the DRC following the recently held elections.

The SADC Summit will later be followed by a consultative meeting of Head of States and Government of SADC Double Troika members, International Conference of Great Lakes Region (ICGLR); African Union Troika and the African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu and Minister of State Security, Dipuo  Letsatsi-Duba.

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 0728545707 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

South Africa has noted with concern terrorists attacks in Kenya on Tuesday, 15 January 2019.

South Africa condemns in the strongest possible terms the attacks on the government and the people of Kenya. South Africa extends its condolences to the bereaved and wishes those injured a speedy recovery.

Initial reports are that no South African citizen has been reported injured in the attack, the South African High Commission in Nairobi is monitoring the   situation and interacting with authorities.

On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, we send a message of support to the government and the people of Kenya.
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 0728545707 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa sends heartfelt condolences on the passing of acclaimed author, journalist and anti-apartheid activist who passed away at his home at the age of 79 on Wednesday 16 January 2019.

Mr Lewin worked as a journalist at the Natal Witness, Drum Magazine and the Golden City Post.

He later became Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism in Johannesburg and served as a member of the Truth and Reconciliation   Commission committee on human rights violations in Gauteng.

 As an author, he won the 2003, Olive Schreiner Prize for his prison memoir, “Bandiet Out of Jail” and in 2012 won the Alan Paton Award for another   personal memoir, “Stones Against the Mirror”.

Under apartheid, Mr Lewin served a full prison sentence for sabotage and left South Africa on a “permanent exit permit” in 1971 to live in exile in the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.

President Ramaphosa has noted: “We have lost an incredible writer and a valiant soldier who fought fearlessly for human rights and the justice and freedom that are the hallmarks of our democracy.

“His fighting spirit and humanity will forever be remembered by those he touched through his life, actions and also his written words. We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and relatives. May his soul rest in peace.”


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 0728545707 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria