Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will provide an update to Parliament on government’s efforts to improve the efficiency of key state-owned   enterprises such as South African Airways, Eskom and the South African Post Office. This will be during the sitting of the National Council of   Provinces in Cape Town, tomorrow Wednesday, 2 September 2015.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was assigned by Cabinet in December 2014 to develop turnaround strategies for state-owned enterprises   to enable these enterprises to play a meaningful role in contributing towards South Africa’s growth and development.

The Deputy President has also been asked to brief members of the NCOP on his recent visit to Lesotho to hand over his SADC Facilitation Mission Report and to discuss the terms of reference for the SADC-led Commission of Inquiry with His Majesty King Letsie III, the government of Lesotho, opposition political parties and other stakeholders.

Included in the session will be a briefing by Deputy President Ramaphosa on government efforts to improve the living conditions of farm workers and dwellers, especially, in the Western Cape.

During consultations with farm workers and stakeholders in the Western Cape’s agricultural sector in November 2014, Deputy President Ramaphosa called on social partners to maintain dialogue on issues facing farm workers and to move towards a social compact in the sector that will address such issues as security of tenure, evictions and social ills affecting farming communities.

He expressed the hope that such a compact would bring lasting peace and benefits to all stakeholders in the sector.

Among other responses in the NCOP, Deputy President Ramaphosa will address the question of the importance of gender parity for voters and candidates in the 2016 local government elections. In this context, the Deputy President is expected to outline what South Africa is doing to meet gender parity targets in political decision making processes in line with the SADC Gender Protocol.

Issued by: Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

Cape Town – Notable progress has been made in implementing the turnaround of Eskom, SAA and the South African Post Office, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said while answering questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) today, Wednesday, 2 September 2015.

With regards to Eskom, the Deputy President said that “valuable work has been done to stabilise Eskom and improve its financial position. Governance and leadership challenges are being addressed”.

“With the support of the War Room located in the Presidency, progress has been made in the implementation of government’s five-point plan to address the country’s electricity supply constraints.  An important milestone was the recent opening by President Jacob Zuma of the first unit at the Medupi power station, which adds over 600 megawatts to the national grid”, further said Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

With regards to the South African Airways (SAA), the Deputy President said that “as a result of a focused effort by the board and management and National Treasury as the executive authority, the ‘going concern’ status of SAA has been restored. Operating costs are consistently being reduced and operational efficiency is improving”.

The Deputy President further said that “the 90-day action plan has been successfully implemented.  A long-term turnaround strategy has been developed and is being implemented”.

On the South African Post Office the Deputy President said that “a strategic turnaround plan for the South African Post Office is being considered by Cabinet.  A thorough diagnostic review of the challenges at the Post Office was undertaken and a business model more suited to the changing postal services environment has been developed”.

“A new Post Office board has been appointed.  The board is comprised of people with the requisite skills and experience to implement the turnaround strategy”, said Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The Deputy President also indicated that a broader transformation process of the state-owned enterprise sector is being undertaken while addressing the challenges of the three entities.

“This is being coordinated by an inter-ministerial committee charged with implementation of the recommendations of the Presidential Review Committee on State-Owned Entities. We are certain that if the strategies that have been developed are pursued with focus and determination, they will achieve the desired results”, concluded the Deputy President.

Enquiries:  Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy at the Special Official Funeral of the late former Constitutional Court Judge, Justice Thembile Skweyiya, who passed away on Tuesday, 01 September 2015.

The late Judge Skweyiya was a leader in the development of the country's jurisprudence and a renowned human rights lawyer and activist at   the height of apartheid repression in the 1980s.

The details of the funeral are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 05 September 2015

Time: 10h00

Venue: Durban City Hall, Durban

Enquiries: Bongani Majola on 082 339 1993 or bonganim@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Acting President of the Republic of South Africa, has declared a Special Official Funeral for the former Constitutional Court Judge and Inspector of Correctional Services, the late Justice Thembile Lewis Skweyiya, who passed away   on Tuesday, 01 September 2015.

This category of a funeral is designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa for distinguished persons.

Judge Skweyiya was a leader in the development of the country's jurisprudence and a renowned human rights lawyer and activist during the height of apartheid repression in the 1980s.

The Acting President has ordered that all National Flags at all flag stations in the country be flown at half-mast from today, 03 September 2015 until the day of the funeral.

The details of the funeral will be communicated in due course.

Enquiries: Bongani Majola on 082 339 1993 or bonganim@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Acting President of the Republic, has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family, the Premier and Government of the Northern Cape on the sad passing of the MEC of Education in the province, Ms Grizelda “Zaza” Cjiekella- Lecholo who passed away on Friday, 28 August 2015.

Ms Cjiekella- Lecholo will be accorded a Provincial Official Funeral category one, which is accorded to, amongst others, Speakers of the Legislature and Members of the Executive Council (MECs) in accordance to State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy.

The Acting President has ordered that National Flags at all flag stations in the province be flown at half-mast from the 4th September to the evening of the 5th September 2015.

The provincial government will communicate the details of the funeral.

Enquiries: Bongani Majola on 082 339 1993 or bonganim@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Ramaphosa will deliver an opening address at the XIV World Forestry Congress tomorrow, 07 September 2015 at the iNkosi   Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, at 16h00.

The XIV World Forestry Congress is a platform for governments, the private sector, foresters, academics and the civil society to exchange views   and innovations impacting on the broader forestry sector.

The Congress is an event of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the theme for this year is “Forestry and People: investing in Sustainable future”.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Cape Town- Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will brief Parliament tomorrow, Wednesday 9 September 2015 on progress made by the   government towards the achievement of objectives of the National Development Plan. The briefing will take place within the context of   responding to several questions from members of Parliament during the sitting of the National Assembly.

The National Development Plan remains at the centre of government efforts and an overarching programme to eliminate poverty, unemployment   and reduce inequality in South Africa by 2030. The NDP has received endorsement from South Africans across the political spectrum.

During the same sitting of the National Assembly, Deputy President Ramaphosa will outline how South Africa’s international relations strategy has been effective in promoting peaceful resolution of conflict while advancing the national interest including the objectives of the African Agenda.

Since the advent of democracy, South Africa has been involved in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction and development initiatives including the DRC, Burundi, Lesotho, South Sudan and Zimbabwe. Over the past year South Africa has also been asked to share its experience in the truth and reconciliation and constitutional development processes with the people of Sri Lanka.

Equally, Deputy President Ramaphosa will provide a progress report regarding his recent visits to the Peoples Republic of China and Japan aimed at exploring new and innovative means of growing South Africa’s economy.

In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa visited the Peoples Republic of China with a view to studying the Chinese model of state-owned enterprises and how South Africa can utilise this model to address challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

Similarly, Deputy President Ramaphosa visited Japan to reassure Japanese investors that South Africa is indeed open for business while encouraging foreign direct investment into South Africa. During the visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa briefed Japanese investors regarding South Africa’s macro-economic stability, vibrancy and conducive business environment for Japanese business to invest in the country with a focus in those ventures can create jobs for our people.

The Deputy President will also outline to parliament what best practice models the government is putting into place in the public service to respond to challenges identified by the Public Protector with regard to some government departments and state-owned enterprises.

Issued by: Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 10 September 2015 attend and address the announcement by the University of   Witwatersrand of major new fossil discoveries at Maropeng in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site at 08h00.

According to the massive team of international and local scientists led by Professors Lee Berger, Paul Dirks and John Hawks, involved in this   project, this major discovery will force the world to re-think what it means to be human.

This new remarkable discovery follows intensive research by the scientists under the auspices of the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence at the University of Witwatersrand. The expedition began in November 2013 culminating in the announcement on Thursday of the most important fossil discovery in the Cradle of Humankind to date.

In this regard, the function will witness the unveiling of the largest assemblage of hominin fossils in the African continent and will be attended by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adam Habib and Deputy Vice Chancellors of Wits, Minister Edna Molewa the responsible Minister for the World Heritage Convention Act, Acting Gauteng Premier Lebogang Maile, Executive Mayor of West Rand District Municipality Mpho Nawa, Nobel Laureate and eLife Editor Mr Randy Scheckman, Chief Science and Exploration Officer at National Geographic, Mr Terry Garcia as well as guests from academia and key figures in the science, education, environmental and tourism sectors.

Issued by: Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the 20th Nedlac Annual Summit to be held at the CSIR Convention Center, tomorrow Friday 11 September 2015.

The Deputy President is expected to call on social partners to develop innovative ways to grow the economy, save Jobs whilst continuing to create new job opportunities for our people.

Nedlac is a forum that brings together social partners from government, labour, business and communities in developing effective policies to promote economic growth and increase participation in economic decision making and social equity in South Africa.

President Jacob Zuma has tasked Deputy President Ramaphosa with the responsibility to convene social partner’s dialogue, within the ambit of NEDLAC to deliberate on national minimum wage, wage inequality and the violent nature and duration of labour strikes.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: 11 September 2015

Time: 08h00 – 10h30

Venue: CSIR Convention Center, Pretoria

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

At the invitation of the Bishop of the Tzaneen Diocese, Bishop Joao Rodrigues of the Catholic Church of South Africa, Deputy President Cyril   Ramaphosa will attend and address the Beatification Ceremony of Benedict Tshimangadzo Daswa on Sunday, 13 September 2015 at the   Tshitanini village near Thohoyandou, Limpopo province.

Benedict Tshimangadzo Daswa, was a South African school teacher and principal. He was killed by a mob in February of 1990 for refusing to   abandon his Christian beliefs and to fund anti-Catholic superstitions. He was declared a martyr this year, 2015, paving the way for his beatification.

The beatification mass will be led by Cardinal Angelo Amato, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints based in Rome, who will also be representing His Holiness Pope Francis.

Members of the media are invited as follows: 

Date: Sunday, 13 September 2015

Venue: Benedict Daswa Shrine Site at Tshitanini, Thohoyandou

Time: 07h30 – Opening Ceremony (Youth Presentation)

         09h00 – Prayer of the Church in honour of Benedict Daswa

         10h00 – Beatification Mass led by Cardinal Angelo Amato SDB

Contact person: Matome Bopape 082 318 5251 and Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria