President Cyril Ramaphosa has added his heartfelt condolences to those already offered by South Africans from all walks of life following the death of three learners and injuries to 23 learners at Driehoek High School in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, on Friday, 1 February 2019.
 
The tragedy reportedly unfolded when part of the school infrastructure collapsed.
 
“I offer my deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the deceased learners and I equally extend my condolences to the staff and entire school   community of Driehoek High School,” said President Ramaphosa.
 
The President has also wished those injured a speedy recovery.
 
“This is a tragedy that touches all South Africans,” said President Ramaphosa. “We have lost young people who were engaged in the most important endeavour of their young lives – their education.”
 
The President has welcomed the psychosocial support that government is extending to the families of the deceased learners as well as to injured learners and their families, and the staff and governing body of Driehoek High School.
 
“It is my hope that the people of our country and of the Vaal will at this time come together as one to support the Driehoek school community in this hour of mourning, while government, working with the school community , embarks on a process to establish the cause of this tragedy and to ensure that we can, at an appropriate time and under appropriate conditions resume learning and teaching,” said the President.
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

At the invitation of Her Excellency, Ms Åsa Romson, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, His Excellency the Deputy President   of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, visited Sweden on the occasion of the 9th session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between South Africa and Sweden from 19 – 20 October 2015 in Stockholm.

The two Principals were accompanied by delegations of Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Senior Officials.

On the margins of the BNC, the Co-Chairs also held bilateral discussions on issues of mutual interest at the bilateral and multilateral levels. At a bilateral level, discussions focused on trade and investment, skills development and training as well as job creation among others. At a multilateral level, discussions included co-operation in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, reform of Global Governance institutions, UN and AU peace-building efforts and social cohesion.

The meeting reaffirmed the historic ties of friendship and solidarity between South Africa and Sweden, which date back to the struggle for peace, democracy and justice in South Africa. The unequivocal support that the Swedish people gave to the people of South Africa laid a firm foundation for future co-operation between the two countries The BNC reviewed and welcomed progress made since the 8th session of the BNC which took place in 2013 in Pretoria.

The BNC also agreed to establish a new Committee on Environment, Water and Energy to cover new areas of co-operation of particular significance for sustainable development. At the conclusion of the two days of consultations, the Co-Chairs received and welcomed progress reports from the four Committees of the BNC, namely: Political Affairs, Economic Affairs, Science and Technology Affairs, and Environment, Water and Energy Affairs.

The Political Affairs Committee discussed the bilateral relationship as well as selected Foreign Policy concerns of mutual interest. The Committee discussed a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest, including DRC, Burundi, the Horn of Africa, Liberia, Ukraine, Syria and Palestine.

The importance of upholding the principles of international law, based on the centrality of the UN Charter and including the principle of territorial integrity was underlined in the discussions. It agreed on the desirability to improve cooperation between the UN and the AU particularly within the peace keeping and peace building fields as reflected in UN Review reports.

Sweden and South Africa will work jointly to strengthen inclusive and sustainable peace building by promoting, amongst others, cooperation between women mediation networks as well as training of female mediators The BNC took note of the success of the Swedish-sponsored full scholarship programme and welcomed the announcement of the extension of the programme until 2021.

The programme provides opportunity for study at a post graduate level for South African students at Swedish tertiary institutions in a wide range of fields.

Further efforts will be made to deepen and develop economic relations, not least in the area of trade and investments. Strategic areas include, among others, energy, ICT, mining and transport infrastructure. Focus will be given to ensuring a conducive and predictable investment climate.

It was also agreed to strengthen collaboration in broadband policy framework development and rollout priority areas, including in ICT capacity building, SMME incubation and inclusion thereof in the value chains, as well as data security and e-learning strategies.

The Committee on Science and Technology noted the significant progress on scientific relations between the two countries with appreciation. It highlighted an agreement between the South African National Research Foundation and the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education which has already resulted in a research call with 103 applications received. An adjudication process of these research applications is currently underway.

Sweden and South Africa are committed to contribute towards a positive conclusion of COP21 in Paris in December 2015 and intend to intensify cooperation on sustainable development. The Committee on Environment, Water and Energy also agreed to continue collaboration on a broad range of issues including chemicals and waste, water resource management, and on the information platforms Water and Climate Change Information for Africa (WACCA) and Drought Early Warning Detection (DEWD).

The Committee also expressed willingness to develop cooperation on energy. At the closing ceremony of the BNC, a Memorandum of Understanding on Water Resources Management, and a Letter of Intent on Environmental Protection and Climate Change were signed, and the joint intent to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Energy was expressed.

These instruments will enable a broadened cooperation on areas contributing to sustainable development, including in the Blue Economy, and underscore the importance of job creation as a priority for both South Africa and Sweden. In addition, a Business Forum of South African and Swedish business leaders met during the BNC, to explore the possibilities of future collaboration with particular focus on ICT, mining and energy.

The two sides agreed to further pursue trade and investment relations, within the overall thrust of plans to grow a more inclusive economy. A seminar on the importance of local partnerships was also held during the BNC. There are currently thirteen active partnerships between South African and Swedish local authorities, further deepening people-to-people contact between the two countries. A seminar on the New Climate Economy facilitated discussion on the economic potential of climate change and energy policies.

At the conclusion of the BNC, His Excellency Deputy President Ramaphosa expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Swedish government for the excellent arrangements and hospitality extended to him and the South African delegation. In conclusion, the Co-Chairs agreed that the 10th Session of the South Africa – Sweden BNC would convene in South Africa during the second half of 2017, on a date to be mutually determined through diplomatic channels.

Stockholm, 20 October 2015.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Tuesday 05 February 2019, address the 25th annual Investing in Africa Mining Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. President Ramaphosa is scheduled to speak at 15h00.
 
President Ramaphosa will be joined by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo at this landmark event which is attended by leadership of government and the private sector internationally.
 
The Indaba will discuss resource nationalism, innovations in technology, battery metals, and diversity in mining and sustainable development, among other   themes.
 
The Indaba is the world’s largest gathering of mining’s most influential stakeholders and decision-makers vested in African mining.
 
The President will present South Africa as a competitive and investor-friendly destination that offers a unique combination of highly developed economic infrastructure and a vibrant emerging-market economy with sustainable investment opportunities.
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Stockholm - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today, Wednesday 21 October lauded the successful outcomes of his official visit to Sweden where he co-chaired together with Swedish Deputy Prime Minister the 9th Session of the SA-Sweden Bi-National Commission. Deputy President Ramaphosa was speaking at the conclusion of his visit to Sweden and ahead of his scheduled official engagement in Cuba from 21-   26 October 2015.

The visit to Sweden is part of a three-nation visits that will see Deputy President Ramaphosa also paying official visits to Cuba and Mexico.

In his comments in Sweden upon conclusion of his official visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa said: “Our visit to Sweden has been more than successful, because we were able to achieve nearly every objective that we had set for ourselves. The first thing was to renew the relationship between South Africa and Sweden at a number of levels.

“Politically we were able to reconnect with the political leadership of Sweden and confirm once again that we are friends that we have a lot that is common between the two countries and commit ourselves to continue working together for the development of our peoples.

“We were also able to express a deep sense of gratitude for the enormous support that we received from Sweden over the years of our struggle. Sweden is one of those rare countries that continued to support us through the dark days of apartheid. They gave material, spiritual and other forms of support throughout the years when we were struggling against apartheid and finally they also gave refuge to our beloved leader Oliver Tambo when he was not well.

“We were also able to consolidate the dealings between the two countries through the Bi-National Commission that was set up nine (9) years ago. Nine years ago we decided to have this commission between the two countries and this commission has continued to meet over the nine sessions and it has set up a number of structures and committees that work on a number of issues – political issues, issues that have to do with trade and investment and now of late we also set up a committee that deals with issues such as water and energy and the environment.

“These committees were able to meet during this session and come up with really good decisions. One of the most outstanding decisions was a deep cooperation which was sealed in an agreement on water and the environment. Our minister of Water and Sanitation signed the agreement with the minister of the Climate and the Environment here. That agreement is going lead to deep cooperation between the two countries on water resource issues. We will learn a lot from them and they will also give us a lot of assistance.

“The other agreement that was signed was on energy. We will exchange a lot of ideas on energy but for me the most outstanding agreement was Sweden agreeing to continue supporting the skills development project between the two countries of getting young people from South Africa coming to Sweden to learn at a post graduate level at the Marine University and other universities where they are going to learn technical things that they can come and utilise back home. That to us was important.

“The other areas where we reached agreement was to continue cooperating at the UN level, various multilateral organisations. This was particularly important as we are now going to the Climate Change conference in Paris later this year were we have agreed that we will work together to ensure that we do things that are going to reach an agreement which will be a practical agreement amongst all countries of the world working together with Sweden. Our visit here has been a really a good visit, we are very pleased and over joyed with the visit.

“The other important thing that crowned the success of our visit was having a Business Forum. Business people from South Africa came and met their counterparts here in Sweden and they were able to have a workshop and a seminar and exchange views but the practical side of it all was that they were able to have two sight visits to go and see in real practical terms what Sweden has to offer. So the agreement was that we will get a lot of assistance at a business level from Sweden.

“The other important agreement was that we should find ways to address the trade imbalance between Sweden and South Africa. Our trade with Sweden is more tilted in their favour. We are importing more from them than we are exporting. We need to correct that and they are going to work with us to correct that and they are going to find ways of buy more things from us.

“At the end we ended up saying we look forward to the next Bi-National Commission which will be held in South Africa. During that period we would have wanted to have made great progress in all the areas that we looked at. We are fortunate because the things we agreed upon are very practical and they have an impact on the economy, they have an impact on creating jobs; they will be able to impact very positively the lives of our people.

”So our visit to Sweden has been more than successful and we are very happy with our continued relationship with Sweden,” concluded Deputy President Ramaphosa.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at +27-82 990 4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday, 08 February 2019, join business leaders and other stakeholders at the annual Presidential Golf Challenge at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand, in the Western Cape at 08h00.

The aim of the golf challenge hosted by the Ministry of Public Service and Administration in partnership with the private sector, is to raise funds for charities designated by the sitting President. The event also provides an opportunity for networking between government and partners in other   sectors of society and the economy.

The Presidential Golf Challenge forms part of the programme of activities associated with the State of the Nation Address.

The Presidential Golf Challenge proceeds will be donated to the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation and the funds will be used for school infrastructure programmes including the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiatives.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Havana - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday 21 October arrived in Havana, Cuba from Sweden, for his official visit to the country from 22-26 October 2015. Deputy President Ramaphosa is leading a high-level Ministerial and business delegation to Cuba with view to consolidating bilateral political, economic and trade ties between the two countries and strengthen co-operation at a multilateral level.

The South African delegation will utilise the opportunity of the visit to strengthen strong ties and bonds of friendship between our two peoples developed in the context of the struggle for freedom in South Africa. In this regard, many Cuban internationalists paid the supreme price in the cause of the struggle for the decolonisation of Southern Africa and the end of apartheid in South Africa.

These bonds of friendship culminated in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in May 1994 following the dawn of peace, freedom and democracy in South Africa in 1994. South Africa and Cuba established the Joint Consultative Mechanism in 2001 at the level of Deputy Ministers, to regulate structured relations between the two countries.

The two countries have since 1994 signed a number of agreements in various sectors and co-operated in a number of fields. South Africa is a beneficiary of Cuba’s ongoing assistance in the areas of health, labour, defence, social development, housing and infrastructure.

During the state visit to Cuba in December 2010, President Jacob Zuma announced that South Africa would offer the Cuba Economic Assistance Package to the tune of R350 million to assist with agricultural development process as well as the reconstruction of infrastructure devastated by natural disasters.

Through the SA-Cuba Health Agreement more than 420 South African students from disadvantaged backgrounds have qualified in the field of medicine with over 3000 more students currently undergoing training.  South Africa currently host over 300 Cuban medical personnel, engineers and science and mathematics teachers working in South Africa.

In addition, Deputy President Ramaphosa hopes to utilise the visit to Cuba among others  to learn from the Cuban expertise to improve on primary health-care, child mortality and specialised training;  discuss and share South Africa’s experience around monitoring , planning and evaluation; share South Africa’s experience in the areas of taxation, dual currency exchange and controls, anti-money laundering legislation;  discuss long-term recruitment plans of engineers and training intervention which could be implemented to train South Africa’s workforce locally and explore trade and business opportunities to advance bilateral trade between the two countries.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will hold bilateral discussions with his Cuban counterpart Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Discussions are expected among others to focus on bilateral political and economic relations, co-operation at a multilateral level as well as an overview of the updating of the Socialist Economic Model which will also include high level Ministerial discussions.

While in Cuba, Deputy President Ramaphosa will participate in ceremonies to lay wreaths at both the OR Tambo Bust and the statue of Cuban hero Jose Marti in Havana.  He will also address South African medical students based at the Cuban Medical University of Latin America, pay site visits to a Cuban pharmaceutical plant, tour the Policlinic, the Immunology Centre and tour the Mariel Free Port and Museum of Literacy. In addition, the Deputy President will address the South Africa-Business Forum; visit the Combined Energy Plant and Africa House.

The South African delegation includes South Africa’s Ambassador to Cuba Naphtalie Manana, Deputy Ministers Luwellyn Landers,  Enver Surty,  Dr Joe Phaahla, Godfrey Oliphant, Pam Tshwete,  Buti Manamela,  Mzwandile  Masina and Political and Legal Advisors of the Deputy  President,  Steyn Speed, Dr Nono Simelela and Adv. Nokukhanya Jele respectively.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on +27 82 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will travel to Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to lead a high-level South African delegation at the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government, scheduled to take place from 10 to 11 February 2018. The   AU Assembly is to be preceded by the 34th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council that will take place from 7 to 8 February 2019.

The theme of the Session is: “The Year of Refugees, Returnees and International Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa”. It presents an invaluable opportunity to reflect on and address the root causes of forced displacement in Africa.
 
The Summit is expected to deliberate on a number of other important issues, including the institutional reform and financing of the continental body;  Peace and Security on the Continent; developments related to the African Continental Free Trade Area; and negotiations for a new cooperation  agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific developing countries and the European Union Post-2020. South Africa intends to submit its Instrument of Ratification of the Agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area during the Summit.

In addition, consideration will also be given to the election of the Chairperson of the AU for 2020 – a position that will rotate to the Southern Region; the election of five Members of the AU Peace and Security Council; the appointment of one Member of the AU Commission on International Law; and of one Member of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

Important meetings immediately preceding the Summit on 9 February are the 28th Forum of Heads of States Participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the Meeting of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSC) and the Meeting of the Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee of the AU Development Agency/NEPAD.

A meeting of the African Union High-Level Committee of Heads of State and Government on Libya has also been convened for 9 February 2019 by its Chair, HE President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu; the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the Minister of State Security, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies; the Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo and the Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Havana- Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, Monday 26 October 2015 conclude his official visit to Cuba where he led a high-level   government and business delegation to strengthen bilateral, political, economic and trade relations between the South Africa and Cuba ahead of   his scheduled visit to Mexico from 26-28 October 2015.

Deputy President Ramaphosa visited Cuba at the invitation of his counterpart First Vice President Miguel Diaz Canel Bermudez. Deputy President   was supported by Deputy Ministers, Luwellyn Landers, Mzwandile Masina, Buti Manamela, Pam Tshwete, Enver Surty and advisors Steyn Speed, Dr. Nono Simelela and Adv. Nokukhanya Jele and senior government officials.

During the visit Deputy President Ramaphosa paid a courtesy call on President Raul Castro and held bilateral discussions with Vice President Canel. During these discussions Deputy President Ramaphosa reiterated the gratitude of the South African people for the moral, political and material support that Cuba provided to the liberation movement during the struggle against apartheid.

Deputy President Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s support for the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States of America initiated under the leadership of President Raul Castro and President Barrack Obama. In this regard, Deputy President also called for an end to the blockade against Cuba and the removal of all punitive measures that have been directed against the Cuban people.  

Outlining the objectives of the visit to Cuba, Deputy President Ramaphosa said that ‘’We are keen to hear about the process that Cuba has initiated to meet the challenges of the 21st century, particularly since the 2008 global financial crisis and the decline of commodity prices, which have brought economic hardship to many developing countries’’ said Deputy President Ramaphosa.

“We are keen to hear about the steps that Cuba has taken in the revitalisation of the state and economy. We are particularly keen to strengthen our economic relations with Cuba. We hope the visit will contribute to increased trade and investment between South Africa and Cuba,” continued Deputy President Ramaphosa.

“Not only has Cuba contributed to our freedom by supporting our struggle and fighting side by side with us, but you continue to improve the lives of our people by training doctors and providing scholarships for over 80 students annually to study medicine in Cuba. Apart from doctors, Cuba has provided 45 engineers deployed in four provinces in collaboration with the Department of Human Settlements. Our department of Water and Sanitation also has 35 Cuban engineers deployed across the country,” said Deputy President Ramaphosa.

Deputy President Ramaphosa also used the opportunity to visit and pay his respects at the Jose Marti Monument at the Plaza de la Revolucion and the Oliver Tambo Bust at the Park for African heroes. The Deputy President also had an occasion to interact with the management of the Latin American School of Medicine where a number of South African students are being trained to become doctors. 

During the visit Deputy President also held a meeting with leaders and the broader South African student body studying medicine in Cuba. 

In addition, Deputy President Ramaphosa visited the Cuban Combined Cycle Gas Plant to study how Cubans cope with energy challenges as well as the Cuban Molecular Immunology Centre including the local Policlinic and the Military Historical Park Morro in Havana.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected in Mexico on Monday 26 October 2015.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at +27-82-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, 09 February 2019, arrived at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to lead a high-level South African delegation at the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African President Union Heads of State and Government. The Session is scheduled to take place from 10 to 11 February 2019 under the theme:  “The Year of Refugees, Returnees and   International Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa”. It presents an invaluable opportunity to reflect on and address the root causes of forced displacement in Africa.
 
The Summit is expected to deliberate on a number of other important issues, including the institutional reform and financing of the continental body;  Peace and Security on the Continent; developments related to the African Continental Free Trade Area; and negotiations for a new cooperation  agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific developing countries and the European Union Post-2020. South Africa intends to submit its  Instrument of Ratification of the Agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area during the Summit.
 
In addition, consideration will also be given to the election of the Chairperson of the AU for 2020 – a position that will rotate to the Southern Region; the election of five Members of the AU Peace and Security Council; the appointment of one Member of the AU Commission on International Law; and of one Member of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
 
This afternoon the President will attend a meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government on the margins of AU Summit.
 
The meeting will receive reports on the consolidation of SADC political efforts in supporting SADC Member States and progress made in the implementation of the Institutional Reform of the African Union and in Post-Cotonou Partnership Agreement Negotiations. 
 
President Ramaphosa is accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu; the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the Minister of State Security, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies; the Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo and the Minister of Communications Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Mexico City - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa touched down in Mexico on Monday, 26 October to represent President Jacob Zuma at the Open Government Partnership Global Summit scheduled for Mexico City from 26-28 October 2015. The theme of this year’s summit is “the role of open government in accelerating the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.”

During the Open Government Partnership Global Summit South Africa is expected to assume the leadership and chairpersonship of the organisation taking over from the current Chairperson Mexico which led the organisation in the past year.

The objective of the Open Government Partnership formed in 2011 and which currently comprises 66 member-states, is to improve government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens with the aim of improving services and reducing poverty.

Deputy President Ramaphosa’s delegation to the Global Summit includes South Africa’s Ambassador to Mexico Sandile Nogxina, Deputy Ministers Luwellyn Landers, Ayanda Dlodlo, Mzwandile Masina, Legal Advisor to the Deputy President Nokukhanya Jele and senior government officials.

While in Mexico, Deputy President Ramaphosa will pay a courtesy call on Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto later today, Tuesday 27 October to discuss the consolidation of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries.

South Africa and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1993. A Bi-National Commission, chaired at the level of the two countries’ ministries of international relations was established in 2009 to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Mexico is regarded as South Africa’s biggest trading partner in Latin America after Brazil and Argentina. Bilateral trade has been growing but there has been slump in South Africa’s exports to Mexico in 2013 and 2014. South African companies such as Aspen and Old Mutual have however increased their footprint in Mexico with Aspen having moved into the group of 20 biggest companies in Mexico.

Included among key engagements that Deputy President Ramaphosa will undertake will be an address at the Business Breakfast and Trade and Investment Seminar scheduled for Tuesday, 27 October 2015, including a meeting with Carlos Slim the Founder of Grupo Carso, with a view to assuring Mexican business leaders that South Africa remains open for business and investment opportunities.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also have an occasion to hold a meeting with Manilo Fabio Beltrones Rivera, the President of the ruling Mexican political party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party later on Tuesday.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to the Republic of South Africa on 30 October 2015.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa:  +27-82-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria