Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today Thursday 5 October 2015 announced in the National Assembly in parliament in Cape Town that he will be leading high-level South African diplomatic and trade delegation on an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran from 07- 09 November 2015.

The visit to Iran by Deputy President Ramaphosa is aimed at consolidating strategic bilateral political and economic relations. During the visit   the South African delegation will explore opportunities for foreign direct investment, create trading opportunities for South African investors while identifying skills development and training opportunities for South Africans in various Iranian sectors.

Deputy President Ramaphosa who is expected to depart for Iran on Friday 6 November 2015 will be supported in this diplomatic and trade visit by Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, Deputy Ministers Nomaindia Mfeketo, Bheki Cele, Thokozile Xasa, Mcebisi Jonas and will include representatives of Eskom, Mintek, Council for Geo-science, Financial Intelligence Centre, SARS and a sizeable business delegation.

At a bilateral political level Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to pay a courtesy call on Iranian President Dr. Hassan Rouhani, Speaker of parliament Dr. Ali Larinjani and hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri to strengthen bilateral political relations, consolidate regional co-operation on strategic regional security and stability in Africa and the Middle East  while enhancing bilateral co-operation on reform of global political and economic governance including reform of the UN Security Council.

During the visit and in the interest of advancing trade and economic relations, Deputy President Ramaphosa will inaugurate the South Africa-Iran Business Council. During the 12th Joint Commission held in May this year, the two countries agreed to elevate and consolidate trade, investment and economic relations and concluded action plans in the finance, trade, agriculture and energy sectors. In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa will also meet with Iranian Minister of Finance and Economy Dr Tayyebnia and Minister of Industry, Trade and Mines Mr Nematzadeh.

The re-establishment of bilateral relations in 1994 brought about an increase in trade relations between the two countries.  However, there has been a decline in trade affected by sanctions, resulting in reduction in South African exports to Iran reducing from R1, 27 billion in 2008 to R270 million in 2014. 

Similarly the South African delegation will utilise the opportunity created by the official visit to implement mechanisms for the –re-establishment of trade in agro-processed horticulture and aquaculture products and to exchange skills and technology within the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

Deputy President Ramaphosa’s delegation will also explore opportunities for the co-operation in the energy sector with a view of attracting investment into South African refinery and shipping capacity and for an exchange of technology and skills in the energy sectors.

Several Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) are expected to be finalised during the official visit in agriculture; finance, trade and industry, mineral resources and in science and technology. In addition the delegation will also explore collaboration between tertiary institutions, secure cooperation on skills development, identify opportunities in aquaculture and agriculture technology exchanges, scholarships in the medical field and Masters programmes.

Deputy President Ramaphosa and his delegation is expected to return to South Africa on 11 November 2015

Enquiries:  Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 and Clayson Monyela (Dirco) on 082 884 5974

Issued by: The Presidency

Cape Town

President Cyril Ramaphosa has requested Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to officiate the launch today, Tuesday 12 February 2019, of the report on the Presidential Health Summit 2018.
 
The event takes place at 12h00 in the Media Room at Tuynhuys, Cape Town.
 
The Presidency regrets any inconvenience to media or other stakeholders that may arise from this change.
 

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

Tehran - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today, Saturday 07 November 2015, arrived in Tehran, capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, ahead of bilateral political and trade talks with his Iranian counterpart, His Excellency First Vice-President, Es’hag Jahangiri.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is leading a delegation that includes the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane; Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Nomaindiya Mfeketo; Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr Godfrey Oliphant; Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Mcebisi Hubert Jonas; Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Bheki Cele, and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Tokozile Xasa.

Among delegates to the Iran visit are representatives of state-owned companies and agencies including Eskom, Mintek, the Council of Geo-science, the Financial intelligence Centre, the South African Revenue Service, and a sizeable business delegation.

The visit to Iran is aimed at consolidating political and economic bilateral relations between the two countries in trade and investment, energy, agriculture, education and skills development.

Deputy President Ramaphosa and his counterpart will inaugurate and co-chair the South Africa-Iran Business Council, intended to further reinforce the existing trade and investment opportunities in finance, agriculture and energy.

During his visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa will pay a courtesy call on Iranian President Dr. Hassan Rouhani and the Speaker of Parliament Dr. Ali larinjani as part of consolidating regional co-operation on reform of global political and economic governance, including transformation of the United Nations Security Council. 

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also meet with the Iranian Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr Tayyebnia, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Mines, Mr Nematzadeh.

At the conclusion of his visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa and delegation will visit and tour the MAPNA Factory, an Iranian enterprise which operates in the area of construction and development of thermal power plants, independent power plants, oil and gas as well as rail traction projects.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will return to South Africa on 11 November 2015.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning arrived in Jeddah, for his State Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, scheduled to take place today, 12 July 2018.
 
The President will meet with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud.
 
The purpose of the State Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is to assess the status of bilateral relations, whilst focusing primarily on strengthening economic linkages between South Africa and Saudi Arabia, particularly in terms of increasing inward investment and diversifying the trade relationship.
 
South Africa imports approximately 47% of its oil from Saudi Arabia and regards the country as a strategic partner in the Middle East. The country is also a large investor in South Africa, especially in the area of renewable energy. Total trade amounted to just more than R55 billion in 2017.
 
The State Visit will also present an opportunity for South Africa to increase co-operation with Saudi Arabia in light of the country’s new strategy for Africa.
 
To further strengthen trade, investment and economic ties, including Business–to–Business cooperation between the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a substantive business delegation is accompanying President Ramaphosa on the visit.
 
President Ramaphosa is accompanied by the of Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation; Defence and Military Veterans; Energy, Police and Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry.

 
Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President, on 072 854 5707.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South African and Iranian enterprises to explore opportunities for partnerships and build on the strong bonds between the two countries. 

Deputy President Ramaphosa made this call during his address to the South Africa-Iran Business Forum in Tehran, capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, today, Sunday 8 November 2015. 

Deputy President Ramaphosa is leading a three-day high-level delegation of government and business on a working visit to Iran. 

The visit is aimed at consolidating political and economic bilateral relations between the two countries. 

Later today Deputy President Ramaphosa will hold talks with the Iranian Deputy Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade, Dr Afkhami Rad; Minister of Oil and Petroleum Mr Bijan Mandar Zangeneh, and the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Dr. Ali Larinjani. 

Tomorrow, Monday 9 November 2015, Deputy President Ramaphosa will pay a courtesy visit on His Excellency Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

Concluding the visit tomorrow, Deputy President Ramaphosa will visit the MAPNA Factory, an Iranianenterprise which operates in the construction and developmentof thermal power plants, independent power plants, oil and gas as wellas rail traction projects.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa, Spokesperson for the Deputy President on +27 82 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Tehran - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa concluded a successful three-day working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on Monday, 9 November 2015 where he led a high level government and trade delegation to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations   between the two countries.

Deputy President Ramaphosa’s visit took place following the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Programme of Action between Iran and the so- called P5+1 countries. This programme is expected to result in the withdrawal of sanctions imposed on Iran.

The visit  by Deputy President Ramaphosa was preceded by a number of bilateral meetings at a ministerial level focusing on consolidating relations, collaboration in energy, agriculture, tourism, trade and water resource management.

During the visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa  and his counterpart, First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri witnessed the signing of three agreements, namely:

· Memorandum of Understanding between MINTEK (South Africa), IMIDRO and Iran IMIDRO and Iran Mineral Processing Research Centre (IMPRC) focusing on mineral processing;

· Memorandum of Understanding between Financial Intelligence Centre of South Africa and Financial Intelligence Unit of the Islamic Republic of Iran on Information Exchange Concerning Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing; and

· Memorandum of Understanding between Financial Services Board of South Africa and Securities and Exchange Organisation of Iran in Relation to Assistance and Mutual Co-operation in the Capital Markets Sector.  

Deputy President Ramaphosa also presided over the launch of the SA-Iran Business Council,  wherein he noted the success of companies doing business in Iran and the enormous capacity developed by the Iranians in areas such as petrochemicals, oil and gas, agriculture and on developing sources of energy such as wind and gas.  

While in Iran Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa had an opportunity to pay courtesy visits to President Hassan Rouhani and the Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani. The Deputy President expressed South Africa’s gratitude to the Iranian government for the stances it has taken on various regional cooperation issues and ongoing support for transformation of the United Nations Security Council.

The Deputy President was supported by Minister Nomvula Mokonyane of Water and Sanitation, Deputy Ministers Nomaindia Mfeketo of International Relations and Cooperation, Godfrey Oliphant of Mineral Resources, Mcebisi Jonas of Finance, Bheki Cele of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and and Tokozile Xasa of Tourism and senior government officials.

Representatives of state-owned companies such as Eskom, Mintek, the Council for Geoscience, the Financial Intelligence Centre and the South African Revenue Service and over 80 business leaders formed part of the visit in support of the Deputy President.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa - 082-990-4853

The Presidency

President Cyril Ramaphosa will sign the Competition Amendment Bill into law tomorrow, Wednesday 13 February 2019. The signing will take the form of a media photo-opportunity at which the President will be joined by Minister of Economic Development Mr Ebrahim Patel and a group of   stakeholders.
 
The Bill was approved by the National Assembly on 23 October 2018 and endorsed by the National Council of Provinces on 4 December 2018. 
 
The amended law constitutes a boost for SMEs and economic inclusion and opens up the economy to fresh investment and innovation.
 
It also provides a clear mandate to the competition authorities to address economic concentration in a balanced manner and to promote economic   transformation.
The Bill provides greater clarity to firms and investors on prohibited practices and what constitutes abuse of dominance.
 
Another expected benefit is improved administrative efficiencies in the work of the competition authorities and facilitative powers to the Executive.
 
The amended legislation seeks to combat concentration and economic exclusion as core challenges that contribute to slower and less dynamic growth, lower employment and greater inequalities, as well as socio-political conflict.
 
The amendments enable a more effective approach to concentration, with a focus on improving outcomes for small and black-owned business, and strengthen the institutions involved in managing competition policy and law. 
 
These changes are in the long-term interest of both business and organised labour and benefit small to medium-sized companies through a pro-growth, transformation model that can help lift investment and advance economic inclusion.
 
Members of the media are invited to the photo-opportunity which the President will undertake at Tuynhuys, Cape Town, as follows: 
 
Date: Wednesday, 13 February 2019
Time: 13h00
Venue: Media Room, Tuynhuys, Parliament, Cape Town
 
Members of the media can liaise with Khutjo Sebata on 079 898 4621 to cover the photo opportunity. 
 

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

Cape Town – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday 12 November 2015 at 14h00 brief members of the National Assembly regarding the recent cabinet decision to mitigate the unintended consequences of the visa regulations.

The briefing will take place within the context of oral replies by Deputy President Ramaphosa to a number of questions posed by members of parliament in the National Assembly. Deputy President Ramaphosa was assigned by President Jacob Zuma to chair an inter-ministerial committee to look into the unintended consequences of the visa regulations. The IMC made recommendations which were subsequently adopted by cabinet.

Among other oral replies that Deputy President Ramaphosa will address include a briefing on achievements of his recent official visits to Sweden, Cuba and Mexico where led high level ministerial and business delegations to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations with South Africa. In this context, Deputy President Ramaphosa has returned to South Africa on Tuesday 10 November 2015  from an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also have an opportunity to provide progress report to the national assembly regarding the work of the Moral Regeneration Movement within the context of advancing national unity and building social cohesion.

Included in the questions is what progress government has made in the establishment of an alternative dispute resolution mechanism arising from the Marikana tragedy.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa – 082-990—4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 14 February 2019, respond to the Debate on the State of the Nation Address.
 
President Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, 07 February 2019, with a focus on economic development, job creation and enhancing the capacity of the state.
 
The President outlined five key tasks required to grow South Africa at this point in its history. They are:
 
- Accelerating inclusive growth and creating jobs;
- Improvingthe education system and developing the skills the country needs now and into the future;
- Improving the conditions of life for all South Africans, especially the poor;
- Stepping up the fight against corruption and state capture; and
- Strengthening the capacity of the state to address the needs of the people.
 
Following the President’s address to a Joint Sitting of Parliament, political parties had the opportunity, in a debate, to reinforce or critique the President’s overview of where the country is positioned at present and his vision for where South Africa should be headed.
 
Today the President will respond to the inputs made by elected representatives.
 
Details are as follows:
 
Date: Thursday, 14 February 2019
Time: 14h00
Venue: National Assembly, Parliament, Cape Town
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 082 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Cape Town - In response to media queries arising from an oral reply provided by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa in the National Assembly in Cape Town on Thursday 12 November 2015 regarding the Marikana tragedy, the Presidency wishes to put the following on record:

1. A Summons has indeed been served on lawyers of Deputy President Ramaphosa arising from the Marikana tragedy

2. Deputy President Ramaphosa has instructed his lawyers to defend the action

3. We reiterate the view that the findings of the Farlam Commission remain clear insofar as they relate to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa personally

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Cape Town