President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the State Security Agency (SSA) to recommit itself to serving the people of South Africa and adhering to the rule of law in support of the country’s trajectory of renewal and growth.
 
President Ramaphosa made this appeal to members and management of the intelligence services during a visit to the SSA in Pretoria today, Friday 15 February 2019.
 
The visit was part of the President’s fulfilment of the commitment he made in the 2018 State of the Nation Address that he would visit all government  departments.
 
Accompanied by the Minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Presidency Director-General Dr Cassius Lubisi, President Ramaphosa commenced his visit to the agency with a meeting with Minister of State Security Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, Deputy Minister Ellen Molekane and senior management including Acting Director-General Mr Loyiso Jafta.
 
The Ministry briefed the President on the challenges affecting the agency that gave rise to President Ramaphosa’s appointment in 2018 of a high-level panel to review the intelligence services.
 
The panel has produced a report that identifies challenges such as low staff morale, unprofessional and unethical conduct, leadership instability, corporate governance weaknesses including procurement violations and difficulties associated with the amalgamation several years ago of domestic and foreign intelligence gathering services.
 
Addressing SSA staff members, President Ramaphosa said the report would be published in due course for the benefit of all South Africans including members of the national intelligence service.
 
The report would also be the subject of engagement with the parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and the Inspector-General of Intelligence.
 
The President said that the agency’s recent past was unfortunate and there would be accountability for the wrongs that had occurred within the intelligence services.
 
President Ramaphosa paid tribute to the “cohort of really good people (within the SSA) who are committed to the country” and said the country valued their work and what they stood for.
 
He called on intelligence staff to “reposition your own dedication and commitment” and to be ethical, committed, selfless and non-partisan in the execution of their duties.
 
The President cautioned the intelligence services to desist from involving themselves in party political dynamics. “We want you to do things correctly, in terms of the law and corporate governance, without a deviant agenda.”
 
The President called on the State Security Agency to develop the human capacity and innovation to support South Africa’s national objectives.
 
He said the SSA should become a professional civilian intelligence service of which the country could proud in the knowledge that South Africa is fully secured. The President said the report of the review panel spelt out a way forward towards the rebuilding of an SSA that would be revamped, renewed and recommitted.
 

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

Kempton Park – Deputy President Cyril Ramphosa has today, Saturday 14 November 2015, in his capacity as the chairperson of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) announced the new Trustees of the SANAC Trust at a plenary meeting held at the Protea Hotel, OR   Tambo Airport Johannesburg.

Deputy President Ramaphosa welcomed the trustees and thanked them for accepting the invitation “to become part of the critical work that SANAC is doing”.

“I have no doubt that they will bring the necessary leadership, vision and impetus to our national fight against HIV, AIDS and TB”, said Deputy President Ramaphosa.

The newly appointed SANAC Trustees are:

• Ms Sheila Mbele

• Mr Mluleki Zazini

• Dr Gwen Ramokgopa

• Mr Pholokgolo Ramothwala

• Ms Steve Letsike

• Dr Yogan Pillay

• Mr Mthetho Tshemese

• Prof Kholeka Mlisana

• Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba

• Ms Thandi Orleyn

The Deputy President also extended his gratitude to the outgoing SANAC Trustees and said that “under the leadership of Zak Yacoob, the trustees served the SANAC community with great dedication and diligence”.

In this regard Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the following as critical successes in the work of SANAC:

• Continued expansion HIV treatment programme, with over 3 million people on antiretroviral treatment.

• Further reduction of mother-to-child transmission.

• Improvement in all TB indicators.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a government delegation in its regular engagement with the South African National Editors’ Forum on Saturday, 21 November 2015, at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria as part of government’s commitment and   ongoing programme to strengthen relations with the media.

Government will brief editors on key issues and upcoming plans while affording the editors an opportunity to raise areas of interest with government.

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

Date: 21 November 2015

Time: 8h30 for 9h00

Venue: Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, Bryntirion Estate, Pretoria (enter through gate 10 on Nassau and Dumbarton streets, Pretoria).

Please RSVP with Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707 or Terrence@presidency.gov.za and  Pheliswa Sebati on 082 413 4609 or pheliswa@gcis.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency and GCIS

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the annual official Opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) on Tuesday, 19 February   2019.
 
Proceedings will take place in the Old Assembly Chamber in Parliament, Cape Town.
 
The official opening is undertaken annually by the President after the State of the Nation Address and allows the country’s traditional leadership members to engage on how the President’s vision touches traditional communities and the role traditional leaders can play in moving South Africa  forward.

The address by the President speaks to the significance government attaches to the institution of traditional leadership in line with constitutional   recognition of this component of South Africa’s national diversity.

Following the opening address, members of the House will on Thursday, 21 February 2019, debate and deliberate on the President’s input.

The Opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders will be attended by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairperson of the NCOP, Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers, MECs responsible for Traditional Affairs, Kings and Queens, traditional leaders from SADC member states, Executive Members of the Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders, representatives of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, delegates from constitutional bodies, business, religious communities, non-governmental organisations, political parties, the National Khoi-San Council and other formations.

Media are invited as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 19 February 2019
Time: 14h00
Venue: Old Assembly Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town

Debate on the President’s Speech

Date: Thursday, 21 February 2019
Time: 16h00
Venue: Old Assembly Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town

Media should send their details to Nkanyiso Ndadane on 066 480 3430 or Modiegi Madiga on 082 822 5878


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Saturday, 21 November 2015, lead a government delegation in its regular engagement with the South African National Editors’ Forum at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria as part of government’s commitment   and ongoing programme to strengthen relations with the media.

Government will brief editors on key issues and upcoming plans while affording the editors an opportunity to raise areas of interest with government.

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

Date: 21 November 2015

Time: 8h30 for 9h00

Venue: Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, Bryntirion Estate, Pretoria (enter through gate 10 on Nassau and Dumbarton streets, Pretoria).

Please RSVP with Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707 or Terrence@presidency.gov.za and Pheliswa Sebati on 082 413 4609 or pheliswa@gcis.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency 

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, as Commander-in-Chief of the South African Armed Forces, host the 2019 Armed Forces Day in Cape Town tomorrow, Thursday, 21 February.
 
Armed Forces Day celebrates and honours members of the South African Defence Force (SANDF) and gives members of the public an opportunity to witness and take pride the human and technological capability of the armed forces.
 
Armed Forces Day was first observed in 2012.
 
Armed Forces Day activities have been taking place at various locations around Cape Town and have included military displays and a career exhibition   at Mandela Stadium in Khayelitsha; a gala music evening at Cape Town City Hall; a night shoot demonstration at Sunrise Beach, Muizenberg, and tomorrow’s military parade and capability demonstration and the Military Parade at Bloubergstrand.

Tomorrow, President Ramaphosa will commence Armed Forces Day with a wreath laying at the SS Mendi Memorial on the Lower Campus of the University of Cape Town.

The President will pay his respects to the South African soldiers who died when the military steamship SS Mendi sank in 21 February 1917. The SS Mendi sank in dense fog in the English Channel where it was struck by the SS Darro, a much larger cargo ship.  A total of 616 South Africans and 30 British crew members died in the disaster.

The SS Mendi was transporting members of the of the 5th Battalion, or South African Natives Labour Corps, to France in early 1917.

Before boarding the SS Mendi the troops were encamped at what was then the Rosebank Showgrounds Oval, which is currently a playing field that forms part of the UCT Fitness Centre, and is the site of the memorial.

The sailed from Cape Town to Plymouth and was en route to Le Havre, France, when disaster struck.

For the next part of Armed Forces Day, President Ramaphosa will proceed to the military parade at Bloubergstrand where he will present medals to SANDF members who had delivered outstanding performance in various military operations. The President will also take a salute from the South African National Defence Force.  

The programme of the President is as follows:

First Part: Wreath Laying Ceremony

Date: Thursday, 21 February 2019
Time: 09h00
Venue: University of Cape Town, (Lower) South Campus, Cape Town

Second Part: Military Parade

Date: Thursday, 21 February 2019
Time: 10h00
Venue: Sunset Beach, Bloubergstrand (Table View), Cape Town

Members of the media wishing to attend the event should send their details including ID or passport numbers to Lieutenant-Colonel Hammilton Ngubane on 083 280 7548 or sandfmedialiaison@gmail.com

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today, Saturday 21 November 2015, hosted an annual meeting with the South African National Editors’ Forum at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.

The meeting was attended by Ministers Jeff Radebe, Nomvula Mokonyane, Siyabonga Cwele, and Deputy Ministers Hlengiwe Mkhize, John Jeffery, Obed Bapela.

The SANEF delegation was led by SANEF Council Chairperson, Mr Mpumelelo Mkhabela and Deputy Chairperson Moshoeshoe Monare, who were accompanied by senior editors and media practitioners, including academics.

Opening the deliberations, Deputy President Ramaphosa said government and the media had important functions to perform in South African society.

While government and the media were, in different ways, accountable to the South African public, they shared a common responsibility as social partners and as “custodians of the promise of 1994”.

“We are, all of us, custodians of the aspirations of the millions of South Africans who have struggled, suffered and sacrificed to be free. We are custodians of democracy, of development, of justice and equality," said Deputy President Ramaphosa.

He said government was committed to a free and thriving media that should scrutinise the actions and policies of government with the ability and balance to commend success and highlight shortcomings.

During today’s interaction, Minister Jeff Radebe briefed editors on the National Development Plan and the Nine-Point Plan announced by President Jacob Zuma in the 2015 State of the Nation Address to ignite the economy and create jobs. Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services Siyabonga Cwele gave an update on government’s plan to expand broadband infrastructure in the country.

For SANEF, it was an opportunity to brief government on the relationship between government and media, technological and professional developments within the media sector.

The meeting also received a report by the Press Council on the media industry’s system of voluntary independent co-regulation to deal with media consumers’ or sources’ complaints about coverage they consider problematic. The Press Council’s mandate is being broadened to deal with online publications as well.

SANEF assured government of the media’s commitment to the success of the country and South Africa’s status and development as a constitutional democracy.

In its presentation, SANEF identified critical issues within the South African media sector. These included declining revenues and profits, resulting in cost-cutting, restructuring, jobs and skills losses.

Other issues of concern to SANEF included planned parliamentary hearings on the desirability of a Media Appeals Tribunal and the pending Protection of State Information Bill. SANEF welcomed President Jacob Zuma’s stated assurances that hearings will take into account constitutional provisions on free speech and free media.

SANEF also reported on developments and innovation in the training of journalists and discussions with the judiciary and the police to enhance the way media cover the courts and the fight against crime.

The meeting agreed that constructive interaction between government and media, and a free and viable media sector are critical to building a South Africa where citizens are informed and empowered in helping the country realise the promise of 1994.

Government and SANEF agreed on the importance of maintaining healthy relations between government and the media to ensure that South Africans are fully informed and engaged as active participants in the country’s development, while government is also held accountable.

The meeting welcomed improvements in the level of trust between government and journalists and committed jointly to deepen trust and more detailed exchanges of views through future interactions. These will include, among other means, quarterly briefings by members of the National Executive to senior editorial executives.

Closing the session, Deputy President Ramaphosa welcomed the interaction as a positive engagement which had confirmed that government and the media were “joined at the hip” with the common responsibility of building South Africa.

He also commended media on enhancements in the training of journalists and other initiatives to secure high levels of professionalism.

The Deputy President invited media to work with government in advancing transparency and accountability in South African society, as part of the country’s continuous development.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa, Spokesperson for the Deputy President 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 21 February 2019, respond to the debate in the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) on the address delivered by the President to the House on Tuesday, 19 February.

The members of the NHTL, supported by senior traditional leaders from provinces, will debate the President's address which sets out government's priorities for the year ahead.

The official opening address, delivered annually by the President after the State of the Nation Address, affords an opportunity to the nation's traditional  leadership to engage on how the President’s vision touches on communities under traditional authority and the role they can play in moving South Africa  forward.

Media are invited as follows:

Date: Thursday, 21 February 2019
Time: 16h30
Venue: Old Assembly Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The office of the Deputy President has noted reports and questions from various media houses enquiring about the Deputy President’s role in supporting the turn-around strategies of various SOE’s. In particular, we note reports about the Deputy President’s role in resolving what is   reported to be a crisis at SAA.  

In this connection, we wish to reiterate the following matters of principle. 

Government remains on course to address pressing challenges facing state-owned enterprises like Eskom, SAA and the SA Post Office. We do so recognising the significance SOEs in the economy which should manifest in their continuing to discharge their mandates thus assisting the country to tackle challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality. 

Government’s interventions in these state-owned enterprises takes place within the context of the announcement made by President Jacob Zuma that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would oversee the turnaround of SAA, SAPO and Eskom.

Since that announcement was made, various steps have been taken under the leadership of Deputy President Ramaphosa, working in conjunction with relevant government departments and ministries, to help create stability in these state-owned enterprises.

These interventions comprised the finalisation of turn-around strategies with a specific focus on mandate positioning and market development, strengthening of corporate governance structures, stabilising finances and fast-tracking transformation. In this regard and with respect to Eskom, government interventions have had a direct impact in the stabilisation of electricity supply while mitigating the effects of load shedding. 

These measures at Eskom, taking place within the context of Cabinet’s five-point plan included the appointment of the CEO and CFO, stabilisation of executive management and strengthening the board, while working with Public Enterprises and National Treasury to address some of the pressing funding shortfalls of the institution. Eskom remains seized with the urgent matter of demand management and measures are being taken to accelerate the build programme.

On SAA, a 90-day Action Plan was successfully implemented and new turn-around strategy developed and adopted by Cabinet in June 2015. Currently, government is in a process of finalising the appointment of a new board of directors as part of efforts to ensure good corporate governance. The task of the new board will be to stabilise executive management by recruiting skilled professionals to implement the turn-around strategy as approved by the board and endorsed by cabinet. 

The formula to helping SAA change its fortunes is similar to that government has used at Eskom: that is to strengthen the board which in turn recruits and stabilises executive management. National Treasury, as shareholder department, continues to work with the leadership at SAA to stabilise the financial situation and to implement the turn-around strategy as approved.   

Similarly, with the South African Post Office, government interventions have led to the appointment of a competent chief executive with a clear mandate to revitalised the Post Office by stabilising labour relations, expanding service offerings of the organisation in order to regain the trust of clients and members of the public who receive essential services from the Post Office. There is now a new board of directors overseeing the implementation of the Strategic Turn-around Plan as endorsed by the executive. 

Government remains confident that interventions currently underway would in the long term lead to the sustainability of these institutions with good corporate governance structures in place and a leadership committed to the advancement of the country’s goals as set out in the National Development Plan.

We therefore urge all South Africans to give all SOEs a chance to reengineer their operations, sharpen their focus in a considered and responsible manner. We should respect the demarcation of roles and responsibilities especially when it comes to operational decisions which are delegated to boards and executive management. The Deputy President therefore cannot be involved in operational matters at SAA or any other SOE as suggested by members of the media. 

Enquiries:  Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Johannesburg – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially launch “The Good Life Network”, South Africa's first dedicated health, fitness and lifestyle television channel at “The Venue”, in Melrose Arch today, Tuesday, 01 December 2015 at 18h00.

The Good Life Network, to air on channel 199, is spearheaded by Soul City and Ochre Media in partnership with the National Department of Health.

The network will focus on producing and broadcasting content that contribute towards positive individual and societal health outcomes. Shows on this network will cover content on nutrition, health and fitness, human rights, youth sexuality, HIV and TB, as well as consumer and gender rights.

Members of the media are invited as follows

Date: Tuesday, 01 December 2015

Venue: “The Venue”, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg

Time: 17h00

Enquiries and RSVPs:

The Presidency

Terrence Manase

0823386707

The Department of Health

Joe Maila

0828873581

Soul City

Marang Setshwaelo of Dreamcatcher on

011 447 5655

082 559 1802

marang@dreammultimedia.co.za

Issued By: The Presidency

Pretoria