Port Shepstone - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, supported by Premier Senzo Mchunu and several MEC will tomorrow,  Tuesday, 01 December 2015, address the World Aids Day service at the Ugu District, Port Shepstone in Kwazulu Natal. The theme of this year’s services is   “Rise, Act, Protect”

In a message released ahead of World AIDS Day, Deputy President Ramaphosa rallied the nation with a call to action thus “As a nation, we must rise to this challenge, determined and committed and confident that we can succeed.

“As a people, and as individuals, we must act to inform, to support and to encourage. No action is too small. No contribution is wasted.

“We must protect ourselves and those who are nearest to us. We must protect the vulnerable. We must combat stigma and create an environment in which all can feel safe and comfortable to test and be treated. The end of HIV as a public health threat is in sight”.

This year 2015, the government hopes to utilize the occasion of World AIDS Day to acknowledge the vital role that communities play in contributing towards the achievement an  AIDS-free generation.

Media are invited as follows:

Date: 01 December 2015

Time: 08h00

Venue: Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre, Ugu District, Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal

Media Programme

Part 1

Venue: Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre

08h30: Welcome remarks by Premier Senzo Mchunu

09h00: Local Champions from the Ugu District: Inputs from the community

09h45: Message by HIV Ambassador

09h50: Message from SANAC Civil Society Forum

09h55: Message of support from UNAIDS

10h10: Remarks by Minister Motswaledi

10h20: World Aids Day message by Deputy President Ramaphosa

Part 2 Deputy President Ramaphosa and Ministers lead teams on a community outreach to the Wards

11h30: Visits to War Rooms

12h00: Visits to projects and HIV Awareness Blitz

13h00: Community engagement/Dialogue

Part 3

Venue: Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre

15h45: Feedback from Wards

16h30: Vote of Thanks                                

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 and for RSVP Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440 or Nthabiseng Rantau-Machiya on 082 570 5503 

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

The South African National Aids Council (SANAC) scored big at the Telkom Knockout final between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns in Durban on Day of Reconciliation, December 16, 2015.

SANAC distributed half a million condoms to the approximately 56 000 football supporters at the Moses Mabhida Stadium as part of its ongoing campaign to promote healthy lifestyles and urge South Africans to abstain, be faithful, condomise and circumcise in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Deputy President and SANAC Chairperson Mr Cyril Ramaphosa commended the match organisers, sponsors, fans and the 25 volunteers who distributed the condoms for making the HIV awareness activation a success.

Deputy President Ramaphosa wished all South Africans a safe and enjoyable festive break and called on citizens and all sectors of society to make the achievement of an HIV-free South Africa a priority.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - The Presidency has been inundated with media queries from several media houses with regard to a statement made by ANC Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was in Lesotho last week when Mr David Van Rooyen was initially sworn in as Minister of Finance.

The Presidency wishes to state that on the day of the swearing in of Mr Van Rooyen as Minister of Finance, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa  was in consultation with a delegation from the office of the Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi regarding preparations for an urgent visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

These consultations followed a decision of the SADC Organ Troika held on the margins of the China-Africa Summit held at the Sandton Convention Centre which decided that the Deputy President in his capacity as Facilitator should visit Lesotho as a matter of urgency. The purpose of the visit was to convey SADC’’s concerns regarding a court case that had been brought against the SADC Commission of Inquiry by a Lesotho citizen. As a result of those consultations the visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho went ahead on 16 December 2015.

The Presidency further wishes to state that Deputy President Ramaphosa was involved in all consultations with President Jacob Zuma and all other stakeholders regarding the appointment of Mr David Van Rooyen. In this context and as stated by the ANC, Deputy President Ramaphosa led on behalf of ANC officials the briefing to the ruling party’s National Working Committee outlining the process that led to the reappointment of Pravin Gordhan as Minister of Finance.

The Presidency is of the view that any other suggestion from the stated facts is nothing but an attempt to create suspicion, sow divisions and mistrust the highest echelons of government. Deputy President Ramaphosa was and remains part of the government collective that sought to stabilise the ministry of finance.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the passing away of jazz performer, composer and recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga, Mama Dorothy Masuka at the age of 83, is a significant loss to the cultural heritage of South Africa and the continent.

Dorothy Masuka passed away on Saturday, 23 February 2019 after more than 50 years of being feted globally as an artist whose performances also directed the spotlight at the injustices of apartheid.

President Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to Mama Dorothy’s family and friends in South Africa and elsewhere.

Ms Masuka was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for excellent achievement in and contribution to music composition and performance.

Born in Zimbabwe in 1935, Ms Masuka moved to South Africa with her family when she was aged 12 and needed treatment for health issues.

She started out as a performer at the age of 16 and developed into an accomplished songwriter and internationally acclaimed artist in the course of half a century.

Her music challenged the apartheid state and she was outspoken offstage on a range of social and political issues in South Africa and around the continent.

Paying tribute to the late artist, President Ramaphosa said: “Another golden voice in the chorus line of our nation has been silenced with the passing of Mama Dorothy Masuka.

“She belonged to a generation of artists who transcended boundaries in art and politics long before we coined the concept of globalisation.

“Mama Dorothy was part of a cohort of performers – notably women - who were driven by wanting to create a better society and a better world.

“Mama Dorothy’s voice and poetry took us on stirring, uplifting and agitating journeys through the human experience.

“While the spotlight of stages all around the world were trained in her, she shone a light on the joys and struggles of life across the lines of race, class and nationality that were so starkly entrenched in the world and era in which she first emerged as an artistic force.”

President Ramaphosa called on South Africans to celebrate Mama Dorothy’s life and legacy and to emulate the resilience with which she conducted her life and career into the advanced years of her life.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of Section (2)(1) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, established a Special Tribunal.
 
The establishment of this Special Tribunal is occasioned by the need to fast-track the finalisation of matters that the SIU refers for civil litigation following conclusion of their investigations. These are matters where the SIU would have referred to civil litigation contracts entered into by state   institutions to be declared irregularly invalid or set aside.
 
Fast-tracking these matters through the Special Tribunal will enable the SIU to recover monies and or assets lost by state institutions through irregular  and corrupt means; thus ensuring that those who are responsible for the loss of monies and or assets by state institutions are held accountable. The  litigation process includes both public and private sectors persons and entities.
 
The powers and functions of the Special Tribunal are to adjudicate upon any civil proceedings brought before it by a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in its own name or on behalf of a state institution or any interested party as defined by the regulations, emanating from the investigation by such SIU. Such civil proceedings will be based on the outcomes from the investigations by SIU.
 
The President has, in terms of Section 7 (2) and (5) of the Special Tribunals Act, 1996 (Act No.74 of 1996)(hereinafter referred to as “The Act”) appointed Judge Gidfonia Mlindelwa Makhanya, as the President of the Tribunal for a period of 3 years.
 
President Ramaphosa has also appointed the following judges as additional members, in terms of Section 7 (3)(a) of the Act:
 
1. Judge Icantharuby Pillay
2. Judge Johannes Eksteen
3. Judge Selewe Peter Mothle
4. Judge Lebogang Modiba
5. Judge Thina Siwendu
6. Judge David van Zyl and
7. Judge Sirajudien Desai
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the passing away of jazz performer, composer and recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga, Mama Dorothy Masuka at the age of 83, is a significant loss to the cultural heritage of South Africa and the continent.

Dorothy Masuka passed away on Saturday, 23 February 2019 after more than 50 years of being feted globally as an artist whose performances also directed the spotlight at the injustices of apartheid.

President Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to Mama Dorothy’s family and friends in South Africa and elsewhere.

Ms Masuka was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for excellent achievement in and contribution to music composition and performance.

Born in Zimbabwe in 1935, Ms Masuka moved to South Africa with her family when she was aged 12 and needed treatment for health issues.

She started out as a performer at the age of 16 and developed into an accomplished songwriter and internationally acclaimed artist in the course of half a century.

Her music challenged the apartheid state and she was outspoken offstage on a range of social and political issues in South Africa and around the continent.

Paying tribute to the late artist, President Ramaphosa said: “Another golden voice in the chorus line of our nation has been silenced with the passing of Mama Dorothy Masuka.

“She belonged to a generation of artists who transcended boundaries in art and politics long before we coined the concept of globalisation.

“Mama Dorothy was part of a cohort of performers – notably women - who were driven by wanting to create a better society and a better world.

“Mama Dorothy’s voice and poetry took us on stirring, uplifting and agitating journeys through the human experience.

“While the spotlight of stages all around the world were trained in her, she shone a light on the joys and struggles of life across the lines of race, class and nationality that were so starkly entrenched in the world and era in which she first emerged as an artistic force.”

President Ramaphosa called on South Africans to celebrate Mama Dorothy’s life and legacy and to emulate the resilience with which she conducted her life and career into the advanced years of her life.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Tuesday, 26 February 2019, chair a meeting of the Presidential Working Group on Disability at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
 
In his recent Reply to the Debate on the State of the Nation Address President Ramaphosa said government’s Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for the years 2020-2025 should mainstream   the empowerment and support to people with disability across all government departments and   programmes.
 
The President said the MTSF should be accompanied by an integrated information system that is able to track performance against targets and every state organ should be reporting substantively on the inclusion of people with disability within their respective mandates.
 
The President assured the joint sitting of Parliament that government was working to ensure that people living with disabilities had equitable access to education, health services, employment, social security and all the opportunities that come with living in a democracy.
 
President Ramaphosa has characterised the meeting with the Presidential Working Group on Disability as a valuable opportunity for dialogue between government and a section of society that for too long has not been able to fully realise the promise of our Constitution.
 
Media are invited to cover the President’s opening remarks at the session. A statement will be issued later on the outcomes of the meeting.
 
Details of the meeting as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 26 February 2019
Time: 09:00 (Media to arrive at 08:00)
Venue: Union Buildings, Pretoria
 
Media who would like to cover the media opportunity are requested to liaise with Khutjo Sebata and rsvp on khutjo@presidency.gov.za /079 898 4621 with full details of ID/Passport Number, Media House and designation by no later than 16h00 on 25 February 2019.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa is saddened by the loss of life that has resulted from a three-vehicle collision on the R573 Moloto Road at Kameeldrift  near Pretoria on Monday, 25 February 2019.

A sixth victim of the incident which involved a Putco bus, an armoured vehicle and a multi-passenger vehicle passed away in hospital today, Tuesday 26 February 2019.

At least 25 people – most of them bus passengers – were taken to hospital after yesterday’s incident.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and colleagues of our fellow citizens who perished in this tragedy,” said President Ramaphosa, who also wished survivors of the incident a speedy recovery.

“This tragic incident reminds us of the fragility of life and reminds us why it is necessary for all of us to be patient and considerate as we use and share our roads. A few seconds of consideration can prevent a lifetime of trauma and loss.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed government to joining the disability sector of South Africa on a journey towards the full empowerment of people with disabilities.

The President gave this commitment at the end of a meeting of the Presidential Working Group on Disability in Pretoria today, Tuesday 26 February 2019. This was the first Presidential Working Group to meet following the State of the Nation Address which the President delivered to a joint sitting   of Parliament on Thursday, 7 February.

In addition, the President committed government departments to the inclusion of people with disabilities within their respective mandates and called for similar commitment on the part of the private sector.

President Ramaphosa was joined at the meeting by Minister of Transport, Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Adv Michael Masutha, Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Henrietta Bogopane-Zulu and Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration Dr Chana Pilane-Majake. Several Directors-General attended as well.
 
Disability sector organisations represented at today’s meeting included Action in Autism, Epilepsy South Africa, the Association of Hearing Loss Accessibility and Development; Disability Workshop Development Enterprise; Deaf Federation of South Africa; Africa Disability Alliance; the Black Management Forum; the Albinism Society of South Africa; the Paralympic Committee; Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) South Africa; Down Syndrome South Africa; Disabled People South Africa.

Other stakeholders were: Albinism Society of South Africa; Institute for the Promotion of Disabled Manpower; Disabled Children Action Group; South African Federation for Mental Health; Kgalagadi People with Disabilities; Disabled Women South Africa; Disability Empowerment Concerns Trust; Disability Association for South African National Military Veterans; Deaf Empowerment Firm; BlindSA; the South African Deaf Youth Development Project; the National Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy; the SA National Association of Blind and Partially Sighted Persons; disability veteran Ms Washiela Sait; QuadPara Association of South Africa; Global Mental Health Peer Review Network, and the South Africa Disability Development Trust.

Disability sector delegates highlighted five overarching goals for the attention and action of the Presidential Working Group on Disability.

These are:

• Location of government’s Office of Disability within the Presidency as part of the reconfiguration of government;
• The adoption of South African Sign Language as the 12th official language;
• The domestication of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with the effect that all legislation and the whole of government should mainstream disability;
• The resourcing, from the fiscus and other sources, of programmes that support people with disabilities, and
• Support for vulnerable groups and strengthening of the criminal justice system to end victimisation of people with disability.
 
President Ramaphosa commended the sector on the clarity of depth of the various concerns and proposals tabled at the Working Group.

Among issues raised were local production of assistive devices for people with disabilities; the development of early childhood development facilities for children with disability, and the need for change in societal attitudes to people with albinism and the ending of violence – including murder – against people with albinism.

President Ramaphosa said the Working Group would process the proposals made through a number of technical committees that would be focused on securing implementation of the proposed actions.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared Wednesday, 8 May 2019, as the date of the election of the National Assembly.

All Premiers have also declared 8 May 2019 as the date of the election of provincial legislatures.

These proclamations have been published in the Government Gazette.

The President has in terms of Section 50(1) of the Constitution dissolved the National Assembly. This follows a National Assembly resolution adopted on   21 February 2019.

The President has also in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act of 1994 declared 8 May 2019 as a public holiday throughout the country.

Employers are advised to note the declaration of 8 May 2019 as a public holiday in order to facilitate voting by staff and to encourage staff to exercise their right to vote.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria