The Presidency has today, Friday 19 July 2019, received the report of the Public Protector on an investigation into allegations of a violation of the Executive Ethics Code by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

This follows the receipt by the President on 30 May 2019 of a Section 7(9) notice, in which the Public Protector outlined her preliminary findings.

On 27 June 2019, the President submitted a substantial response to the Section 7(9) notice dealing in detail with areas where the preliminary findings  were deficient both factually and in law.

 It is unfortunate, however, that from a cursory reading of the final report, it seems that the President’s response to the Section 7(9) notice has not been  given due consideration.

Nonetheless, the President will study the Public Protector’s report and make a decision on any further action.

President Ramaphosa wishes to reaffirm his respect for the Office of the Public Protector and his appreciation of the essential role it needs to play in promoting accountability and advancing the interests of the South African people.

The President further reaffirms his determination and commitment to fight all forms of corruption and malfeasance. To this end, no person regardless of the position they hold is above law.

The President’s response to the Public Protector’s preliminary findings is available on the Presidency website: https://bit.ly/2ELYzQ8.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Cape Town - Deputy President and Leader of Government Business Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 16 November 2017 at 14h00, update the National Assembly on government’s nation building efforts and strategies to intensify human resource development in South Africa.

This 8th and last session of Oral Questions posed by Members of Parliament to Deputy President Ramaphosa will among others focus on government policy on and interventions in issues such as nation building; South Africa’s human resource development; reform of state-owned enterprises, and Vision 2030 of the National Development Plan.

As part of the roles assigned to Deputy President Ramaphosa by the President, the Deputy President serves as Patron of the Moral Regeneration Movement, which supports initiatives and efforts that advance development, social cohesion, and nation building.

As Chairperson of the advisory Human Development Council (HRDC), Deputy President Ramaphosa will also update Parliament on efforts to grow the economy through investment in South Africa’s human capital. 

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also outline progress achieved by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on State-Owned Enterprises to create sustainability, efficiency and productivity.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also elaborate on efforts by government to work together with various stakeholders such as business, academic, and civil society to find practical ways in realising the goals of the National Development Plan’s Vision 2030.


Enquiries: Acting Spokesperson for the Deputy President, Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday, 24 November 2017, pay a courtesy call on President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of the Republic of Angola.
 
President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço is on a State Visit to South Africa from 23 – 24 November 2017.
 
Members of the media are invited as follows:
 
Date: Friday, 24 November 2017
Time: 17h00 (members of the media to arrive at 16h30)
Venue: Johnny Makhathini Diplomatic Guesthouse, 201 Matroosberg Rd, Waterkloof, Pretoria.
 
Members of the media wishing to cover the courtesy call are requested to RSVP with Jermina Lebepe by providing their names, Identity and or Passport numbers to jermina@presidency.gov.za or 081 303 6131.

 
Enquiries: Tyrone Seale – 083 575 7440
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Sunday 26 November 2017 participate in a National Day of Prayer hosted by the Motsepe Foundation and various religious and faith-based organisations.

The event will be staged at the FNB Stadium near Nasrec, Johannesburg, and will feature a broad range of religious denominations and communities of faith.

Among the responsibilities delegated to the Deputy President by President Jacob Zuma is the championing of social cohesion and moral regeneration in the country, in partnership with various sectors of society.

Religious and faith-based organisations have at various times in the history of South Africa prayed and brought South Africans together to deal with the serious and grave challenges and problems of the time.

There have been previous discussions between the Motsepe Foundation and the faith community concerning the serious and far-reaching challenges facing all South Africans and the need to hold a National Day of Prayer, the purpose of which encompasses prayer for the unity of all South Africans of all races and languages; prayer for the poor, unemployed and marginalised, and prayer for God’s guidance, leadership and blessings for a bright future for all South Africans.

Prominent South African Kings and Traditional Leaders will also be attending the National Day of Prayer and have also asked their people to attend the National Day of Prayer which will be in progress from 08h00 to 16h00.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will attend the service between 07h00 and 10h45.


Enquiries: Tyrone Seale, Acting Spokesperson for the Deputy President on 083 5757 440
 
Issued by: The Presidency 
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will, in his capacity as Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), address the World Aids Day national commemoration event at the Walter Sisulu University Stadium, Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
 
South Africa will observe World AIDS Day 2017 under the theme, “It is my right to know my status. Prevention is my responsibility”. The theme encourages South Africans to make their actions count and to take personal and collective responsibility to prevent new HIV and TB infections. 
 
In a recorded message ahead of World Aids Day, Deputy President Ramaphosa said: “This is a time to remember those that we have lost to the twin epidemics of AIDS and Tuberculosis. It is also a time to reflect on the extraordinary progress that we’ve made as a nation in the fight against AIDS and TB. It is also a time when we recommit ourselves to the achievement of an AIDS-free generation”.
 
As part of the World AIDS Day activities, Deputy President Ramaphosa will engage in a dialogue session with traditional leaders at The Great Palace, Bhumbane, Mthatha.
 
World AIDS Day is commemorated internationally each year on 1 December and is an opportunity for everyone to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support to those infected and affected and to remember those who passed on from diseases associated with HIV.
 

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa, address the Science Forum South Africa tomorrow, Thursday 7 December 2017.
 
The Forum takes place in the main (Diamond) Auditorium at the CSIR Convention Centre on Meiring Naude Rd, Brummeria, Pretoria.
 
This Science Forum is an annual event organised at the initiative of the Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor. The Forum promotes vibrant debate on the role of science in society and has achieved global acclaim for being Africa’s premier public platform for the science-and-society debate.
 
The 2017 Forum is focused on promoting Pan African cooperation in science and technology and the role of innovation in promoting inclusive development.
 
Minister Pandor and the African Union Commissioner of Human Resources, Sciences and Technology, H.E Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor, will set the strategic focus and orientation for discussion at the opening of the Forum.
 
Media are invited as follows:
 
Time: 9:00
Venue: CSIR Convention Center, Diamond Auditorium
RSVP to Nangamso Gxaba on 072 321 6355 / Nangamso@presidency.gov.za
 

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Sunday 24 December 2017, received on behalf of President Jacob Zuma a memorandum from a delegation of KhoiBushmen Liberation Walkers.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa received the memorandum near the Nelson Mandela statue in the Union Buildings gardens where the group of four had set up camp to highlight land and identity issues.
 
On receiving the memorandum, Deputy President Ramaphosa assured the delegation that the memorandum would be given the necessary consideration.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa also informed the group of the passage by the National Assembly of a Bill that gives recognition to the Khoisan community and its heritage.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa said the next step would be the submission of the Bill to the National Council of Provinces.
 
This process demonstrated government’s determination to attend to the concerns of this community in a responsible and consultative manner.
 

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Fellow South Africans,
 
It is a special honour for me to join you on the eve of Christmas 2017, at a time when all of us are devoting our attention to family and friends and celebrating the season of goodwill and peace.
 
2017 was made special by our celebration of the centenary year of our liberation leader, Oliver Reginald Tambo.
 
Oliver Tambo embodied our constitutional values of democracy, human rights and social justice.
 
His personal qualities of selflessness, integrity, trustworthiness, empathy and diligence should inspire all of us to follow in his footsteps as we work to unite our society and eradicate abuse, racism, sexism and prejudice.
 
2017 was a year in which, despite progress in many important areas that we have made, we continued to see the devastating effect of unemployment on individuals, families and communities.
 
That is why, as we reflect on the achievements and challenges of the last year, we must reaffirm our determination to build an economy that serves all our people.
 
We must enter the New Year determined to redouble our efforts to build a society in which all are safe, secure and feel valued.
  
We need to work together as social partners to focus on our economy by removing all the obstacles to investment and move South Africa to a higher level of growth.
 
The signs of recovery are there and we must all do all we can to ensure that we turn our economy around.
 
While December is a festive period for our nation, it is also a time when we observe World AIDS Day and we remember our brothers, sisters, parents, colleagues and others who have succumbed to illnesses associated with HIV.
 
We must remain focused on building a better society by implementing our National Development Plan with energy as well as with great urgency.
 
Our Vision 2030 remains the blueprint for inclusive growth, social cohesion and prosperity for all.
 
Under this Plan we will continue to develop skills that can help our country realise its developmental goals and address labour market issues.
 
We need more skilled managers, professionals, technicians, engineers and artisans.
 
We therefore encourage those who will be receiving their matric results in the next few days to investigate the possibilities that await them at universities, TVET colleges as well as community colleges.  Our challenges are many, but we have an even greater number of achievements to celebrate as South Africans.
 
During our 23 years of democracy, government, social partners and active citizens have created a South Africa where the provision of social services and amenities has helped to confront the legacy of apartheid. New schools, hospitals, clinics, factories, bridges, dams and airports tell the story of a South Africa that has indeed moved forward.
 
Finally, let us enjoy this festive season without causing harm to ourselves or others.
 
Let us use this time to reach out to needy members of our families and communities.
 
Let us travel across our beautiful country safely and responsibly.
 
Let us respect women, children and the elderly.
 
Let us be safe in our intimate relationships.
 
Let us rest and restore ourselves so that we can enter 2018 with a renewed determination to move South Africa further forward.
 
I thank you.
 
Ngiyabonga! Enkosi! Dankie! Kealoboga! Thank you! Muito obrigado!
 

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday 23 July 2019, officially open and address the 25 Years of Democracy Conference.

The Presidency, in partnership with Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), an independent research Institution, and the University of Johannesburg, working in concert with other stakeholders will host the 25 Years of Democracy Conference on 23 - 24 July 2019.

The 25 Years of Democracy Conference is centred around the themes on Governance and Leadership; Socio Economic Transformation and Citizenship  and Identity. Participants from across academia, organised business and civil society will offer insights on the consolidation of democracy and  encouraging active citizenry, reflecting on the last quarter century since the fall of apartheid. The official review of the Twenty-Five Year government  Report will also be presented at the two day conference. 

The 25 years of Democracy conference also aims to provide an in-depth reflective analysis and reporting guided by the following critical questions:
- What lessons for governance, socio-economic transformation and nation building can we learn from our recent past?  
- What are some critical success factors and challenges for realising the democratic promise?
- What will be the key drivers of change in the next 25 years of our democracy?  
- Where will South Africa be in another 25 years? 

In his State of the Nation address at the opening of the sixth democratic parliament, President Ramaphosa stated that South Africa has remarkably progressed in building a new nation where all citizens have equal rights and broadening opportunities in the last 25 years since democracy, whilst acknowledging that the nation remains confronted by severe challenges. The President went further to say that due to collaborative work, a firm foundation on which all may know peace, comfort and contentment, has been laid. 

The Minister in the Presidency, Mr Jackson Mthembu, will officially close the conference on 24 July 2019.

The President will deliver the opening address as follows:
Date: Tuesday 23 July 2019
Time: 07:00
Venue: Sanlam Auditorium, University of Johannesburg, Kingsway Campus, Auckland Park

Media wishing to attend the conference should RSVP to conference@25yearsdemocracy.co.za by 22 July 2019 no later than 13h00.


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

Issued by: The Presidency 
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 25 July 2019, preside over the signing of the Presidential Health Compact which is aimed at improving the quality of the South African healthcare system.
 
At the Presidential Health Summit of 2018 government and key stakeholders agreed on the development of a Presidential Health Summit Compact.
 
The event will take place at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa outside Pretoria.
 
In recent months, government, civil society, labour, health services users, business, private providers, academia, statutory councils, health professionals  and allied health workers held consultations with their respective constituencies and developed a plan that includes clear objectives, methods, timelines,  indicators and financial resources to effectively address challenges in health institutions.
 
To reflect this collaborative approach, the compact will be jointly signed by President Ramaphosa, Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize and representatives of stakeholder groups. This partnership is directed at ensuring that the agreed interventions are implemented by all sectors of society.
 
All key stakeholders will be accountable to each other and is expected to report back annually to the President on the progress made in improving the health system.
 
The Presidency will have oversight and will provide leadership to the implementing government departments, namely: Health, National Treasury, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Public Service and Administration, Public Works, Home Affairs and Science and Technology.
 
The Signing of the Presidential Health Compact will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 25 July 2019 
Time: 12h00 (Media to arrive at 11h00) 
Venue: Dr George Mukhari  Academic Hospital, Nursing College Auditorium, 3111 Setlogelo Drive, Unit 2, Ga-Rankuwa
 
Members of the media should send their details including ID/passport number not later than 24 July 2019 at 12h00 to Shadi Baloyi on shadib2@gmail.com or 072 571 6415.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency 
Pretoria