Johannesburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Tuesday, 20 June 2017, attend and address the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Forum, Illovo, Johannesburg, Gauteng province. 

Media is invited to cover as follows: 
Date: Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Time: 15h00
Venue: Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), Illovo

For enquiries and accreditation please contact Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251.


Enquries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency Pretoria

The Office of the Deputy President wishes to advise media that Mr Ronnie Mamoepa, Spokesperson for Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, has taken ill and is receiving medical care.
 
Mr Mamoepa took ill in the early hours of Monday, 19 June 2017 and was transferred to hospital where he has undergone surgery.
 
The Deputy President visited Mr Mamoepa in hospital this evening, Tuesday, 20 June 2017.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa’s thoughts are with Mr Mamoepa’s family at this time and he wished Mr Mamoepa a speedy recovery.
 
In line with the wishes of the Mamoepa family and hospital staff in relation to privacy and management of Mr Mamoepa’s condition, visits will be permitted once Mr Mamoepa is transferred to a general ward from the intensive care unit.

 
For enquiries please contact Mr Tyrone Seale, Chief Director: Communications in the Office of the Deputy President, on 083 5757 440
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, on Wednesday, 17 April 2019, officiate the handover of three primary schools namely Enhlanhleni, Lembe and Ingweni Phaphama in Dannhauser, Utrecht and Vryheid situated in the Amajuba and Zululand District municipalities respectively in the KwaZulu- Natal province.

A single handover ceremony involving all three schools will be held at the Enhlanhleni Primary School in Dannhauser near Newcastle.

In partnership with the Adopt-A-School Foundation as the implementing agent, the schools were built under the Department of Basic Education’s  Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) with the objective of eradicating schools without water, sanitation and electricity and to  replace schools constructed from inappropriate material.

The partnership is in response to the President’s call for collaboration between government and civil society to realise the right of children to safety and dignity in educational facilities.

At the three schools in question, mud structures built by communities more than 30 years ago in some instances, have been replaced with modern brick and mortar structures with additional design elements that allow for a positive learning environment. The designs comply with current and future school requirements and complement the rural environment in which they are situated. 

Members of the media are invited for coverage.

Date: 17 April 2019 
Time: 09h00
Venue: Enhlanhleni Primary School, Dannhauser, Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal Province

Media RSVP and information: Terence Khala on 081 758 1546 or Terrence Manase on terrence@presidency.gov.za / 082 338 6708 


Media Enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707 or Elijah Mhlanga, Department of Basic Education Spokesperson on 083 580 8275

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Witzenberg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, Wednesday 21 June 2017, address the Partners in Agri Land Solutions (PALS) annual meeting at Kaleo Guest Farm in the Witzenberg Municipality near Ceres in the Western Cape at 19h00.
 
PALS is a private land reform initiative established by commercial farmers in the Witzenberg municipality, in partnership with local communities and all spheres of Government. The aim of the initiative is the creation of an enabling environment for the implementation of innovative land reform and economic empowering projects in line with the National Development Plan (NDP).
 
PALS also provides mentorship and training for emerging black farmers to become successful commercial farmers. 
 
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 21 June 2017
Time: 19h00
Venue: Kaleo Guest Farm, Witzenberg, near Ceres
  

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440 or Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa wishes South Africans well for the Easter holidays and has called for this period to be observed in a spirit of tolerance, consideration and safety.

The President has urged travelers to share the country’s roads with consideration for fellow road users – including pedestrians – and to follow all the rules of the road diligently and consistently.

In addition, says the President, law-enforcement agencies are on high alert and instructed to apply the law as stringently as possible for minor and serious offences alike.

President Ramaphosa says: “There is no reason that our Easter holidays should be remembered for the number of lives lost or injuries incurred on our roads; this should be a period of rest and enjoyment where everyone who leaves home, returns safely.

“Let us work together to prove that we can reduce death, injury and damage on our roads. It is our own behaviour that inflicts tragedy on families and costs on our economy. It is within us to change this.

“For those of us who will spend this period at home, let us make this a time of taking care of ourselves, our families and our neighbours. We should all be able to enjoy this time in conditions of safety so that all of us are available after these holidays to continue growing South Africa together.

“I offer my best wishes to religious communities and the nation at large for the long weekend ahead.”


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 22 April 2019 depart South Africa to undertake a Working Visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt to attend an emergency African Union (AU) Troika Summit convened to discuss the political and security situations in the Republic of Sudan and Libya.

President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi has called the Emergency Summit in his capacity as Chairman of the African Union. The AU Troika consists of Egypt, current Chair; South Africa, incoming Chair; and Rwanda, outgoing Chair. The Summit will also be attended by the AU Commission Chairperson, Mr   Moussa Mahamat Faki who is expected to report on the AU initiatives undertaken to resolve these crises. Mr Faki has just concluded a visit to Sudan.

South Africa is serving as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the period 2019-2020 and these political and security  challenges in Libya and Sudan are already before the UN Security Council.

President Ramaphosa has prioritized regional and continental peace, stability, security and integration and development and will attend the Emergency Summit to contribute towards the African Union’s stated goal of silencing the guns by 2020.

The President will be accompanied by Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu, Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and State Security, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday, 23 June 2017, chair the 18th Meeting of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) at the CSIR Convention Centre, Pretoria, Gauteng province.

Deputy President Ramaphosa chairs the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) which plays a critical role in mobilising various stakeholders behind the Human Resource Development Strategy for South Africa. The strategy aims to develop skills that serve the needs of the economy and support the national objectives of radical economic transformation, notably inclusive growth and development, among others.

In this regard, the 18th Council meeting will consider the following:

· An appraisal of the contribution of Science Councils to high level skills  and research and development as envisaged in the NDP and the HRD Strategy;
· Highlights of Skills Development Programmes offered by State Owned Enterprises & Corporations;
· Financing of Higher Education for the poor & “missing middle” students through a PPP;
· Progress update on the work of the HRDC Maths and Science Standing Committee;
· A Rapid Appraisal of the TVET Sector Performance since 1994, and
· Concept Document for the HRDC Members Adoption of TVET Colleges

Deputy President Ramaphosa and Council members will also undertake a guided tour of the CSIR research stations and engage with young scientists and researchers, as part the national focus on Youth Month.
 
Media is invited to cover as follows:
Date: Friday, 23 June 2017
Time: 08H00 – 09H30 (Media To Arrive At 07h00)
Venue: CSIR Convention Centre, Knowledge Centre, Building, 50 Meiring Naude Road, Pretoria


For enquiries and accreditation please contact, Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251or Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440 . 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Grand Patron of the National Orders, will this Thursday, 25 April 2019, bestow the 2019 National Orders Awards on distinguished local citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have played a momentous role towards building a free and peaceful democratic South Africa and improving the lives of South Africans in various ways. 

The National Orders are the highest awards that South Africa bestows, through the President of the Republic, upon citizens and members of the international community who have contributed meaningfully towards making the country a free democratic and successful nation, united in its diversity.

During the ceremony, President Ramaphosa will bestow the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, and the Order of the  Companions of OR Tambo to the deserving recipients. 

Details of the ceremony are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 25 April 2018 
Time: 10h00 (Media to arrive at 08h00 for the Ceremony)
Venue: Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria

Members of the media interested in covering the ceremony are requested to immediately send their names, ID/Passport numbers and media house to Tsakane Khambane on Tsakane@presidency.gov.za or 082 084 5566 by no later than 10:00 on Wednesday, 24 April 2019 . 

DRESS CODE: Members of the media are kindly requested to dress formal in suits or traditional attire. No jeans and takkies will be allowed.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Sandton - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Thursday 22 June 2017, receive a Regenesys Business School Lifetime Award for Leadership and address the awards ceremony at the Regenesys Campus in Sandton, Johannesburg.

The Lifetime Award for Leadership ceremony recognises businessmen and women who have excelled in business management and leadership.

The school consistently bestows awards on renowned business leaders across the world, to acknowledge their outstanding work in the business sector.

Regenesys Business School is ranked one of the top 5 business schools of South Africa in offering business and public sector programmes ranging from Higher Certificates to Masters Degrees, including flagship MBA. Since 1998, it has educated over 120 000 students from over 1 000 of the most reputable global organisations, across 195 countries.

Members of the media are invited as follows: 
Date: Thursday, 22 June 2017
Time: 19h30
Venue: Regenesys Campus, 4 Pybus Road (cnr. Katherine Street), Sandton, Johannesburg
 
 
Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440 or Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria – Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, as Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), today, 23 June 2017, chaired a successful 18th meeting of the Council at the CSIR Knowledge Commons, Pretoria.
 
The 18th HRDC meeting was proceeded by a guided tour to various Science and Technology research stations at the CSIR, where Deputy President Ramaphosa together with council members had the opportunity to witness high level research and development opportunities offered at the nano technology centre. Further, the Deputy President and council members received progress report on the work of CSIR in relation to their funding, research, innovation and human capital development.   
 
Council approved the Terms of Reference of the Standing Committee on Maths and Science. The Committee is responsible to develop strategies to address the current challenges facing schooling outcomes and training of Science and Maths teachers.
 
With regards to the support and funding model for the poor and the “missing middle” students, the Council, received progress achieved by the Department of Higher Education and Training in determining the alternative financing and operating models for funding. Meaningful consideration will be made on clarifying the legislative framework, based on public policy findings, and recommendations of the Presidential and Ministerial 
Task Team.    
 
The Department of Public Enterprises provided an appraisal to council, on State Owned Companies (SOCs) contribution to scarce and critical skills in response to government’s various skills development policy frameworks. The Council agreed on facilitating an integrated approach for skills development with regards to training of artisans and strategies for skills retention.  
 
The Council further, noted a steady progress achieved in building strong partnership between industry and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges through programmes such as, the Adopt-A-College, Institutional exchanges and Operation Phakisa. In this regard, the council further noted the challenges of funding, capacity building through alignment between industry and curriculum development, including dealing with the challenges of certification of graduates. Furthermore, the council expressed the need to embark on an Imbizo/Phakisa approach in dealing with the challenges facing the TVET sector.
 
In conclusion, emphasised the need for a more coordinated approach in addressing the Human Resource Development challenges of our country. 


Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria