President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, 15 May 2019, receive Letters of Credence from Ambassadors and High Commissioners-designate who have been designated by the governments of twelve (12) countries to serve in diplomatic missions in South Africa.

Tomorrow’s credentials ceremony will take place at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.

Heads of Mission-designates from the following countries are due to advance diplomatic relations between their home countries and South Africa: Ukraine, Republic of Montenegro, Republic of Botswana, Republic of Guinea, Japan, Hellenic Republic of Greece, Republic of Iraq, Republic of Italy, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dominican Republic, Argentine Republic, and the Republic of Serbia.

 Details of the event are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 15 March 2019
Time: 15h00 (media to arrive at 13h30 for the Ceremony)
Venue: Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria

Members of the media should send their names and ID/Passport numbers to Nangamso Gxaba on Nangamso@presidency.gov.za or 072 321 6355. Members of the media are also requested to present their valid press cards at the point of entry to access the venue.

Members of the media are kindly requested to wear attire that is in keeping with the decorum of this ceremony.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The structure of Cabinet in the sixth administration will enable government to focus on generating higher economic growth, creating more jobs and serving the people of South Africa better.

President Cyril Ramaphosa provided this assurance during his interaction today, Wednesday 15 May 2019, with a forum of chief executive officers, chief information officers, chief financial officers and chairpersons of leading companies and financial institutions across all industry sectors from   South Africa and other parts of the continent.

The President’s interaction with business leaders representing assets under management of $400 billion formed part of a forum convened by Goldman Sachs.

Goldman Sachs is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals.

The interaction with the President focused on government’s plans to achieve higher growth during the sixth administration and in the coming two decades.

President Ramaphosa said the outcome of the national and provincial elections on Wednesday, 08 May 2019, was a demonstration of confidence in the governing African National Congress and expressed the expectation of citizens for a better life, an end to corruption and economic growth.

The President said the incoming administration would focus on implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) and plans that feed into the NDP, and implementation would be driven by “men and women with great competence and capability to serve the people of South Africa so that we can secure economic growth”.

President Ramaphosa acknowledged that weaknesses existed within state-owned enterprises but said work had begun to strengthen governance and the financial standing of state-owned enterprises including Eskom.

On land reform, President Ramaphosa reiterated government’s commitment to a program me of land reform that will unfold within the framework of the Constitution and the law.

The President said this programme would be orderly and would entail participation by all South Africans.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Adv Hermione Theresa Cronje as head of the Investigating Directorate in the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions.

In March 2019 President Ramaphosa proclaimed the establishment of an Investigating Directorate in the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions, in terms of Section 7(1) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, 1998 (Act No.32 of 1998).

The Investigating Directorate is tasked with investigating common law offences including fraud, forgery, uttering, theft and any offence involving dishonesty.

President Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 13(1)(b) read with Section 14 of the National Prosecuting Authority Act appointed Adv Cronje as an Investigating Director for a period of five years with effect from 15 May 2019.

Adv Cronje has a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government (2010); and a BA (1993) and LLB (1996) from the University of Cape Town.

From 1998 to 2012, she was employed in various capacities in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa - first as an assistant to the first National Director of Public Prosecutions; as founding member of the Asset Forfeiture Unit, and for 10 years as Regional Head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit in the Western Cape.

In her last year in the NPA she was involved in the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Task Team (ACTT), a multi-agency task team established to investigate, prosecute and recover the assets of persons involved in large-scale corruption.

Since 2013, Adv Cronje has been engaged as a consultant on behalf of the Stolen Assets Recovery Initiative (StAR) - a joint initiative of the World Bank and UNODC. In this capacity she has worked as an advisor and mentor to asset recovery and anti-corruption units in Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, Kenya, Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine, Moldova and Sri Lanka.

She is also a practising advocate of the High Court of South Africa.

In 2017 she drafted a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Study on the Effective Management and Disposal of Seized and Confiscated Assets.

The Investigating Directorate she will lead in her new role will attend to statutory offences including but not limited to contraventions of:

• The Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 6 of 2000;
• The Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1988;
• The Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act 33 of 2004;
• The Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999;
• The Municipal Management Act 56 of 2003;
• The Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001; and
• Any other statutory offence involving dishonesty.

In addition, the directorate will investigate any unlawful activities relating to serious, high-profile or complex corruption including but not limited to offences or criminal or unlawful activities arising from current commissions and enquiries.


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

Issued by:The Presidency
Pretoria

The Presidency has noted media reports that President Ramaphosa is expected to announce the members of the new executive tomorrow, Monday  27  May 2019. 

The Presidency wishes to advise that the announcement will be made later in the week.

The Constitution of the Republic stipulates that the President must assume office within five days of being elected by the National Assembly – and thereafter appoint a Cabinet and assign its powers and functions.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is emphatic that the new executive must possess requisite skills, experience, representivity and a commitment to the public services that will take the work of the 6th administration forward.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Wednesday, 29 May 2019, address the nation on the composition of the National Executive from the Union   Buildings in Tshwane.

Members of the media are invited for coverage as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Time: 20h00 (Media to arrive at 18h00)
Venue: The Union Buildings, Media Centre

RSVP: Members of the media wishing to cover this address are requested to RSVP with Terrence Manase with their full details (Name, Media house, ID/Passport number, contact details) – 082 338 6707/terrence@presidency.gov.za


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed  best wishes to the South African Cricket team, the Proteas, ahead of their 2019 World Cup opening match against England on Thursday, 30 May 2019.

“We have a very strong and formidable cricket team and we hope they will continue to fly the South African flag high. On behalf of government and all the people of South Africa we wish them the best for the World Cup. May they perform to the best of their ability and make our nation proud,” said   President Ramaphosa.

The 2019 World Cup commences tomorrow with the first One Day International between South Africa and England at the London Oval. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Fellow South Africans,

In the election of the 8th of May, South Africans provided this administration with a clear mandate to accelerate inclusive economic growth, act with greater urgency to tackle poverty, improve government services, fight corruption and end state capture.

If we are to give effect to this mandate, we need a capable, efficient and ethical government. 

Today, we are announcing some of the outcomes of the reconfiguration of national government.

As I indicated in the State of the Nation Address in February 2018:

“It is critical that the structure and size of the state is optimally suited to meet the needs of the people and ensure the most efficient allocation of public resources.”

In undertaking this review, we have been guided by the need to build a modern developmental state that has the means to drive economic and social transformation, to embrace innovation and to direct effort and resources towards where they will have the greatest impact.

All South Africans are acutely aware of the great economic difficulties our country has been experiencing and the constraints this has placed on public finances.

It is therefore imperative that in all areas and spheres of government, we place priority on revitalising our economy while exercising the greatest care in the use of public funds.

To promote greater coherence, better coordination and improved efficiency, we have combined a number of portfolios, thereby reducing the number of Ministers from 36 to 28.

• Trade and Industry is combined with Economic Development
• Higher Education and Training is combined withScience and Technology
• Environmental Affairs is combined with Forestry and Fisheries
• Agriculture is combined with Land Reform and Rural Development
• Mineral Resources is combined with Energy
• Human Settlements is combined with Water and Sanitation
• Sports and Recreation is combined with Arts and Culture

We had already combined the portfolios of Communications andTelecommunications and Postal Services.

We have also decided to add responsibility for infrastructure to thePublic Works portfolio and to add responsibility for employment to the Labour portfolio.

If we are to make effective progress in building the South Africa that we all want, it is important that we deploy into positions of responsibility people who are committed, capable and hard-working, and who have integrity.

In appointing a new national executive, I have taken a number of considerations into account, including experience, continuity, competence, generational mix and demographic and regional diversity.

The people who I am appointing today must realise that the expectations of the South African people have never been greater and that they will shoulder a great responsibility.

Their performance – individually and collectively – will be closely monitored against specific outcomes. Where implementation is unsatisfactory, action will be taken.

I have decided to make the following appointments to the National Executive:

• The Deputy President is David Mabuza.
• The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is Thoko Didiza.
• The Deputy Ministers are Sdumo Dlamini and Mcebisi Skwatsha.
• The Minister of Basic Education is Angie Motshekga.
• The Deputy Minister is Dr Regina Mhaule.
• The Minister of Communications is Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
• The Deputy Minister is Pinky Kekana.
• The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
• The Deputy Ministers are Parks Tau and Obed Bapela.
• The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
• The Deputy Minister is Thabang Makwetla.
• The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheriesis Barbara Creecy.
• The Deputy Minister is Maggie Sotyu.
• The Minister of Employment and Labour is Thulas Nxesi.
• The Deputy Minister is Boitumelo Moloi.
• The Minister of Finance is Tito Mboweni.            
• The Deputy Minister is Dr David Masondo.
• The Minister of Health is Dr Zwelini Mkhize.
• The Deputy Minister is Dr Joe Phaahla.
• The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology is Dr Blade Nzimande.
• The Deputy Minister is Buti Manamela.
• The Minister of Home Affairs is Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
• The Deputy Minister is Njabulo Nzuza.
• The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation is Lindiwe Sisulu.
• The Deputy Ministers are Pam Tshwete and David Mahlobo.
• The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is Dr Naledi Pandor.
• The Deputy Ministers are Alvin Botes and Candith Mashego-Dlamini.
• The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services is Ronald Lamola.
• The Deputy Ministers are John Jeffery and Inkosi Phathekile Holomisa.
• The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy is Gwede Mantashe.
• The Deputy Minister is Bavelile Hlongwa.
• The Minister of Police is General Bheki Cele.
• The Deputy Minister is Cassel Mathale.
• The Minister in the Presidency is Jackson Mthembu.
• The Deputy Minister in the Presidency is Thembi Siweya.
• The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
• The Deputy Minister is Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize.
• The Minister of Public Enterprises is Pravin Gordhan.
• The Deputy Minister is Phumulo Masualle.
• The Minister of Public Service and Administration is Senzo Mchunu.
• The Deputy Minister is Sindy Chikunga.
• The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is Patricia De Lille.
• The Deputy Minister is Noxolo Kiviet.
• The Minister of Small Business Development is Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
• The Deputy Minister is Rosemary Capa.
• The Minister of Social Development is Lindiwe Zulu.
• The Deputy Minister is Henrietta Bogopane-Zulu.
• The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture is Nathi Mthethwa.
• The Deputy Minister is Nocawe Mafu.
• The Minister of State Security is Ayanda Dlodlo.
• The Deputy Minister is Zizi Kodwa.
• The Minister of Tourism is Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane.
• The Deputy Minister is Fish Mahlalela.
• The Minister of Trade and Industry is Ebrahim Patel.
• The Deputy Ministers are Fikile Majola and Nomalungelo Gina.
• The Minister of Transport is Fikile Mbalula.
• The Deputy Minister is Dikeledi Magadzi.

These men and women we have appointed to the executive are drawn from all corners of our country.

For the first time in the history of our country, half of all Ministers are women.

We have also included a significant number of young people.

This is in fulfillment of our commitment to giving young people roles of responsibility in all sectors of society.

This is part of a generational transition in which we are creating a pipeline of leaders to take our country further into the future. 

In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation to all those outgoing members of the Executive who served the country so ably in the Fifth Administration.

We continue to value their experience, skills and contribution, and will give them suitable responsibilities where they will be able to serve the nation.

Allow me to express my gratitude to all the Members of the incoming Executive for making themselves available to serve the nation, and I wish them all the best in the execution of their responsibilities.
 
We have all been called upon to serve the people of this country, and we will do so to the utmost of our ability.

I thank you.

The swearing in ceremony for the Ministers and Deputy Ministers will take place today, 30 May 2019, at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria.

The new members of the National Executive were appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, 29 May 2019.

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng will preside over the ceremony. 

Media details
Date: 30 May 2019
Time: 15h00 (Members of the media to arrive at 13h30 through gate 10)
Venue: Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, Tshwane

Members of the media are requested to RSVP with Terrence Manase on terrence@presidency.gov.za or 082 338 6707 on or before 13h00.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 30 May 2019, host 70 Girl-learners of Grade 10-12 from various schools around Gauteng and Western Cape as part of the Take a Girl Child to Work programme to be held at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.

Hosted by the Presidency Employee Health and Wellness Unit, Take-A-Girl-Child to Work is national initiative by Cell C that seeks to expose girl children to a work environment, positive role models and offer them an opportunity to make informed career decisions based on the real work   experience.

The annual event also aims to inspire girl children across the country to pursue their goals and ambitions without hindrance as well as to reach their full potential especially in relation to careers that were previously perceived as being male-orientated.

The Presidency will expose the girl-learners to various activities such as touring the Union Buildings precinct; presentation on the overview of the Presidency and work opportunities; bursary opportunities by Funza Lushaka; Department of Higher Education and Training presentation on Scarce and Critical Skills; NSFAS fund and motivational talks.

President Ramaphosa joined by Deputy President David Mabuza will handover certificates of participation to Girl learners.

Members of the media are invited to a Photo Opportunity as follows:
Date: Thursday, 30 May 2019
Time: 12h00 (Media to arrive at 11h00)
Venue: Room 159, Union Buildings, Tshwane

Members of the media wishing to cover the Photo Opportunity are requested to send their details including ID/Passport to Shadi Baloyi on 072 571 6415 or shadi@presidency.gov.za.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted and received the Democratic Alliance (DA) petition presented to the Office of the Deputy President on Wednesday, 02 August 2017, which relates to proceedings in Parliament on Tuesday, 8 August 2017.
 
The matters raised in the petition will be dealt with by the National Assembly on 8 August 2017.

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