Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will, in his capacity as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho, undertake a Working Visit to Maseru tomorrow, Wednesday 9 August 2017.
 
The visit of the Facilitator takes place against the backdrop of the June 3, 2017 general elections in the Kingdom which saw the inauguration of a new Coalition Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Thomas Thabane.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will consult with the new Government, leaders of opposition parties, the college of chiefs and civil society stakeholders in the Kingdom, charting the path for the full implementation of SADC decisions on Constitutional and Security Sector Reforms.
 
The SADC Extraordinary Summit that took place in the Kingdom of Swaziland on the 18th of March this year, had mandated the Facilitator, supported by the Oversight Committee, to conduct a multi-stakeholder national dialogue with the aim of building consensus and trust among all stakeholders and guiding a roadmap for the implementation of SADC decisions.
 
This process could not be undertaken before the June 3 elections in Lesotho as political parties had demanding elections campaign schedules.
 
Following these successful elections and the appointment of a Coalition Government, conditions have made it possible for continuation of the national dialogue and the reform process.
 
The Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa, will be expected to provide a report to the SADC Double Troika Summit taking place in Pretoria, South Africa on 18 August  2017 where the Lesotho Government is also expected to table a reforms roadmap.
 
The Deputy President will be accompanied by the Oversight Committee which provides on-going monitoring of the political and security situation in Lesotho.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will begin his engagements by paying a courtesy call to His Majesty, King Letsie III.

 
Enquiries:
 
Tyrone Seale - +27 83 5757 440: Acting Spokesperson for Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Maseru - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in his capacity as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho, concluded a Working Visit to Maseru.
 
The visit on Wednesday, 9 August 2017 took place against the backdrop of the June 3, 2017 general elections in the Kingdom which saw the inauguration of a new Coalition Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Thomas Thabane.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa, accompanied by Retired Justice Frederick Wereme, Chairperson of the SADC Oversight Committee on Lesotho, consulted with the new Government, leaders of opposition parties, the college of chiefs and civil society stakeholders in the Kingdom, charting the path for the full implementation of SADC decisions on Constitutional and Security Sector Reforms.
 
The Working Visit by Deputy President Ramaphosa formed part of preparations for the Facilitator and the Government of Lesotho to provide reports on the reforms process to the SADC Double Troika Summit in Pretoria, South Africa on 17 August 2017.
 
Upon concluding his multi-sectoral consultations Deputy President Ramaphosa said he was encouraged by the various stakeholders' commitment to peace and stability in the Kingdom and said the consultations would enable SADC to develop appropriate support for the country.
 
During the visit, Prime Minister Thomas Thabane indicated that planning was underway for a multiparty dialogue that would complement a national multi-stakeholder dialogue which enjoys the support all major constituencies in Lesotho and is expected to frame the reform process in the Kingdom.

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

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday, August 11 2017, deliver the eulogy at the funeral of the late Judge George Maluleke, who has passed away at the age of 76.

Judge Maluleke passed away on Tuesday 8 August 2017 while on retirement from a distinguished legal career in which he was appointed a High Court Judge in 1993, following a period of acting as a judge at the Venda High Court.

The funeral service will take place at the Memorial Park Fourways, 1 Memorial Lane, Craigavon, Johannesburg, at 09h00.

In December 2016, Deputy President Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address on the occasion of Judge Maluleke’s retirement from the Bench.


Enquiries: Tyrone Seale: Acting Spokesperson for the Deputy President – 083 5757 440

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday 11 August 2017, pay a courtesy call on Her Excellency, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Republic of Liberia.
 
The courtesy call forms part of the State Visit to South Africa by President Johnson Sirleaf, who will be received tomorrow by President Jacob Zuma for deliberations that will further strengthen relations between South Africa and the Republic of Liberia.
 
For the courtesy call, Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperations, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
 
Media are invited as follows:
 
Date: Friday, 11 August 2017
Time: 17h00
Venue: Johnny Makhathini Diplomatic Guesthouse, Waterkloof‚ Pretoria
 
Dress code: No jeans, takkies, T-shirts
 
Contact for the photo-opportunity:
Mr Matome Sam Bopape: Office of the Deputy President - 082 318 5251
 
Enquiries:
Tyrone Seale: Acting Spokesperson for the Deputy President – 083 5757 440

 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Office of the Deputy President wishes to correct several media reports relating to events marking the fifth anniversary of the tragedy at Marikana.

Reports to the effect that Deputy President Ramaphosa has indicated his intention to visit Marikana on the anniversary are incorrect.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is committed to be part of the initiative proposed by Ms Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

The feelings and wishes of the Marikana community and the families of the victims are of paramount importance in this sensitive process.


Enquiries:
Tyrone Seale – 083 5757 440
Acting Spokesperson for the Deputy President

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Soshanguve - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will, in his capacity as Chair of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), participate in the launch of the Religious Leaders’ Dialogue Series and HIV Testing Services Campaign on Thursday, 17 August 2017.

The launch will take place at the Soshanguve Community Hall, Pretoria, at 08h00.

The dialogue series is organised under the theme "Your faith, Your Health". Partners in this initiative are:

•  the South African Network of Religious Leaders living with or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (SANERELA+);
•  the International Network of Religious Leaders living with or Personally affected by HIV and AIDS(INERELA);
•  The SANAC Civil Society Forum, and 
•  Show Me Your Number HIV Prevention Project. 

The purpose of this engagement is to launch a series of religious dialogues with men and boys with the aim of promoting HIV testing services, and broaden access to healthcare services. In this regard, mobile healthcare services such as HIV Testing, Screening for Diabetes, Blood pressure and TB, will offered to members of the surrounding communities at the launch.   

In addition, it is also a platform to address issues of gender-based violence. The dialogues will further identify religious leaders who will be agents of change to support this course across provinces.

The dialogues will culminate in the presentation of a report to the bi-annual Men’s Parliament named Takuwani Riime that will be hosted in Parliament in Cape Town on 19 November 2017 as part of commemorating International Men’s Day.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will be joined by UNAIDS Country Director Dr. Mbulawa Mugabe and the following SANAC Men’s Sector Deputy Chairperson: Dr. Matome Kganakga; Mr Mabalane Mfundisi from the sport, arts & culture sector; actor and founder of AfriMAN Rising campaign Sello Maake ka Ncube; musician Mr Nkosikhona “Khuzani” Mpungose who is an ambassador of the Ubuntu Initiative, as well as various leaders from different civil society sectors.

Media are invited to cover the event as follows:
Date: Thursday, 17 August 2017
Time: 08H00
Venue: Soshanguve Community Hall, Block H

For accreditation please contact:  Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251 or Nelson Dlamini 078 731 0313


Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Saturday, 26 August 2017, lead a Youth Development and Career Expo in the Western Cape.
 
The expo will be staged at the False Bay Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College, Mew Way, Khayelitsha.
 
The Youth Development and Career Expo forms part of and will wrap up the Department of Higher Education and Training’s TVET Month under the theme “Promoting Success and Creating Employable Students through Vocational Education and Training”.
 
The 26 August event will focus on the TVET sector, partnering with False Bay TVET College –thereby responding to the call to support the activities of TVET month.
 
TVET Month positioned the TVET College Sector as the first choice for prospective students to complete a qualification in higher education and training and to overcome perceptions of TVET qualifications as inferior. 
 
The Expo aims to empower young people around: career choices and post-school training opportunities; access to further education and training; adopting  healthy lifestyles among young people; the prevention of  substance abuse and HIV infection, and access to information on starting and sustaining small businesses.
 
As a build-up towards the expo, the False Bay TVET College has provided prospective learners, their guardians or parents with all they need to know to make a good career choice during their open day.
 
On 26 August, the expo will feature exhibitions by various stakeholders, stakeholder engagement with the learners (both current and prospective), offering of services (registration of CVs, health services) and a keynote address by Deputy President Ramaphosa. 
 
The expo in the Western Cape province will be the sixth to be hosted by the Deputy President. The Deputy President has hosted expos in Gauteng, North West, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape. 
 
Enquiries: Tyrone Seale 083 575 7440
 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will answer questions in the National Assembly tomorrow, Wednesday, 23 August 2017, to brief Parliament on a range of key national issues such as government’s quest to align the post-school sector to the country's human resource development strategy, and on measures to improve investor confidence in State-Owned Enterprises.
 
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa chairs the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa (HRDCSA) and also leads government's efforts to turn around state-owned enterprises as part of securing economic growth.
 
Other updates by Deputy President Ramaphosa will include progress recorded by the Department of Labour in job creation. 
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will also respond to questions relating to his role as Leader of Government Business in the National Legislature.
 

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

On behalf of the government of the Republic of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his best wishes to Muslim compatriots as they celebrate Eid ul Fitr. 
 
This day marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan – during which time Muslims perform acts of charity and goodwill. The day of Eid-ul-Fitr also marks the beginning of Shawwal, the 10th Month of the Islamic calendar and is a time for family, community, generosity and compassion. 
 
It is an opportunity to renew and continue the values which unite us all: of tolerance, of respect, and of selflessness. It is tradition in the Muslim community that after performing the Eid prayer, money is paid to the poor and needy.
 
As South Africans collectively strive to alleviate the plight of the indigent, the destitute and the unemployed – the Muslim community’s charitable efforts are to be commended. 
 
The Thuma Mina message; that calls for an active citizenry infused with empathy for one’s fellow citizens – is aligned with one of the central tenets of the Islamic faith, namely to help others regardless of race, colour or creed.
 
As our nation works to Grow South Africa together, the President lauds the efforts of the Muslim community in alleviating poverty in our country, saying “We share a common goal – to build a society rooted in the founding values of our Constitution.”
 
In the spirit of Thuma Mina, in the spirit of renewal of our society, and in the spirit of fellowship, the President wishes all Muslims well as they celebrate Eid ul Fitr with their friends, families and loved ones.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to the family and friends of veteran journalist and editor Mr Raymond Louw. Mr Louw, 91, passed away this morning in a Johannesburg hospital. 
 
“With the passing of Mr Louw the country has lost a brave and principled journalist and a champion of press freedom. Throughout his illustrious career he reminded us of the critical importance of media freedom to the health of our democracy.”
 
 “The loss of this respected media stalwart is all the sadder that it comes a day after the passing of his wife, Jean. I offer my deepest sympathies to the family,” the President added.
 
Louw, a former editor of the acclaimed Rand Daily Mail and Sunday Times, was the recipient of numerous accolades such as the Pringle Medal for services to journalism, the Media Institute of Southern Africa's Media Freedom Award, the Mondi-Shanduka Newspaper Lifetime Achiever Award and the International Press Institute award for Press Freedom Campaigning. He also served as Deputy Chairperson of the Media Freedom subcommittee of the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF).
 
Louw was also a mentor to a number of young journalists who went on to take up senior positions in the local media industry. 
 
“The most fitting tribute to Mr. Louw would be that we strive to uphold the principles he held dear: a commitment to a free press, and to accurate, balanced and fair reporting,” President Ramaphosa said.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria