President Cyril Ramaphosa has today met with the Board of the South Africa Reserve Bank (SARB) at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse   in Tshwane .
 
The meeting, which was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance, representatives of the non-executive component of the SARB Board and the Governor of the Bank was called to discuss vacancies which have arisen in the executive leadership of the central bank. 
 
The vacancies are occasioned by the resignation of Deputy Governor Francois Groepe  in January 2019 and the expiry of Deputy Governor Daniel Mminele’s term at the end of June 2019. Governor Lesetja Kganyago’s legislated term of office expires in November 2019.
 
According to the South African Reserve Bank Act, the Bank is managed by a board of fifteen directors including the Governor, three Deputy Governors and three other directors, all of whom are appointed by the President after consultation with the Minister of Finance and the Board.
 
The President has welcomed the engagement with the Board and will be applying his mind to its recommendations. 
 
The President has reiterated his commitment to safeguarding the high reputation the SARB enjoys in the international financial community and markets and committed to ensuring directors of a high calibre befitting the importance our country attaches to the SARB are appointed. 
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko: Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

On 29 May 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment of a reconfigured national executive following the recently held general elections. 

Delivering the announcement, the President committed to a process of further reforms to “promote coherence, better coordination and improved efficiency” of government. 

As part of these measures, the President has commenced with the process to conclude performance agreements with Ministers and Deputy Ministers. To strengthen accountability, further directed that the areas of responsibility of all Deputy Ministers must be clearly delineated. 

In the departments with two Deputy Ministers, the Ministers will be responsible for the overall functioning of the Ministry and Department and under the Minister’s direction and guidance, the responsibilities between the Deputy Ministers are delineated as follows:

Ministry of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development

•    Land Reform - Deputy Minister Mcebisi Skwatsha
•    Rural Development - Deputy Minister Sdumo Dlamini

Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

•    Local Government - Deputy Minister Parks Tau
•    Traditional Affairs - Deputy Minister Obed Bapela

Ministry of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

•    Human Settlements - Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete
•    Water and Sanitation - Deputy Minister David Mahlobo

Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services

•    Correctional Services - Deputy Minister Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa
•    Justice and Constitutional Development - Deputy Minister John Jeffery 

Announcements relating to the Ministries of International Relations and Cooperation and Trade and Industry will be made in due course.

The President has further announced the reconfiguration of old departments or the establishment of new departments to align them with the Ministries. 

Some departments remain mainly unchanged, but require changes to nomenclature to conform to Ministerial portfolio designations. The total number of departments has been reduced by five, stemming from mergers and the transfer of functions. 

The Ministers will oversee the following departments and entities as per their delegated portfolios:

The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is responsible for the newly reconstituted Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). This is a new department arising from a merger between the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR).

The Minister of Basic Education is responsible for the Department of Basic Education (DBE).  The DBE will lead an integrated ECD function in collaboration with the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Department of Health (DoH).

The Minister of Communications is responsible for the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT). This is a new department arising from a merger between the Department of Communications (DOC) and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS).

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is responsible for the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) and the Department of Traditional Affairs (DTA)

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is responsible for the Department of Defence (DoD) and the Department of Military Veterans (DMV).

The Minister of the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries is responsible for the Department of the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF). This department arises from the transfer of the functions of forestry and fisheries from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The Minister of Employment and Labour is responsible for the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL). This department will coordinate all government efforts to create jobs and reduce unemployment, and will be required to change its approach from mere compliance enforcement to facilitating job creation.

The Minister of Finance is responsible for the National Treasury (NT), the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and the Government Pensions Administration Agency. The Infrastructure Development Management System (IDMS) function, currently under the National Treasury, is transferred to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
    
The Minister of Health is responsible for the Department of Health (DoH)

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology is responsible for the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)

The Minister of Home Affairs is responsible for the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and the Government Printing Works (GPW)

The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation is responsible for the Department of Human Settlements (DHS) and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) 

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is responsible for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). 

The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services is responsible for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD), the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), and the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ).

The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy is responsible for the new Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). This department arises from a merger between the Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy.

The Minister of Police is responsible for the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Independent Police Investigation Directorate (IPID) and the Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service (CSPS)

The Minister in the Presidency is responsible for the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) including the National Planning Secretariat, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) and Brand SA

The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is responsible for the new Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). The DWYPD arises from the transfer of the youth function from the DPME and the function of people with disabilities from the Department of Social Development.

The Minister Public Enterprises is responsible for the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE). 

The Minister for the Public Service and Administration is responsible for the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), the National School of Government (NSG) and the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI).

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is responsible for the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). Over and above what it was previously responsible for, the department will assume coordinating responsibility for all public infrastructure development. 

The Minister of Small Business Development is responsible for the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD)

The Minister of Social Development is responsible for the Department of Social Development (DSD). 

The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture is responsible for the new Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC). This department arises from a merger between the Department of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Arts and Culture.

The Minister State Security is responsible for the State Security Agency (SSA). Processes are already under way to reorganize the SSA, based on the recommendations of the Review Panel Report on the State Security Agency. These changes will be communicated in due course.

The Minister of Tourism is responsible for the Department of Tourism (DT)

The Minister of Trade and Industry is responsible for the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). The Economic Development Department (EDD) is disestablished and incorporated into the dti. The Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) is transferred from the EDD to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).

The Minister of Transport is responsible for the Department of Transport (DoT) 

The President is, in line with the Public Service Act, the Executive Authority of the department, The Presidency. 

The Public Service Commission is responsible for the department, the Office of the Public Service Commission (OPSC).

All state-owned entities, development finance institutions (DFIs) and national regulatory institutions attached to ministries and departments of the Fifth Administration will move to the relevant ministries and departments of the Sixth Administration in line with the reconfiguration indicated above. 

National Macro Organisation of the Government (NMOG) governance structures have been set up to support the reconfiguration process. Consultation and ongoing communications shall be undertaken with the affected departments, clients and organised labour.

The redesign of organisational structures is limited to the realignment of macro organisational structures and exclude restructuring. Staff will transfer to new departments with their existing conditions of service. 

The reconfiguration of the national government in the sixth administration has seen a reduction of five departments from the fifth administration, stemming from mergers and the transfer of functions. To summarise what is stated above, the following ten departments are merged into five departments respectively:

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (without the forestry and fisheries portfolios) is merged with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform to form the new Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD);
The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services are merged to form the new Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT);
The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy are merged to form the new Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE);
The Department of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Arts and Culture are merged to form the new Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC); and
The Economic Development Department is merged into the Department of Trade and Industry to form the new Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic).

As previously stated by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, the project of reconfiguring government and the state is an ongoing process and there will be continuing review and monitoring of the work of the new departments. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Sunday 16 June 2019, deliver the keynote address at the National Youth Day event to be held at the Peter Mokaba Cricket Club in Polokwane, Limpopo Province.
 
President Ramaphosa will be supported by Deputy President David Mabuza, Ministers Nathi Mthethwa, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha and other Cabinet Ministers and members of the Limpopo Executive Council.  
 
The month of June has been declared Youth Month and it is a period set aside to pay tribute to the youth of 1976 for their activism. 
 
It is also a time to reflect on the progress made and address the challenges identified in order to drive the youth development agenda in South Africa.
 
This year’s Youth Month coincides with the commemoration of 25 years of Freedom and Democracy and it takes place under the theme “25 Years of Democracy: A Celebration of Youth Activism”. 
 
The theme seeks to encourage young people to join the ranks of active and responsible citizens by participating in democratic processes.
 
President Ramaphosa will commence the day by engaging with the youth in a Youth Development and Career Expo at a venue within the Polokwane Cricket Club.
 
The day will culminate with the President delivering a keynote address to the nation at the National Youth Day event at the Peter Mokaba Cricket Club.
 
During this month of youth, government and its agencies such as the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) will host a number of engagements, including youth expos, dialogues and youth entrepreneur hubs to showcase opportunities available to young people. A list of Youth Day build-up events can be accessed on https://bit.ly/2WPUeGJ
 
NATIONAL YOUTH DAY DETAILS:
 
Date: Sunday, 16 June 2019
Venue: Peter Mokaba Cricket Club, Polokwane, Limpopo
Time: 09h00
 
COLLECTION OF MEDIA PASSES FOR ACCREDITED MEDIA: 
 
Date: Saturday, 15 June 2019 
Time: 09h00 – 17h00
 
Date: Sunday, 16 June 2019
Time: 07h00 – 10h00
 
Venue: Polokwane New Council Chambers, Polokwane Central
 
For collections, please contact Garnet Maswanganyi on 078 650 3545
 
NOTE: Media Accreditation is closed.  

 
Media enquiries: Khusela Diko: Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707 
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning 17 June 2019, expressed devastation and sadness at the death of the twenty-four persons who lost their lives in a road accident on the R81 in Maphalle, Limpopo on Sunday.

It is understood the passengers were coming from the June 16 celebrations that took place in Polokwane. 

“The deaths of these people is heart breaking. It is absolutely devastating to lose so many young lives in this manner. On behalf of the government and the  people of South Africa, I send our deepest condolences to the bereaved families during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the  injured, we wish them a speedy recovery”, said President Ramaphosa.

Whilst the cause of the accident is being investigated, Presisent Ramaphosa says for as long as we continue losing so many lives on the road, government can never exhaust urging all road users to obey the rules of the road. 

The President has directed all affected authorities to promptly step up their actions to assist where necessary. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today met with members of the Eskom board at Genadendal Residence, Cape Town.  

The meeting, which was also attended by the Ministers of Finance, Mineral Resources and Energy and Public Enterprises, was called to establish alignment across government on the actions to be undertaken to stabilise the energy utility in light of its financial and operational challenges.

The Board presented a report on the implementation of the nine point plan, focusing on its key priorities being the need to ensure an uninterrupted power supply, cutting costs, driving efficiencies and increasing revenue through, amongst others, higher collection rates.

The President has reiterated to the board that the energy utility, Africa’s largest producer of electricity and one of our nation's most strategic assets, is  critical to South Africa’s growth and development. 

It is expected that the President will announce further measures to support Eskom’s efforts at recovery and financial and operational sustainability.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, Wednesday, 19 June 2019, interact with youth from various sectors and formations in a Presidential Youth Dialogue organised by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) in Cape Town. 

The Dialogue will provide a platform for young people to engage first hand with the President ahead of his State of the Nation Address taking place on Thursday, 20 June 2019. 

Under the theme “25 years of democracy – celebrating youth activism” about 200 participants will have an opportunity to suggest practical solutions to  challenges confronting them including a high rate of unemployment. 

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2019
Time: 16h00 (members of the media to arrive at 15h30)
Venue: Imbizo Media Centre, 120 Plain Street, Parliament, Cape Town.

Media RSVP: Terrence Manase – 082 338 6707 / terrence@presidency.gov.za. Please provide full names, media house and ID/Passport number.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed 13 members to the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities for a period of five years.

The appointment was made in terms of section 9(1) read with 13(1) of the Commission Act, 2002 (Act No 19 of 2002) .

The appointed members of the Commission are:

1. Prof. Luka David Mosoma
2. Dr Sylvia Mmamohapi Pheto
3. Ms Sheila Khama
4. Ms Tsholofelo Mosala
5. Mr Sicelo Dlamini
6. Dr Oscarine Nokuzola Mndende
7. Ms Nomalanga Tyamzashe
8. Ms Ramokone Tryphina Kgatla
9. Dr Muneer Abduroaf
10. Adv. Richard Botha
11. Prof. Pitika Ntuli
12. Mr Renier Schoeman
13. Mr Mandla Langa

The President has further appointed, in terms of section 12 of the Act, Prof. Luka Mosoma and Dr Sylvia Pheto as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Commission respectively.

President Ramaphosa has congratulated the Commissioners and wished them well in this critical role in ensuring social transformation and nation-building for the attainment of a truly united South African nation. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the appointment of five judges to the Supreme Court of Appeal. 

The appointments follows recommendations made by the Judicial Service Commission and are in line with prescripts of the Constitution of the Republicof South Africa.

In terms of the section 174 (6) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, the following judges have been appointed:

1) Justice Daniel Vuminkosi Dlodlo 
2) Justice Caroline Elizabeth Heaton Nicholls
3) Justice Fikile Eunice Mokgohloa 
4) Justice Yvonne Thokozile Mbatha
5) Justice Clive Michael Plasket 

The President has also in terms of section 174(3) of the Constitution appointed the Justice Xola Mlungisi Petse as Deputy Judge President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The President has wished the justices well in their new positions.

“These appointments - of which three are women, reflect government’s commitment to the ongoing transformation of the Bench,” President Ramaphosa said.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a working visit to Japan from 28 to 29 June 2019 during which the President will lead the South African delegation to the annual G20 Leaders’ Summit.

This will be President Ramaphosa’s first international engagement since his inauguration in May 2019 and since the reconfiguration of the National Executive.

This is the first time Japan will host the G20 Summit as well as the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting, the Foreign Ministers’  Meeting, and other ministerial meetings.

The Leaders’ Summit will be held in the city of Osaka while other meetings will be hosted at eight different locations throughout Japan.

The G20 was established in 1999 to increase multilateral cooperation for the recovery of the global economy, bring stability to the global financial system, promote long-term sustainable growth and to strengthen growth and global governance.

The 2019 Summit will focus on eight key themes spanning the global economy, trade and investment, innovation, environment and energy, employment, women’s empowerment, development and health.

These themes reflect, to a large degree, South Africa’s own national priorities, as set out in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address of Thursday, 20 June 2019.

South Africa’s participation in the Summit arises from South Africa’s international relations policy which is directed at creating a better South Africa and contributing to a better Africa and a better world. 

South Africa will leverage the Summit as a platform for securing financial and other support for infrastructure development; advancing the G20 Compact with Africa initiative and reinforcing the need for strong, sustainable, balanced and  inclusive growth at the national and global level.

South Africa will further seek to ensure G20 support for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa and developing regions and countries. This focus includes the combating of illicit financial flows which deprives Africa of resources that could otherwise be harnessed for development.

Since 2010, South Africa has co-chaired the Development Working Group of the G20.

Through this platform, South Africa has been able to support the Japanese Presidency’s deliverable on Human Capital Investment that brings together education and health.

Ahead of the Summit, President Ramaphosa will participate in the BRICS Leaders’ Meeting that will be chaired by Brazil.

The President will also convene the standing trilateral meeting of African Leaders in attendance at the G20 to exchange views with Egypt as Chair of the African Union (AU) and Senegal (NEPAD President) on African priorities for the Summit. 

President Ramaphosa will also join the China-Africa Leaders Meeting in which South Africa, Egypt, Senegal and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will participate.

The President will also hold a series of bilateral meetings with G20 Leaders during the course of the Summit.

Finally, President Ramaphosa will address a business round table engagement with Japanese business leaders. This session will be chaired by Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel.

The President will be accompanied by Minister of Finance Mr Tito Mboweni, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor and Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President, on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 26 June 2019, respond to the Debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament, Cape Town.
 
President Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address on 20 June 2019, with a focus on economic development, tackling poverty, inequality and unemployment. 
 
The President outlined seven priorities for greater impact and actions in moving South Africa forward, which are:
 
- Economic transformation and job creation
- Education, skills and health
- Consolidating the social wage through reliable and quality basic services
- Spatial integration, human settlements and local government
- Social cohesion and safe communities
- A capable, ethical and developmental state
- A better Africa and World  
 
Yesterday, representatives of all political parties participated in a parliamentary debate to explore, reinforce or critique the commitments and priorities as outlined during the President’s State of the Nation Address.

Today, the President will respond to the inputs made by elected representatives.
 
Details are as follows:
 
Date: Wednesday, 26 June 2019
Time: 14h00
Venue: National Assembly, Parliament, Cape Town
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 082 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria