President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his heartfelt sadness at the passing in recent days of anti-apartheid cultural activists, performers and National Order of Ikhamanga recipients Mama Nomhle Nkonyeni and Jonathan “Johnny” Clegg.

“South Africa is a better place today due to the courage, resilience and irrepressible creativity of these two special icons from whom we are now taking our leave,” says President Ramaphosa.

Mama Nomhle Nkonyeni passed away on Wednesday, 10 July 2019, at the age of 77 and following a career of 55 years as an actor who performed  ground-breaking anti-apartheid theatre and mastered roles on stage and screen nationally and internationally.

“Mama Nomhle’s charisma and courage made her an extraordinary artist and compatriot who committed herself to the liberation of all South Africans and the broadening of South Africa’s cultural richness. She overcame the barriers of race and gender imposed by apartheid, to become a cultural icon, who was duly honoured with the National Order of Ikhamanga,” says President Ramaphosa.

The President has offered his sincere condolences to the Nkonyeni family as well as friends and associates of the late actor across the African continent and other parts of the globe.

President Ramaphosa’s thoughts and prayers are also with the family and friends of Johnny Clegg who passed away on Tuesday, 16 July 2019 in the presence of his family following an extended illness.

The award-winning singer, songwriter, anthropologist and academic was 66 years old.

“A beloved, inspirational and heroic voice has fallen silent and leaves all of us bereft of an exceptional compatriot and icon of social cohesion and non-racialism,” says President Ramaphosa.

The President has offered his condolences to Mr Clegg’s family, friends and followers, and the broad range of artists and organisations with whom he collaborated in South Africa and internationally during his performance career of four decades, in the course of which he sold more than five million albums.

“Johnny Clegg’s special relationship with Sipho Mchunu in Juluka, as well as with Dudu Zulu in Savuka, gave apartheid-era South Africa a window on the non-racial South Africa we were determined to achieve,” says the President.

“Johnny Clegg will always live on in our hearts and in our homes as we replay his stirring blend of cultural celebration and political resistance. We have lost a special patriot.”

In 2012, Mr Clegg became an Esteemed Member of the National Order of Ikhamanga – awarded in Silver – for his excellent contribution to and achievement in the field of bridging African traditional music with other music forms, promoting racial understanding among racially divided groups in South Africa under difficult apartheid conditions, working for a non-racial society and being an outstanding spokesperson for the release of political prisoners.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this afternoon, Thursday 18 July 2019, respond to the Budget Vote Debate in the National Assembly at 15:30. 

Yesterday, Wednesday 17 July 2019, the President presented the Presidency's 2019/2020 key priorities and will today respond to Parliaments debate on Budget Vote 1. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Rosslyn - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 10 November 2017, chair the final meeting of the Human Resource Development Council for the 2016/17 financial year at the Gauteng Automotive Learning Centre in Rosslyn, Pretoria.
 
The Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) chaired by Deputy President Ramaphosa is a national advisory body established by government to foster partnerships among various stakeholders with the aim of developing skills that can move the South African economy and society forward.
 
The HRDC brings together government, civil society sectors, organised business, professional bodies and higher-education institutions.
 
As part of showcasing the human resource development models adopted by various institutions, the Council holds quarterly meetings at various facilities where the skilling and training of people takes place. This showcase exposes HRDC stakeholders to possibilities for the development of best practice in human resource development.   
 
On Friday 10 November 2017, Deputy President Ramaphosa and council members will take a guided tour of the state-of-the-art training facilities at the Automotive Learning Centre where artisans are trained. 
 
The centre represents excellence in the training of automotive professionals and its programmes span the following:
 
- Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) (e.g. BMW, Nissan, Ford) 
- Automotive Component Manufacturing,
- Dealer networks and after-market services,
- Informal body and mechanical repairs sector, and
- Unemployed youth and ‘School Leavers’ programmes.
 
The Centre has achieved full accreditation with the Manufacturing Engineering and Related SETA (MerSETA).
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by Ministers and senior officials. 
 
Members of the media are invited to cover as follows:
Date: Friday, 10 November 2017
Venue: 99 Hendrick Van Eck Street
             Rosslyn, Akasia, Pretoria
Time: 08h00 (Media to arrive at 07h00)
 
For more information and accreditation please contact Sam Matome Bopape on 082 318 5251.
 

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

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, on Sunday 21 July 2019, deliver the eulogy at the funeral service of veteran freedom fighter Mr Lesibe Isaac “Bra Ike” Maphoto.
 

The funeral service at the Polokwane Cricket Club will commence at 08h00.
 
President Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral for this highly regarded liberation fighter who passed away on Saturday, 13 July 2019, at  the age of 88.
 
Bra Ike was a recipient of the National Order of Luthuli in Silver for his contribution to the struggle for freedom and democracy, and received the  Department of Military Veterans’ Order of Gold for bravery in 2012.
 
Bra Ike left South Africa in 1961 and underwent military and political training in Beirut and the former Soviet Union between 1961 and 1963 before joining the senior Luthuli Detachment of uMkhonto weSizwe.
 
He fought in the Wankie Sipolilo campaign against the South Rhodesian Army (now Zimbabwe) from December 1967. This campaign was an alliance between uMkhonto weSizwe and the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army to establish infiltration routes for liberation forces.
 
Bra Ike was captured by South Rhodesian forces in April 1968 and sentenced to death. His imprisonment of more than a decade ended in 1980 when he was released by the government of the newly independent Zimbabwe.
 
Media logistics enquiries: Takalani Mukwevho on 082 227 9308, Ishmael Selemale on 072 637 7665 or Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Monday, 13 November 2017, return to London where he will lead Team South Africa to the World Rugby Council announcement of the Rugby World Cup 2023 host venue.
 
The announcement is expected to take place in London on Wednesday, 15 November 2017.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa led Rugby World Cup Bid Team SA in September when it presented its case to host the 2023 tournament that will take place 200 years after the invention of the game of rugby by William Webb Ellis.
 
The South African bid has subsequently been named as the “clear leader” and “unanimous” choice of the Rugby World Cup board to host the 2023 tournament. This follows an exhaustive tendering, clarification and evaluation process. Contenders France and Ireland were rated second and third respectively.
 
The final decision rests with 26 World Rugby Council members who collectively exercise 39 votes and among whom a simple majority is required to secure the hosting rights. The three bidding countries do not vote.
 
Those eligible to vote in the secret ballot on 15 November are: Australia (3 votes), England (3), New Zealand (3), Scotland (3), Wales (3), Italy (3), Argentina (3), Canada (1), Japan (2), Georgia (1), Romania (1), USA (1), Asia Rugby (2), Oceania Rugby (2), Rugby Africa (2), Rugby Americas North (2), Rugby Europe (2), Sudamerica Rugby (2).
 
The announcement is scheduled for approximately 15h00 (SA time) on Wednesday, 15 November 2017, and will be broadcast live on SuperSport (Channel 201) from 14h30 as well as being live streamed by worldrugby.org.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa’s participation and leadership in this visit will once more demonstrate government’s support for and commitment to the effort to return the tournament to the African continent in the 21st century.
 
The high-powered delegation will again include Sport and Recreation Minister Thulas Nxesi, SA Rugby President Mark Alexander and Chief Executive Officer Jurie Roux, who laid out South Africa’s technically and commercially compelling case to host the tournament in in September.

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

President Jacob Zuma, on behalf of SADC, has noted with great concern the unfolding political situation in the Republic of Zimbabwe.

President Zuma has called for calm and restraint and has expressed hope that developments in Zimbabwe would not lead to unconstitutional changes of Government as that would be contrary to both SADC and African Union positions.
 
The President has urged the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Defence Force to resolve the political impasse amicably and has urged the Zimbabwean Defence Force to ensure that the maintenance of peace and security in the country is not compromised.
 
SADC will continue to closely monitor the situation and remains ready to assist where necessary to resolve the political impasse in keeping with established SADC Protocols and processes. 
 
 
Enquiries: Dr Bongani Ngqulunga on 082 308 9373 or bongani@presidency.gov.za 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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