The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement Ceremony in Maputo, Mozambique, tomorrow, Tuesday, 06 August 2019.
 
The Agreement follows the successful political dialogue between the Government of Mozambique and the Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO), which culminated with the signing of an agreement on Definitive Cessation of Military Hostilities, on 01 August 2019.
 
South Africa and Mozambique share cordial and fraternal bilateral, political, economic and social relations underpinned by strong historical ties dating back  from the years of the liberation struggle. South Africa’s attendance of the signing ceremony in Mozambique is in solidarity with the people of Mozambique  and in support of peace and stability in the country.
 
President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor.
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 082 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency 
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa is heartened by the recovery being made by Sdumo Dlamini, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, who is being treated in a Durban hospital after taking ill on 14 July 2019.
 
President Ramaphosa placed a phone call from Pretoria to Deputy Minister Dlamini in hospital today, Tuesday 06 August 2019.
 
The President was pleased to hear the Deputy Minister in good spirits and to learn from the Deputy Minister that he was making good progress.
 
The President wishes the Deputy Minister a speedy and full recovery.
 

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

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the National Planning Commission’s (NPC) initiative to review aspects of the National Development Plan in order to lead the country’s response to current difficulties in the economy, weaknesses in the state and social ills and challenges affecting   communities.
 
President Ramaphosa held discussions with the NPC, whose term expires in September 2019, at his Mahlamba Ndlopfu official residence in Pretoria today. This was the first NPC meeting with the President in the current political term and the first since Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu became Chair of the Commission, supported by Prof Malekgapuru Makgoba as Deputy Chairperson.
 
The Commission’s focus is on long-term development issues in the country, with the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) as the  Commission’s immediate concern. NPC members are respected thinkers who are expected to contribute fresh ideas and insights for long-term planning   to advance growth and development in South Africa.
 
The President was briefed that the Commission was in the process of reviewing progress in – as well as non-implementation in certain areas of - the NDP with a view to achieving better results in implementation of the Plan.
 
As part of this review, the NPC will investigate the capacity and capability of the state to measure implementation of NDP. The review will also touch on better alignment between the national Budget and implementation of the NDP.
 
To address current realities in the South African economy, the National Planning Commission has developed a focus on the priorities set out by the President in the June 2019 State of the Nation Address.
 
The Commission has developed indicators that will track progress in the creation of employment for young people; reduction in unemployment rates; support given to township and rural enterprises; the acceleration of land reform, with clear property rights; climate change resilience; the implementation of spectrum licensing; the restructuring of Eskom; new approaches to infrastructure development and increases in local procurement.
 
The Commission will also look at the country’s performance in terms of increasing public and private investment; the roll-out of a re-imagined industrial policy; expansion of trade with African markets and the doubling of tourist arrivals by 2030.
 
President Ramaphosa reaffirmed the National Development Plan as the country’s development blueprint but said periodic reviews and adjustments that responded to pressing realities were welcome.
 
The President urged the Commission to play a more visible role in leading national discussion on South Africa’s long-term development and providing clear positions on key issues in society.
 
He also invited the Commission to address government proactively on weaknesses in the public sector as and when those weaknesses were identified. The President foresees more direct and frequent engagement between the Commission and Cabinet. 
 
The President’s engagement with the NPC arose from the President’s assertion in the June 2019 State of the Nation Address that “we must restore the National Development Plan to its place at the centre of our national effort, to make it alive, to make it part of the lived experience of the South African people”.
 
The National Development Plan’s Vision 2030 is premised on the understanding that government alone cannot provide a decent standard of living; it requires determined and measurable actions from all social actors and partners across all sectors of society.
 
The President’s meeting with the Commission was one in a series of consultations between the President and key national institutions that are leading strategic thinking on and planning and implementation of critical initiatives to grow South Africa inclusively and competitively.
 
These consultations allow the President and stakeholders to explore actions to address current challenges in the economy and society and to put in place long-term plans for sustainable development.
 
On Thursday, 1 August 2019, President Ramaphosa received an update from the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) on work being done to implement agreements reached among government, labour, business and community at the 2018 Presidential Jobs Summit to stimulate economic activity and increase employment.
 
The meeting agreed that government would, as one of the NEDLAC partners, urgently implement numerous actions arising from the Presidential Jobs Summit.
 
The meeting also agreed that the President and Deputy President David Mabuza would lead the government delegation to monthly NEDLAC meetings at which the social partners will report on the implementation of Jobs Summit interventions and work more urgently to fulfill the commitments of the Framework Agreement.
 
On Thursday, 8 August 2019, the President will address the Forum of South African Directors-General and engage this senior echelon of leadership in the public sector on the capability of the public service to give effect to the development goals set out by the President in the June 2019 State of the Nation Address.
 
On Wednesday, 14 August 2019, the President will hold discussions with a group of economists to assess challenges in the economy and identify ways to overcome these challenges and build an inclusive and competitive economy.
 
On Thursday, 20 August 2019, President Ramaphosa will convene the President’s Coordinating Council for deliberations on alignment and collaboration among national, provincial and local government in the implementation of the priorities the President has set for the current political term and the five goals South Africa will pursue over the coming decade.
 
For the Sixth Administration, all programmes and policies across all departments and agencies will be directed in pursuit of the following overarching tasks: 
 
• 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
 
In the State of the Nation Address, the President said it was necessary for all social partners to more clearly define the South Africa we want and to agree on the concrete actions required to achieve them.
 

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

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Tuesday 06 August 2019, meet with the members of the National Planning Commission (NPC) at his Mahlamba Ndlopfu official residence in Tshwane.

The Commission will brief the President on progress made and challenges encountered since the commencement of this collective’s term 2015.

The Commission will update the President on indicators used to measure the implementation of the National Development Plan and will report on the Review of the National Development Plan.

The mandate of the commission includes, among others the following responsibilities: 

- To promote and advance the implementation of the National Development Plan across different sectors of society;
- To undertake detailed planning in a selected number of sectors to be determined from time to time;
- To conduct regular engagements with various sectors of society on all matters pertaining to the long-term development of the country;
- To facilitate stakeholder engagements aimed at forging a social compact towards more effective implementation of the National Development Plan;
- To undertake research into long-term trends, analyse implementation of short to medium term plans with a view to recommend improvements to Government as well as produce reports to inform policy and planning; and
- To contribute to development of international partnerships and networks on national planning.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 09 August 2019, deliver the keynote address at the National Women’s Day commemoration event.

The event will take place at the Vryburg showgrounds in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi District in the North West Province.

The National Women’s Day commemorations this year take place under the theme “25 Years of Democracy: Growing South Africa Together for Women’s Emancipation”.

Annually, South Africa dedicates the month of August to the commemoration of the march - on 9 August 1956 - by more than 20 000 women from all  backgrounds and cultures to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Marchers demanded an end to Pass Laws which sought to control the movement of women around the country and regard women as property of the state.

This historic protest contributed greatly to the emancipation of women and the attainment of equality for all citizens. 

The 2019 Women’s Day forms part of the nation’s celebration of 25 years of freedom and democracy. It is also an important day that provides an opportunity to recognise the crucial role played by women during the struggle for liberation against colonisation and apartheid. 

The Women's Day commemorations also coincide with the 65th anniversary of the Womens Charter, which brought the ideals and aspirations of women into a single document, in 1954. 

In this regard, government and all South Africans will take stock of progress that has been made to emancipate women and strengthen efforts to improve their lives. 

Since 1994 government has committed to a progressive legislative framework and human rights agenda that is strongly informed by principles of gender equality, women's emancipation and empowerment. 

Today women play critical and remarkable roles across varying sectors of our society. 

In his State of the Nation Address, President Ramaphosa highlighted the continuing challenges of gender based violence and femicide experienced by women and young girls. The President has committed government to continue to work with civil society organisation on strategies to curb the scourge.

The Vryburg event will be attended by North West communities and forms part of a month-long, nationwide programme of activities to mark Women’s Month.

President Ramaphosa will be supported by Cabinet Ministers, Members of the North West Executive Council and other Senior Government Officials. 

Media are invited as follows:

Date: Friday, 09 August 2019
Time: 11:00
Venue: Vryburg Showgrounds, North West Province

Media were requested to apply for accreditation by no later than 26 July 2019. Accreditation cards can be collected from the Mini-Garona Government Offices on 8 August, 09:00-18:00 and 9 August, 07:00 - 10:00. To follow up on your accreditation you can call Tsakane Khambane on 082 084 5566.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The South African Council of Churches (SACC) has presented President Cyril Ramaphosa with a range of initiatives the Council will undertake, where there can be collaboration with various levels of government working alongside government, to realise what the Council envisions as the “Promise of the Post-Apartheid South Africa”. 

The Council – an inter-denominational forum of 36 member churches and organisations – laid it out its commitment to rebuilding South Africa morally and materially at a meeting with President Ramaphosa in Pretoria today, Thursday 08 August 2019. 

President Ramaphosa met with the SACC as part of ongoing engagement between government and all sectors of civil society as part of building social  compacts for renewal, growth and development. 

Through advocacy, care and empowerment the SACC works for moral reconstruction in South Africa, focusing on justice, reconciliation, integrity of the natural environment, the eradication of poverty, and contributing towards the empowerment of all those who are spiritually, socially and economically marginalised. 

The Council briefed the President that its initiative arose from its concern that South Africa was spatially, socially, economically and politically polarised. The Council is also of the view of that the cost of corruption and maladministration to poor communities has been immense and that recovery requires long, hard and systemic work. 

The Council will leverage the rich outcomes of their recent National Convention of South Africa initiative, articulated in its “The South Africa We Pray4” campaign Civil Society Manifesto, to increase its public engagement as a moral voice that will champion social justice and constitutional values. Among other interventions, member churches will also engage communities in local economic development projects. 

President Ramaphosa welcomed the SACC proposals and briefed the Council on actions government has undertaken in areas such as health, economic opportunities for youth and the repositioning of Eskom to renew society and build the economy.

Government will continue to engage with the SACC on how the intended collaboration can be realised.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, 8 August 2019, met with the Forum of South African Directors-General (FOSAD) during the Forum’s 2-day planning workshop held in Tshwane.
 
FOSAD is a planning and coordination mechanism composed of the directors-general of national and provincial government departments as well as management of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).
 
The planning workshop is the first of the sixth administration and President Ramaphosa used the occasion to outline government’s expectations of  speedy implementation of the decisive electoral mandate.
 
The President reflected on key challenges facing government with specific focus on persistent concerns about poor implementation of key decisions and policies, including for example, the delays in the launching of the Infrastructure Fund, as well as removing business and tourism visa obstacles. 
 
The President highlighted the negative economic and social consequences of such delays in the implementation of policy decisions.
 
The President called on the most senior echelon of the public service to move with speed and determination to implement the measures required to turnaround the economy, including the measures contained in the economic stimulus and recovery plan.
 
The President further directed the re-engineering of government’s implementation and delivery models in order to enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability in the use of resources. 
 
This must include the introduction of a district-level planning and coordination model to encourage integrated planning, improve coherence, enhance the impact of service delivery and mobilize all social partners support development.
 
The FOSAD planning workshop precedes the Presidential Coordinating Council meeting scheduled for later this month which will reflect on the alignment between the Medium Term Strategic Framework, (MTSF) being finalized by FOSAD and the Provincial Growth and Development Plans being developed by the provinces.
 
These are critical policy instruments that give effect to the electoral mandate and to identify budget priorities for the next five years.
 

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

The Presidency has been made aware that confidential banking information of the contributors to and recipients from the CR17 campaign has been leaked to the media. The information, supposedly held only by the Public Protector, includes bank statements of third parties, which record private   transactions and which are strictly confidential. 

 
The Presidency notes with grave concern what amounts to a violation of the constitutionally enshrined right to privacy. This is all the more troubling as it seems clear that this information had been, from the first instance, obtained in an illegal manner. 
 
The legal representatives of President Cyril Ramaphosa have requested the Court that certain information contained in the record of the Public  Protector’s investigation into allegations against the President not be made public. This request is pending a determination on whether the information  was obtained lawfully and whether it was lawfully sourced in relation to the complaint under investigation.
 
It should be noted that, should the request be granted, nothing prevents the Court from deciding, once it has established the lawfulness of the source of documents and the appropriateness of it being included in the record, that some or all of the information should be made public.
 
The selective circulation of this banking information is clearly intended to cast aspersions on the President, and follows the recent report of the Public Protector, in which there was a substantial focus on the funding of the CR17 campaign.
 
Neither the President nor the campaign has done anything wrong, ethically or legally. It is a common and accepted practice in South Africa and across the world for parties and candidates to raise funding from donors for campaigns.
 
From the outset, the CR17 campaign team and the candidate agreed that this should be a clean campaign that operated within the necessary legal prescripts and in line with the values and principles of their organisation.
 
It was agreed that the campaign would raise funds from private individuals who supported the effort to restore the integrity and cohesion of the ANC and to put South Africa back on a path of growth and transformation, with an explicit understanding that their contribution would earn them no special favours or undue advantage.
 
Funds were raised from a broad cross-section of South African society, sometimes with the help of supportive individuals who had access to various networks. More than a hundred individuals made contributions to the campaign according to their means. The donations were made on a confidential basis. 
 
As the President had indicated in both the response to the Section 7(9) notice from the Public Protector as well as in his founding affidavit to the court, the funds were utilised to support a range of campaign activities including mobilisation, communication, research, security, administration, logistical support (travel and accommodation) as well as stipends and salaries. Funds were also provided to co-ordinators in provinces throughout South Africa. The coordinators used these funds to organise meetings and rallies, arrange transport, hire venues, provide accommodation etc.
 
The President assures the South African public that CR17 was run as a clean campaign and in the spirit of some of this country’s rich democratic traditions- namely accountability, honesty and integrity.
 

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

President Cyril Ramaphosa wishes all Muslims a blessed Eid-ul-Adha today, Monday 12 August 2019.

This Festival of the Sacrifice honours the willingness of Ibrahim to follow Allah's command for Ibrahim to sacrifice his son. It is also an occasion for communities to reach out to needy persons.

The President wishes Muslims well as they observe this holy commemoration.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this afternoon, 14 August 2019, arrived in the United Republic of Tanzania for his first State Visit since being elected President in May 2019.
 
The State Visit scheduled for tomorrow, 15 August 2019, will take place at the invitation of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. President John Pombe Magufuli. 
 
The visit will allow the two leaders to discuss bilateral, continental and global issues, and to reaffirm their commitment to further cooperate closely on  multilateral issues between the two countries.  
 
President Ramaphosa and his counterpart are also expected to attend and address a Business Forum arranged by the Ministries of Trade and Industry of both countries.
 
President Ramaphosa will also visit the town of Morogoro, west of Dar es Salaam to express solidarity with and condolences to the government and people of Tanzania following a fuel tanker explosion that claimed more than 70 lives on Sunday 11 August 2019.
 
President has expressed his sincere regret at this mass loss of life and indicated South Africa’s willingness to offer the United Republic of Tanzania any assistance that may be required following this tragedy.
 
President Ramaphosa said the tragedy at Morogoro is shared by South Africans for whom Morogoro holds great significance as the site of the first National Consultative Conference of the African National Congress 50 years ago on May 1. The Morogoro Conference brought together and advanced unity among diverse formations in the struggle against apartheid. The conference also issued a clarion call for an intensification of the armed struggle.
 
Mazimbu, Morogoro, is also where the educational Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College (SOMAFCO), was established by the exiled ANC in 1978.
 
The college provided educational and vocational skills to young South Africans who had fled the country after the 1976 Soweto uprising.
 
Following the State Visit, the President will attend the 39th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government on 17-18 August 2019, which will be held under the theme “A Conducive Business Environment for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development”. 
 
The theme is in line with previous SADC Summit decisions that endorsed industrialisation as the overarching priority for the region based on the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2063).
 
The Summit will provide an opportunity for Heads of State and Government to be apprised on the overall implementation of the SADC work programme, including the Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (2015-2020) and the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap.
 
The Summit will be updated on the status of the region's economy, health, and food security. It will provide policy direction about future strategic work of SADC and the SADC post 2020 Agenda.
 
The Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (Zambia) will also present a report on the status of regional peace and security.
 
In his capacity as the SADC facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho, President Ramaphosa will present a report on developments in the facilitation process during the SADC Troika Summit of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to be held on 16 August 2019.
 
The President is accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Dr Naledi Pandor; the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula; Minister of Tourism, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane ; Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni; Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe.
 

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