President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially launch the first pilot site of the district-based coordination model dubbed ”Khawuleza”  at a Presidential Imbizo  in OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province on Tuesday, 17 September 2019.

In his presentation of the Presidency Budget Vote to the National Assembly on 17 July 2019, President Ramaphosa identified the “pattern of operating in silos in” in government as a challenge which led to “lack of coherence in planning and implementation and has made monitoring and oversight of government’s programme difficult”.

The President said the consequence of this challenge was non-optimal delivery of services and diminished impact on the triple challenges of poverty,  inequality and unemployment. 

In view of government’s own recognition of shortcomings in service delivery and in response to demands by citizens and institutions of civil society for improved delivery, Cabinet has adopted a new integrated district based approach to enabling development in the 44 districts and 8 Metros that constitute the country.

The new district-based coordination model aims to address service delivery and economic development challenges through the synchronisation of planning across all spheres of government, working alongside social partners such as business and community.

From planning to implementation in each district, government will consult social partners to ensure that development meets the needs of local communities and stakeholders and government will ensure that the local, provincial and national spheres have a shared plan to drive development in the district concerned.

Implementation will entail localised procurement and job creation to ensure that local businesses participate in and benefit from development, and that citizens in the district concerned are prioritised for employment on local projects.

OR Tambo District Municipality, Waterberg District Municipality in Limpopo and eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, have been identified as the first three pilot sites for the model. The OR Tambo District Municipality comprises the following local municipalities: King Sabatha Dalindyebo, Nyandeni, Ingquza Hill, Mhlontlo and Port St Johns.

Development will be pursued through single, integrated district plans enabled by the vision of “One District; One Plan; One Budget; One Approach”. This model has been endorsed by Cabinet, local government structures, traditional authorities and the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC).

This new approach will require - with effect from the 2020/21 Budget cycle - that national budgets and programmes be spatially referenced across the 44 districts and 8 Metros. Similarly, provincial government budgets and programmes will be spatially referenced to districts and metros in the respective provinces, while municipalities will express the needs and aspirations of communities in integrated development plans for the 44 districts and 8 Metros.

During the Imbizo, the three spheres of government will outline government’s 5 year consolidated plan for the OR Tambo District. The occasion will also provide opportunity for the community to engage government, as a whole, on societal challenges and further opportunities for development and partnership.

Members of the media are invited to the launch which will take place as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 17 September 2019
Venue: Zalu Hill Sport field, Ingquza Hill Local Municipality
Time: 11h00 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the State Funeral of former President Robert Mugabe in Harare tomorrow, Saturday 14 September 2019.

The President’s attendance signifies South Africa’s regard and gratitude for the role played by the late former President Mugabe in his capacity as leader of Zimbabwe’s pre-independence liberation movement and as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe in support of South Africa’s struggle   against apartheid.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister of Defence Nosiviwe  Mapisa- Nqakula: Minister of Police General Bheki Cele, and Minister of State Security Ayanda Dlodlo.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

It is with profound shock and sadness that President Ramaphosa has learnt of the passing of the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa, who tragically lost her life in a motor vehicle accident yesterday, Friday 13 September 2019 on the N1 from Polokwane.

President Ramaphosa has expressed his most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Deputy Minister Hlongwa, as well as the stakeholders in business, labour and community with whom she engaged in the mining sector.

The President has also expressed his condolences to the families of the four people who died with the Deputy Minister on scene while attempting to  assist the passengers involved in another incident.

“The death of Deputy Minister Hlongwa is a devastating, untimely loss of a talented young leader who, alongside Minister Gwede Mantashe, was playing an important and dynamic role in an important sector of our economy,” said President Ramaphosa.

Ms Hlongwa was appointed as Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy with effect from 30 May 2019. Prior to her appointment she served as Executive Deputy Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency.

She studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Howard College where she obtained her Bachelors of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. She started her career at Shell Downstream SA.

Deputy Minister Hlongwa will be honoured with an Official Funeral Category 2 in line with government’s State, Official and Provincial Funeral Policy. The President has further directed that the national flag shall fly at half-mast at every flag station in the country until the Deputy Minister is laid to rest.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Ramaphosa will tomorrow, 16 September 2019, participate in a dialogue on femicide, gender based violence and the killing of people with Albinism in Lusikisiki in OR Tambo district municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. 
 
At the dialogue, the President is expected to provide an update on the work that has been done to date on the implementation of the Declaration emanating from Presidential Summit on Gender Based Violence and Femicide held last year. 
 
Lusikisiki was chosen as because of the high prevalence of gender based violence cases reported and high cases of the practice of ukuthwala and teenage pregnancy.
 
The dialogue is also part of work in progress towards the establishment of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Council and a National Strategic Plan. 
 
While in the district, President Ramaphosa will also official launch the first pilot site of the district-based coordinated model dubbed “Khawuleza”.
 
Media details:
 
Presidential dialogue on femicide, gender-based violence and killing of persons with albinism
 
Date: Monday, 16 September 2019
Time: 15h00 (members of the media to arrive at 14h00)
Venue: Lusikisiki College of Education
RSVP: terrence@presidency.gov.za (by 10h00 on Monday, 16 September 2019)
 
Official launch of the district-based coordination model – Khawuleza
 
Date: Tuesday, 17 September 2019
Time: 11h00 (members of the media to arrive at 10h00)
Venue: Zalu Hill Sport field, Ingquza Hill Local Municipality
RSVP: Takalani Mukwevho – Takalanim@gcis.gov.za and Ndyebo Kopo – ndyebok@gcis.gov.za 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

A team of Special Envoys appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa have begun their assignment yesterday, 14 September 2019, and departed South Africa to deliver messages of solidarity to several Heads of State and Government across Africa. 
 
The team, comprising of Mr Jeff Radebe, Ambassador Kingsley Mmabolo and Dr. Khulu Mbatha, will visit Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.   
 
The Special Envoys will deliver a message from President Ramaphosa regarding the incidents of violence that recently erupted in some parts South Africa,  which have manifested in attacks on foreign nationals and destruction of property. 
 
The Special Envoys are tasked with reassuring fellow African countries that South Africa is committed to the ideals of pan-African unity and solidarity. The Special Envoys will also reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law.
 
The Special Envoys will brief governments in the identified African countries about the steps that the South African government is taking to bring a stop to the attacks and to hold the perpetrators to account. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution, read with Section 19 of the Defence Act, extended the employment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in crime-affected parts of the Western Cape until 31 March 2020.

The extension comes into effect today, Monday 16 September 2019.

Members of the regular and reserve forces of the SANDF will undertake operations in cooperation with the police, and will support the prevention and combating of crime and maintenance and preservation of law and order in the Western Cape.

The President has, in compliance with the Constitution, informed the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thandi Modise, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Amos Masondo, of the extended deployment of armed forces.

President Ramaphosa authorised the original employment of the SANDF in July 2019 for a two-month period ending today, 16 September.

The President commends all the law enforcement agencies for the work done thus far and further extends his appreciation to the affected communities for supporting the work of the various security and law enforcement agencies in stamping out criminality and bringing about stability in the affected areas of the province. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces to focus the attention of elected public representatives and the nation at large on the crisis of gender-based violence and femicide.

The President has in terms of Section 84(2)(d) of the Constitution, read with Rule 7(1)(b) of the Joint Rules of Parliament called for a Joint Sitting of Parliament for Wednesday, 18 September 2019.

The Constitution empowers the President to summon Parliament to an extraordinary sitting to conduct special business.

In a letter to Parliament dated Thursday, 12 September 2019, President Ramaphosa provided the following motivation for his call: “In the last two weeks  South Africa’s approach to violence perpetrated against women has changed fundamentally.

“We all have the responsibility to ensure that these events become the turning point in our fight against gender-based violence.”

President Ramaphosa recently engaged with protesters at Parliament where the President gave women the assurance that government will intensify action against men who kill women and commit various forms of abuse. 

The march to Parliament took place amid a spate of deadly attacks on women and girls in various parts of the country. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy at the funeral service tomorrow, Saturday 21 September 2019, of the late Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa.

The service will be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Center (ICC) in Durban at 08h00.

The Deputy Minister lost her life in a traffic incident on the N1 highway while travelling from Limpopo to Gauteng on Friday, 13 September 2019.

Ms Hlongwa was appointed Deputy  Minister with effect from 30 May 2019. She previously served as the Executive Deputy Chairperson of the Board of  the National Youth Development Agency.

In honour of her contribution to society, the President has declared an Official Funeral Category 2 in line with government’s State, Official and Provincial Funeral Policy. The national flag will fly at half-mast at all flag stations until the Deputy Minister is laid to rest.

The funeral service is open to members of the public.

Details of the funeral service are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 21 September 2019
Time: 08:00
Venue: Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Durban

Details for media accreditation are as follows:

Date: Friday, 20 September 2019
Time: 08:00 - 19:00
Venue: Durban City Hall

Media accreditation enquiries: Ishmael Selemale 072 637 7665 or Tsakane Khambane 082 084 5566


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on National Heritage Day, Tuesday 24 September 2019, lead the nation in celebrating the rich array of cultural communities and assets, natural wonders and religious communities that constitute South Africa’s diversity.

The 2019 National Heritage Day celebrations will be hosted by the Northern Cape Province in Upington under the theme “Celebrating South Africa’s literacy classics in the year of indigenous languages”. 

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages. Twenty-five years after South Africa’s  transition to democracy, the Bill of Rights in the Constitution guarantees freedom of linguistic, cultural and religious association as part of promoting and  maintaining social solidarity and cohesion.

The President will on the morning of the National Heritage Day celebrations officially open the Sandile Present Community Library ahead of addressing the nation at the Mxolisi Jacobs Stadium.

At the Sandile Present Community Library, the President’s Reading Circle, which encourages all citizens to become enthusiastic readers, will host a session in which President Ramaphosa and learners will read in an indigenous language. This session will be led by Ms Katrina Esau, affectionately referred to as Ouma Geelmeid, a recipient of the 2014 National Order Baobab in Silver for her work in heritage preservation.

This activity is primarily aimed at showcasing and appreciating South Africa’s rich literary heritage which must be preserved and sustained for generations to come. 

The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has since the beginning of September collaborated with the National Library of South Africa and the Publishers Association of South Africa to produce a volume of works written in African languages entitled “Writing in Nine Tongues: A catalogue of Literature and Readers in Nine African Languages for South Africa.”

The catalogue showcases more than 4 000 titles in nine African languages isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho, Sepedi, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga written in different genres. 

The National Heritage Day media programme will be as follows:

Part A 
Date: 24 September 2019 
Time: 09:00
Venue: Sandile Present Community Library, Carlton Street , Upington , Northern Cape Province

Part B 
Date: 24 September 2019 
Time: 11:00 
Venue: Mxolisi Jacobs Stadium, Upington , Northern Cape Province 

NB: Only accredited media will be allowed entry at the official opening of the Upington Library 

Members of the media should send their details including ID/passport number not later than 23 September 2019 at 12h00 to Khutjo Sebata on khutjos@gmail.com or 079 898 4621. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa received former President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for a courtesy call today, Thursday 26 September 2019.

After a successful launch of the book, “Democracy Works: Rewiring Politics to Africa's Advantage”, President Obasanjo, who is a co-author of the book, presented a copy to President Ramaphosa today.

The book is authored by Greg Mills of the Brenthurst Foundation in South Africa; President Obasanjo; Jeffrey Herbst, a celebrated Africanist, and Tendai Biti, former Finance Minister of Zimbabwe.

President Ramaphosa thanked the former President for working hard and still having the energy to write and contribute to current debates about the development of Africa.

The two leaders also used the opportunity to reflect on recent events in South Africa. In the meeting, the leaders engaged on misconceptions created about the situation in South Africa that gave the impression that Nigerian nationals in particular had been victimised. No loss of life was reported among Nigerian nationals in South Africa during this period.

Former President Obasanjo expressed his sincere appreciation of President Ramaphosa’s recent appointment of a team of Special Envoys who have in the past few days visited a number of fellow African states to deliver a message from the President regarding the incidents of violence.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria