President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 4 October 2019, visit the head office of the Department of Home Affairs in Tshwane to interact with Top Management and senior staff members.
 
The visit is in fulfilment of the President’s commitment in the 2018 State of the Nation Address to visit government departments and key state institutions as part of ensuring alignment in the work of government as well as promoting good governance and professionalism in the public               sector.
 
To this end, President Ramaphosa has visited the Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Defence and Military Veterans;  International Relations and Cooperation and the State Security Agency.
 
Members of the media are invited as follows:
 
Date: Friday, 04 October 2019
Time: 11h00 (Media to arrive at 10h00)
Venue: Department of Home Affairs, Hallmark Building, Corner Johannes Ramokhoase and Thabo Sehume Streets, Tshwane
 
Members of the media wishing to attend are requested to send personal details including ID or passport numbers not later than 03 October 2019 at 12h00 to Shadi Baloyi on shadi@presidency.gov.za or 072 571 6415  and Thabo Mokgola on thabo.mokgola@dha.gov.za or on 060 962 4982 
 

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

1. At the invitation of the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, Cyril Ramaphosa; His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, paid a State Visit to South Africa from 02 - 04 October 2019, and attended the inaugural session of the elevated Bi- National Commission (BNC), as part of continuing bilateral engagements aimed at strengthening and deepening cooperation between South Africa and Nigeria.

2. President Buhari was accompanied by a high level delegation comprising State Governors, Ministers, and Senior Government Officials.

3. The two Heads of State reviewed a wide range of bilateral, continental and global issues of common interest. They acknowledged the historical and  strategic relations that exist between the two countries, and the need to further strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation. 

4. The two Presidents noted with satisfaction the continued exchange of high level visits and meetings between the two countries. In this regard, they recalled the successful working visit of President Ramaphosa to Nigeria in July 2018, during which the two Heads of State reaffirmed their collective desire and commitment to enhance political, economic and social relations between the two countries.

5. The two Presidents appreciated the vast nature of the two countries’ bilateral cooperation which covers, amongst others; Trade and Investment, Energy, Mining, Defence and Security issues, Justice, Police, Immigration, Tourism, Environment, Education, transport as well as Science and Technology. In this regard, the two Presidents took note of the thirty two (32) signed Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and committed themselves to ensuring that those which are in force are fully implemented while those which are not yet in force are to be revived for implementation.

6. Both Presidents noted with great satisfaction the economic cooperation between the two Republics and welcomed the steps to increase trade volumes as well as private sector investments. They welcomed the important role of the Business Forum, which took place on the margins of the State Visit. The two leaders further welcomed the decision to establish a Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment. The inaugural meeting of the Council would be held not later than April 2020, in Abuja. The Council is expected to serve as a critical vehicle in facilitating and promoting private sector participation in the economies of both countries.

7. Both leaders took note of the significant footprint of South African businesses operating in Nigeria in sectors such as telecommunications, mining, aviation, banking and finance, retail, property, entertainment and fast foods industries. They also noted and welcomed the business activities of Nigeria’s small, micro and medium enterprises, as well as the investment of Dangote Sephaku Cement in South Africa.

8. President Ramaphosa used the opportunity of the meeting to brief President Buhari on the recent incidents of violence in South Africa affecting foreign nationals. He also alluded to the fact that these unfortunate incidents are not consistent with the values and principles underpinning South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

9. President Ramaphosa also dispelled the notion that incidents of violence affecting foreign nationals were targeted at Nigerian nationals, as other foreign nationals and indeed South Africans were affected as well. The President assured his counterpart that the South African Government was fully in control of the situation and several interventions including engagements with diplomatic community and émigré communities, security operations, policy and legislation reviews were underway.

10. Both Presidents strongly condemned the attacks against foreign nationals including Nigerians in South Africa and the reprisal actions against South Africans and their interests in Nigeria. They expressed strong commitment to take all necessary measures to stop a recurrence of these attacks which they said undermine the vision of a strong and prosperous Africa that the two countries have for the continent.

11. President Ramaphosa further stated that South Africa is an integral part of the African continent and, in this context advocates for a peaceful, vibrant and sustainable Africa, and that as Africans, we all have a shared commitment to foster peace and greater continental unity. He further said that we should never forget that our fellow Africans have contributed to developing our economy, and that of the region and similarly South Africans are helping to develop economies across the continent.

12. Both Presidents condemned these violent incidents and the destruction of property and reiterated their call for heightened law enforcement. They stressed the importance of high level engagements on this unfortunate phenomenon as demonstrated by the reciprocal dispatch of Special Envoys by both countries. In this regard, the two Presidents endorsed the establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism and directed the two Foreign Ministers to give practical expression to the Early Warning Mechanism to be used as a preventative and monitoring platform.

13. The two Presidents further endorsed the reestablishment of the Republic of South Africa and the Federal Republic of Nigeria consular Forum to meet twice a year.

14. At the Continental level, the two Presidents exchanged views on the current political, economic and security situation in their respective regions. They also expressed their grave concern on the ongoing instability in some of the countries on the Continent and strongly condemned the continued terrorist and extremist activities.

15. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together in pursuit of sustainable peace and economic development on the continent in the context of AU Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).

16. On the international front, President Ramaphosa seized the opportunity of the meeting to congratulate Nigeria as the current Chair of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In the same vein, President Buhari also congratulated South Africa as the President of United Nations Security Council for the month of October 2019 and as the upcoming chair of the African Union for the year 2020. They reiterated their call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council.

17. President Buhari expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation. He also took the opportunity to invite President Ramaphosa to pay a reciprocal visit to the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a date to be jointly agreed and communicated through diplomatic channels.

18. In conclusion, the two Presidents reaffirmed the strategic relations that exist between the two sister Republics and committed themselves to working together to further enhance close political, economic and social cooperation in the interest of their people and the continent.

Done in Pretoria, South Africa, 03 October 2019

Issued by: The Presidency

President Cyril Ramaphosa, joined by the Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula will, on Saturday 05 October 2019, launch the October Transport Month campaign at an event on the N3 Highway Southbound at the Heidelberg Weighbridge in Gauteng.

The President will also unveil the revamped and Cabinet-approved Arrive Alive programme of the Department of Transport.

The new programme will place road safety in the national a spotlight through a 365 Days Road Safety Action Agenda to transform road user behaviour.

The Road Safety Action Agenda will mainstream road safety interventions through the daily activities of transport authorities, cultivate round-the-clock traffic law enforcement and discourage unsafe road user behaviour.

It is estimated that road accidents cost the economy R166 billion a year.

President Ramaphosa will also have an opportunity to proclaim the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act that he signed into law on 13 August 2019. 

The AARTO legislation ushers in a new regime in driver and road user behaviour for the country.  

At its full implementation, the AARTO Act will discourage bad and persuade good road user and road traffic behavior by providing a scheme for road traffic contraventions and facilitate the adjudication of road traffic infringements.

The President will give a keynote address during the official launch of the October Transport Month campaign to be attended by a contingent of traffic and law enforcement officers from all provinces, and key stakeholders including the private sector, transport industry, motorcycling associations, the religious and interfaith fraternity and relatives of people who lost their lives in road crashes.

President Ramaphosa will also be supported by Gauteng Premier David Makhura, Provincial MECs of Roads, Transport, Police, Community Safety and Public Works and senior government officials.

Details of the official launch of the October Transport Month campaign are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 05 October 2019
Time: 07:30 (for accreditation purposes)
Venue: N3 Highway Southbound, Heidelberg Weighbridge, Gauteng

RSVP: Takalani Mukwevho on 082 227 9308 / takalanim@gcis.gov.za or Tshegofatso Maake on 063 281 9453 / maaket@dot.gov.za

NB: Media accreditation for the event will be made available earlier at the venue. Members of the media are requested to arrive earlier for this purpose and produce their press cards, green bar-coded South African ID documents or passports.


Media enquiries:
Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707, and 
Collen Msibi, Head of Communications, Department of Transport on 082 414 5279

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Presidential Working Committee on the Jobs Summit, which held its monthly meeting today, Monday, 07 October 2019, noted substantial progress in reforming and modernising South Africa’s visa regime, issuing water use licences, releasing broadband spectrum, saving jobs in distressed firms and improving the certainty of electricity supply.

These were among the updates provided to government, labour, business and community at the second meeting of the Presidential Working Committee on the Jobs Summit.

The meetings of the Presidential Working Committee are meant to develop specific interventions that will enable greater job creation in specific sectors  and also provide detailed updates on a month-to-month basis on those interventions.

The Presidential Working Committee comprises senior leadership of the different NEDLAC constituencies.

The committee meets monthly to discuss transversal issues raised as impediments to faster growth and job creation, as well as the specifics of job retention and creation, assistance to distressed firms to stave off retrenchments, and training, among other interventions.

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Aaron Motsoaledi reported that changes to South Africa’s visa regime to make the country more accessible for visitors, investors and people with skills that are critical to building the economy, were underway.

The Department of Home Affairs has lowered turnaround times for critical work skills visas, which are now issued within four weeks in 88,5 per cent of applications. Business and general work visas are issued within eight weeks in 98 per cent of applications.

In November, the Department of Home Affairs will embark on a pilot scheme for the issuing of e-visas, which applicants will be able to access online, eliminating the need for applicants to visit South African missions abroad. The department has also located visa services within the offices of various investment facilitation agencies around the country.

In addition, visa requirements have been simplified for countries such as China and India, which are key markets for tourism to South Africa. Recently, government also waived visas for travellers from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, New Zealand, Cuba, Ghana and Sao Tome and Principe.

The meeting received a report from ICASA on the process for the release of high-demand broadband spectrum, which is expected to be concluded in the first quarter of the 2021 financial year. Social partners urged the regulator to make every effort, within the legal prescripts, to fast-track the process of auctioning and allocating spectrum. It was agreed that this process should be run alongside other work to reduce the cost of data.

The Working Committee noted that deadlines for the issuing of water use licences had been significantly shortened. Government is working on ensuring that these licences are issued within 60 days for agriculture, 80 to 95 days for infrastructure projects from state-owned enterprises and municipalities, and 120 days for mining. Consultation is also ongoing with business to ensure that the conditions attached to licences are not too onerous or costly.

Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan reported that significant progress has been made in addressing operational challenges at Eskom, with the result that no load shedding has taken place in the country in the last 200 days.

The Minister indicated that Eskom was reinforcing management skills at power stations by returning effective power station managers to positions from which they had been removed, and through the appointment of operational engineers in spite of financial constraints.

The meeting was informed that the Special Paper on Eskom and the roadmap to ensure its sustainability into the future was close to finalisation and would be announced shortly. Social partners emphasised that both the Special Paper on Eskom and the Integrated Resource Plan were necessary so that long-term investment decisions can be made.

The meeting also received a report on progress towards the implementation of an export tax on scrap metal. It was agreed that this work should be concluded within the next four months.

The leaders of all social partners welcomed the progress that has been made, and endorsed the focus of the Presidential Working Committee on practical interventions that can be made within particular industries to promote growth and employment. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Wednesday 09 October 2019, chair the first meeting of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council at Tuynhuys in Cape Town.

The President appointed the 18-member council with effect from 1 October 2019 for a three-year term.

Comprising local and international economic thought leaders, the non-statutory and independent body chaired by the President brings together prominent economists and technical experts drawn from academia, the private sector, labour, community, think tanks and other constituencies, to advise  the President and government more broadly in facilitating the development and implementation of economic policies that spur inclusive growth. 

The Council constitutes expertise in international economics, macroeconomics (including fiscal policy and monetary economics), labour economics, economics of education and the economics of poverty and inequality and urban development. Other areas of insights entail microeconomics with a focus on network industries, regulation and competition, trade, energy and climate change.

It will serve as a forum for in-depth and structured discussions on emerging global and domestic developments, economic and development policies, and to facilitate socialisation and diligent execution thereof.

Members of the media are invited to the meeting as follows:  

Date: Wednesday, 09 October 2019
Time: 15h00 (Media to arrive at 14h00)
Venue: Tuynhuys, Cape Town

Media wishing to attend the meeting must send their details including ID or Passport number to Shadi Baloyi on 072 571 6415 or Shadi@presidency.gov.za
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 10 October 2019, answer questions for oral replies in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
 
Replies will cover a wide range of issues including government’s mechanisms to strengthen border control and security in order to deter illegal migration, proliferation of drugs and various forms of cross-border crimes; gender-based violence and femicide; strategic interventions to protect the economy and domestic industries, and interventions to assist victims of asbestosis.
 
The President had in the past month called for an urgent Joint Sitting of Parliament on the crisis of violence against women and children in South Africa,  where he announced an Emergency Action Plan, which seeks to strengthen existing measures and introduces new interventions in five principal areas:  that is to prevent gender-based violence; strengthen the criminal justice system; enhance the legal and policy framework; ensure adequate care, support  and healing for victims of violence and improve the economic power of women in South Africa. 
 
He will also brief the NCOP on implementation of the economic stimulus package and recovery plan to revitalise the economy and bolster job creation.
 
The President will also provide feedback on ensuring energy supply in the country. A Special Cabinet Committee on Eskom led by the Deputy President David Mabuza was constituted by the President to deal with Eskom crisis and to provide him with reports daily on what actions need to be taken to secure energy supply. 
 
Questions in Parliament provide an opportunity to the President to account to the nation on several matters pertaining to the work of government.
 
The President’s engagement is scheduled as follows:
 
Date: Thursday, 10 October 2019
Time: 14h00
Venue: Old Assembly Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town  
 

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

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the findings of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual Global Competitiveness Index that shows South Africa has climbed 7 places since 2018.
 
“That we have been able to improve our ranking so remarkably and within a relatively short period of time is a welcome sign that the structural reforms put in place to stimulate the economy and promote recovery are slowly but surely gaining traction,” President Ramaphosa said.
 
The report notes that the country has registered ‘remarkable progress’ with regards to institutional quality, such as in restored balance of powers across  different state entities; enhanced administrative efficiency of the public sector, and corporate governance.
 
South Africa also achieved a score of 100 for its ‘well developed equity, insurance and credit markets,’ and ranked 19th globally as a financial hub.  The report also scores the country highly for having ‘one of the most advanced transport infrastructures in the region’ (a ranking of 45th) and for market size (a ranking of 35th).
 
The report is an annual assessment of the drivers of productivity and long-term economic growth in 141 economies. The report ranks the respective economies under a range of socio-economic indicators such as strength of institutions, infrastructure, ICT adoption, financial systems, macroeconomic stability and business dynamism.
 
“Whilst we note there are areas for improvement – the report cites security and insufficient labour market flexibility as some of the constraints to growth, this improved ranking gives us added impetus to remain firmly on course with our economic reform agenda,” President Ramaphosa said.
 
The President added that the country was also looking forward to the release of the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index later this year. South Africa commenced work to realise its objective to be ranked amongst the Top 50 countries on this index by improving indicators such as starting a business; registering property; dealing with construction permits; paying taxes; and trading across borders.
 

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 London in the United Kingdom from the 12th to the 14th October 2019. During the working visit,  the President will deliver the opening keynote address at the 6th Financial Times Africa Summit on the 14th October 2019 at the Claridges in London. On the sidelines of the Summit, President Ramaphosa is also expected to engage investors and business leaders with the aim of attracting new investment  for South Africa.

 The Financial Times Africa Summit is an annual event hosted by the Financial Times newspaper, focusing on current business affairs in African countries.  This year’s theme is ‘Africa in Motion’ and will place a special emphasis on youth, women, entrepreneurs, scientists and artists and innovation. The  overarching theme is that ‘Africa’s home-made solutions are becoming more relevant as the continent takes its destiny into its own hands’. 

The Summit will discuss business, investment as well as political and cultural environment in Africa with expert speakers, potential investors and innovators. 

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Presidential Special Envoy on Investment, Mr Mcebisi Jonas.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Sunday 13 October 2019, arrived in London, United Kingdom to begin his two-day working visit. The President will deliver the opening address at the 6th Financial Times Africa Summit on Monday, 14 October 2019. The summit is being held at Claridge’s in   London.

On the sidelines of the summit, President Ramaphosa is expected to engage investors and business leaders with the aim of attracting further investment into South Africa.

The Financial Times Africa Summit is hosted annually by the Financial Times newspaper, with a focus on business affairs and opportunities in African  countries. This year’s theme, ‘Africa in Motion’, places a special emphasis on youth, women, entrepreneurs, scientists and artists and innovation.

The overarching theme is that ‘Africa’s home-made solutions are becoming more relevant as the continent takes its destiny into its own hands’.

The summit will discuss business, investment as well as the political and cultural environment in Africa with expert speakers, potential investors and innovators.

President Ramaphosa is accompanied by Minister of Small Business Development Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Presidential Special Envoy on Investment Mr Mcebisi Jonas.

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 570
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a successful working visit to London in the United Kingdom where he participated in the 6th Annual Financial Times Africa Summit. The visit took place on 13 and 14 October 2019.
 
President Ramaphosa commenced his two-day working visit by attending the Financial Times Africa Summit Speakers Dinner at Claridge’s, London, on the evening of the 13th October 2019.
 
The President also received a courtesy call from the President of Sinn Fein Ms Mary Lou McDonald and her delegation including the National Party  Chairperson Mr Declan Kearney MLA and Mr Chris Hazzard, MP. South Africa enjoys a strong fraternal relationship with Ireland as does South Africa’s  governing party, the African National Congress, with Sinn Fein. In 1998, President Ramaphosa was appointed as a weapons inspector in Ireland by the government of the United Kingdom.
 
Today, Monday 14 October 2019, the President delivered the keynote address at the 6th Financial Times Africa Summit, to an audience of investors, financiers and business leaders coming from various parts of the world.
 
In his address, President Ramaphosa called for global business to be part of Africa’s great leap forward, saying while Africa’s infrastructure needs amounted to some $130 billion to $170 billion a year, this would only be achieved with collaboration with the global community, significant private funding and partnerships for mutual benefit.
 
For its part, South Africa was in the process of setting up an Infrastructure Fund to leverage investments from financial institutions, multilateral development banks, asset managers and commercial banks’.
 
President Ramaphosa said that with the global move towards cleaner energy sources, Africa was perfectly situated for investment in wind, solar, bioenergy, hydro and natural gas. South Africa’s renewable energy independent power producer programme, for example, has attracted approximately $14 billion in private sector investment in 102 projects and created around 40,000 jobs.
 
The President also encouraged African countries to advance the interests of their people. He further called on African leaders to seek African solutions to African problems by dealing with the rest of the world on Africa’s own terms; thus rejecting negative external influences which fuel conflict and entrench“theatres of war” in the continent.
 
On the sidelines of the Summit, the President met several political leaders and prospective investors to advance South Africa’s investment drive.
 
President Ramaphosa also received a courtesy call from the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr Tony Blair, with whom the President discussed collaboration to drive South Africa’s ambitious investment drive and the sharing of experiences to enhance the capacity and capabilities of government.
 
Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria