Presidential Spokesperson media briefing

YOUTH MONTH
This year’s Youth Month will be commemorated under the banner and theme of “Accelerating youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future”. 

This afternoon we would like to highlight the key milestones reached by the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative since its inception.

President Ramaphosa remains committed to the empowerment of young people through the various employment initiatives and readiness to work programs which capacitates our youth for the world of work, as well providing them with funding and mentorship opportunities.

Today I am joined by Waseem Carrim the CEO of the NYDA and Ms Lerato Shai who is a Director of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative. They’ll both share some highlights of their work as we shine the spotlight of various government programs aimed at supporting youth.
 
WORLD WORK SUMMIT – GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 14-15 JUNE 2023
President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit Geneva, Switzerland on a Working visit to attend and address the World of Work Summit, hosted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), on the margins of the 111th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC).

Themed "Social Justice for All", the Summit will be held in Geneva from 14 to 15 June 2023 and will be convened by the ILO Director-General (DG), Gilbert Houngbo.

The objective of the summit is to generate renewed momentum for advancing social justice at national, regional, and global levels. 

Furthermore the summit will play an instrumental role in forging a Global Coalition for Social Justice (the Coalition), that will seek to accelerate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals in view of the many challenges facing the world today, including stagflation, climate change, poverty, unemployment, and inequalities.

South Africa's participation in the Summit will contribute to shaping the Coalition and ensure the interests and aspirations of developing countries are considered.

Over the course of two days, the Summit will feature addresses by Heads of State and Government, the UN Secretary-General, DG Houngbo, and other high-level representatives of employers' and workers' organisations. 

In this regard, it is envisaged that the Summit will: 
• Highlight the key role of social justice in creating a more sustainable and equitable world and will discuss strategies for increased and better-aligned joint action to advance social justice and ensure policy coherence.
• Provide a forum for participants to share their vision of, and priorities for, social justice; as well as showcase the actions they are taking and the actions they commit to taking to advance social justice.
• Contribute to informing discussions in other multilateral forums regarding the centrality of social justice and strategies for achieving greater social justice.
 
JOINT WORKING VISIT BY PRIME MINSTER MR MARK RUTTE OF THE NETHERLANDS AND PM MS METTE FREDERIKSEN OF DENMARK – 20 JUNE 2023
President Ramaphosa will on Tuesday 20 June 2023, host a joint working visit by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte and the Prime Minister of Denmark Ms Mette Frederiksen.

The join nature of the visit is toi maximise the positive impact of a combined Dutch and Danish high level business and investment delegations that are expected to accompany the two Prime Ministers. The joint visit will entail a common programme if joint bilateral talks and joint business seminar.

The joint visit also brings synergy between two partners in the area of green hydrogen investments, both Netherlands and Denmark will participate at the G20 to be hosted by India and in the working groups on energy transitions, environment and climate sustainability. The visit brings together a larger group of investors to South Africa and sends a strong message of cooperation and good relations with two important European partners.
 
SUMMIT FOR A NEW GLOBAL FINANCING PACT 22-23 JUNE 2023
President Ramaphosa will on 22 - 23 June 2023, participate at the summit for a new global financing pact, which will be hosted France in Paris. The goal of the summit is top build a new contract between the countries of the North and the South to adress climate change as a global crisis. The event will be an opportunity to address key issues that are also of interest to South Africa such as the reform multilateral development financial institutions, debt crisis, innovative financing, international taxes and special withdrawing rights (SDRs).
 
ENQUIRY PANEL ON COURSE WITH ITS WORK
The enquiry panel led by retired Judge Phineas Mojapelo, investigating the circumstances of the docking of a Russian vessel, Lady R in Simons Town is progressing with its work.

The panel will interact with all concerned role players on the matter.
The panel will also seek to hear from interested parties with any information that will assist its investigation.

Written submissions can be made to the panel’s secretariat by email to LadyRsubmissions@presidency.gov.za.

Once all submissions have been processed, the panel will be in contact for further engagements.
 
CLIVE BARKER CONDOLENCES
President Ramaphosa has expressed his deepest condolences to the family, friends and football colleagues in the soccer fraternity, of the legendary Bafana coach, affectionately known as the “dog”, Clive Barker who sadly passed away on Saturday 10 June 2023 at the age of 78.

Clive Barker contributed immensely to South African football and its development. He was behind our proudest and unforgettable moments as a nation as the only coach to lead South Africa to victory during the African Cup of Nations in 1996 by famously defeating Tunisia at the old FNB Stadium.
 
SILVIO BERLUSCONI CONDOLENCES
President Ramaphosa joins the global media fraternity in mourning the passing of media tycoon Mr Silvio Berlusconi who has died at the age of 86.

Berlusconi created Italy’s largest media company, with assets in print and television. He also served as Italy’s Prime Minister in four governments.

The President extends heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of Italy for his passing.


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria