Stockholm - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected in Sweden, on Sunday 18 October 2015 to attend and co-chair the 8th session   of the South Africa-Sweden Bi-National Commission scheduled for Stockholm from 18-21 October 2015. The visit is part of a three-nation visit   including Cuba and Mexico.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported during this visit by Minister  Nomvula Mokonyane, Deputy Ministers Nomaindia Mfeketo,   Mduduzi Manana, Mzwandile Masina and Hlengiwe Mkhize, and advisors Steyn Speed and Dr. Gerhard Koornhof.

The visit to Sweden is aimed at consolidating political and economic bilateral relations between the two countries in the areas of trade and industry, science and technology, higher education, environment, water and sanitation, telecommunications and co-operative governance. The Bi-National Commission, which will be co-chaired with Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Asa Romson, will witness the launch of the environment, energy and water sub-committee which will add to existing committees on political affairs, economic affairs, science and technology and a forum on human rights.

While in Sweden, Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to pay a courtesy call on Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven as part of efforts to consolidate bilateral relations while deepening co-operation at a multilateral level to transform the global political and economic governance including the reform of the UN system as well as the UN Security Council.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also lay a wreath at the graveside of the late former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme who played a pivotal role during the anti-apartheid struggle in pursuit of peace, freedom and justice in South Africa.

At an investor level, Deputy President Ramaphosa will address the Swedish Business Forum and interact with a select group of senior executives of Swedish companies as part of efforts to encourage more trade and foreign direct investment into South Africa. This will happen within the overall  thrust of the National Development Plan to grow our economy with a view to addressing our domestic  triple challenges of unemployment, inequality  and poverty.

In this regard, Sweden ranks among South Africa’s major trading partners within the EU. The overall trade between the two countries, despite fluctuations, grew from R13.1 billion in 2010 to R13.6 billion in 2014.

South African exports increased from R2.3 billion to R2.4 billion between 2013 and 2014 due to an increase in demand for agro-processed products and advanced manufactured goods such as grape wines, beverage spirits, vinegar, iron and steel. Imports from Sweden on the other hand grew by 14% between 2010 and 2012 to R12 billion. More can still be done to increase the volume of value-added products from South Africa to Sweden particularly in medium to high technology manufacturing.

This year’s Bi-National Commission session will also witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between South African Medical Research Council and the Swedish Research Council to advance co-operation in the area of health research.

Similarly, Letters of Intent on Water Research and Water Resource Management  will be signed to advance co-operation in water research and management. A Letter of Intent will also be signed on Environmental Protection and Climate Change. The South African delegation will also explore initiatives to implement ICT SMME development, digital opportunities programme under SA Connect through skills development for communities, e-skills development programme and the research, development and innovation.

The delegation will also seek co-operation to expand twinning partnerships between South African and Swedish municipalities to support training and capacity building in infrastructure planning, improvement of public participation, municipal governance through exchanges.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

Johannesburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, Saturday 17 October 2015, depart South Africa for Sweden where he is expected to attend and co-chair the 8th session of the South Africa-Sweden Binational Commission scheduled for Stockholm from 18-21   October 2015. The visit is part of a three-nation visit including Cuba and Mexico.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported during this visit by Ministers Nomvula Mokonyane, Edna Molewa and Deputy Ministers Nomaindia Mfeketo, Mduduzi Manana, Mzwandile Masina and Hlengiwe Mkhize, and advisors Dr. Nono Simelela and Dr. Gerhard Koornhof.

The visit to Sweden is aimed at consolidating political and economic bilateral relations between the two countries in the areas of trade and industry, science and technology, higher education, environment, water and sanitation, telecommunications and co-operative governance. The Binational Commission, which will be co-chaired with Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Asa Romson, will witness the launch of the environment, energy and water sub-committee which will add to existing committees on political affairs, economic affairs, science and technology and a forum on human rights.

While in Sweden Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to pay a courtesy call on Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven as part of efforts to consolidate bilateral relations while deepening co-operation at a multilateral level to transform the global political and economic governance including the reform of the UN system as well as the UN Security Council. 

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also lay a wreath at the graveside of the late former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme who played a pivotal role during the anti-apartheid struggle in pursuit of peace, freedom and justice in South Africa.

At an investor level, Deputy President Ramaphosa will address the Swedish Business Forum and interact with a select group of senior executives of Swedish companies as part of efforts to encourage more trade and foreign direct investment into South Africa. This will happen within the overall thrust of the National Development Plan to grow our economy with a view to addressing our domestic triple challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty.

In this regard, Sweden ranks among South Africa’s major trading partners within the EU. The overall trade between the two countries, despite fluctuations, grew from R13.1 billion in 2010 to R13.6 billion in 2014.  South African exports increased from R2. 3 billion to R2. 4 billion between 2013 and 2014 due to an increase in demand for agro-processed products and advanced manufactured goods such as grape wines, beverage spirits, vinegar, iron and steel.  Imports from Sweden on the other hand grew by 14% between 2010 and 2012 to R12 billion. More can still be done to increase the volume of value-added products from South Africa to Sweden particularly in medium to high technology manufacturing.

This year’s Binational Commission session will also witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between South African Medical Research Council and the Swedish Research Council to advance co-operation in the area of health research. Similarly Letters of Intent on Water Research and Water Resource Management will be signed to advance co-operation in water research and management.  A Letter of Intent will also be signed on Environmental Protection and Climate Change.

The South African delegation will also explore initiatives to implement ICT SMME development, digital opportunities programme under SA Connect through skills development for communities, e-skills development programme and the research, development and innovation.

The delegation will also seek co-operation to expand twinning partnerships between South African and Swedish municipalities to support training and capacity building in infrastructure planning, improvement of public participation, municipal governance through exchanges. 

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged government to prioritise actions that accelerate inclusive economic growth and has called for a public service that is more responsive and delivers services of quality to citizens.

The President issued this call to Cabinet as he opened the final Cabinet Lekgotla of the current administration in Pretoria today, Thursday, 31 January 2019. The Lekgotla, which the President is co-chairing with Deputy President David Mabuza, is an extended Cabinet meeting in which   Deputy Ministers and Directors-General participate.

The Lekgotla is a critical component for the preparation of the State of the Nation Address which the President will deliver to a joint sitting of Parliament  at 19h00 on Thursday, 7 February, 2019.

President Ramaphosa called for the creation of an economy that will create opportunities for women, young people and millions of unemployed South Africans who should be productive participants in the economy.

The President said that at a time when the global economic outlook was gloomy, South Africa presented significant opportunity which, if squandered, would perpetuate low growth, unemployment and severe inequality.

President Ramaphosa called for the strengthening of the capacity of the state and the entrenchment of clean governance.

He said the public service should, as agents of change and agents for building a better society, be more responsive and deliver quality services to the nation.

The President reiterated government’s prioritisation of education and health and said the education system should enable learners to take advantage of opportunities in digital transformation.

The President identified the disastrous effects of substance abuse and gangsterism on communities and the negative impact of crime on the economy as challenges on which government should work more closely with communities and civil society, including religious leaders, to achieve meaningful impact.

Turning to international relations and cooperation, President Ramaphosa committed that government would work through regional, continental and multilateral forums to bring about a more just and humane world.

Tomorrow, Friday 1 February 2019, President Ramaphosa and Deputy President Mabuza will co-chair a session of the President’s Coordinating Council, in which Cabinet will be joined by Premiers, members of provincial executive councils (MECs) and the leadership of the South African Local Government Association.

These deliberations will ensure that the outlook and programme of action adopted by the Cabinet Lekgotla is internalised and implemented across all spheres of government.

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

Stockholm - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Stockholm, Sweden today, Sunday 18 October 2015, ahead of the 9th session  of the South Africa-Sweden Binational Commission scheduled for 19-20 October 2015. The visit is part of a three-nation visit including Cuba   and Mexico.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is supported during this visit by Ministers Nomvula Mokonyane, Pravin Gordhan and Deputy Ministers Nomaindiya   Mfeketo, Mduduzi Manana, Mzwandile Masina and Hlengiwe Mkhize, and advisors Dr. Nono Simelela and Dr. Gerhard Koornhof.

The visit to Sweden is aimed at consolidating political and economic bilateral relations between the two countries in the areas of trade and industry, science and technology, higher education, environment, water and sanitation, telecommunications and co-operative governance. The Binational Commission, which will be co-chaired with Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Åsa Romson, will witness the launch of the environment, energy and water sub-committee which will add to existing committees on political affairs, economic affairs, science and technology and a forum on human rights.

While in Sweden Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to pay a courtesy call on Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven as part of efforts to consolidate bilateral relations while deepening co-operation at a multilateral level to transform the global political and economic governance system including the reform of the UN system as well as the UN Security Council. 

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also lay a wreath at the graveside of the late former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme who played a pivotal role during the anti-apartheid struggle in pursuit of peace, freedom and justice in South Africa.

At an investor level, Deputy President Ramaphosa will address the Swedish Business Forum and interact with a select group of senior executives of Swedish companies as part of efforts to encourage more trade and foreign direct investment into South Africa. This will happen within the overall thrust of the National Development Plan to grow our economy with a view to addressing our domestic triple challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty.

In this regard, Sweden ranks among South Africa’s major trading partners within the EU. The overall trade between the two countries, despite fluctuations, grew from R13.1 billion in 2010 to R13.6 billion in 2014.  South African exports increased from R2. 3 billion to R2. 4 billion between 2013 and 2014 due to an increase in demand for agro-processed products and advanced manufactured goods such as grape wines, beverage spirits, vinegar, iron and steel.  Imports from Sweden on the other hand grew by 14% between 2010 and 2012 to R12 billion. More can still be done to increase the volume of value-added products from South Africa to Sweden particularly in medium to high technology manufacturing.

This year’s Binational Commission session will also witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Water Resources Management and a Letter of Intent on Environmental Protection and Climate Change.

The South African delegation will also explore initiatives to implement ICT SMME development, digital opportunities programme under SA Connect through skills development for communities, e-skills development programme and research, development and innovation.

The delegation will also seek co-operation to expand twinning partnerships between South African and Swedish municipalities to support training and capacity building in infrastructure planning, improvement of public participation and municipal governance through exchanges. 

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has added his heartfelt condolences to those already offered by South Africans from all walks of life following the death of three learners and injuries to 23 learners at Driehoek High School in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, on Friday, 1 February 2019.
 
The tragedy reportedly unfolded when part of the school infrastructure collapsed.
 
“I offer my deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the deceased learners and I equally extend my condolences to the staff and entire school   community of Driehoek High School,” said President Ramaphosa.
 
The President has also wished those injured a speedy recovery.
 
“This is a tragedy that touches all South Africans,” said President Ramaphosa. “We have lost young people who were engaged in the most important endeavour of their young lives – their education.”
 
The President has welcomed the psychosocial support that government is extending to the families of the deceased learners as well as to injured learners and their families, and the staff and governing body of Driehoek High School.
 
“It is my hope that the people of our country and of the Vaal will at this time come together as one to support the Driehoek school community in this hour of mourning, while government, working with the school community , embarks on a process to establish the cause of this tragedy and to ensure that we can, at an appropriate time and under appropriate conditions resume learning and teaching,” said the President.
 

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

At the invitation of Her Excellency, Ms Åsa Romson, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, His Excellency the Deputy President   of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, visited Sweden on the occasion of the 9th session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between South Africa and Sweden from 19 – 20 October 2015 in Stockholm.

The two Principals were accompanied by delegations of Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Senior Officials.

On the margins of the BNC, the Co-Chairs also held bilateral discussions on issues of mutual interest at the bilateral and multilateral levels. At a bilateral level, discussions focused on trade and investment, skills development and training as well as job creation among others. At a multilateral level, discussions included co-operation in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, reform of Global Governance institutions, UN and AU peace-building efforts and social cohesion.

The meeting reaffirmed the historic ties of friendship and solidarity between South Africa and Sweden, which date back to the struggle for peace, democracy and justice in South Africa. The unequivocal support that the Swedish people gave to the people of South Africa laid a firm foundation for future co-operation between the two countries The BNC reviewed and welcomed progress made since the 8th session of the BNC which took place in 2013 in Pretoria.

The BNC also agreed to establish a new Committee on Environment, Water and Energy to cover new areas of co-operation of particular significance for sustainable development. At the conclusion of the two days of consultations, the Co-Chairs received and welcomed progress reports from the four Committees of the BNC, namely: Political Affairs, Economic Affairs, Science and Technology Affairs, and Environment, Water and Energy Affairs.

The Political Affairs Committee discussed the bilateral relationship as well as selected Foreign Policy concerns of mutual interest. The Committee discussed a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest, including DRC, Burundi, the Horn of Africa, Liberia, Ukraine, Syria and Palestine.

The importance of upholding the principles of international law, based on the centrality of the UN Charter and including the principle of territorial integrity was underlined in the discussions. It agreed on the desirability to improve cooperation between the UN and the AU particularly within the peace keeping and peace building fields as reflected in UN Review reports.

Sweden and South Africa will work jointly to strengthen inclusive and sustainable peace building by promoting, amongst others, cooperation between women mediation networks as well as training of female mediators The BNC took note of the success of the Swedish-sponsored full scholarship programme and welcomed the announcement of the extension of the programme until 2021.

The programme provides opportunity for study at a post graduate level for South African students at Swedish tertiary institutions in a wide range of fields.

Further efforts will be made to deepen and develop economic relations, not least in the area of trade and investments. Strategic areas include, among others, energy, ICT, mining and transport infrastructure. Focus will be given to ensuring a conducive and predictable investment climate.

It was also agreed to strengthen collaboration in broadband policy framework development and rollout priority areas, including in ICT capacity building, SMME incubation and inclusion thereof in the value chains, as well as data security and e-learning strategies.

The Committee on Science and Technology noted the significant progress on scientific relations between the two countries with appreciation. It highlighted an agreement between the South African National Research Foundation and the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education which has already resulted in a research call with 103 applications received. An adjudication process of these research applications is currently underway.

Sweden and South Africa are committed to contribute towards a positive conclusion of COP21 in Paris in December 2015 and intend to intensify cooperation on sustainable development. The Committee on Environment, Water and Energy also agreed to continue collaboration on a broad range of issues including chemicals and waste, water resource management, and on the information platforms Water and Climate Change Information for Africa (WACCA) and Drought Early Warning Detection (DEWD).

The Committee also expressed willingness to develop cooperation on energy. At the closing ceremony of the BNC, a Memorandum of Understanding on Water Resources Management, and a Letter of Intent on Environmental Protection and Climate Change were signed, and the joint intent to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Energy was expressed.

These instruments will enable a broadened cooperation on areas contributing to sustainable development, including in the Blue Economy, and underscore the importance of job creation as a priority for both South Africa and Sweden. In addition, a Business Forum of South African and Swedish business leaders met during the BNC, to explore the possibilities of future collaboration with particular focus on ICT, mining and energy.

The two sides agreed to further pursue trade and investment relations, within the overall thrust of plans to grow a more inclusive economy. A seminar on the importance of local partnerships was also held during the BNC. There are currently thirteen active partnerships between South African and Swedish local authorities, further deepening people-to-people contact between the two countries. A seminar on the New Climate Economy facilitated discussion on the economic potential of climate change and energy policies.

At the conclusion of the BNC, His Excellency Deputy President Ramaphosa expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Swedish government for the excellent arrangements and hospitality extended to him and the South African delegation. In conclusion, the Co-Chairs agreed that the 10th Session of the South Africa – Sweden BNC would convene in South Africa during the second half of 2017, on a date to be mutually determined through diplomatic channels.

Stockholm, 20 October 2015.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Tuesday 05 February 2019, address the 25th annual Investing in Africa Mining Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. President Ramaphosa is scheduled to speak at 15h00.
 
President Ramaphosa will be joined by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo at this landmark event which is attended by leadership of government and the private sector internationally.
 
The Indaba will discuss resource nationalism, innovations in technology, battery metals, and diversity in mining and sustainable development, among other   themes.
 
The Indaba is the world’s largest gathering of mining’s most influential stakeholders and decision-makers vested in African mining.
 
The President will present South Africa as a competitive and investor-friendly destination that offers a unique combination of highly developed economic infrastructure and a vibrant emerging-market economy with sustainable investment opportunities.
 

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

Stockholm - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today, Wednesday 21 October lauded the successful outcomes of his official visit to Sweden where he co-chaired together with Swedish Deputy Prime Minister the 9th Session of the SA-Sweden Bi-National Commission. Deputy President Ramaphosa was speaking at the conclusion of his visit to Sweden and ahead of his scheduled official engagement in Cuba from 21-   26 October 2015.

The visit to Sweden is part of a three-nation visits that will see Deputy President Ramaphosa also paying official visits to Cuba and Mexico.

In his comments in Sweden upon conclusion of his official visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa said: “Our visit to Sweden has been more than successful, because we were able to achieve nearly every objective that we had set for ourselves. The first thing was to renew the relationship between South Africa and Sweden at a number of levels.

“Politically we were able to reconnect with the political leadership of Sweden and confirm once again that we are friends that we have a lot that is common between the two countries and commit ourselves to continue working together for the development of our peoples.

“We were also able to express a deep sense of gratitude for the enormous support that we received from Sweden over the years of our struggle. Sweden is one of those rare countries that continued to support us through the dark days of apartheid. They gave material, spiritual and other forms of support throughout the years when we were struggling against apartheid and finally they also gave refuge to our beloved leader Oliver Tambo when he was not well.

“We were also able to consolidate the dealings between the two countries through the Bi-National Commission that was set up nine (9) years ago. Nine years ago we decided to have this commission between the two countries and this commission has continued to meet over the nine sessions and it has set up a number of structures and committees that work on a number of issues – political issues, issues that have to do with trade and investment and now of late we also set up a committee that deals with issues such as water and energy and the environment.

“These committees were able to meet during this session and come up with really good decisions. One of the most outstanding decisions was a deep cooperation which was sealed in an agreement on water and the environment. Our minister of Water and Sanitation signed the agreement with the minister of the Climate and the Environment here. That agreement is going lead to deep cooperation between the two countries on water resource issues. We will learn a lot from them and they will also give us a lot of assistance.

“The other agreement that was signed was on energy. We will exchange a lot of ideas on energy but for me the most outstanding agreement was Sweden agreeing to continue supporting the skills development project between the two countries of getting young people from South Africa coming to Sweden to learn at a post graduate level at the Marine University and other universities where they are going to learn technical things that they can come and utilise back home. That to us was important.

“The other areas where we reached agreement was to continue cooperating at the UN level, various multilateral organisations. This was particularly important as we are now going to the Climate Change conference in Paris later this year were we have agreed that we will work together to ensure that we do things that are going to reach an agreement which will be a practical agreement amongst all countries of the world working together with Sweden. Our visit here has been a really a good visit, we are very pleased and over joyed with the visit.

“The other important thing that crowned the success of our visit was having a Business Forum. Business people from South Africa came and met their counterparts here in Sweden and they were able to have a workshop and a seminar and exchange views but the practical side of it all was that they were able to have two sight visits to go and see in real practical terms what Sweden has to offer. So the agreement was that we will get a lot of assistance at a business level from Sweden.

“The other important agreement was that we should find ways to address the trade imbalance between Sweden and South Africa. Our trade with Sweden is more tilted in their favour. We are importing more from them than we are exporting. We need to correct that and they are going to work with us to correct that and they are going to find ways of buy more things from us.

“At the end we ended up saying we look forward to the next Bi-National Commission which will be held in South Africa. During that period we would have wanted to have made great progress in all the areas that we looked at. We are fortunate because the things we agreed upon are very practical and they have an impact on the economy, they have an impact on creating jobs; they will be able to impact very positively the lives of our people.

”So our visit to Sweden has been more than successful and we are very happy with our continued relationship with Sweden,” concluded Deputy President Ramaphosa.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at +27-82 990 4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday, 08 February 2019, join business leaders and other stakeholders at the annual Presidential Golf Challenge at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand, in the Western Cape at 08h00.

The aim of the golf challenge hosted by the Ministry of Public Service and Administration in partnership with the private sector, is to raise funds for charities designated by the sitting President. The event also provides an opportunity for networking between government and partners in other   sectors of society and the economy.

The Presidential Golf Challenge forms part of the programme of activities associated with the State of the Nation Address.

The Presidential Golf Challenge proceeds will be donated to the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation and the funds will be used for school infrastructure programmes including the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiatives.


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

Havana - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday 21 October arrived in Havana, Cuba from Sweden, for his official visit to the country from 22-26 October 2015. Deputy President Ramaphosa is leading a high-level Ministerial and business delegation to Cuba with view to consolidating bilateral political, economic and trade ties between the two countries and strengthen co-operation at a multilateral level.

The South African delegation will utilise the opportunity of the visit to strengthen strong ties and bonds of friendship between our two peoples developed in the context of the struggle for freedom in South Africa. In this regard, many Cuban internationalists paid the supreme price in the cause of the struggle for the decolonisation of Southern Africa and the end of apartheid in South Africa.

These bonds of friendship culminated in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in May 1994 following the dawn of peace, freedom and democracy in South Africa in 1994. South Africa and Cuba established the Joint Consultative Mechanism in 2001 at the level of Deputy Ministers, to regulate structured relations between the two countries.

The two countries have since 1994 signed a number of agreements in various sectors and co-operated in a number of fields. South Africa is a beneficiary of Cuba’s ongoing assistance in the areas of health, labour, defence, social development, housing and infrastructure.

During the state visit to Cuba in December 2010, President Jacob Zuma announced that South Africa would offer the Cuba Economic Assistance Package to the tune of R350 million to assist with agricultural development process as well as the reconstruction of infrastructure devastated by natural disasters.

Through the SA-Cuba Health Agreement more than 420 South African students from disadvantaged backgrounds have qualified in the field of medicine with over 3000 more students currently undergoing training.  South Africa currently host over 300 Cuban medical personnel, engineers and science and mathematics teachers working in South Africa.

In addition, Deputy President Ramaphosa hopes to utilise the visit to Cuba among others  to learn from the Cuban expertise to improve on primary health-care, child mortality and specialised training;  discuss and share South Africa’s experience around monitoring , planning and evaluation; share South Africa’s experience in the areas of taxation, dual currency exchange and controls, anti-money laundering legislation;  discuss long-term recruitment plans of engineers and training intervention which could be implemented to train South Africa’s workforce locally and explore trade and business opportunities to advance bilateral trade between the two countries.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will hold bilateral discussions with his Cuban counterpart Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Discussions are expected among others to focus on bilateral political and economic relations, co-operation at a multilateral level as well as an overview of the updating of the Socialist Economic Model which will also include high level Ministerial discussions.

While in Cuba, Deputy President Ramaphosa will participate in ceremonies to lay wreaths at both the OR Tambo Bust and the statue of Cuban hero Jose Marti in Havana.  He will also address South African medical students based at the Cuban Medical University of Latin America, pay site visits to a Cuban pharmaceutical plant, tour the Policlinic, the Immunology Centre and tour the Mariel Free Port and Museum of Literacy. In addition, the Deputy President will address the South Africa-Business Forum; visit the Combined Energy Plant and Africa House.

The South African delegation includes South Africa’s Ambassador to Cuba Naphtalie Manana, Deputy Ministers Luwellyn Landers,  Enver Surty,  Dr Joe Phaahla, Godfrey Oliphant, Pam Tshwete,  Buti Manamela,  Mzwandile  Masina and Political and Legal Advisors of the Deputy  President,  Steyn Speed, Dr Nono Simelela and Adv. Nokukhanya Jele respectively.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on +27 82 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria