The Presidency has informed the Office of the Public Protector that President Cyril Ramaphosa has initiated remedial action in line with the report of the Public Protector on the appointment of National Treasury Director-General Mr Dondo Mogajane.
 
On 18 December 2018, the Public Protector issued a report titled "Report on the Investigation of Improper Conduct Regarding Mr Dondo Mogajane's Application for the position of Director-General at National Treasury and his subsequent appointment to the same position by the National Treasury".
 
Mr Mogajane was employed as the Director-General of National Treasury, with effect from 8 June 2017, on a fixed-term contract of five years. The  Public Protector found that Mr Mogajane had failed to disclose a criminal record on the Z83 application form he completed for the position of Director-  General at the National Treasury and that this failure constituted impropriety or dishonesty, and amounted to improper conduct.
 
The Public Protector recommended that, within 30 days of the report, the President should take appropriate action against Mr Mogajane in terms of Section 16A of the Public Service Act for "blatantly and dishonestly" making false representation of material facts in his Z83 form.
 
The Public Service Act directs, inter alia, that the President is responsible for disciplinary steps and the implementation of relevant sanctions against a head of department.
 
Section 42A(3)(a) of the Act enables the President to delegate to any Minister any power conferred on the President, including the power to initiate disciplinary action against a Director-General as well as to effect the outcome thereof.
 
Consequently, President Ramaphosa has informed the Public Protector in writing that he has requested the Minister for Public Service and Administration, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo, to study the report on Mr Mogajane and advise on the steps the department will take to address the specific issues raised by the Public Protector.
 
The President has also in terms of Section 42A(3)(a) of the Public Service Act – read with other provisions – delegated to the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Ms Naledi Pandor, the power to initiate disciplinary action against Mr Mogojane.
 
Once Minister Pandor has fulfilled her role, the President has delegated to the Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni, the authority to implement the outcome of the disciplinary hearing, including, but not limited to, the implementation of the sanction pronounced by the Chairperson of the hearing.
 
The President is of the view that the current Minister of Finance, who is required to take ownership of decisions made by his predecessor, may be conflicted in this situation and it would therefore not be appropriate to delegate the power to institute disciplinary actions against Mr Mogajane to the current Minister.
 
President Ramaphosa has given the Public Protector an undertaking that the Office of the Public Protector will be updated as soon as the Ministers in question provide reports.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will in his capacity as the Leader of Government Business in Parliament provide oral answers to a number of questions from members of the National Assembly in parliament Cape Town tomorrow, Thursday 5 November 2015.

In this context questions that have been posed to the Deputy President include among others:

(i) Whether, with reference to the bi-national commission agreements that the Government has entered into with various countries, some of the specified countries are providing skills development training to South African citizens;

(ii) what the current status of consultations is with former Sudanese Vice President Dr. Riek Machar

(iii) what steps the Government will take to prioritise solutions to the specified challenges facing institutions of higher learning;

(iv) what suggestions the Human Resource Council intend to submit to the National Treasury in terms of reprioritising university funding?

(v) what steps government will be undertaking to address challenges of the shortage of skilled artisans, technicians and engineers

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the outcomes of the Presidential Health Summit 2018, saying the deliberations among a broad range of stakeholders in the national health system will inspire action towards the creation of a healthier nation.
 
The President launched the final report on the Summit at a media briefing at Tuynhuis, Cape Town, today, Tuesday 12 February 2019.
 
The launch was attended by Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Minister of Health Joe Phaahla and senior representatives of the sectors  that participated in the Summit which was officiated by Deputy President David Mabuza on 19 and 20 October 2018.
 
The Presidential Health Summit followed a consultative meeting  in August 2018 that focused on the National Health Insurance (NHI). The summit  explored ways to strengthen the health system to ensure that it provides access to quality health services for all through an inclusive process.
 
The significance of the Summit arises from the fact that this was the first engagement on this scale and in this depth among a range of stakeholders who encompassed government, legislators, the health private sector, health economists, health service users, academics, health practitioners, labour and community organisations and community health workers.
 
The Summit was structured to look into nine key areas:

1. Human Resources for Health (or the Health Workforce)
2. Supply Chain Management, Medical Products, Equipment and Machinery
3. Public Financial Management
4. Infrastructure Planning
5. Private Sector Engagement
6. Health Service Provision (Delivery)
7. Leadership and Governance
8. Community Engagement
9. Information Systems.
 
The Summit generated support for National Health Insurance and for the principles of universal quality health care, social solidarity and equity in health access.
 
The Summit also adopted the principle of “One Country - One Health System” for South Africa and welcomed the renewed energy and commitment within government to improve the health system to ensure that South Africans receive quality health care.
 
The consensus emerging from the diversity of stakeholders who participated in the Summit is a vital prerequisite for the attainment of universal health coverage in South Africa.
 
Having identified critical challenges, the Summit called on Government to urgently prioritise the filling of critical vacant posts so that staff shortages in key areas of the health system can be stabilized.
 
Based on Summit deliberations, provinces are expected to prioritise their financial resource allocations in a manner that will ensure that the delivery of quality health care is not compromised.
 
Furthermore, the Summit highlighted the need to review and  develop sustainable financing model to address urgent financial resource requirements, with National Treasury being tasked to ensure that this is finalised soon.
 
The Summit proposed a centralised procurement system with standardised procurement systems and processes to deal with corruption, economy of skills and scale. This calls for an information technology system that will enable the integration of procurement.
 
In addition, the success of a quality health system rests on information systems that can generate valid information at the right time and in the right format for decision-making and monitoring at all levels of management, taking into account  the  need for patient confidentiality.
 
Further proposals relate to the development of expertise and funding to implement the National Department of Health’s health infrastructure plan in a manner that will respond to changing population and clinical dynamics.
 
This demands stronger coordination between the Department of Health and partners such as the Department of Public Works. Overall, infrastructure in both the public and private health sectors must meet the requirements of the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC).
 
Mindful of the interplay between the public and private sectors, the Summit acknowledged the critical role the private has to play in the realisation of universal health coverage, and called for ongoing inclusive consultative processes to achieve this goal, started through the Summit.
 
The Summit underlined the importance of the active engagement of health care service users in the processes of unifying the health system and identified Community Health Workers as a vital link between communities and health facilities.
 
Representatives of the Summit sectors are currently developing a Presidential Health Summit Compact based on the outcomes, which commits sectors to work together to implement identified solutions. The initial sectors identified are: government, civil society, labour, health services users, business, private providers, academia, statutory councils, health professionals and allied health workers.

Representatives will consult their key constituencies on the interventions to be implemented and craft a plan including clear objectives, methods, timelines, milestones and indicators as well as financial resources.

Addressing media at the launch of the Summit report, President Ramaphosa said: “The Presidential Health Summit 2018 gave us an opportunity to examine our national health system as a patient in its own right and to arrive at a diagnosis that would allow us to intervene and return this system to good health.

“We need a robust, efficient and caring health system in a country where more than seven million people live with HIV; where we are seeing rising rates of diabetes, hypertension and cancer, and where maternal and neonatal death rates must be reduced.

“Too many people do not receive quality preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative health care services they deserve, while others receive superior health care services.”

The President said the attention government would pay to restoring the health system would flow from two of the national priority tasks outlined in the 2019 State of the Nation Address, namely improving the conditions of life for all South Africans, especially the poor, and strengthening the capacity of the state to address the needs of the people.

Realising the magnitude of the challenges in health care, government has established an NHI and quality improvement War Room in the Presidency. This structure consists of various key departments to address the crisis in the public health system while preparing for the implementation of the NHI.

President Ramaphosa said that while it was essential to build and maintain a healthy nation, this responsibility rested not only on government and partners to the health summit of 2018, but on all South Africans who should adopt healthy and active lifestyles and do their best to take care of their physical and mental wellbeing.
 
The full Presidential Health Summit 2018 Report can be accessed on The Presidency website or as a download HERE.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Germiston - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will chair the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa (HRDC) meeting at Ekurhuleni West TVET College, Germiston Campus, Gauteng on Friday, 06 November 2015 from 09h00 to 13h00.

The meeting will discuss the following key issues:    

1. The revised HRD Strategy towards 2020 and the new targets set for the same period.

2. The unveiling of the new Vision and Mission for the HRD Council.

3. The new priorities, within the HRD value chain which the HRD Council will focus on for the next five years.

4. Adoption of a formal  partnership framework between Technical Vocational and Training (TVET) colleges and businesses as part of the HRDC’s Adopt-A- TVET College initiative which was launched at Sasolburg in November 2014.

Prior to the meeting of the HRDC, Deputy President Ramaphosa will visit the Ekurhuleni West TVET College’s artisan training workshops. The training programme offers practical training in Automotive Repair and maintenance as well as Fitting and Machinery. 

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Photo Opportunity during the site visit

Date: 06 November 2015         

Time: 08h00 (members of the media to arrive at 7h30)

Venue: Ekurhuleni West TVET College, Germiston Campus

Opening Remarks by Deputy President

Time: 09h00

Venue: Ekurhuleni West College Corporate Centre, Germiston Campus

Cnr Driehoek and Sol Road

For accreditation and enquiries please contact Ms L Ramataboe at 082 466 8390 or Mr Terrence Manase at 082 338 6707.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa – 082 990 4853.

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today Thursday 5 October 2015 announced in the National Assembly in parliament in Cape Town that he will be leading high-level South African diplomatic and trade delegation on an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran from 07- 09 November 2015.

The visit to Iran by Deputy President Ramaphosa is aimed at consolidating strategic bilateral political and economic relations. During the visit   the South African delegation will explore opportunities for foreign direct investment, create trading opportunities for South African investors while identifying skills development and training opportunities for South Africans in various Iranian sectors.

Deputy President Ramaphosa who is expected to depart for Iran on Friday 6 November 2015 will be supported in this diplomatic and trade visit by Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, Deputy Ministers Nomaindia Mfeketo, Bheki Cele, Thokozile Xasa, Mcebisi Jonas and will include representatives of Eskom, Mintek, Council for Geo-science, Financial Intelligence Centre, SARS and a sizeable business delegation.

At a bilateral political level Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to pay a courtesy call on Iranian President Dr. Hassan Rouhani, Speaker of parliament Dr. Ali Larinjani and hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri to strengthen bilateral political relations, consolidate regional co-operation on strategic regional security and stability in Africa and the Middle East  while enhancing bilateral co-operation on reform of global political and economic governance including reform of the UN Security Council.

During the visit and in the interest of advancing trade and economic relations, Deputy President Ramaphosa will inaugurate the South Africa-Iran Business Council. During the 12th Joint Commission held in May this year, the two countries agreed to elevate and consolidate trade, investment and economic relations and concluded action plans in the finance, trade, agriculture and energy sectors. In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa will also meet with Iranian Minister of Finance and Economy Dr Tayyebnia and Minister of Industry, Trade and Mines Mr Nematzadeh.

The re-establishment of bilateral relations in 1994 brought about an increase in trade relations between the two countries.  However, there has been a decline in trade affected by sanctions, resulting in reduction in South African exports to Iran reducing from R1, 27 billion in 2008 to R270 million in 2014. 

Similarly the South African delegation will utilise the opportunity created by the official visit to implement mechanisms for the –re-establishment of trade in agro-processed horticulture and aquaculture products and to exchange skills and technology within the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

Deputy President Ramaphosa’s delegation will also explore opportunities for the co-operation in the energy sector with a view of attracting investment into South African refinery and shipping capacity and for an exchange of technology and skills in the energy sectors.

Several Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) are expected to be finalised during the official visit in agriculture; finance, trade and industry, mineral resources and in science and technology. In addition the delegation will also explore collaboration between tertiary institutions, secure cooperation on skills development, identify opportunities in aquaculture and agriculture technology exchanges, scholarships in the medical field and Masters programmes.

Deputy President Ramaphosa and his delegation is expected to return to South Africa on 11 November 2015

Enquiries:  Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 and Clayson Monyela (Dirco) on 082 884 5974

Issued by: The Presidency

Cape Town

President Cyril Ramaphosa has requested Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to officiate the launch today, Tuesday 12 February 2019, of the report on the Presidential Health Summit 2018.
 
The event takes place at 12h00 in the Media Room at Tuynhuys, Cape Town.
 
The Presidency regrets any inconvenience to media or other stakeholders that may arise from this change.
 

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

Tehran - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today, Saturday 07 November 2015, arrived in Tehran, capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, ahead of bilateral political and trade talks with his Iranian counterpart, His Excellency First Vice-President, Es’hag Jahangiri.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is leading a delegation that includes the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane; Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Nomaindiya Mfeketo; Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr Godfrey Oliphant; Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Mcebisi Hubert Jonas; Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Bheki Cele, and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Tokozile Xasa.

Among delegates to the Iran visit are representatives of state-owned companies and agencies including Eskom, Mintek, the Council of Geo-science, the Financial intelligence Centre, the South African Revenue Service, and a sizeable business delegation.

The visit to Iran is aimed at consolidating political and economic bilateral relations between the two countries in trade and investment, energy, agriculture, education and skills development.

Deputy President Ramaphosa and his counterpart will inaugurate and co-chair the South Africa-Iran Business Council, intended to further reinforce the existing trade and investment opportunities in finance, agriculture and energy.

During his visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa will pay a courtesy call on Iranian President Dr. Hassan Rouhani and the Speaker of Parliament Dr. Ali larinjani as part of consolidating regional co-operation on reform of global political and economic governance, including transformation of the United Nations Security Council. 

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also meet with the Iranian Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr Tayyebnia, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Mines, Mr Nematzadeh.

At the conclusion of his visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa and delegation will visit and tour the MAPNA Factory, an Iranian enterprise which operates in the area of construction and development of thermal power plants, independent power plants, oil and gas as well as rail traction projects.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will return to South Africa on 11 November 2015.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning arrived in Jeddah, for his State Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, scheduled to take place today, 12 July 2018.
 
The President will meet with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud.
 
The purpose of the State Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is to assess the status of bilateral relations, whilst focusing primarily on strengthening economic linkages between South Africa and Saudi Arabia, particularly in terms of increasing inward investment and diversifying the trade relationship.
 
South Africa imports approximately 47% of its oil from Saudi Arabia and regards the country as a strategic partner in the Middle East. The country is also a large investor in South Africa, especially in the area of renewable energy. Total trade amounted to just more than R55 billion in 2017.
 
The State Visit will also present an opportunity for South Africa to increase co-operation with Saudi Arabia in light of the country’s new strategy for Africa.
 
To further strengthen trade, investment and economic ties, including Business–to–Business cooperation between the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a substantive business delegation is accompanying President Ramaphosa on the visit.
 
President Ramaphosa is accompanied by the of Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation; Defence and Military Veterans; Energy, Police and Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South African and Iranian enterprises to explore opportunities for partnerships and build on the strong bonds between the two countries. 

Deputy President Ramaphosa made this call during his address to the South Africa-Iran Business Forum in Tehran, capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, today, Sunday 8 November 2015. 

Deputy President Ramaphosa is leading a three-day high-level delegation of government and business on a working visit to Iran. 

The visit is aimed at consolidating political and economic bilateral relations between the two countries. 

Later today Deputy President Ramaphosa will hold talks with the Iranian Deputy Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade, Dr Afkhami Rad; Minister of Oil and Petroleum Mr Bijan Mandar Zangeneh, and the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Dr. Ali Larinjani. 

Tomorrow, Monday 9 November 2015, Deputy President Ramaphosa will pay a courtesy visit on His Excellency Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

Concluding the visit tomorrow, Deputy President Ramaphosa will visit the MAPNA Factory, an Iranianenterprise which operates in the construction and developmentof thermal power plants, independent power plants, oil and gas as wellas rail traction projects.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa, Spokesperson for the Deputy President on +27 82 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Tehran - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa concluded a successful three-day working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on Monday, 9 November 2015 where he led a high level government and trade delegation to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations   between the two countries.

Deputy President Ramaphosa’s visit took place following the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Programme of Action between Iran and the so- called P5+1 countries. This programme is expected to result in the withdrawal of sanctions imposed on Iran.

The visit  by Deputy President Ramaphosa was preceded by a number of bilateral meetings at a ministerial level focusing on consolidating relations, collaboration in energy, agriculture, tourism, trade and water resource management.

During the visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa  and his counterpart, First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri witnessed the signing of three agreements, namely:

· Memorandum of Understanding between MINTEK (South Africa), IMIDRO and Iran IMIDRO and Iran Mineral Processing Research Centre (IMPRC) focusing on mineral processing;

· Memorandum of Understanding between Financial Intelligence Centre of South Africa and Financial Intelligence Unit of the Islamic Republic of Iran on Information Exchange Concerning Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing; and

· Memorandum of Understanding between Financial Services Board of South Africa and Securities and Exchange Organisation of Iran in Relation to Assistance and Mutual Co-operation in the Capital Markets Sector.  

Deputy President Ramaphosa also presided over the launch of the SA-Iran Business Council,  wherein he noted the success of companies doing business in Iran and the enormous capacity developed by the Iranians in areas such as petrochemicals, oil and gas, agriculture and on developing sources of energy such as wind and gas.  

While in Iran Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa had an opportunity to pay courtesy visits to President Hassan Rouhani and the Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani. The Deputy President expressed South Africa’s gratitude to the Iranian government for the stances it has taken on various regional cooperation issues and ongoing support for transformation of the United Nations Security Council.

The Deputy President was supported by Minister Nomvula Mokonyane of Water and Sanitation, Deputy Ministers Nomaindia Mfeketo of International Relations and Cooperation, Godfrey Oliphant of Mineral Resources, Mcebisi Jonas of Finance, Bheki Cele of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and and Tokozile Xasa of Tourism and senior government officials.

Representatives of state-owned companies such as Eskom, Mintek, the Council for Geoscience, the Financial Intelligence Centre and the South African Revenue Service and over 80 business leaders formed part of the visit in support of the Deputy President.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa - 082-990-4853

The Presidency