The Presidency and National Treasury have today, Sunday 27 August 2023, released a progress report for Q2 2023 on the implementation of economic reforms through Operation Vulindlela.

In October 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of Operation Vulindlela as a joint initiative of The Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of reforms to revive economic growth and create jobs.

The progress report outlines several key milestones that have been reached as part of government’s economic reform agenda, including the following:

● Gazetting of the final date for analogue switch-off (ASO), which has enabled analogue transmission to be switched off for all frequencies above 694 Megahertz (MHz) on 31 July 2023 to enable the use of spectrum for mobile telecommunications. This key reform will improve network quality, reduce data costs and expand digital access for all South Africans.

● Selection of an international terminal operator to partner with Transnet at the Durban Pier 2 container terminal. This will crowd in private investment and management expertise to improve the performance of South Africa’s largest container terminal, handling 72% of the Port of Durban’s throughput and 46% of South Africa’s port traffic.

● Establishment of the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) to oversee short and long-term interventions to fix South Africa’s freight logistics system. The NLCC has eight work streams focused on immediate operational improvements in the logistics system as well as longer-term reforms to improve efficiency and competitiveness, and will report to the President.

● Approval of the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) Bill for tabling in Parliament. The establishment of the NWRIA as a dedicated agency to manage and invest in bulk water resource infrastructure is the centrepiece of institutional reforms in the water sector.

●  Establishment of the One Stop Shop for energy projects to accelerate private investment in new generation capacity. The One Stop Shop will facilitate regulatory authorisations for energy projects, with the aim of establishing a single, fully electronic application process.

●  Progress in procuring new generation capacity to close the gap in electricity supply, with nine projects from Bid Window 5 having reached financial close to date and a further four expected to close by September 2023.

The report provides a detailed update on each of the priority reform areas in Operation Vulindlela, including reforms to the energy, logistics, telecommunications, and water sectors as well as the visa regime.

The full Operation Vulindlela 2023_24 Q2 Report can be downloaded at https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/operation-vulindlela.

          
Joint statement issued by:

- Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President media@presidency.gov.za
- Cleopatra Mosana, Head of Communications in the National Treasury cleopatra.mosana@treasury.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
Operation Vulindlela 2023_24 Q2 Report.pdf

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, tomorrow, Tuesday, 29 August 2023, engage with young men and boys on the prevention and combating of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as part of the programme of the Presidential Young Men and Boys Indaba. 

The engagement will afford the President a platform to engage with young men and boys on the tangible progress made in GBVF prevention activities in schools and the challenges faced under the scourge of violence and abuse.

President Ramaphosa has consistently called for the mobilisation of men and boys in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.

The Indaba will also feature a dialogue among high school learners on positive masculinity.

“What About The Boys?” is a GBVF prevention initiative to raise a nation of good men and is an outcome of a 2022 social compact, led by youth organisations and stakeholders in the public and private sectors.

This programme is aligned to Pillar 2: Prevention and Restoration of Social Fabric of the National Strategic Plan (NSP).

One of the key interventions of Pillar 2 of the NSP is to change behaviour and social norms that drive GBVF with key groups within the society using a variety of approaches. 

The President will be supported by the Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga. 

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 29 August 2023
Time: 09h00
Venue: Maponya Mall, Chris Hani Road, Klipspruit, Soweto, Gauteng Province

For media logistics enquiries contact Terence Khala: Basic Education Department Media Liaison Officer on +27 81 758 1546 and Elijah Mhlanga:Head of Communication at Basic Education Department on 083 580 8275 

          
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Republic of South Africa congratulates the government and the people of The Republic of Zimbabwe for organizing and holding the harmonized elections to elect the President, National Assembly and Local government representatives, which took place on 23 and 24 August 2023.

South Africa is conscious that these elections took place under a difficult economic environment due to the burdening sanctions which the people of Zimbabwe continue to unjustly endure. 

Furthermore, South Africa has taken note of the preliminary pronouncements by the invited International Observers Missions including the African Union (AU) and the South African Development Community (SEOM) Observer Missions.

South Africa calls on all the parties in Zimbabwe to work in unison in sustaining peace and work towards development and shared prosperity in the country.

          
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa today, 29 August 2023, met with the chairpersons and chief executives of strategic state-owned enterprises (SOEs) at the Union Buildings to discuss the implementation of measures to stabilize their financial and operational performance and harness their economic potential.

Government has, since 2018, embarked on a process of reform to address the legacy of state capture in SOEs, including through the appointment of capable leadership, the recovery of stolen assets and the pursuit of those responsible for perpetrating acts of corruption. In addition, as part of Operation Vulindlela, fundamental reforms are being implemented in the energy, logistics and water sectors to address structural challenges and reposition SOEs for the future.

President Ramaphosa called on the management and boards of SOEs to accelerate this reform agenda and fulfil their developmental mandate. He emphasized the importance of SOEs, as strategic national assets, in driving inclusive growth, investing in infrastructure, and creating jobs. 

The meeting received a report from the Presidential State Owned Enterprises Council (PSEC), which was appointed by the President in 2020 to advise government on the revitalisation and repurposing of strategic SOEs.

Since its establishment, the Council has undertaken in-depth analyses at 21 SOEs to inform its recommendations. It has proposed changes to the governance framework and shareholder ownership model to enhance oversight, separate the ownership, policy and regulatory functions of the state, and leverage the combined balance sheet of SOEs.

In addition, the National Treasury provided an update on its review of the procurement system to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture while enabling SOEs to operate in an efficient and competitive manner. Legislative and regulatory reforms are underway to strike an effective balance between preventing corruption and abuse and allowing innovation, agility and responsiveness in procurement. 

President Ramaphosa said: “It is quite clear that the success of our economic recovery relies on the effective functioning of state-owned entities. We are implementing reforms to ensure that SOEs are able to adapt to new economic conditions, including rapid developments in technology, their respective operating environments and changing global trends, and to serve the country well into the future.”

President Ramaphosa will continue to prioritise the turnaround of South Africa’s SOEs in order to drive economic growth and transformation.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, 31 August 2023, officiate at the expansion of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Forensic Science Biology Laboratory and subsequently address the Women in Law Enforcement Parade. 

The unveiling of the expansion of the SAPS Forensic Science Biology Laboratory and Women in Law Enforcement Parade will take place consecutively at Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape Province.

The South African Police Service initiated the expansion of the Forensic Science Biology  Lab following shortcomings identified in addressing the backlog in the analysis of DNA retrieved from crime scenes. 

President Ramaphosa will officially open the expanded Biology DNA Analysis Lab and tour the facility, which is installed with advanced equipment to analyse DNA. The lab will improve turnaround times in DNA analyses and reinforce the fight against Gender Based Violence and Femicide. 

Following the unveiling of the lab, President Ramaphosa will proceed to the Wolfson Stadium to address the Women In Law Enforcement Parade, which encompasses women in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster. 

The details of the event are as follows: 

Phase One: Opening and Tour of the Gqeberha Biology Section DNA Lab

Date: Thursday, 31 August 2023
Time: 09h00
Venue: Eben Donges Building, North End, Gqerberha

Phase Two: Women In Law Enforcement Parade

Date: Thursday, 31 August 2023
Time: 11h30
Venue: Isaac Wolfson Stadium, 7 Stofile Street, Kwazakhele, Gqerberha

Media RSVP: Brigadier Athlenda Mathe - +27 82 040 8808

SAPS Media enquiries: Major General Mathapelo Peters on +27 76 065 6502 or Ms Lirandzu Themba on +27 82 604 9080

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the significant loss of life inflicted by a fire in a residential building in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, in the early hours of today, Thursday, 31 August 2023.

By 08h30 today, the reported death toll stood at 73, while scores more are injured and receiving medical treatment.

President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes injured survivors a speedy and full recovery.

The President’s thoughts are also with households and individuals who have lost their accommodation and possessions in this incident.

The President said: “This is a great tragedy felt by families whose loved ones perished in this awful manner, and our hearts go out to every person affected by this event.

“This incident calls on all of us, from the emergency services and other entities of government to community-based organisations, to reach out to survivors to help restore people’s physical psychological wellbeing and offer all material help residents may need.”

President Ramaphosa hopes the investigations into the fire will enable communities and authorities to prevent a repeat of such a tragedy or to bring to book any culpable parties.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this evening, 31 August 2023, address the nation on the outcomes of the 15th BRICS Summit and on the outcome of the panel investigation into the docking of the Lady R vessel in South Africa.

eNCA will provide a feed to all media and PresidencyZA will also live stream the proceedings.
 
The address is scheduled to take place at 20h00.
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

In view of the fire disaster in Johannesburg, President Cyril Ramaphosa has cancelled his address to the nation. 

The President will, this afternoon, conduct a site visit to Marshalltown to receive a briefing on the emergency and recovery operations and on the support the government is providing to the affected families.

Time: 17h30 
 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Sunday, 03 September 2023, join families of police officers and reservists who lost their lives in the line of duty, at the annual South African Police Service (SAPS) Commemoration Day.

The event will take place at the South African Police Service (SAPS) Memorial Site at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

This year’s event commemorates 34 members of the SAPS who have fallen in the line of duty in the 12 months between 01 April 2022 and 31 March 2023. 

Members of the media wishing to attend the event are requested to submit credentials to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe on 082 040 8808

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Sunday, 03 September 2023
Time: 09h00 for 10h00
Venue: SAPS Memorial Site, Union Buildings, Pretoria

NOTE TO MEDIA: Members of the media are reminded that no drones will be allowed for the duration of the programme.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Friday 1 September 2023, convened a meeting of the Presidential Coordinating Council (PCC) at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Tshwane. The meeting commenced with the observance of a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the recent building fire in Johannesburg. 

“We are meeting here just a day after a catastrophic building fire in central Johannesburg claimed the lives of more than 70 people. As we await further information on the cause of the fire and the huge loss of life, we must ask hard questions about the effectiveness of our interventions to improve the living conditions of our people. As we grieve this devastating loss, let us learn from this tragedy and make sure that it never happens again,” said President Ramaphosa.

The PCC is the President’s platform for consultation and engagement with provinces and local government in order to raise matters of national interest, ensure alignment of strategic priorities, strengthen coordination, and discuss performance. The PCC transcends local boundaries and coordinates action across spheres of government in a holistic and transversal manner.

The meeting attended by Premiers and members of Cabinet deliberated on service delivery constraints and proposed interventions; the implementation of the District Development Model (DDM); and corrective action plans to address the worst performing municipalities in terms of the Blue Drop and Green Drop assessments of water and wastewater treatment quality. 

The meeting reaffirmed the need to continue enhancing intergovernmental coordination, with a particular focus on infrastructure development and related financing mechanisms in view of the constrained fiscal environment. The meeting also welcomed proposals on the institutionalisation of the District Development Model and the roll out of the DDM support tool that will enable more focused and improved serviced delivery.

On the ongoing fight against crime, the PCC resolved to strengthen the partnership between law enforcement agencies and the various provincial crime fighting initiatives to address illegal mining, intimidation of contractors and other security threats, and to bolster community based crime fighting capacity.  
  

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria