BLOEMFONTEIN – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Chairperson of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation (CRF) will on Friday, 15 September 2017, deliver keynote address at the Official Launch of the CRF Thari Programme for Women and Children at Reentseng Primary   School, in Botshabelo, Bloemfontein, Free State.
 
Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation (CRF) is an independent non-profit organisation that improves lives and creates opportunities through education and enterprise development. It is also a partner of choice for social change through Adopt-a-School, Kagiso Shanduka Trust, Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust and Shanduka Black Umbrellas.
 
The Launch of the Thari Programme for support of Women and Children will respond to the increasing concern throughout of learning centres in our country where public schools in the main are the sites of widespread violence. 
 
The programme creates a platform to build safer environment for women and children through a partnership between UNICEF, UNFPA and Save the Children in SA. This initiative seeks to build a conducive environment for learning in South Africa. Learners, educators and parents face the challenge of violence, sexual abuse and other social ills.
 
Moreover, women also face severe challenges in protecting and caring for their children. Violence against women remains widespread.
 
The event will be attended amongst others by learners, teachers, parents, business representatives, non-profit organisations and members of civil society.
 
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will be supported by the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, Minister in The Presidency Responsible for Women, Susan Shabangu, members executive council and other senior government officials.
 
Media are invited to cover the event as follows:
 
Date​: Friday, 14 September 2017
Time: 09H30
Venue: Reentseng Primary School, Botshabelo, Bloemfontein
 
For more information and accreditation please contact:  Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251
 
 
Enquires:  Tyrone Seale, on 083 575 7440

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a high-level delegation to London on Sunday 24 September 2017 for the presentation to the World Rugby Council of South Africa’s bid to host the prestigious Rugby World Cup 2023 tournament.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by Sport and Recreation Minister Thulas Nxesi and Deputy Minister Gert Oosthuizen. The South African presentation will take place at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London, on Monday 25 September 2017. Ireland and France are the other contenders for the 2023 tournament that will take place 200 years after the invention, according to legend, of the game of rugby by William Webb Ellis.
 
President Jacob Zuma has requested Deputy President Ramaphosa to lead Team South Africa, in view of the fact that the President is leading the South African delegation to the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. UNGA has been scheduled from September 19 to 25, 2017.
 
The high-powered delegation will include SA Rugby President Mark Alexander and Chief Executive Officer Jurie Roux, who will lay out South Africa’s technically and commercially compelling case to host the tournament 28 years after the late President Nelson Mandela handed the Webb Ellis Cup to Francois Pienaar at a packed Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa’s participation in this visit symbolises the support and deep commitment support and his leadership of the mission to London demonstrates the government’s support for and commitment to the effort to return the tournament to the African continent in the 21st century.
 
Contractually, this commitment is demonstrated by the fact that the South African government has, as the lead partner in the bid process, signed off on all the requirements stipulated by the World Rugby Council, satisfying more than the required minimum guarantee in the process.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa has congratulated Team South Africa on its preparations to date for the presentation of the bid and has called on all South Africans to show their support for Team South Africa as the delegation enters the final stages of securing the Rugby World Cup 2023.
 
The World Rugby will announce the host of the 2023 Rugby World Cup on 15 November 2017.

 
Enquiries:
 
Tyrone Seale
Acting Spokesperson
083 575 7440
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Heritage Day, 24 September 2017, travelled to London for the presentation, to the World Rugby Council, of South Africa’s bid to host the prestigious Rugby World Cup 2023 tournament.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa is supported by Sport and Recreation Minister Thulas Nxesi and Deputy Minister Gert Oosthuizen. The South African presentation will take place at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London, tomorrow, Monday 25 September 2017. 
 
Ireland and France are the other contenders for the 2023 tournament that will take place 200 years after the invention, according to legend, of the game of rugby by William Webb Ellis.
 
President Jacob Zuma has requested Deputy President Ramaphosa to lead Team South Africa, in view of the President’s recent participation in the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, and the national celebration of Heritage Day.
 
The high-powered rugby delegation led by Deputy President includes SA Rugby President Mark Alexander and Chief Executive Officer Jurie Roux, who will lay out South Africa’s technically and commercially compelling case to host the tournament 28 years after late President Nelson Mandela handed the Webb Ellis Cup to Francois Pienaar at a packed Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa’s participation in this visit and his leadership of the mission to London symbolises and demonstrates government’s deep commitment and support to return the tournament to the African continent in the 21st century.
 
Contractually, this commitment is demonstrated by the fact that the South African government has, as the lead partner in the bid process, signed off on all the requirements stipulated by the World Rugby Council, satisfying more than the required minimum guarantee in the process.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa has congratulated Team South Africa on its preparations to date for the presentation of the bid and has called on all South Africans to show their support for Team South Africa as the delegation enters the final stages of securing the Rugby World Cup 2023.
 
The World Rugby will announce the host of the 2023 Rugby World Cup on 15 November 2017.

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale, Acting Spokesperson 083 575 7440

 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, where he is attending the 108th session of the International Labour Conference later this afternoon. 

President Ramaphosa co-chairs the International Labour Organisation’s Global Commission on the Future of Work alongside Prime Minister Stefan Löfven of the Kingdom of Sweden. Over the past year he has led a team of distinguished Commissioners mandated to make recommendations in response to changes in the global economy brought on by technological advancement, demography, globalisation and climate change.

The President will deliver the keynote address at the high level sitting of the 108th session of the Conference where the outcomes of the Global Commission on the Future of Work will be presented to Heads of State and Government.

The International Labour Conference coincides with ILO’s Centenary celebration and is being convened from 10-21 June 2019 under the theme: “Building a Better Future with Decent Work”.

On Monday, 10 June 2019, President Ramaphosa will be hosted by ILO Director-General, Mr Guy Ryder, for an official luncheon. He will then meet with his counterpart Prime Minister Stefan Löfven for a bilateral meeting. The two nations enjoy long standing strong relations. Sweden was among the first western countries to give official support to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa during the 1970s.  

The ILO’s International Labour Conference is an annual gathering of governments, labour and business to deliberate on contemporary issues of mutual interest in the global labour markets and adopts international labour standards open to ratification by the 187 member states.  The International Labour Organisation’s Centenary Conference will review and outline the programmes of the next century and recommit the ILO as the global authority on labour and employment matters, strengthening its role and influence in the multilateral system, and drive the ILO’s leadership role in shaping the future of work.

South Africa re-joined the International Labour Organisation 25 years ago following years of isolation as a result of apartheid.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is accompanied by the Minister of Employment and Labour, Mr Thembelani Nxesi, and a delegation of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC).


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 073 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President David Mabuza have today, Tuesday 11 June 2019, received the report of the Presidential Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture. 

The panel was appointed in September 2018 to support the work of the Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Land Reform chaired by the Deputy President. It was to advise the IMC on a broad range of policy matters associated with land reform, including restitution, redistribution, tenure security and agricultural support. 

To support sound policy making the panel was mandated to review, research and suggest models for government to implement a fair and equitable land  reform process that redresses the injustices of the past, increases agricultural output, promotes economic growth and protects food security. 

The panel was further expected to provide perspectives on land policy in the context of persisting land inequality, unsatisfactory land and agrarian reform and uneven urban land development.

The Advisory Panel was chaired by Dr Vuyo Mahlathi and composed of the following members, embodying a diversity of experience and perspectives on South Africa’s land reform aspirations:

Professor Ruth Hall
Professor Mohammed Karaan
Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi
Ms Bulelwa Mabasa
Dr Thandi Ngcobo
Mr Wandile Sihlobo
Mr Daniel Kriek
Ms Thato Moagi
Mr Nick Serfontein

President Ramaphosa has thanked the Deputy President, the IMC and all advisory panel members for their hard work over an eight month process which included hours of consultation with various sectors of society and also very deliberate and sometimes dissenting and difficult engagement among the panel members. 

The President said: “This report is an important step forward in our quest to right the original sin by developing solutions which are not only uniquely South African but most importantly, build a society in which all may share in the wealth of our land.” 

The report of the Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture will be tabled to Cabinet before being released publicly.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has today,  25 September 2017, arrived in London for the presentation, to the World Rugby Council, of South Africa’s bid to host the prestigious Rugby World Cup 2023 tournament.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa is supported by Sport and Recreation Minister Thulas Nxesi and Deputy Minister Gert Oosthuizen. The South African presentation will take place at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London, today, Monday 25 September 2017.

Ireland and France are the other contenders for the 2023 tournament that will take place 200 years after the invention, according to legend, of the game of rugby by William Webb Ellis.
 
President Jacob Zuma has requested Deputy President Ramaphosa to lead Team South Africa, in view of the President’s recent participation in the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, and the national celebration of Heritage Day.
 
The high-powered rugby delegation led by Deputy President includes SA Rugby President Mark Alexander and Chief Executive Officer Jurie Roux, who will lay out South Africa’s technically and commercially compelling case to host the tournament 28 years after late President Nelson Mandela handed the Webb Ellis Cup to Francois Pienaar at a packed Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa’s participation in this visit and his leadership of the mission to London symbolises and demonstrates government’s deep commitment and support to return the tournament to the African continent in the 21st century.
 
Contractually, this commitment is demonstrated by the fact that the South African government has, as the lead partner in the bid process, signed off on all the requirements stipulated by the World Rugby Council, satisfying more than the required minimum guarantee in the process.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa has congratulated Team South Africa on its preparations to date for the presentation of the bid and has called on all South Africans to show their support for Team South Africa as the delegation enters the final stages of securing the Rugby World Cup 2023.
 
The World Rugby will announce the host of the 2023 Rugby World Cup on 15 November 2017.

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440


Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Presidency confirms that President Cyril Ramaphosa has recieved a notice in terms of section 7(9) of the Public Protector Act with respect to an investigation into allegations of violations of the Executive Ethics Code.

In terms of the Public Protector Act, a section 7(9) is issued “If it appears to the Public Protector during the course of an investigation that any person is being implicated in the matter being investigated and that such implication may be to the detriment of that person or that an adverse finding pertaining to that person may result, the Public Protector shall afford such person an opportunity to respond in connection therewith, in any manner that may be expedient under the circumstances.”

The President has responded to the Public Protector requesting an extension of the period given to him to respond to the matters raised in the Public  Protector’s provisional report. The Public Protector has granted such extension until 21 June 2019.

The President has further requested to exercise his entitlement to question the complainant, Mr Maimane and several witnesses which had appeared before the Public Protector during the course of her investigation in terms of section 7 (9) (b) (ii) of the Act.

The President remains committed to fully cooperating with the Public Protector in the course of her investigation and to ensuring that this matter is speedily brought to conclusion.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, on Sunday 16 June 2019, deliver the keynote address at the National Youth Day event to be held at the Peter Mokaba Cricket Club in Polokwane, Limpopo Province.
 
The month of June has been declared Youth Month and it is a period set aside to pay tribute to the youth of 1976 for their activism. 
 
It is also a time to reflect on the progress made and address the challenges identified in order to drive the youth development agenda in South Africa.
 
This year’s Youth Month coincides with the commemoration of 25 years of Freedom and Democracy and it takes place under the theme “25 Years of  Democracy: A Celebration of Youth Activism”. 
 
The theme seeks to encourage young people to join the ranks of active and responsible citizens by participating in democratic processes.
 
President Ramaphosa will commence the day by engaging with the youth in a Youth Development and Career Expo at a venue within the Polokwane Cricket Club.
 
The day will culminate with the President delivering a keynote address to the nation at the National Youth Day event at the Peter Mokaba Cricket Club.
 
During this month of youth, government and its agencies such as the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) will host a number of engagements, including youth expos, dialogues and youth entrepreneur hubs to showcase opportunities available to young people. A list of Youth Day build-up events can be accessed on https://bit.ly/2WPUeGJ
 
NATIONAL YOUTH DAY DETAILS:
 
Venue: Peter Mokaba Cricket Club, Polokwane, Limpopo Province
Time: 09h00
 
COLLECTION OF MEDIA PASSES FOR ACCREDITED MEDIA: 
 
Date: 14 and 15 June 2019 
Time: 09h00 – 17h00
 
Date: 16 June 2019
Time: 07h00 – 10h00
Venue: Polokwane New Council Chambers, Polokwane Central
 
For collections, please contact Garnet Maswanganyi on 078 650 3545
 
NB: Media Accreditation is closed.  
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today met with the Board of the South Africa Reserve Bank (SARB) at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse   in Tshwane .
 
The meeting, which was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance, representatives of the non-executive component of the SARB Board and the Governor of the Bank was called to discuss vacancies which have arisen in the executive leadership of the central bank. 
 
The vacancies are occasioned by the resignation of Deputy Governor Francois Groepe  in January 2019 and the expiry of Deputy Governor Daniel Mminele’s term at the end of June 2019. Governor Lesetja Kganyago’s legislated term of office expires in November 2019.
 
According to the South African Reserve Bank Act, the Bank is managed by a board of fifteen directors including the Governor, three Deputy Governors and three other directors, all of whom are appointed by the President after consultation with the Minister of Finance and the Board.
 
The President has welcomed the engagement with the Board and will be applying his mind to its recommendations. 
 
The President has reiterated his commitment to safeguarding the high reputation the SARB enjoys in the international financial community and markets and committed to ensuring directors of a high calibre befitting the importance our country attaches to the SARB are appointed. 
 

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

On 29 May 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment of a reconfigured national executive following the recently held general elections. 

Delivering the announcement, the President committed to a process of further reforms to “promote coherence, better coordination and improved efficiency” of government. 

As part of these measures, the President has commenced with the process to conclude performance agreements with Ministers and Deputy Ministers. To strengthen accountability, further directed that the areas of responsibility of all Deputy Ministers must be clearly delineated. 

In the departments with two Deputy Ministers, the Ministers will be responsible for the overall functioning of the Ministry and Department and under the Minister’s direction and guidance, the responsibilities between the Deputy Ministers are delineated as follows:

Ministry of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development

•    Land Reform - Deputy Minister Mcebisi Skwatsha
•    Rural Development - Deputy Minister Sdumo Dlamini

Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

•    Local Government - Deputy Minister Parks Tau
•    Traditional Affairs - Deputy Minister Obed Bapela

Ministry of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

•    Human Settlements - Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete
•    Water and Sanitation - Deputy Minister David Mahlobo

Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services

•    Correctional Services - Deputy Minister Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa
•    Justice and Constitutional Development - Deputy Minister John Jeffery 

Announcements relating to the Ministries of International Relations and Cooperation and Trade and Industry will be made in due course.

The President has further announced the reconfiguration of old departments or the establishment of new departments to align them with the Ministries. 

Some departments remain mainly unchanged, but require changes to nomenclature to conform to Ministerial portfolio designations. The total number of departments has been reduced by five, stemming from mergers and the transfer of functions. 

The Ministers will oversee the following departments and entities as per their delegated portfolios:

The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is responsible for the newly reconstituted Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). This is a new department arising from a merger between the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR).

The Minister of Basic Education is responsible for the Department of Basic Education (DBE).  The DBE will lead an integrated ECD function in collaboration with the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Department of Health (DoH).

The Minister of Communications is responsible for the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT). This is a new department arising from a merger between the Department of Communications (DOC) and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS).

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is responsible for the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) and the Department of Traditional Affairs (DTA)

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is responsible for the Department of Defence (DoD) and the Department of Military Veterans (DMV).

The Minister of the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries is responsible for the Department of the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF). This department arises from the transfer of the functions of forestry and fisheries from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The Minister of Employment and Labour is responsible for the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL). This department will coordinate all government efforts to create jobs and reduce unemployment, and will be required to change its approach from mere compliance enforcement to facilitating job creation.

The Minister of Finance is responsible for the National Treasury (NT), the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and the Government Pensions Administration Agency. The Infrastructure Development Management System (IDMS) function, currently under the National Treasury, is transferred to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
    
The Minister of Health is responsible for the Department of Health (DoH)

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology is responsible for the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)

The Minister of Home Affairs is responsible for the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and the Government Printing Works (GPW)

The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation is responsible for the Department of Human Settlements (DHS) and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) 

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is responsible for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). 

The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services is responsible for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD), the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), and the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ).

The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy is responsible for the new Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). This department arises from a merger between the Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy.

The Minister of Police is responsible for the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Independent Police Investigation Directorate (IPID) and the Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service (CSPS)

The Minister in the Presidency is responsible for the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) including the National Planning Secretariat, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) and Brand SA

The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is responsible for the new Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). The DWYPD arises from the transfer of the youth function from the DPME and the function of people with disabilities from the Department of Social Development.

The Minister Public Enterprises is responsible for the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE). 

The Minister for the Public Service and Administration is responsible for the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), the National School of Government (NSG) and the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI).

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is responsible for the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). Over and above what it was previously responsible for, the department will assume coordinating responsibility for all public infrastructure development. 

The Minister of Small Business Development is responsible for the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD)

The Minister of Social Development is responsible for the Department of Social Development (DSD). 

The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture is responsible for the new Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC). This department arises from a merger between the Department of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Arts and Culture.

The Minister State Security is responsible for the State Security Agency (SSA). Processes are already under way to reorganize the SSA, based on the recommendations of the Review Panel Report on the State Security Agency. These changes will be communicated in due course.

The Minister of Tourism is responsible for the Department of Tourism (DT)

The Minister of Trade and Industry is responsible for the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). The Economic Development Department (EDD) is disestablished and incorporated into the dti. The Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) is transferred from the EDD to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).

The Minister of Transport is responsible for the Department of Transport (DoT) 

The President is, in line with the Public Service Act, the Executive Authority of the department, The Presidency. 

The Public Service Commission is responsible for the department, the Office of the Public Service Commission (OPSC).

All state-owned entities, development finance institutions (DFIs) and national regulatory institutions attached to ministries and departments of the Fifth Administration will move to the relevant ministries and departments of the Sixth Administration in line with the reconfiguration indicated above. 

National Macro Organisation of the Government (NMOG) governance structures have been set up to support the reconfiguration process. Consultation and ongoing communications shall be undertaken with the affected departments, clients and organised labour.

The redesign of organisational structures is limited to the realignment of macro organisational structures and exclude restructuring. Staff will transfer to new departments with their existing conditions of service. 

The reconfiguration of the national government in the sixth administration has seen a reduction of five departments from the fifth administration, stemming from mergers and the transfer of functions. To summarise what is stated above, the following ten departments are merged into five departments respectively:

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (without the forestry and fisheries portfolios) is merged with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform to form the new Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD);
The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services are merged to form the new Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT);
The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy are merged to form the new Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE);
The Department of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Arts and Culture are merged to form the new Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC); and
The Economic Development Department is merged into the Department of Trade and Industry to form the new Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic).

As previously stated by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, the project of reconfiguring government and the state is an ongoing process and there will be continuing review and monitoring of the work of the new departments. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria