Thaba Nchu – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday,13 October 2017, lead a government tour to various Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) projects in Thaba Nchu, Free State to highlight the contribution of the Programme in the socio-economic development of communities in the Free State province.
 
The EPWP site visit is part of the work of the government’s Public Employment Programme-Inter ministerial Committee (PEP-IMC), which the Deputy President leads.  
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by various Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers, the Premier of the Free State and Members of his Executive Council as well as various senior government leaders.
 
Media is invited to attend and cover the event as follows:
 
1. Media Registration
 
Venue: Thaba Nchu Civic Centre
Time: 07h30
 
2. Deputy President to lead 2017 Grade 12 signing of the pledge ceremony in the Free State (Separate event from the EPWP programme)
 
Venue: Albert Moroka Secondary School, Thaba Nchu
Time: 08h00
 
3. Visit to EPWP Thaba Nchu Public Transport Route
 
Venue: Thaba Nchu (Selosetsha)
Time: 10h20
 
4. Visit to EPWP Thaba Nchu Ratlou Complex Renovation and Upgrade
 
Venue: Thaba Nchu (Ratlou Complex)
Time: 11h20
 
5. Round-table discussion with EPWP Participants
 
Venue: Thaba Nchu, St Paul’s Methodist Church
Time: 12h15
 
Brief background about PEP-IMC
 
PEP-IMC is a government structure aimed at achieving better synergy between the EPWP and the other poverty alleviation, employment, enterprise development and skills development initiatives. The Committee also ensures that the government scales up its Public Work Programmes to achieve the 6 million work opportunity target by 2019, as mandated by the President Jacob Zuma.
 
The Committee, which is chaired by Deputy President Ramaphosa, is composed by Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Director-Generals who are responsible for the implementation of the Public Employment Programme (PEP). In South Africa, PEPs are implemented under the auspices of EPWP which is aimed at creating short to medium term work opportunities for poor and unemployed South Africans.
 
FOR ACCREDITATION AND ENQUIRIES:
 
The Presidency
 
Terrence Manase: 082 3185251 or Terrence.manase@gmail.com
Nangamso Gxaba: 072 321 6355
Tyrone Seale: Acting Spokesperson: 083 575 7440
 
Public Works Department  
 
Kgomotso Mathuloe: 082 957 3667 or Kgomotso.mathuloe@dpw.gov.za

 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Muldersdrift - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, Monday 16 October 2017, address a gala dinner function of the South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC).
 
The vision of the forum is to be the leading construction industry representative body in South Africa.
 
The construction industry is a critical stakeholder in infrastructure and skills development as well as job creation in South Africa.
 
SAFCEC promotes the image of the civil engineering construction industry by enabling members to deliver a professional construction service and encouraging members to take care of employees’ safety and welfare, the environment and the community, thus providing a foundation for national development.
 
Members of the media are invited as follows: 
Date: Monday, 16 October 2017
Time: 19h00
Venue: Misty Hills Country and Spa, Muldersdrift

 
Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the late struggle stalwart Vivian Magdalene Sarah Daniels – widely and fondly known as Aunty Vivvy –  who has passed away at the age of 82.
 
The President has extended his sympathy to Aunty Vivvy’s family and friends and the many comrades alongside whom she served in the fight against apartheid and for basic services to communities around Cape Town. The President’s condolences extend also to the African National Congress as Aunty Vivvy’s political home.
 
Aunty Vivvy passed away on Wednesday, 26 June 2019. Her funeral will take place in Cape Town on Saturday, 6 July 2019.
 
As a resident of Bellville South in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, Aunty Vivvy became active in politics in 1979/80 and went on to become Secretary of the Bellville Residents’ Association.
 
This role was a precursor to her involvement in the Cape Areas Housing Action Committee and the United Democratic Front, where she worked alongside stalwart Mama Albertina Sisulu, Dr Allan Boesak and other leaders.
 
Aunty Vivvy faced police brutality and, among other contributions, lent psychosocial and material support to families affected by police violence and to activists detained in Western Cape correctional facilities at different points in time.
 
President Ramaphosa says Aunty Vivvy’s selfless activism sets a powerful example to leaders today.
 
“We have lost a great stalwart and role model with the passing away of Aunty Vivvy. At the same time, her close and loyal relationships with - and work for - communities around Cape Town have ensured that her legacy lives on.
 
“Aunty Vivvy was an outstanding servant of the people – a leader whose humility and hard work motivated her only to do and seek what was best for the communities she served, without regard for personal gain or public acclaim.
 
“This is the kind of leadership we need once more in our country as we engage in the renewal of our society and as we pursue inclusive and sustainable growth.”
 
 
Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will, in his capacity as SADC Facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho, pay a working visit to Lesotho to attend the landmark Post-Elections National Dialogue in Maseru, Lesotho, on Wednesday 18 October 2017.
 
The National Dialogue, which will be held under the auspices of the Lesotho Council of NGOs (LCN), will be officially opened by the Deputy Prime Minister of Lesotho, the Hon Monyane Moleleki.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will deliver a message of encouragement to delegates.
 
The SADC Oversight Committee, the SADC Council of NGOs and the United Nations will participate in the two-day event. Invitees include opposition party representatives, parties in government, heads of churches, the College of Chiefs, civil society organisations, academics, media and the Independent Electoral Commission.
 
The main objective of the LCN is to provide supportive services to the NGO community in Lesotho through networking, leadership, information dissemination, capacity building, coordination, democracy, human rights, advocacy and lobbying, and representation when dealing with the international community and government. The Dialogue follows calls by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for a multi-stakeholder dialogue that will address, in an inclusive way, security reforms, constitutional reforms, media reforms and public service reforms.
 
During a working visit to Lesotho by Deputy President Ramaphosa on 9 August 2017, the coalition government in the Kingdom, opposition parties, non-governmental organisations, religious leaders and the College of Chiefs respectively expressed their commitment to a multi-stakeholder dialogue directed towards long-term peace and stability. All these constituencies will participate in the 18 October National Dialogue.
 
The Dialogue will facilitate discussion on, among other issues, the complexities of the Lesotho electoral process; issues associated with securing national peace, political stability, reconciliation and transitional justice; pre-conditions for undertaking successful reforms, and key considerations on the process, structures and leadership that should accompany the reform process in the Kingdom.
 
Deputy President to respond to Questions in the National Assembly
 
In view of the significance of the Lesotho National Dialogue and the role of the Deputy President as SADC Facilitator, Parliament has granted Deputy President Ramaphosa special permission to respond to Questions for Oral Reply in the National Assembly on Thursday, 19 October 2017 – a day later than originally scheduled by Parliament.
 
Questions for Oral Reply submitted to Deputy President Ramaphosa address, among other issues are, perceived and real corruption in state-owned entities; enhancing the competitiveness and investor-friendliness of the South African economy; poverty alleviation programmes and the state of South Africa’s youth.
 
Enquiries: Tyrone Seale 083 5757 440, Acting Spokesperson for the Deputy President
 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a Working Visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho on Thursday 04 July 2019 during which the President and the Right Honourable Prime Minister Thomas Thabane will discuss bilateral, regional and continental issues, as well as international developments.

It is expected that President Ramaphosa will also pay a courtesy call on His Majesty, King Letsie III, and engage with civil society groupings.

South Africa and Lesotho enjoy strong and cordial relations which are predicated on historical ties dating back to the struggle against colonialism and  apartheid in South Africa, shared language and close geographical proximity.

The structured bilateral relations between the two countries are conducted through the Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC) which was  established in 2001, and is convened at a Ministerial Level. In this regard, the Working Visit takes place in the context of strengthening bilateral, political, social and trade relations between the two countries.

Bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Lesotho spans a wide range of areas including, but not limited to, trade and investment, security, energy, transport, agriculture, tourism, water as well as environment.

President Ramaphosa,in his capacity as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Facilitator to Lesotho, will receive an update on the progress of the reform process in the Kingdom of Lesotho with Right Honourable Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and relevant stakeholders. 

President Ramaphosa was appointed the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) facilitator to Lesotho in September 2014 when he held the position of Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa.

After assuming the position of President of the Republic in 2018, President Ramaphosa appointed former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke to lead the SADC Facilitation Team to Lesotho.

President Ramaphosa is due to present a report on the facilitation process to the SADC Heads of State and Government in August 2019 in the United Republic of Tanzania where regional leaders will particularly assess progress in constitutional and security reforms in Lesotho.

The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the Minister of State Security, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo, and the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini.


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

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 05 July 2019, officially open and address the first 4th Industrial Revolution SA - Digital Economy Summit.

The Summit will be hosted by the 4th Industrial Revolution South Africa partnership (4IRSA),  an alliance between partners from the public and private sectors, academia and civil society.

The 4IRSA partnership seeks to develop an inclusive, coherent, national response to the 4IR for South Africa, based on research and to complement and support other national activities relating to the 4IR. Among these national initiatives is the establishment by President Ramaphosa of the Presidential Commission on the 4IR.

Earlier this year, the President appointed 30 members of the Presidential Commission on the 4IR to assist government in taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the digital  revolution and to identify relevant policies, strategies and action plans that will position South Africa as a competitive global player.

The Summit will feature various breakaway sessions to interrogate key themes, including: Competitiveness, Concentration and Inequality; The Future of Work and Jobs; Society, State & Citizen; Opportunities; Critical Success Factors and the 4th IR in the township economy.

In showcasing the advancements in technology and immense opportunities of the digital economy, the first-of-its-kind, live holographic projection of President Ramaphosa’s address will be transmitted to the Rustenburg Civic Centre in the North West.

The President will address the summit as follows:

Date: Friday, 05 July 2019
Time: 09h00
Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand 

Media wishing to attend the summit should complete the attached form Accreditation Template 4IR.xlsx and send to Shadi Baloyi on shadib2@gmail.com by today, 04 July 2019 and not later than 13h00.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
Accreditation Template 4IR.xlsx

Potchefstroom - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Saturday, 21 October 2017, engage with the North West Chamber of Commerce on efforts to rejuvenate the North West Provinces economy. 
 
Members of the media are invited as follows:
 
Date: Saturday, 21 October 2017
Time: 08h30
Venue: North West University, Potchefstroom Campus
 
Enquiries and RSVPs: Terrence Manase: Terrence.manase@gmail.com and Terrence@presidency.gov.za or 082 338 6707

 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

CAPE TOWN -Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will, in  his capacity as the Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa (HRDC), later today, Monday, 23 October 2017, deliver a keynote address at the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, Solutions Exchange at the Spier Wine farm in Stellenbosch, Cape Town.
 
The solutions exchange is aimed at formulating a joint work programme focusing on developing a select number of practical solutions that can be adopted into the performance plans of the participating Ministries and private and social sector partners. The concrete solutions will be implemented between 2018 to 2020.
 
Harambee is a youth employment accelerator, which connects employers looking for entry-level talent to young, high-potential work-seekers who are currently locked out of the formal economy. It is also one of the private/social partners of the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa.
 
Members of the Media are invited as follows:
 
Date: Monday, 23 October 2017
Time: 18h00
Venue: Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch – Cape Town
 
RSVPs:
 
Bryony Maxwell on Bryony@harambee.co.za / 084 777 2901 or Nangamso Gxaba on Nangamso@presidency.gov.za / 072 321 6355.


Enquiries: Tyrone Seale: Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President - 083 5757 440
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended political parties in Lesotho on the signing of an agreement to establish a statutory National Legislative Reform Authority that will coordinate the national reforms process in the Kingdom.

The agreement signed today, Thursday 04 July 2019, stipulates that the reform authority will be constituted in terms of an Act of Parliament and that the authority will guide the country in effecting constitutional, governance, security and media reforms.
 
The signing took place on the day of a Working Visit to the Kingdom by President Ramaphosa in his capacity as SADC Facilitator on the national reform  process in Lesotho.

President Ramaphosa welcomed the signing as an historic milestone that firmly set Lesotho on the road to reform.

“The Basotho people can celebrate the convergence of consensus that has led to this historic agreement and has built a strong foundation for reforms to go ahead,” President Ramaphosa said at the conclusion of his visit.

During today’s Working Visit the Right Honourable Prime Minister of Thomas Thabane assured  President Ramaphosa of the Lesotho coalition government’s commitment to implementing constitutional, security and other reforms facilitated by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

President Ramaphosa visited the mountain kingdom for, among other objectives, discussions with Prime Minister Thabane and civil society leadership on SADC process to secure political stability and development in Lesotho through a broad range of reforms.

At the outset of his visit President Ramaphosa was afforded an audience with King Letsie III at the royal guest palace in the capital, Maseru.

Among the formations with whom the President consulted were political parties; the Christian Council of Lesotho; the Lesotho Council of NGOs and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the College of Chiefs, as well as international partners and the National Dialogue Planning Committee.

The updates on Lesotho’s national reforms process provided by Prime Minister Thabane and civil society will enable President Ramaphosa to report on these matters to the SADC Heads of State and Government in August 2019 in the United Republic of Tanzania.

President Ramaphosa was appointed the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) facilitator to Lesotho in September 2014 when he held the position of Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa.

After assuming the position of President of the Republic in 2018, President Ramaphosa appointed former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke to lead the SADC Facilitation Team on Lesotho’s national reforms process.

President Ramaphosa said the agreement among parties represented in Lesotho’s parliament would enable South Africa to report that, through the facilitation undertaken by Justice Moseneke, the people of Lesotho have been able to develop a homegrown solution to the instability that has affected the Kingdom.

As part of the August Summit agenda, the region’s leaders will assess progress in constitutional and security reforms in Lesotho.

The President was accompanied by the Minister of State Security, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thabang Makwetla and Deputy Minister of State Security Zizi Kodwa.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning, 04 July 2019, arrived in the Kingdom of Lesotho for a Working Visit during which the President and the Right Honourable Prime Minister Thomas Thabane will discuss bilateral, regional and continental issues, as well as international developments.

President Ramaphosa will also have an audience with His Majesty, King Letsie III, and engage with civil society groupings.

South Africa and Lesotho enjoy strong and cordial relations which are predicated on historical ties dating back to the struggle against colonialism and apartheid in South Africa, shared language and close geographical proximity.

The structured bilateral relations between the two countries are conducted through the Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC) which was  established in 2001, and is convened at a Ministerial Level. In this regard, the Working Visit takes place in the context of strengthening bilateral, political, social and trade relations between the two countries.

Bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Lesotho spans a wide range of areas including, but not limited to, trade and investment, security, energy, transport, agriculture, tourism, water as well as environment.

President Ramaphosa,in his capacity as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Facilitator to Lesotho, will receive an update on the progress of the reform process in the Kingdom of Lesotho with Right Honourable Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and relevant stakeholders. 

President Ramaphosa was appointed the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) facilitator to Lesotho in September 2014 when he held the position of Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa.

After assuming the position of President of the Republic in 2018, President Ramaphosa appointed former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke to lead the SADC Facilitation Team to Lesotho.

President Ramaphosa is due to present a report on the facilitation process to the SADC Heads of State and Government in August 2019 in the United Republic of Tanzania where regional leaders will particularly assess progress in constitutional and security reforms in Lesotho.

The President will be accompanied by the the Minister of State Security, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo,Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Thabang Makwetla  and the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria