President Cyril Ramaphosa will host Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of Netherlands on a State Visit.

The State Visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to South Africa will take place from 18 to 20 October 2023. This will be the second visit of a Dutch monarch since Queen Beatrix visited South Africa at the invitation of President Nelson Mandela in 1996. 

President Ramaphosa will officially welcome their Majesties at a Welcome Ceremony on Thursday, 19 October 2023, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Following the Welcome Ceremony, President Ramaphosa and King Willem-Alexander will lead their respective delegations in official talks.  

The King will be accompanied by a delegation including the Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Minister of Defence; the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality; as well as the Minister of Education, Culture and Science. The delegation will also include a business component of about 100 people, as well as the Presidents of 25 universities and academic institutions of the Netherlands. 

It is further envisaged that a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Fields of Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, will be signed on the margins of the visit.

The Netherlands is a major investor in the South African economy and one of South Africa’s significant trading partners. Total trade doubled between 2019 and 2022 when it reached R122 billion. 

The Netherlands is also the fourth largest source of overseas tourists to South Africa, even though the numbers declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the last year before the pandemic, South Africa received 144,071 Dutch tourists, but the number declined to only 21,755 in 2021, before recovering to 90,289 in 2022.

The visit by Their Majesties the King and Queen not only illustrates the importance of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, but will accelerate cooperation in areas that bring benefits to the peoples of both countries.
 
MEDIA PROGRAMME - INCOMING KINGDOM OF NETHERLANDS STATE VISIT

Date: Thursday, 19 October 2023

Arrival of media and issuing of Media Accreditation 

Time: 08h00 - 09h00
Venue: Government Avenue Entrance, Union Buildings  

Welcome Ceremony 

Time: 10h00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Amphitheater, Union Buildings 

South Africa - Netherlands Official Talks 

Time: 11h00
Venue: Union Buildings 

Official Talks Report Back

Time: 12h30 
Venue: Courtyard, Union Buildings

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his warm and proud congratulations – and those of the Nation – to the Springboks on their 29-28 Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final victory over France on Sunday, 15 October. 
 
The Springboks’ win in Paris has set up a semi-final against England next weekend. In November 2019, the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup final in Japan by defeating England.
 
President Ramaphosa congratulates the 2023 host nation, France, on a performance that made the encounter in Paris a tense and dramatic game that was enjoyed by a stadium audience of 80 000 and millions of people around the world.
 
The President said: “As a nation, we are proud of the Springboks’ advance to the semi-finals in a game that was an incredible athletic display as well as a metaphor for our country.
 
“We are indeed stronger together when we come together in our diversity, and we create opportunities for people to live their passion, fulfil their potential, and display their talents.
 
“But we’re also together on days when we struggle and when we create the space for people to come back from difficulty and to continue the journey to victory with us.
 
“Out of the 20 nations in the World Cup, the Springboks delighted and inspired us whether they were on the field, on the bench or in coaches’ box.
 
“We wish the Springboks the very best as they prepare for what we hope will be another unforgettable victory next week.”
 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on 082 835 6315 / media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Monday, 16 October 2023, deliver the keynote address at the second iteration of the South Africa Green Hydrogen Summit (SAGHS) taking place on 16 - 17 October 2023 in Century City in Cape Town, Western Cape. 

The inaugural SAGHS, held in 2022, reaffirmed South Africa as an investment destination of choice and a world leader in the green energy space.
 
This second SAGHS aims to highlight South Africa’s exceptional potential as an early stage, large scale, low cost, world-class green hydrogen production hub and total value chain investment destination.

Green hydrogen and its associated large scale renewable energy production has the potential to support the expansion of the electricity transmission infrastructure to add additional renewable energy generation capacity and to support the local development of renewable energy.

This makes green hydrogen a key component of South Africa’s future energy mix and features as one of the Big Five Frontiers in the South Africa Investment Strategy.

The 2023 Summit aims to take the next step by focusing on the production and application of Green Hydrogen and paving the way for machines on the ground whilst concretising Power to X.

President Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address during the opening ceremony of the summit as follows.

Date: Monday, 16 October 2023
Time: 10h00
Where: live-streamed on all PresidencyZA digital platforms 

Media enquires: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on 082 835 6315 and Tsakane Khambane, Spokeperson in the Ministry of Electricity, on 082 084 5566.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Friday, 13 October 2023, arrived in the Republic of Namibia on a Working Visit to co-chair, with Namibian President Hage Geingob, the 3rd Session of the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Namibia Bi-National Commission (SA - Namibia BNC).

The SA-Namibia BNC was inaugurated in Windhoek a decade ago in November 2013 and consists of four Committees, namely:

1. Diplomatic Committee which is co-chaired by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
2. Economic Committee which is co-chaired by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
3. Social Committee which is co-chaired by the Department of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation.
4. Defence and Security Committee which is co-chaired by the Department of Defence and Military Veterans.

This 3rd Session was preceded by the Council of Ministers Meeting on Thursday, 12 October 2023. A Senior Officials Meeting of the BNC was held in Windhoek, Namibia, from 07 to 09 March 2023.

The key objectives of the 3rd Session of the BNC are as follows:

1. Evaluate progress on the implementation of commitments made during the 2nd session of the BNC;
2. Consolidate the existing bilateral political, economic and social relations between the two countries and people;
3. Promote cooperation in energy, particularly focusing on electricity and green hydrogen;
4. Deepen existing cooperation and coordination at regional, continental and global levels to advance common positions.

South Africa and Namibia share a common vision on issues of political and economic integration of the African continent. Both countries pursue Africa’s renewal, South-South cooperation, and the promotion of a rules-based, equitable international system of governance. 

The scope of cooperation between the two countries is expansive, anchored by 74 Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements. The geographical proximity of our countries and the sharing of common borders has over the years presented many opportunities for cooperation and thus benefitted the economies of the two countries. 

South Africa uses Structured Bilateral Mechanisms such as the BNC to promote and advance the country’s political, economic and social interests as well as exchange views on regional, continental and global issues of mutual concern. 

President Ramaphosa’s delegation comprises of Ministers Naledi Pandor of International Relations and Cooperation; Thoko Didiza of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; Blade Nzimande of Higher Education, Science and Innovation; and Ebrahim Patel of Trade, Industry and Competition.

The delegation also includes Ministers Lindiwe Zulu of Social Development; Gwede Mantashe of Mineral Resources and Energy; Barbra Creecy of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries; Senzo Mchunu of Water and Sanitation; Sandisiwe Chikunga of Transport; Patricia de Lille of Tourism; and Ministers in The Presidency, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Presidency wishes to clarify misleading media reports based on a leaked draft version of the Freight Logistics Roadmap. 

In SONA 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa committed to put in place a roadmap for the freight logistics system in order to improve the performance of South Africa’s ports and rail network and drive economic growth.

Work is underway between The Presidency, the Department of Transport, the Department of Public Enterprises, and National Treasury to finalise the roadmap, which will follow established processes for stakeholder consultation and deliberation and decision- making by Cabinet.

Inaccurate media reports have created the impression that The Presidency seeks to place Transnet under private control. 

This is not the case.

South Africa’s port and rail infrastructure are strategic national assets, and Government has taken a clear stance that they will remain in public ownership.

The National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) has been established to address the immediate challenges in the freight logistics system which have severely constrained exports and undermined investment and job creation in affected sectors.

The NLCC is overseeing a range of interventions to achieve this objective, including upgrading equipment and infrastructure, improving operational performance, increasing the availability of rolling stock, and securing the rail network. 

Government is actively leading this effort in all identified priority areas, in collaboration with business and social partners, where appropriate. 

In the long term, Government is reforming South Africa’s logistics system to enhance efficiency and competition and enable private investment. 

These reforms are outlined in the National Rail Policy and other Cabinet-approved policy documents, and will result in massive new investment to revitalise South Africa’s logistics system.

In this regard, private sector participation does not equate to privatisation of public assets, nor does it diminish the role of the state in ensuring a reliable, efficient, and world-class logistics system. 

Further communication will be provided in this regard at the appropriate time.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Janet Yetta Love as a Commissioner of the Independent Electoral Commission.

The President has made the appointment in terms of Section 6 of the Electoral Commission Act of 1996 (Act No. 51 of 1996) which directs that the appointment be made on the recommendation of the National Assembly.

Ms Love becomes one of five Commissioners – the number determined by the Act – and is appointed for a term of seven years.

Her appointment follows a series of interviews conducted with candidates by a panel established in terms of Section 6(3) of the Electoral Commission Act.

The panel was chaired by the Chief Justice of the Republic and included the Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, the Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, and the Public Protector.

The Chief Justice submitted a shortlist of eight candidates and their curricula vitae to the National Assembly for consideration to fill a vacancy in the Electoral Commission.

The matter was referred to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs which recommended on 12 September 2023 that the National Assembly approve the nomination of Ms Love.

On 19 September, the National Assembly agreed to the nomination.

Ms Love joined the Electoral Commission as a part-time Commissioner in April 2016, and then full-time as Vice-Chairperson in November 2018.

Having played a role in fighting for freedom as an anti-apartheid activist in the 1970s, Ms Love returned to South Africa in 1990 and became involved in negotiating South Africa’s new constitution and establishing the first democratic government.

Ms Love served as a Member of Parliament for the African National Congress in the first democratic Parliament from 1994 to 1999, and was a member of the 22-person Constitutional Committee of the Constitutional Assembly, the body responsible for steering the constitution-making process.

Ms Love then served in various Government and civil society institutions, including working in the South African Reserve Bank for five years as head of strategic analysis dealing with various security risks relating to cash that affected South Africa’s financial stability

Ms Love has a strong commitment to human rights and in her capacity as National Director of the Legal Resources Centre since 2006, she has taken up public interest and constitutional cases on behalf of marginalised communities and individuals.

President Ramaphosa wishes Ms Love well in her new capacity in the service of the nation and in an institution which is critical to the integrity and vibrancy of our democracy.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his condolences to all victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This follows an escalation of hostilities on Saturday, 7 October 2023 that has left about two thousand people dead, one hundred and sixty thousand displaced and seven thousand injured.

 The President has also called for immediate and unconditional opening of humanitarian corridors.
 
“Our thoughts are with all the victims families and loved ones during this perilous period of fighting. We remain gravely concerned at the devastating escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the atrocities committed against civilian populations. We call for the immediate cessation of violence and the exercise of restraint. It is vital that all those who require urgent humanitarian assistance are provided with the basic life supporting necessities and that human suffering is ameliorated,” said President Ramaphosa.

The President further urged the international community to accelerate it’s support to an inclusive process towards a lasting and durable peace that produces a viable Palestinian State, existing in peace alongside Israel, within the 1967 internationally recognised borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“South Africa stands ready to work with the international community and to  share our experience in mediation and conflict resolution as we have done on the continent and around the world,” concluded President Ramaphosa.

 
Media inquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, media@presidency.gov.za
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Cape Town

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a Working Visit to the Republic of Namibia on Friday, 13 October 2023, to co-chair with Namibian President Hage Geingob, the 3rd Session of the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Namibia Bi-National Commission (SA - Namibia BNC).

The BNC will be preceded by the Council of Ministers Meeting on Thursday, 12 October 2023. A Senior Officials Meeting of the BNC was held in Windhoek, Namibia, from 07 to 09 March 2023.

The Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Namibia was inaugurated in Windhoek a decade ago in November 2013.

The Second Session of the BNC was held on 04 October 2016 in Pretoria, South Africa.  

The BNC consists of four Committees, namely:

1.    Diplomatic Committee which is co-chaired by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
2.    Economic Committee which is co-chaired by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
3.    Social Committee which is co-chaired by the Department of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation.
4.    Defence and Security Committee which is co-chaired by the Department of Defence and Military Veterans.

South Africa and Namibia share a common vision on issues of political and economic integration of the African continent. Both countries pursue Africa’s renewal, South-South cooperation, and the promotion of a rules-based, equitable international system of governance. 

The scope of cooperation between the two countries is expansive, anchored by 74 Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements. The geographical proximity of our countries and the sharing of common borders has over the years presented many opportunities for cooperation and thus benefitted the economies of the two countries. 

South Africa uses Structured Bilateral Mechanisms such as the BNC to promote and advance the country’s political, economic and social interests as well as exchange views on regional, continental and global issues of mutual concern. 

The key objectives of the 3rd Session of the BNC are as follows;

1.    Evaluate progress on the implementation of commitments made during the 2nd session of the BNC; 
2.    Consolidate the existing bilateral political, economic and social relations between the two countries and people;
3.    Promote cooperation in energy, particularly focusing on electricity and green hydrogen;
4.  Deepen existing cooperation and coordination at regional, continental and global levels to advance common positions.

President Ramaphosa will lead a Government delegation comprising of Ministers Naledi Pandor of International Relations and Cooperation; Thoko Didiza of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; Blade Nzimande of Higher Education, Science and Innovation; and Ebrahim Patel of Trade, Industry and Competition.

The delegation is also expected to include Ministers Lindiwe Zulu of Social Development; Gwede Mantashe of Mineral Resources and Energy; Barbra Creecy of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries; Senzo Mchunu of Water and Sanitation; Sandisiwe Chikunga of Transport; Patricia de Lille of Tourism; and Ministers in The Presidency, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

 
Media inquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, media@presidency.gov.za
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 12 October 2023, brief the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on key developments in the country, including the economic advancement of women and efforts to overcome widespread unemployment among young South Africans.

The President will outline Government’s approach to these and other matters in a Questions for Oral Reply session in the National Council of Provinces in Parliament, Cape Town.

Among questions put to the President are the outcomes of the recent XV BRICS 2023 Summit and action against construction mafia.

The President will discuss the outcome of the 2023 BRICS Summit and South Africa's plans to use the outcomes to advance Agenda 2063.
 
The President will also outline Government's progress in institutionalising gender mainstreaming across departments, provinces, and districts for gender equality through responsive planning, budgeting, and reporting.
 
He will also address progress in advancing the economic empowerment of women, especially in townships and rural areas.
 
Regarding the Government's commitment to global climate change mitigation efforts, the President will elaborate on the balance between ensuring an uninterrupted electricity supply and contributing to climate goals.
 
On youth unemployment, the President will set out Government's initiatives and collaboration in developing a comprehensive youth employment and economic empowerment strategy.
 
The NCOP Questions for Oral Reply will take place as follows: 

Date: Thursday, 12 October 2023
Time: 14h00 – 17h00
Venue: NCOP Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town
 

Media inquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, media@presidency.gov.za
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will host His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands on a State Visit on Thursday, 19 October 2023, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. 

Media is invited to apply for media accreditation to cover the Incoming Netherlands  State Visit by filling in the attached media accreditation application form - MEDIA ACCREDITATION - INCOMING NETHERLANDS STATE VISIT.xlsx - in full. 

Media Accreditation application for the Netherlands  State Visit is open from today, 09 October  2023, and will close on Friday, 13 October 2023, at 16h00. Strictly no late applications will be considered. 

The Netherlands  State Visit media accreditation application form can be sent to Khutjo Sebata at khutjo@presidency.gov.za and Makungu Mbetse at Makungu@presidency.gov.za.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
MEDIA ACCREDITATION - INCOMING NETHERLANDS STATE VISIT.xlsx