Maseru - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and SADC Facilitator on Lesotho has arrived in Maseru today, Tuesday 30 June 2015 for urgent consultations with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho Phakalitha Mosisili, leaders of opposition parties and other stakeholders.

President Jacob Zuma in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation made the decision for Deputy President Ramaphosa to urgently visit Lesotho following recent political and security developments in the Kingdom. These include the flight of three opposition political leaders and the killing of Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao, former Commander of the Lesotho Defence Force.

Concerned with these developments a SADC Ministerial Organ fact-finding mission was sent to Lesotho from 26-29 June to assess the latest political and security developments in the country which compiled a report.

President Zuma will soon send an envoy to Harare to share his concerns about the security situation in Lesotho with the Chairperson of SADC President Robert Mugabe.

President Zuma has reiterated the need for all stakeholders in the Kingdom of Lesotho to resolve their political differences through legal and peaceful processes and further reiterated the pressing need to expedite the process of establishing institutional and security reforms.

President Zuma has reaffirmed the continued commitment of SADC to support the government and people of Lesotho to consolidate peace, security and stability in the country.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to South Africa tomorrow on Wednesday 1 July 2015.

Ronnie Mamoepa at 082- 990-4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and SADC Facilitator on Lesotho will depart today, Tuesday 30 June 2015 for Maseru for urgent consultations with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho Phakalitha Mosisili on the recent developments in the country.

President Jacob Zuma in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation made the decision for Deputy President Ramaphosa to urgently visit Lesotho following recent political and security developments in the Kingdom. These   include the flight of three opposition political leaders and the killing of Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao, former Commander of the Lesotho Defence Force.

Concerned with these developments a SADC Ministerial Organ fact-finding mission was sent to Lesotho from 26-29 June to assess the latest political and security developments in the country which compiled a report. President Zuma will soon send an envoy to Harare to share his concerns about the security situation in Lesotho with the Chairperson of SADC President Robert Mugabe.

President Zuma has reiterated the need for all stakeholders in the Kingdom of Lesotho to resolve their political differences through legal and peaceful processes and further reiterated the pressing need to expedite the process of establishing institutional and security reforms. President Zuma has reaffirmed the continued commitment of SADC to support the government and people of Lesotho to consolidate peace, security and stability in the country.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to South Africa tomorrow, Wednesday 01 July 2015.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Maseru - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today Wednesday 01 July 2015 concluded his urgent visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho as directed by the Chairperson of the SADC Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, President Jacob Zuma.

During his visit Deputy President Ramaphosa paid a courtesy call on His Majesty King Letsie III, interacted with Prime Minister Phakalitha Mosisili and his government coalition partners, met the Lesotho Christian Council, civil society including Lesotho Chamber of Commerce,   College of Chiefs, Lesotho Law Society.

Deputy President Ramaphosa also visited the home of the slain former Commander of Lesotho Defence Force, Lt. General Maaparankoe Mahao where he met with the widow and other family members.

Deputy President Ramaphosa extended the invitation of President Jacob Zuma to Prime Minister Mosisili to attend the forthcoming SADC Double Troika Summit of Heads of State scheduled to be held in Pretoria later in the week.

Secondly, Deputy President Ramaphosa conveyed the response of President Jacob Zuma to the requests of Prime Minister Mosisili for SADC to provide investigators to assist in the investigation of the murder of Lt. General Mahao. In this regard, SADC member-states of Zimbabwe and Namibia will provide experts to assist in the investigation.

Thirdly, Deputy President Ramaphosa conveyed the decision of President Jacob Zuma to make two South African pathologists available to assist the Kingdom of Lesotho and the family of Lt. General Mahao during the post-mortem process.

Deputy President Ramaphosa further expressed the condolences of SADC and of President Jacob Zuma to the widow and family of the late Lt. General Mahao during a visit to his homestead in Maseru.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to present his SADC Facilitation Report on Lesotho including reflections of the proposed constitutional and security sector reforms to the SADC Double Troika Summit of Heads of States in Pretoria later in the week.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria 

Pretoria - The Presidency has noted plans by some in the political circles to lay charges against Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, senior government Ministers and officials following the release of the Farlam Commission Report into the Marikana Tragedy. 

In this regard we wish to state that in respect of the findings of the Farlam Commission related to Deputy President Ramaphosa personally, the Commission’s findings are clear. Accordingly, Deputy President Ramaphosa has nothing further to add.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President David Mabuza, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans, will on Thursday, 26 May 2022, visit Mangaung in the Free State Province to engage with the Provincial Government and Military Veterans associations.
 
The meeting, which is scheduled to take place at the Bloemspruit Air Force Base in Mangaung, is aimed at providing a platform for the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans, to provide updates and assessment on progress achieved by government, in addressing the challenges facing   Military Veterans.   
The Task Team, which is chaired by Deputy President Mabuza and includes the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Mondli Gungubele, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Thandi Modise and Deputy Minister Mr Thabang Makwetla, was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to coordinate efforts to accelerate the pace of finding lasting solutions in addressing the Military Veterans issues.
  
In this regard, the Department of Military Veterans together with the Free State Provincial government will have the opportunity update Military Veterans on programmes and interventions developed to address their socio-economic needs.
 
Deputy President Mabuza will be supported by the Premier of the Free State province, Ms Segora Ntombela, the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thabang Makwetla, and Members of the Provincial Executive Council together with senior government officials.
 
Members of the media are invited to cover the engagement as follows:
 
Date: Thursday, 26 May 2022
Time: 10H00
Venue: Bloemspruit Air Force Base, Mangaung
 
For accreditation please send your full details to Yolisa Blom on 072 130 9893 or yolisa@gcis.gov.za by no later than 17h00 on Wednesday, 25 May 2022.

Media Accreditation will be issued at Tempe Military Base from 07H00 - 09H00 on Thursday, 26 May 2022.


Media enquiries: Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria - In response to media queries, the Presidency wishes to reiterate that the SADC Double Troika Summit held in Pretoria on Friday 3   July 2015 reappointed Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to continue with his facilitation work for peace and stability in the Kingdom of Lesotho. This followed the recent killing of Lt. General Maaparankoe Mahao and the fleeing of several opposition leaders to South Africa.

An oversight committee which will act as early warning mechanism in the event of signs of instability will be established and intervene in  onsultation with the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa.

This renewal of the Facilitation Mandate also came against background of the tabling and endorsement of Deputy President Ramaphosa’s final report on his Facilitation process to restore peace and stability in Lesotho in 2014.

This facilitation process culminated in the signing of the Maseru Facilitation Accord, the Maseru Security Accord and the Electoral Pledge.

The signing of these agreements helped create a climate conducive for the re-opening of Lesotho’s parliament in 2014, the stabilisation of the security situation and the holding of democratic elections early this year which were declared free, fair and credible by electoral observer missions.

Deputy President Ramaphosa also tabled his reflections on the proposed constitutional and sector reforms to the SADC Double Troika Summit. These reflections were adopted by the Summit which made a call to all Lesotho’s political parties to implement the recommendations of the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa and urged them to undertake constitutional and security sector reforms assisted by SADC.

The SADC Double Troika also decided to establish a commission of enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Lt. General Maaparankoe Mahao while agreeing to second two pathologists from South Africa to assist with the post-mortem process.

Meanwhile, a team of investigators from Zimbabwe and Namibia would be made available to assist with investigation related to the death of Lt. General Mahao. In this regard SADC leaders conveyed their message of condolences to the Mahao family, his Majesty the King and the government of Lesotho.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - The Presidency has noted a report in City Press edition of today Sunday 12 July 2015 regarding Deputy Cyril Ramaphosa’s acquisition of property in Fresnaye, Cape Town. 

The Presidency wishes to put it on record that two properties were acquired in 2010 through a loan secured against a different property under his family's Tshivhase Trust. The ownership of the two Cape Town properties forms part of Deputy President Ramaphosa’s financial declarations to   Parliament and Cabinet.

The Presidency raises its concern that an article of this nature could be published without seeking comment from the office of the Deputy President.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Presidency Director-General Dr Cassius Lubisi has, on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, received a memorandum from #FeesMustFall activists demanding blanket amnesty for activists who have been convicted of crimes arising from #FeesMustFall protest in 2017. 

Activists arrived at the Union Buildings in Pretoria today, Wednesday, 2 January 2019 following a march from KwaZulu-Natal to the Leeukop correctional centre in Gauteng where activist Kanya Cekeshe is serving a sentence arising from #FeesMustFall protest. 

Dr Lubisi met the marching delegation at the Union Buildings and indicated that government would respond to the memorandum which also addresses  unemployment and other issues affecting youth. 

Dr Lubisi drew the group’s attention to the offer extended five months ago by Minister of Justice and Correctional Services to help #FeesMustFall activists comply with the procedures required for amnesty applications. 

On that occasion Minister Masutha pointed out to the #FeesMustFall movement that no blanket exemption from prosecution or presidential pardons would be granted for students linked to #FeesMustFall-related violence. 

However, the Minister indicated his willingness to guide students in making applications to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a review of prosecutorial decisions in cases involving students who are already charged and whose matters are currently on trial. 

The Minister stated that President Cyril Ramaphosa could not interfere with judicial processes and said presidential pardons were granted in respect of convicted and sentenced persons only on the basis of the information they provide and in circumstances where applicants showed good cause. Furthermore, under no circumstances could presidential pardons be predetermined. 

Minister Masutha has proposed that students form a delegation to provide a list of all the students who have been arrested‚ charged‚ convicted or are still undergoing trial. He said where appropriate‚ he would guide the students on the process of making the applications for a presidential pardon. 

The Minister said the severity of the charges concerned and public interest in these cases were among the factors the President would need to take into account before deciding whether to grant amnesty. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Ramaphosa extends best wishes to the 38th President of the Federative Republic of Brazil

President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, his sincere greetings and best wishes to President Jair Bolsonaro, on the occasion of his Presidential inauguration on 1 January 2019, as he assumes his role and official duties as the 38th   President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. 

It is President Ramaphosa’s firm belief that this occasion will mark the beginning of a revitalised, excellent and strategic relations that Brazil and South  Africa enjoy. The special bond between the two nations has continued to grow over many years and through many shared commitments and common  experiences, more particularly the concerted and continuous efforts to comprehensively deepen  South-South Cooperation within the ambit of not only  IBSA, but also the BRICS formation. 
  
The Government and the people of South Africa are ready to expand on the already fruitful bilateral relations aimed at advancing cooperation in all areas and to further expand on the relationship between the two fraternal countries to achieve common objectives.  The South African Government looks forward to working together with the new government of the Federative Republic of Brazil under the leadership of President Jair Bolsonaro. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated the Matric Class of 2018 for keeping the National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate above 70 percent and said this achievement underscores the importance of learners, educators, families, administrators and political leadership working together. 

“As South Africans, we can all take pride in the dedication shown by learners and educators. Together, they have presented our nation with another cohort of young people whose life chances have been significantly enhanced, and whose success in basic education is indeed reversing the   damage inflicted on generations of South Africans who were deprived of quality education under apartheid," said President Ramaphosa. 

The Class of 2018 was the fourth large cohort in the history of basic education to register for any NSC examination. 

President Ramaphosa said this illustrated the impact of government’s support to poor learners and their families. 

This support spans pro-poor funding of schools; the provision of nutritious meals on a daily basis; and the provision of scholar transport to deserving learners on daily basis. 

These interventions have led to increased levels of retention of learners and enabled their success in the National Senior Certificate examinations. 

The President has urged matriculants to show responsibility in exploring opportunities in higher education, vocational training or workplace experience, and to adopt the understanding that learning is and should be a lifelong endeavour. 

President Ramaphosa has also encouraged learners who did not pass to make use of Second Chance programmes and to believe in their ability to overcome this challenge as one of many that will bring out the best in them during the course of their lives. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria