Havana - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday 21 October arrived in Havana, Cuba from Sweden, for his official visit to the country from 22-26 October 2015. Deputy President Ramaphosa is leading a high-level Ministerial and business delegation to Cuba with view to consolidating bilateral political, economic and trade ties between the two countries and strengthen co-operation at a multilateral level.

The South African delegation will utilise the opportunity of the visit to strengthen strong ties and bonds of friendship between our two peoples developed in the context of the struggle for freedom in South Africa. In this regard, many Cuban internationalists paid the supreme price in the cause of the struggle for the decolonisation of Southern Africa and the end of apartheid in South Africa.

These bonds of friendship culminated in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in May 1994 following the dawn of peace, freedom and democracy in South Africa in 1994. South Africa and Cuba established the Joint Consultative Mechanism in 2001 at the level of Deputy Ministers, to regulate structured relations between the two countries.

The two countries have since 1994 signed a number of agreements in various sectors and co-operated in a number of fields. South Africa is a beneficiary of Cuba’s ongoing assistance in the areas of health, labour, defence, social development, housing and infrastructure.

During the state visit to Cuba in December 2010, President Jacob Zuma announced that South Africa would offer the Cuba Economic Assistance Package to the tune of R350 million to assist with agricultural development process as well as the reconstruction of infrastructure devastated by natural disasters.

Through the SA-Cuba Health Agreement more than 420 South African students from disadvantaged backgrounds have qualified in the field of medicine with over 3000 more students currently undergoing training.  South Africa currently host over 300 Cuban medical personnel, engineers and science and mathematics teachers working in South Africa.

In addition, Deputy President Ramaphosa hopes to utilise the visit to Cuba among others  to learn from the Cuban expertise to improve on primary health-care, child mortality and specialised training;  discuss and share South Africa’s experience around monitoring , planning and evaluation; share South Africa’s experience in the areas of taxation, dual currency exchange and controls, anti-money laundering legislation;  discuss long-term recruitment plans of engineers and training intervention which could be implemented to train South Africa’s workforce locally and explore trade and business opportunities to advance bilateral trade between the two countries.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will hold bilateral discussions with his Cuban counterpart Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Discussions are expected among others to focus on bilateral political and economic relations, co-operation at a multilateral level as well as an overview of the updating of the Socialist Economic Model which will also include high level Ministerial discussions.

While in Cuba, Deputy President Ramaphosa will participate in ceremonies to lay wreaths at both the OR Tambo Bust and the statue of Cuban hero Jose Marti in Havana.  He will also address South African medical students based at the Cuban Medical University of Latin America, pay site visits to a Cuban pharmaceutical plant, tour the Policlinic, the Immunology Centre and tour the Mariel Free Port and Museum of Literacy. In addition, the Deputy President will address the South Africa-Business Forum; visit the Combined Energy Plant and Africa House.

The South African delegation includes South Africa’s Ambassador to Cuba Naphtalie Manana, Deputy Ministers Luwellyn Landers,  Enver Surty,  Dr Joe Phaahla, Godfrey Oliphant, Pam Tshwete,  Buti Manamela,  Mzwandile  Masina and Political and Legal Advisors of the Deputy  President,  Steyn Speed, Dr Nono Simelela and Adv. Nokukhanya Jele respectively.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on +27 82 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will travel to Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to lead a high-level South African delegation at the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government, scheduled to take place from 10 to 11 February 2018. The   AU Assembly is to be preceded by the 34th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council that will take place from 7 to 8 February 2019.

The theme of the Session is: “The Year of Refugees, Returnees and International Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa”. It presents an invaluable opportunity to reflect on and address the root causes of forced displacement in Africa.
 
The Summit is expected to deliberate on a number of other important issues, including the institutional reform and financing of the continental body;  Peace and Security on the Continent; developments related to the African Continental Free Trade Area; and negotiations for a new cooperation  agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific developing countries and the European Union Post-2020. South Africa intends to submit its Instrument of Ratification of the Agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area during the Summit.

In addition, consideration will also be given to the election of the Chairperson of the AU for 2020 – a position that will rotate to the Southern Region; the election of five Members of the AU Peace and Security Council; the appointment of one Member of the AU Commission on International Law; and of one Member of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

Important meetings immediately preceding the Summit on 9 February are the 28th Forum of Heads of States Participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the Meeting of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSC) and the Meeting of the Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee of the AU Development Agency/NEPAD.

A meeting of the African Union High-Level Committee of Heads of State and Government on Libya has also been convened for 9 February 2019 by its Chair, HE President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu; the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the Minister of State Security, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies; the Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo and the Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.


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

Havana- Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, Monday 26 October 2015 conclude his official visit to Cuba where he led a high-level   government and business delegation to strengthen bilateral, political, economic and trade relations between the South Africa and Cuba ahead of   his scheduled visit to Mexico from 26-28 October 2015.

Deputy President Ramaphosa visited Cuba at the invitation of his counterpart First Vice President Miguel Diaz Canel Bermudez. Deputy President   was supported by Deputy Ministers, Luwellyn Landers, Mzwandile Masina, Buti Manamela, Pam Tshwete, Enver Surty and advisors Steyn Speed, Dr. Nono Simelela and Adv. Nokukhanya Jele and senior government officials.

During the visit Deputy President Ramaphosa paid a courtesy call on President Raul Castro and held bilateral discussions with Vice President Canel. During these discussions Deputy President Ramaphosa reiterated the gratitude of the South African people for the moral, political and material support that Cuba provided to the liberation movement during the struggle against apartheid.

Deputy President Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s support for the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States of America initiated under the leadership of President Raul Castro and President Barrack Obama. In this regard, Deputy President also called for an end to the blockade against Cuba and the removal of all punitive measures that have been directed against the Cuban people.  

Outlining the objectives of the visit to Cuba, Deputy President Ramaphosa said that ‘’We are keen to hear about the process that Cuba has initiated to meet the challenges of the 21st century, particularly since the 2008 global financial crisis and the decline of commodity prices, which have brought economic hardship to many developing countries’’ said Deputy President Ramaphosa.

“We are keen to hear about the steps that Cuba has taken in the revitalisation of the state and economy. We are particularly keen to strengthen our economic relations with Cuba. We hope the visit will contribute to increased trade and investment between South Africa and Cuba,” continued Deputy President Ramaphosa.

“Not only has Cuba contributed to our freedom by supporting our struggle and fighting side by side with us, but you continue to improve the lives of our people by training doctors and providing scholarships for over 80 students annually to study medicine in Cuba. Apart from doctors, Cuba has provided 45 engineers deployed in four provinces in collaboration with the Department of Human Settlements. Our department of Water and Sanitation also has 35 Cuban engineers deployed across the country,” said Deputy President Ramaphosa.

Deputy President Ramaphosa also used the opportunity to visit and pay his respects at the Jose Marti Monument at the Plaza de la Revolucion and the Oliver Tambo Bust at the Park for African heroes. The Deputy President also had an occasion to interact with the management of the Latin American School of Medicine where a number of South African students are being trained to become doctors. 

During the visit Deputy President also held a meeting with leaders and the broader South African student body studying medicine in Cuba. 

In addition, Deputy President Ramaphosa visited the Cuban Combined Cycle Gas Plant to study how Cubans cope with energy challenges as well as the Cuban Molecular Immunology Centre including the local Policlinic and the Military Historical Park Morro in Havana.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected in Mexico on Monday 26 October 2015.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at +27-82-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, 09 February 2019, arrived at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to lead a high-level South African delegation at the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African President Union Heads of State and Government. The Session is scheduled to take place from 10 to 11 February 2019 under the theme:  “The Year of Refugees, Returnees and   International Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa”. It presents an invaluable opportunity to reflect on and address the root causes of forced displacement in Africa.
 
The Summit is expected to deliberate on a number of other important issues, including the institutional reform and financing of the continental body;  Peace and Security on the Continent; developments related to the African Continental Free Trade Area; and negotiations for a new cooperation  agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific developing countries and the European Union Post-2020. South Africa intends to submit its  Instrument of Ratification of the Agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area during the Summit.
 
In addition, consideration will also be given to the election of the Chairperson of the AU for 2020 – a position that will rotate to the Southern Region; the election of five Members of the AU Peace and Security Council; the appointment of one Member of the AU Commission on International Law; and of one Member of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
 
This afternoon the President will attend a meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government on the margins of AU Summit.
 
The meeting will receive reports on the consolidation of SADC political efforts in supporting SADC Member States and progress made in the implementation of the Institutional Reform of the African Union and in Post-Cotonou Partnership Agreement Negotiations. 
 
President Ramaphosa is accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu; the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the Minister of State Security, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies; the Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo and the Minister of Communications Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
 

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

Mexico City - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa touched down in Mexico on Monday, 26 October to represent President Jacob Zuma at the Open Government Partnership Global Summit scheduled for Mexico City from 26-28 October 2015. The theme of this year’s summit is “the role of open government in accelerating the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.”

During the Open Government Partnership Global Summit South Africa is expected to assume the leadership and chairpersonship of the organisation taking over from the current Chairperson Mexico which led the organisation in the past year.

The objective of the Open Government Partnership formed in 2011 and which currently comprises 66 member-states, is to improve government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens with the aim of improving services and reducing poverty.

Deputy President Ramaphosa’s delegation to the Global Summit includes South Africa’s Ambassador to Mexico Sandile Nogxina, Deputy Ministers Luwellyn Landers, Ayanda Dlodlo, Mzwandile Masina, Legal Advisor to the Deputy President Nokukhanya Jele and senior government officials.

While in Mexico, Deputy President Ramaphosa will pay a courtesy call on Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto later today, Tuesday 27 October to discuss the consolidation of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries.

South Africa and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1993. A Bi-National Commission, chaired at the level of the two countries’ ministries of international relations was established in 2009 to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Mexico is regarded as South Africa’s biggest trading partner in Latin America after Brazil and Argentina. Bilateral trade has been growing but there has been slump in South Africa’s exports to Mexico in 2013 and 2014. South African companies such as Aspen and Old Mutual have however increased their footprint in Mexico with Aspen having moved into the group of 20 biggest companies in Mexico.

Included among key engagements that Deputy President Ramaphosa will undertake will be an address at the Business Breakfast and Trade and Investment Seminar scheduled for Tuesday, 27 October 2015, including a meeting with Carlos Slim the Founder of Grupo Carso, with a view to assuring Mexican business leaders that South Africa remains open for business and investment opportunities.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also have an occasion to hold a meeting with Manilo Fabio Beltrones Rivera, the President of the ruling Mexican political party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party later on Tuesday.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to the Republic of South Africa on 30 October 2015.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa:  +27-82-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

Mexico City - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has today; Thursday, 29 October 2015 concluded his visit to Mexico where he was representing President Jacob Zuma at the Open Government Partnership Global Summit (OGP) under the theme “the role of open government in accelerating the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.”                                                   

During the Summit, Deputy President Ramaphosa acknowledged the honour bestowed on South Africa in assuming the leadership and chairpersonship of the organisation taking over from Mexico which led the organisation in the past year.

“For our country and our President Jacob Zuma whom I represent here, this Summit is even more special because of the honour, trust and confidence expressed in South Africa to assume the critical responsibility of being Lead Chair of the OGP”, Said Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Summit.

The objective of the Open Government Partnership formed in 2011 and which currently comprises 66 member-states is to improve government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens with the aim of improving services and reducing poverty.

Deputy President Ramaphosa’s delegation to the Global Summit included South Africa’s Ambassador to Mexico Sandile Nogxina, Deputy Ministers Luwellyn Landers, Ayanda Dlodlo, Mzwandile Masina, Legal Advisor to the Deputy President Nokukhanya Jele and senior government officials.

While in Mexico, Deputy President Ramaphosa paid a courtesy call on Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and discussed the consolidation of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Mexico is regarded as South Africa’s biggest trading partner in Latin America after Brazil and Argentina. Bilateral trade has been growing but there has been slump in South Africa’s exports to Mexico in 2013 and 2014. South African companies such as Aspen and Old Mutual have however increased their footprint in Mexico with Aspen having moved into the group of 20 biggest companies in Mexico.

Deputy President Ramaphosa had an opportunity to address the Business Breakfast and Trade and Investment Seminar. He also had an opportunity to meet with Carlos Slim the Founder of Grupo Carso, with a view to assuring Mexican business leaders that South Africa remains open for business and investment opportunities.

Deputy President Ramaphosa also met with the leadership of the ruling Mexican political party the Institutional Revolutionary Party.

The visit to Mexico was part of Deputy President Ramaphosa’s three-nation visit that included Cuba and Sweden.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to the Republic of South Africa on, Friday 30 October 2015.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 12 February 2019, launch the report on the outcomes of the Presidential Health Summit held in October   2018.

The President will perform the launch at a media briefing at Tuynhuys in Cape Town.

Deputy President David Mabuza officiated the October Summit which attracted stakeholders from government, civil society organisations, academia,  business,healthcare professionals and users who deliberated on the challenges and propose solutions facing the national health system.

In the State of the Nation Address on 7 February 2019 President Ramaphosa outlined how government aims to reduce inequality in access to health care through the National Health Insurance Act which will enable South Africans to receive free services at the point of care in public and private quality-accredited health facilities.
 
The objectives of the Presidential Health Summit were to advance collective efforts to promote good health care services as an essential foundation for health for all in South Africa, and to outline a roadmap towards a unified healthcare system by committing to rebuild the health system and identifying actions to strengthen co-ordination, monitoring and evaluation across the health system.

The President will report on the proposed solutions that the nine Summit commissions developed to enhance healthcare efficiency.

Details of the media briefing are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 12 February 2019
Time: 12h00.
Venue: Tuynhuys Media Room, Cape Town 
 
Media who would like to cover this event are requested to liaise with Khutjo Sebata and RSVP on khutjo@presidency.gov.za /079 898 4621 with Full Details of ID/Passport Number, Media House and designation by no later than 14h00 on Monday, 11 February 2019.
 

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

Johannesburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the keynote speaker at the official opening of Ernst & Young’s Strategic Growth   Forum Africa on Monday, 2 November 2015. 

The event will take place at 18h00 the Ernst & Young (EY) campus in Sandton.

EY’s flagship Strategic Growth Forum Africa is an annual meeting of high-growth companies, market leaders, government and NGOs who come together to discuss growth opportunities in Africa.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date:  Monday, 2 November 2015

Venue:  EY, 102 Rivonia Road, Sandton

Time:  18h00 (members of the media to arrive at 17h30)

RSVP: fathima.naidoo@za.ey.com or Terrence Manase 0823386707 / Terrence@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a successful Working Visit to Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, where he led a high level delegation of South African Cabinet Ministers to the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and   Government. 
 
The Assembly, which took place from 10-11 February 2019 under the theme: “The Year of Refugees, Returnees and International Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa”, elected South Africa as the AU Chair for the year 2020, taking over from Egypt who are  the Chair for 2019. The Chairship is decided annually on a rotational basis among the five regions and it is the Southern region’s turn to chair in 2020. 
   
President Ramaphosa also handed in the instrument of ratification, a formal approval by Parliament of the African Continental Free Trade Area  agreement (AfCFTA), to the AU Commission. 
 
The AfCFTA was launched during an Extra-ordinary Summit of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in Kigali, Rwanda in March 2018. South Africa signed the agreement in July 2018 in Nouakchott, Mauritania and has now handed in the instrument of ratification to H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission.
 
This step demonstrates South Africa’s binding and unwavering commitment to the implementation of the AfCFTA, which will remove trading barriers, boost intra-Africa trade and build an integrated and diversified market, with a GDP of approximately 3.3 trillion USD.
 
The Assembly also received and engaged with reports on a number of issues including the institutional reform and financing of the continental body; peace and security on the continent; developments related to the African Continental Free Trade Area; and negotiations for a new cooperation agreement between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific developing countries post-2020. 
 
A summary of the key decisions of the Assembly will be posted on www.au.int 
 
Furthermore, the AU immortalized the former Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, best known as one of the founding fathers of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) of 1963, by unveiling a commemorative statue in recognition of his contribution to Africa’s liberation and unity.
 
On the margins of the Assembly, the President attended a Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting, convened by the SADC Chair and President of Namibia, H.E Hage Geingob. The meeting received reports on the consolidation of SADC political efforts in supporting SADC Member States and progress made in the implementation of the Institutional Reform of the African Union and in Post-Cotonou Partnership Agreement Negotiations.
 
The President held bilateral talks with several Heads of State and Government including the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Zimbabwe, Republic of Mozambique, Republic of Mali, Kingdom of eSwatini and the Republic of Rwanda. He also met with the United Nations Secretary General H.E António Guterres and leading software industry entrepreneur, humanitarian and philanthropist, Bill Gates.
 
The President was accompanied by several Ministers and senior government officials.
 

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

Johannesburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the keynote speaker at the official opening of Ernst & Young’s Strategic Growth   Forum Africa tomorrow, Monday, 2 November 2015. 

The event will take place at 18h00 the Ernst & Young (EY) campus in Sandton.

EY’s flagship Strategic Growth Forum Africa is an annual meeting of high-growth companies, market leaders, government and NGOs who come together to discuss growth opportunities in Africa.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date:  Monday, 2 November 2015

Venue: EY, 102 Rivonia Road, Sandton

Time: 18h00 (members of the media to arrive at 17h30)

RSVP: fathima.naidoo@za.ey.com or Terrence Manase 0823386707 / Terrence@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria