Tokyo - Supported by a high-level Ministerial and a delegation of captains of Industry, South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today, Saturday 22 August 2015 touched down in Tokyo, Japan ahead of his official visit to promote South Africa as a preferred destination for foreign   direct investment and trade. 

At government level, the delegation includes Ministers Naledi Pandor, Rob Davies, Tina Joemat-Pettersson and Deputy Ministers Bheki Cele,   Nomaindia Mfeketo, Mzwandile Masina. 

Dr Nono Simelelela Special Advisor to the Deputy President, senior government officials including Deputy Director-General in the office of the Deputy President Busani Ngcaweni, Ambassador Anil Sooklal and South Africa’s Ambassador to Japan Mohau Pheko are also part of the delegation.

At a trade level the delegation includes among others CEO’s and Chairperson of South African companies ranging from Coega Development Corporation, NECSA, Transnet, Karanbeef, PPC, KPMG, Maponya Group and a number of other BEE companies.

At the heart of the visit lies a commitment by Deputy President Ramaphosa and his delegation to reassure Japanese business- that South Africa remains open for business. In this context, the Deputy President will brief Japanese investors about South Africa’s macro-economic stability, vibrancy and conducive business environment for Japanese business to invest in the country particularly in ventures that can create jobs. This takes place within the context of current national efforts aimed at exploring new and innovative ways of growing the economy.

Similarly, Deputy President Ramaphosa will utilise the visit to secure commitments from Japan to partner with South Africa in its efforts to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also seek to tap into the vast Japanese expertise and innovative technologies to increase collaboration in the fields of science and technology with a view to attracting essential skills in support of South Africa’s training and human resource development. In this context, South Africa and Japan will explore partnerships to promote innovation and technology to boost economic growth within the context of the 9-point plan to strengthen the economy.

While in Japan, Deputy President Ramaphosa will seek to strengthen alignment of South Africa and Japan’s approach to global issues of mutual concern including the enhancement of multilateral institutions and the reform of global political and economic governance.

The visit is also expected to consolidate the objectives of the African agenda through the strengthening of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) partnership by promoting increased trade, investment growth and infrastructure development in the continent of Africa. In this context South Africa continues to act within efforts of the African continent to facilitate African growth through Agenda 2063.

Programme 24-25 August 2015, Tokyo

From Monday 24 August 2015 Deputy President Ramaphosa and the high-level government delegation will pay courtesy calls on the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and hold discussions with the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party Sadakazu Tanigaki.

On trade and investment issues, Deputy President Ramaphosa will address the Japanese Captains of Industry, an organisation boosting a membership of about 1329 representative companies, 109 nation-wide industrial associations and 47 regional economic organisation.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is also expected to address the South Africa-Business Forum Plenary, chair a round-table discussion on investment in energy and meet with the Vice-President of Jetro, Tomiyasu Nakamura. Jetro is an organisation that promotes trade and investment between Japan the rest of the world. It also promotes foreign direct investment into Japan while assisting small and medium size enterprises to maximise their global export potential.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will furthermore pay a site visit to Toyota plant in Tokyo which will include a presentation of the MIRAI Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicle developed by the company.

In addition, Deputy President Ramaphosa will pay a visit to Miraikan – a Japanese national museum of emerging science and innovation located in Daiba, Tokyo. The visit will include ICT, manufacturing, engineering and the Advance Step Innovative Mobility- a humanoid robot developed by Honda. It is also used to encourage students to study science and mathematics. He will also meet with Hideaki Domichi, senior vice President of the Japan international co-operation Agency.

During his visit to Tokyo, Deputy President Ramaphosa will also seize the opportunity to hold discussions with Ambassador Yasushi Akashi on peace-building efforts, rehabilitation and reconstruction in Sri Lanka. Deputy President Ramaphosa is President Jacob Zuma’s Special Envoy to Sri Lanka. Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to South Africa on Wednesday 26 August 2015.

Issued by: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Tokyo - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa who arrived in Tokyo on Saturday will tomorrow Monday 24 August 2015 in Tokyo deliver a keynote   address to the Japanese Captains of Industry as part of efforts to promote South Africa as a preferred destination of trade and foreign direct   investment. 

Deputy President Ramaphosa is on official visit to Japan to strengthen and consolidate strategic bilateral political and economic relations   between the two nations, South Africa and Japan. Deputy President Ramaphosa is supported by a high level Ministerial and business delegation

Deputy President Ramaphosa will during his address to Japanese Captains of Industry seek to reassure the Japanese investors that South Africa remains open for business. Accordingly, he will brief Japanese investors about South Africa’s macro-economic stability, vibrancy and conducive business environment for Japanese business to invest in South Africa.

Following his address to the Japanese captains of industry, Deputy President Ramaphosa will chair a round-table session on investment in energy within the context of efforts by the government to address electricity challenges facing South Africa.

As part of efforts to consolidate bilateral political relations between South Africa and Japan, Deputy President Ramaphosa  will pay a courtesy calls on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori  as well as the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party Sadakazu Tanigaki.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will later in the day visit Miraikan, a Japanese national museum of emerging science and innovation located in Daiba, Tokyo. The visit will include ICT, manufacturing, engineering and the Advance Step Innovative Mobility - a humanoid robot developed by Honda. The robot is also utilised to encourage students to study science and mathematics.

The visit will be followed by yet another site visit to a Toyota plant, which will witness a presentation of the MIRAI Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicle developed by the company. Deputy President Ramaphosa will conclude his Monday’s programme with an address to the African Union Parliamentary Association dinner hosted in his honour.

The official visit continues on Tuesday 25 August 2015.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - The Presidency has noted media reports regarding the involvement of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa with the International Crisis   Group which is doing work in Lesotho, Sri Lanka and South Sudan. 

Deputy President Ramaphosa was previously involved with the organisation before he was appointed in government. Since his assumption of a   role in government, Deputy President Ramaphosa resigned from the International Crises Group and was replaced in his role by Ms. Cheryl   Carolus. Accordingly, Deputy President Ramaphosa is no longer involved with the organisation.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is currently the Special Envoy of President Jacob Zuma to assist the people of Sri Lanka with regard the truth and reconciliation as well as constitution-making process.

The Presidency further wishes to clarify that Deputy President Ramaphosa did not visit Sri Lanka over the weekend as alleged in the media reports but merely refuelled in Colombo en route to Japan

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed Japan’s commitment to support South Africa’s developmental trajectory. Deputy President Ramaphosa was speaking in Tokyo at the conclusion of his official visit to Japan on Tuesday 25 August 2015 where he led a high-level government and business delegation to promote strategic political and economic relations between the two nations.

‘’We found the Japanese people very receptive. We had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan, we spent an extensive amount of time with   him and he demonstrated that he is very supportive of our developmental trajectory. We spent time with the Deputy Prime Minister, he articulated the same’’ said Deputy President Ramaphosa.

‘’We see Japan as a friend, as a country that does not only invest, but a country that also supports development. They are making great strides in supporting the continent when it comes to skills development. They have invited or called for a number of young people around the continent to come and be trained here in Japan. We will be sending forty nine (49).

‘’Whist I was here I saw six of them who are being trained in master’s degrees in engineering, logistics, marine technology and a whole number of other high flying type of technologies.  When we met these young people we saw the future of our country, we saw young people who are acquiring great skills who are ready to come back to make a contribution to our country, ’’ continued Deputy President Ramaphosa.

‘’We also asked them to help us to extend the training of artisans that we should have as many artisans trained as possible. We told them that the welders who helped us in Medupi power station … and we said we don’t see any reason why we don’t have specialized welders ourselves.

‘’They are positively inclined to that, they are going to look at our proposal where we can send high level artisans who are willing to be trained to come and be trained in Japanese companies and go back home. Technical people, mechanics as well as artisans we believe that through this visit we will have been able to open opportunities for many of our young people who can come to be trained here in Japan”, said Deputy President Ramaphosa

‘’The South African government on these types of visits seeks to make sure that we grow the economy of our country, we enhance investment, we push the skills development button and get as many of our young people to come to be trained in the countries that we visit because it is important to draw skills, as many skills as we possibly can. So we want to flood some of these countries with young people who can come and learn and go back home”, continued the Deputy President.

‘’ We spent time with the business community here in Japan but also with our own business community. Our business people had come from home and we believe many of them started discussions and negations on possible deals that they could be doing. It is pleasing to see our business people making contact and moving to contract and we think a number of them were able to do so, explained Deputy President Ramaphosa

‘’We also used this opportunity to promote trade. There are many other areas that we want to start trading with the Japanese on. More agricultural products, they are also going to give us skills with agro processing so it’s been hugely successful and we are all very happy with the way that the visit went’’

‘’So the ocean economy is one of those we discussed with them. They are well vest in ship building, marine transport, fisheries, aquaculture so we raised all these with them and said we want them to assist us to get into this and also to come and invest in those areas.

‘’We said we want to industrialize our economy even further. We want to create black industrialists and we gave them a history why we have got to create and develop black industrialists. We said when they come to South Africa they should seek out partners that they can work with but at the same time we want to grow our own, who will play a critical role in the economy of our country. They responded very positively to that’’, concluded Deputy President Ramaphosa.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Johannesburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday, 28 August 2015, attend and speak at the Men’s Round Table Dialogue due to take place at the Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.

The Men’s Round Table Dialogue is a culmination of partnership between government, donors and civil society, which for the past few years has been phenomenal in mobilizing men to improve the health and wellbeing of their families and communities.

The event will be hosted by the Men’s Sector of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) in partnership with a consortium of organisations working with men and boys.

Some of the objectives of this dialogue entail:

•  institutionalization of men’s organisations working in the field of health and

social development

•  the introduction of the South African Men’s Charter, and 

•  launching the Men’s Health Screening campaign and the 365 Days of Activism Programme of Action

Media is invited as follows:

Time:   07h00-13h00

Venue:   Women’s Jail, Constitution Hill, Johannesburg

Date:   28 August 2015

Programme:

07h30: Arrival of the Deputy President

08h15: South African National Anthem 

08h20: Welcome Remarks & Background to the Men’s Dialogue by Rev. Bafana Khumalo (SANAC Men’s Sector Chairperson)

08h30: Remarks and Introduction of the Deputy President by Ms. Steve Letsike (SANAC Deputy Chairperson)

08h35: Remarks by the Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa (SANAC Chairperson)

08h50: Discussions  

09h30: Tea Break

Second Session: Men’s Dialogue and Panel Discussion

09h55: National Men’s Civil Society Progress Report by Mr. Tshiamo Moela (SANAC Men’s Sector Deputy Chair)

10h15: Entertainment

10h30: Discussions

11h45: Unveiling of South African Men of the Year Awards by Minister Bathabile Dlamini (Minister of Social Development)

12h00: Launch of the Men’s Sector HCT Campaign by Deputy Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla

12h15: Message of Support  by Prof. Sheila Tlou (UNAIDS Regional Director)

12h20: Message of Support by Ms. Mashudu Mfomande (SANAC Women’s Sector Chairperson)

12h25: Remarks by the Minister in The Presidency Responsible for Women Ms Susan Shabangu

12h40: Introduction of the South African Men’s Charter by Mr. Bruce Malgas (Gauteng Men’s Federation)

12h50: Closing Remarks by Rev. Mbulelo Dyasi (SANAC Men’s Sector General Secretary)

13h00: Closure and Lunch

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa: 082 990 4853                    

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will provide an update to Parliament on government’s efforts to improve the efficiency of key state-owned   enterprises such as South African Airways, Eskom and the South African Post Office. This will be during the sitting of the National Council of   Provinces in Cape Town, tomorrow Wednesday, 2 September 2015.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was assigned by Cabinet in December 2014 to develop turnaround strategies for state-owned enterprises   to enable these enterprises to play a meaningful role in contributing towards South Africa’s growth and development.

The Deputy President has also been asked to brief members of the NCOP on his recent visit to Lesotho to hand over his SADC Facilitation Mission Report and to discuss the terms of reference for the SADC-led Commission of Inquiry with His Majesty King Letsie III, the government of Lesotho, opposition political parties and other stakeholders.

Included in the session will be a briefing by Deputy President Ramaphosa on government efforts to improve the living conditions of farm workers and dwellers, especially, in the Western Cape.

During consultations with farm workers and stakeholders in the Western Cape’s agricultural sector in November 2014, Deputy President Ramaphosa called on social partners to maintain dialogue on issues facing farm workers and to move towards a social compact in the sector that will address such issues as security of tenure, evictions and social ills affecting farming communities.

He expressed the hope that such a compact would bring lasting peace and benefits to all stakeholders in the sector.

Among other responses in the NCOP, Deputy President Ramaphosa will address the question of the importance of gender parity for voters and candidates in the 2016 local government elections. In this context, the Deputy President is expected to outline what South Africa is doing to meet gender parity targets in political decision making processes in line with the SADC Gender Protocol.

Issued by: Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

Cape Town – Notable progress has been made in implementing the turnaround of Eskom, SAA and the South African Post Office, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said while answering questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) today, Wednesday, 2 September 2015.

With regards to Eskom, the Deputy President said that “valuable work has been done to stabilise Eskom and improve its financial position. Governance and leadership challenges are being addressed”.

“With the support of the War Room located in the Presidency, progress has been made in the implementation of government’s five-point plan to address the country’s electricity supply constraints.  An important milestone was the recent opening by President Jacob Zuma of the first unit at the Medupi power station, which adds over 600 megawatts to the national grid”, further said Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

With regards to the South African Airways (SAA), the Deputy President said that “as a result of a focused effort by the board and management and National Treasury as the executive authority, the ‘going concern’ status of SAA has been restored. Operating costs are consistently being reduced and operational efficiency is improving”.

The Deputy President further said that “the 90-day action plan has been successfully implemented.  A long-term turnaround strategy has been developed and is being implemented”.

On the South African Post Office the Deputy President said that “a strategic turnaround plan for the South African Post Office is being considered by Cabinet.  A thorough diagnostic review of the challenges at the Post Office was undertaken and a business model more suited to the changing postal services environment has been developed”.

“A new Post Office board has been appointed.  The board is comprised of people with the requisite skills and experience to implement the turnaround strategy”, said Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The Deputy President also indicated that a broader transformation process of the state-owned enterprise sector is being undertaken while addressing the challenges of the three entities.

“This is being coordinated by an inter-ministerial committee charged with implementation of the recommendations of the Presidential Review Committee on State-Owned Entities. We are certain that if the strategies that have been developed are pursued with focus and determination, they will achieve the desired results”, concluded the Deputy President.

Enquiries:  Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy at the Special Official Funeral of the late former Constitutional Court Judge, Justice Thembile Skweyiya, who passed away on Tuesday, 01 September 2015.

The late Judge Skweyiya was a leader in the development of the country's jurisprudence and a renowned human rights lawyer and activist at   the height of apartheid repression in the 1980s.

The details of the funeral are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 05 September 2015

Time: 10h00

Venue: Durban City Hall, Durban

Enquiries: Bongani Majola on 082 339 1993 or bonganim@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Acting President of the Republic of South Africa, has declared a Special Official Funeral for the former Constitutional Court Judge and Inspector of Correctional Services, the late Justice Thembile Lewis Skweyiya, who passed away   on Tuesday, 01 September 2015.

This category of a funeral is designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa for distinguished persons.

Judge Skweyiya was a leader in the development of the country's jurisprudence and a renowned human rights lawyer and activist during the height of apartheid repression in the 1980s.

The Acting President has ordered that all National Flags at all flag stations in the country be flown at half-mast from today, 03 September 2015 until the day of the funeral.

The details of the funeral will be communicated in due course.

Enquiries: Bongani Majola on 082 339 1993 or bonganim@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Acting President of the Republic, has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family, the Premier and Government of the Northern Cape on the sad passing of the MEC of Education in the province, Ms Grizelda “Zaza” Cjiekella- Lecholo who passed away on Friday, 28 August 2015.

Ms Cjiekella- Lecholo will be accorded a Provincial Official Funeral category one, which is accorded to, amongst others, Speakers of the Legislature and Members of the Executive Council (MECs) in accordance to State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy.

The Acting President has ordered that National Flags at all flag stations in the province be flown at half-mast from the 4th September to the evening of the 5th September 2015.

The provincial government will communicate the details of the funeral.

Enquiries: Bongani Majola on 082 339 1993 or bonganim@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria