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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to chair Inter-Ministerial Committee on Public Employment Programmes and visit community-based furniture-making project at Graskop, Mpumalanga
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GRASKOP – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday, 02 October 2015, chair the second sitting of the Public Employment   Programme Inter-Ministerial Committee (PEP-IMC) to be held in Graskop, Thaba Chweu Local Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province.

The meeting will be preceded by a visit by Deputy President Ramaphosa and his delegation to the local Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Working for Water project that harvests invasive tree species to create eco-furniture for schools across the country. The Graskop project   employs 100 people on a short-term basis and provides participants with skills that enhance their ability to secure long-term employment in appropriate industries.

The income earned by the participants in the eco-furniture project supports a broader community of about 1 300 households. The project is led by the South African National Parks and is administered and funded by the Environmental Affairs Department in partnership with the Department of Public Works.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Public Employment Programmes aims to achieve better synergy between the EPWP and other poverty alleviation, employment, enterprise development and skills development initiatives. The IMC  also champions the importance of public employment opportunities within government and the wider society, given the benefits to the broader society of the social infrastructure and skills development delivered by such projects.

The Committee, comprising 10 Ministers and Directors-General responsible for Public Employment Programmes, is also charged with scaling up government’s public work programmes to achieve the six million work opportunity target by 2019, as mandated by President Jacob Zuma.

The IMC meeting on Friday, 2 October 2015 will receive a progress report on the EPWP’s Phase 3, discuss the road maintenance programme and assess potential areas of expansion for the EPWP.

 

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Site Visit to the Eco-Furniture factory 

Date: Friday, 02 October 2015

Time: 08h30 - 09h00

Venue: Old Roodewal Sawmil, along R533 road, Thaba Chweu, Graskop, Mpumalanga (GPS Coordinates:  24°57'51.0"S 30°55'23.2"E)

PEP – IMC Meeting (for a Photo Opportunity and recording of opening remarks)

 

Date: Friday, 02 October 2015

Time: 09h30 for 10h00

Venue: Thaba Chweu Municipal offices, Graskop, Mpumalanga

 

For accreditation and enquiries: Matome Bopape – 082-318-5251 and Kgomotso Mathuloe – 082-957-3667

 

For media comments contact Ronnie Mamoepa – 082-990-4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

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Deputy President Ramaphosa to meet the youth of Soshanguve at Youth Development Expo
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Soshanguve - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Saturday 03 October 2015 visit the community of Soshanguve, Tshwane, to interact   with young people at a Youth Development Expo.

The venue is the Halala Community Hall, Block H, and the event begins at 08h00.

The aim of the expo is to equip disadvantaged youth from the area with a broad range of information about educational and vocational opportunities that can change their lives for the better.

Young people will be offered advice on career choices and relevant school subjects; access to education and training; how to make positive lifestyle choices, avoid the dangers of substance and maintain healthy personal relationships.

The expo targets high school learners, unemployed youth, and young persons who may have left high school or tertiary institutions for various reasons.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by Ms Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Small Business Development; Mr Mdudusi Manana, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training; Mr Buti Manamela, Deputy Minister in the Presidency; Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Deputy Minister of Communications, and the City of Tshwane’s Executive Mayor, Mr Kgosientso Ramokgopa.

 

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: 03 October 2015

Time: 08h00 (formal programme starts)

Venue: Halala Community Hall, Block H, Soshanguve 

RSVP: Terrence Manase 082 338 6707

 

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to visit Mozambique for a consultative meeting on Lesotho
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Maputo- Deputy President and SADC Facilitator Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Tuesday 6 October 2015 undertake a working visit to Maputo in Mozambique where he will attend a consultative meeting convened to discuss developments in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

The Consultative meeting is convened by the President of Mozambique, President Filipe Nyusi in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security.

The Consultative Meeting will be attended by Lesotho’s Prime Minister Right Honourable Phakalitha Mosisili as well as Deputy President Ramaphosa. The consultative meeting is part of ongoing SADC efforts to consolidate peace and stability in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

 

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in Mozambique ahead of consultative meeting on developments in Lesotho
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Maputo - Deputy President and SADC Facilitator Cyril Ramaphosa this afternoon, Tuesday 6 October 2015 arrived in Maputo the capital of   Mozambique, ahead of a consultative meeting convened to discuss developments in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

The consultative meeting scheduled for later today has been convened by President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi in his capacity as the   Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security.

The consultative meeting which will be chaired by President Nyusi will be attended by Lesotho’s Prime Minister Right Honourable Phakalitha Mosisili and Deputy President Ramaphosa. The consultative meeting is part of ongoing SADC efforts to consolidate peace and stability in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

 

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa meets Vuwani traditional and community leaders over municipal demarcation concerns
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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa chaired a meeting of traditional and community leaders of Vuwani, Limpopo, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria today, Wednesday 7 October 2015.

The meeting was attended by Pravin Gordhan, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Chief Livhuwani Matsila, Chief Nthumeni Masia, Chief Jeffrey Ramovha and Mr Arnold Mulaudzi leading a delegation of community-based structures.

The meeting today was a follow-up to Deputy President Ramaphosa’s visit to Vuwani last month where he interacted and listened to community grievances regarding the decision of the Municipal Demarcation Board to create a new municipality in the Vhembe district in Limpopo.

The Deputy President welcomed the spirit in which today’s meeting was conducted and the commitment by all stakeholders to continue to work together to address challenges facing the Vuwani and affected communities.

In this regard the Deputy President stressed the importance of the need for continuous dialogue among all stakeholders - government, traditional and community leaders - in addressing challenges facing the Vuwani area and affected communities.

In assessing the current situation, traditional and community leaders informed the Deputy President of the legal challenge launched by the community in the courts of law to review and set aside the decision of the Municipal Demarcation Board to create a new municipality in the Vhembe district. In this regard, the meeting agreed to await the outcome of legal processes while maintain peace and stability in and around Vuwani and affected communities.

Government committed itself to continue extending the much needed basic, critical, essential services and development to the people in the Vuwani area as part of its broad mandate to improve the lives of our people.

Deputy President Ramaphosa said government recognises the right of communities to express their grievances and aspirations within the ambit of the law and Constitution of our country. In this context the Deputy President Ramaphosa emphasised the critical role of leadership in leading struggles for a better life for all our people.

Both Deputy President Ramaphosa, traditional and community leaders underscored the importance of promoting social cohesion through non-racialism, non-tribalism and non-sexism in our traditions, values and practice.

 

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the 5th CSIR National Conference
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Pretoria – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Thursday, 08 October 2015, address the 5th CSIR National Conference due to take   place at the Convention Centre of the CSIR in Lynnwood, Pretoria. Deputy President Ramaphosa will speak on the theme “ideas that work”.

The 5th CSIR Conference will discuss among others, the future of sustainable energy, the eradication of malaria and other diseases in Africa,   the usage of technology in the fight against poaching, future technological developments and other global research issues.

As one of the leading scientific research institutions in the country, the CSIR has a mandate to undertake multidisciplinary research, technological innovation as well as industrial and scientific development to improve the quality of life in South Africa.

The conference will be attended by local and international experts in the field of energy, information and technology, health defense and security.

During the visit and before the start of the conference, Deputy President Ramaphosa will tour an exhibition showcasing innovation and invention in the country.

 

Media are invited as follows:

Media Arrival Time: 07h30

Visit to the Exhibition Centre: 08H00

Address to the Conference by Deputy President: 09H00

Venue: CSIR Convention Centre, Meiring Naude Rd, Brummeria (adjoining Lynnwood), Pretoria

Date: 08 October 2015

 

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa: 082 990 4853 or Nthabiseng 082-570-5503 and Tyrone Seale 083-575-7440

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

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Deputy President Ramaphosa to receive a courtesy call from Nigerian Vice President Osinbajo – 10 October 2015
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Midrand - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Saturday, 10 October 2015, receive a courtesy call from Nigerian Vice President Yemi   Osinbajo at the Gallagher Estate in Midrand at 13h00.

 

Members of the media are invited for a photo opportunity.

Date: Saturday, 10 October 2015 (today)

Time: 13h00

Venue: Gallagher Estate, Midrand

 

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the second Higher Education Summit in Durban
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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the second Higher Education Summit at the Durban International   Convention Centre on Thursday, 15th October 2015.

 

The Summit will focus on, among other issues, language policy in universities or institutions of higher learning, the transformation of   institutional cultures in universities, and the decolonisation of university curricula.

The Summit is a platform for discussion among students, student formations, university management, university councils and other stakeholders on issues of concern in institutions of higher learning.

Summit resolutions will empower the Minister of Higher Education and Training and other role players in the higher education sector with information to effect radical change in institutions of higher learning.

 

Media are invited as follows:

Time: 09h00 (start of formal programme) 

Venue: Durban International Convention Centre

RSVP: Nangamso Gxaba – 072 321 6355

 

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 0829904853

Issued by the Presidency

Pretoria

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President Ramaphosa to engage economic role players
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President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Tuesday 29 January 2019, attend a meeting of the Public-Private Growth Initiative (PPGI) and address Business Unity South Africa’s (BUSA) inaugural Business Economic Indaba at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.

The Public-Private Initiative partnership was established in April 2018 with an aim to align strategic planning between government and the private sector in the interest of improving economic growth and the way government and business work together.

The meeting will be chaired by Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

Automotive, Agricultural, Chemicals, Manufacturing, Tourism, Renewable Energy – Wind and Solar, Energy, Construction, Pharmaceutical, Mining,  Retail, ICT, Health and Insurance are the sectors of the economy which comprise this partnership and will present their five year , projected high level growth plans which will accelerate  economic growth and job creation. The 14 sectors in the PGI will also highlight challenges that obstruct growth and the government intervention required to resuscitate unhindered production.  

Following the meeting with the PPGI, President Ramaphosa will address Business Unity South Africa’s (BUSA) inaugural Business Economic Indaba.

Under the theme “Strategic Dialogue for a Transformed and Inclusive Economy”, the Indaba will see social compact partners in government, business and labour explore solutions that will build and sustain the economy for the benefit of all. 

President Ramaphosa has during the course of his Presidency engaged extensively with business leadership in the country and abroad, driven by the effort to secure more than US $100 billion in domestic and international investment in five years, which is critical to job creation and industrialisation in the South African economy.

The President has outlined an economic stimulus and recovery plan which entails implementing and enhancing economic reforms, reviewing public spending to support job creation, establishing an infrastructure fund, prioritising urgent matters in education and health and investing in municipal social infrastructure improvement.

Details of the President’s participation at the BUSA Economic Indaba are as follows: 
Date: 29 January 2019
Time: 16:00
Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand 

Media who would like to cover the BUSA Economic Indaba are requested to liaise with Khutjo Sebata on 079 898 4621.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Address by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa at the inaugural Employment Equity Awards, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand
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Minister of Labour, Ms Mildred Oliphant,

Deputy Minister of Labour, Inkosi Patekile Holomisa,

Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi

Members of Parliament,

Acting Chairperson of the Commission for Employment Equity, Ms Tabea Kabinde,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Good Evening. Goeie Naand. Dumelang.

 

It is a great pleasure to address the inaugural Employment Equity Awards.

 

This is a fitting platform to recognise and reward employers who excel in embodying the true spirit of transformation in the workplace.

 

These awards coincide with the 60 year anniversary of the Freedom Charter, in which delegates from diverse backgrounds declared that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white.

 

This was a bold statement that all South Africans have an equal right not only to citizenship, but an equal right to the wealth the country produces and the opportunities it provides.

 

Our task, six decades later, is to work together to have those rights realised.

 

The Employment Equity Act of 1998 sought to give meaning to the Constitutional imperative to achieve social justice and equality.

 

This Act aims to promote the constitutional right of equality through eliminating unfair discrimination in employment.

 

More than that, it aims to redress the effects of discrimination and achieve a diverse workforce broadly representative of our people.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Employment equity is at the centre of our journey from a reviled and discriminatory system to an inclusive society built on shared prosperity.

 

It is about putting mechanisms and instruments in place to ensure that we forge a society where everyone has the opportunity to embrace their full potential without the threat of unfair discrimination.

 

This is a necessary project to unearth our human capital by exploiting its full, diverse demographic dividend.

 

In a document published in 1994, Albie Sachs wrote:

“Affirmative action is a matter of doing right, but it is more than that, it is a question of survival.

 

“If our country and every region and city in it is divided into manifestly rich and flagrantly poor areas, there will never be social peace…

 

“We have to free the capacities of millions of people who have never had a real chance to show their mettle.

 

“Widening the pool of candidates for any post should lead to greater competence, not less.”

 

Distinguished Guests,

 

These awards reinforce the notion that we must all take employment equity seriously and not reduce it to meeting compliance targets.

 

We must approach it with an understanding that employment equity is really about maximising the human potential of all South Africans.

 

Diversity in the workplace is critical for nation building and social cohesion.

 

It contributes to the development of a country that is based on inclusion, not exclusion; on dignity, not dehumanisation; on opportunity, not marginalisation.

 

Without equity, our workplaces will never truly be South African.

 

Without equity, prejudice and ignorance thrive.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Discrimination takes many forms and affects different groups of people.

 

Much of the work we are doing focuses on righting the injustices suffered by the majority – black people and women.

 

But we should be careful not to neglect other groups of people who are also exposed to discrimination and marginalisation.

 

People with disability may constitute only a small section of our population, but their exclusion is no less painful.

 

The lack of opportunity is, for them, no less devastating.

 

Their rights are no less important.

 

And because they are in a minority, their cause is much less prominent.

 

Not only do they experience discrimination in the workplace, they also experience discrimination at school, in communities, in broader society.

 

Affirming people with disability requires not only a more deliberate approach to recruitment, employment and promotion.

 

It also requires that we confront the notion that a disability renders a person incapable.

 

It requires that, as employers, we recognise the impediments that people with disability face and take active measures to remove them.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Women in the workforce also face impediments.

 

Many experience discriminatory practices such as pay inequality, sexual harassment, and intimidation.

 

It is a cause for concern that despite improvements in educational qualifications, women occupy few senior positions in government and even fewer in the private sector.

 

The National Development Plan argues that “the transformation of the economy should involve the active participation and empowerment of women.”

 

Preference for males over females in most of the sectors of our economy continues.

 

More women are employed in low-skilled jobs that attract low pay.

 

Yet to advance the position of women in the workplace, we need to recognise that many of the impediments are rooted in social norms and practices.

 

We need to address social expectations about the role of women in the family – and assert that men are parents too.

 

Company policies, practices and attitudes need to accommodate the possibility of shared parenting.

 

Corporate culture often inhibits the advancement of women.

 

Where women are in the minority, their concerns and interests are often not reflected in company practices and they are often excluded from social interactions and informal networks.

 

Education is central to the empowerment of women.

 

Every effort needs to be made to keep female students in school and tertiary institutions.

 

Women are most successful in countries where there is high female enrolment in schools and universities.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

As we transform the workplace, we must transform society.

 

We must ensure that all our people share in the wealth of this country.

 

That means, among other things, that we must affirm blacks in general and Africans in particular in all institutions and in all places of work.

 

The Act also requires that employers take measures to progressively reduce disproportionate levels of pay between different categories of employees.

 

This seeks to address the broader challenge of wage inequality, which diminishes the quality of life of many working people.

 

It recognises that in a great many companies, most of the low-paying positions are occupied by black people and most of the senior positions by white people.

 

There is a responsibility on employers to take active measures to address these disparaties.

 

We urge them to follow the example of the cement company PPC, which took a decision in 2013 to cut the pay of its CEO by R1 million and freeze the pay of its top 60 managers to improve the wages of its 1,200 lowest earners.

 

We must craft an approach that affirms all those who suffered discrimination and exclusion in a manner that promotes cohesion and unity.

 

We recognise that, in practice, this is not always straightforward.

 

If not managed properly, it can establish new forms of marginalisation and lead to resentment.

 

We therefore appreciate and applaud those employers that are being honoured here this evening.

 

They have grappled with these challenges and they have succeeded.

 

For them, transformation has become an essential part of their being.

 

They are not implementing it begrudgingly or half-heartedly.

 

These are companies that are discovering and embracing the benefits of bringing South Africans together to share values and create shared value.

 

They understand that compliance is not an end in itself, but rather a means to an end.

 

They seek a diverse, representative workplace that secures inclusive growth and shared success.

 

I hope that the organisations we are celebrating today will be an example to others.

 

We would like to see them leading workshops on employment equity best practice.

 

Employment equity is truly about socio-economic development.

 

It makes business sense to those companies that seek growth.

 

Congratulations to all finalists and winners tonight.

 

Your exemplary conduct must encourage the critics of employment equity to realise that there is value in actively empowering those that were denied opportunities in the past.

 

It is in our hands to make South Africa a home where blacks and whites, men and women, the young and the elderly, and those living with disability feel and experience that they truly belong.

 

I thank you.

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 Union Building