Tehran - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa concluded a successful three-day working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on Monday, 9 November 2015 where he led a high level government and trade delegation to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations   between the two countries.

Deputy President Ramaphosa’s visit took place following the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Programme of Action between Iran and the so- called P5+1 countries. This programme is expected to result in the withdrawal of sanctions imposed on Iran.

The visit  by Deputy President Ramaphosa was preceded by a number of bilateral meetings at a ministerial level focusing on consolidating relations, collaboration in energy, agriculture, tourism, trade and water resource management.

During the visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa  and his counterpart, First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri witnessed the signing of three agreements, namely:

· Memorandum of Understanding between MINTEK (South Africa), IMIDRO and Iran IMIDRO and Iran Mineral Processing Research Centre (IMPRC) focusing on mineral processing;

· Memorandum of Understanding between Financial Intelligence Centre of South Africa and Financial Intelligence Unit of the Islamic Republic of Iran on Information Exchange Concerning Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing; and

· Memorandum of Understanding between Financial Services Board of South Africa and Securities and Exchange Organisation of Iran in Relation to Assistance and Mutual Co-operation in the Capital Markets Sector.  

Deputy President Ramaphosa also presided over the launch of the SA-Iran Business Council,  wherein he noted the success of companies doing business in Iran and the enormous capacity developed by the Iranians in areas such as petrochemicals, oil and gas, agriculture and on developing sources of energy such as wind and gas.  

While in Iran Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa had an opportunity to pay courtesy visits to President Hassan Rouhani and the Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani. The Deputy President expressed South Africa’s gratitude to the Iranian government for the stances it has taken on various regional cooperation issues and ongoing support for transformation of the United Nations Security Council.

The Deputy President was supported by Minister Nomvula Mokonyane of Water and Sanitation, Deputy Ministers Nomaindia Mfeketo of International Relations and Cooperation, Godfrey Oliphant of Mineral Resources, Mcebisi Jonas of Finance, Bheki Cele of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and and Tokozile Xasa of Tourism and senior government officials.

Representatives of state-owned companies such as Eskom, Mintek, the Council for Geoscience, the Financial Intelligence Centre and the South African Revenue Service and over 80 business leaders formed part of the visit in support of the Deputy President.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa - 082-990-4853

The Presidency

President Cyril Ramaphosa will sign the Competition Amendment Bill into law tomorrow, Wednesday 13 February 2019. The signing will take the form of a media photo-opportunity at which the President will be joined by Minister of Economic Development Mr Ebrahim Patel and a group of   stakeholders.
 
The Bill was approved by the National Assembly on 23 October 2018 and endorsed by the National Council of Provinces on 4 December 2018. 
 
The amended law constitutes a boost for SMEs and economic inclusion and opens up the economy to fresh investment and innovation.
 
It also provides a clear mandate to the competition authorities to address economic concentration in a balanced manner and to promote economic   transformation.
The Bill provides greater clarity to firms and investors on prohibited practices and what constitutes abuse of dominance.
 
Another expected benefit is improved administrative efficiencies in the work of the competition authorities and facilitative powers to the Executive.
 
The amended legislation seeks to combat concentration and economic exclusion as core challenges that contribute to slower and less dynamic growth, lower employment and greater inequalities, as well as socio-political conflict.
 
The amendments enable a more effective approach to concentration, with a focus on improving outcomes for small and black-owned business, and strengthen the institutions involved in managing competition policy and law. 
 
These changes are in the long-term interest of both business and organised labour and benefit small to medium-sized companies through a pro-growth, transformation model that can help lift investment and advance economic inclusion.
 
Members of the media are invited to the photo-opportunity which the President will undertake at Tuynhuys, Cape Town, as follows: 
 
Date: Wednesday, 13 February 2019
Time: 13h00
Venue: Media Room, Tuynhuys, Parliament, Cape Town
 
Members of the media can liaise with Khutjo Sebata on 079 898 4621 to cover the photo opportunity. 
 

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

Cape Town – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday 12 November 2015 at 14h00 brief members of the National Assembly regarding the recent cabinet decision to mitigate the unintended consequences of the visa regulations.

The briefing will take place within the context of oral replies by Deputy President Ramaphosa to a number of questions posed by members of parliament in the National Assembly. Deputy President Ramaphosa was assigned by President Jacob Zuma to chair an inter-ministerial committee to look into the unintended consequences of the visa regulations. The IMC made recommendations which were subsequently adopted by cabinet.

Among other oral replies that Deputy President Ramaphosa will address include a briefing on achievements of his recent official visits to Sweden, Cuba and Mexico where led high level ministerial and business delegations to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations with South Africa. In this context, Deputy President Ramaphosa has returned to South Africa on Tuesday 10 November 2015  from an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also have an opportunity to provide progress report to the national assembly regarding the work of the Moral Regeneration Movement within the context of advancing national unity and building social cohesion.

Included in the questions is what progress government has made in the establishment of an alternative dispute resolution mechanism arising from the Marikana tragedy.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa – 082-990—4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 14 February 2019, respond to the Debate on the State of the Nation Address.
 
President Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, 07 February 2019, with a focus on economic development, job creation and enhancing the capacity of the state.
 
The President outlined five key tasks required to grow South Africa at this point in its history. They are:
 
- Accelerating inclusive growth and creating jobs;
- Improvingthe education system and developing the skills the country needs now and into the future;
- Improving the conditions of life for all South Africans, especially the poor;
- Stepping up the fight against corruption and state capture; and
- Strengthening the capacity of the state to address the needs of the people.
 
Following the President’s address to a Joint Sitting of Parliament, political parties had the opportunity, in a debate, to reinforce or critique the President’s overview of where the country is positioned at present and his vision for where South Africa should be headed.
 
Today the President will respond to the inputs made by elected representatives.
 
Details are as follows:
 
Date: Thursday, 14 February 2019
Time: 14h00
Venue: National Assembly, Parliament, Cape Town
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 082 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Cape Town - In response to media queries arising from an oral reply provided by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa in the National Assembly in Cape Town on Thursday 12 November 2015 regarding the Marikana tragedy, the Presidency wishes to put the following on record:

1. A Summons has indeed been served on lawyers of Deputy President Ramaphosa arising from the Marikana tragedy

2. Deputy President Ramaphosa has instructed his lawyers to defend the action

3. We reiterate the view that the findings of the Farlam Commission remain clear insofar as they relate to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa personally

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Cape Town

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the State Security Agency (SSA) to recommit itself to serving the people of South Africa and adhering to the rule of law in support of the country’s trajectory of renewal and growth.
 
President Ramaphosa made this appeal to members and management of the intelligence services during a visit to the SSA in Pretoria today, Friday 15 February 2019.
 
The visit was part of the President’s fulfilment of the commitment he made in the 2018 State of the Nation Address that he would visit all government  departments.
 
Accompanied by the Minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Presidency Director-General Dr Cassius Lubisi, President Ramaphosa commenced his visit to the agency with a meeting with Minister of State Security Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, Deputy Minister Ellen Molekane and senior management including Acting Director-General Mr Loyiso Jafta.
 
The Ministry briefed the President on the challenges affecting the agency that gave rise to President Ramaphosa’s appointment in 2018 of a high-level panel to review the intelligence services.
 
The panel has produced a report that identifies challenges such as low staff morale, unprofessional and unethical conduct, leadership instability, corporate governance weaknesses including procurement violations and difficulties associated with the amalgamation several years ago of domestic and foreign intelligence gathering services.
 
Addressing SSA staff members, President Ramaphosa said the report would be published in due course for the benefit of all South Africans including members of the national intelligence service.
 
The report would also be the subject of engagement with the parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and the Inspector-General of Intelligence.
 
The President said that the agency’s recent past was unfortunate and there would be accountability for the wrongs that had occurred within the intelligence services.
 
President Ramaphosa paid tribute to the “cohort of really good people (within the SSA) who are committed to the country” and said the country valued their work and what they stood for.
 
He called on intelligence staff to “reposition your own dedication and commitment” and to be ethical, committed, selfless and non-partisan in the execution of their duties.
 
The President cautioned the intelligence services to desist from involving themselves in party political dynamics. “We want you to do things correctly, in terms of the law and corporate governance, without a deviant agenda.”
 
The President called on the State Security Agency to develop the human capacity and innovation to support South Africa’s national objectives.
 
He said the SSA should become a professional civilian intelligence service of which the country could proud in the knowledge that South Africa is fully secured. The President said the report of the review panel spelt out a way forward towards the rebuilding of an SSA that would be revamped, renewed and recommitted.
 

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

Kempton Park – Deputy President Cyril Ramphosa has today, Saturday 14 November 2015, in his capacity as the chairperson of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) announced the new Trustees of the SANAC Trust at a plenary meeting held at the Protea Hotel, OR   Tambo Airport Johannesburg.

Deputy President Ramaphosa welcomed the trustees and thanked them for accepting the invitation “to become part of the critical work that SANAC is doing”.

“I have no doubt that they will bring the necessary leadership, vision and impetus to our national fight against HIV, AIDS and TB”, said Deputy President Ramaphosa.

The newly appointed SANAC Trustees are:

• Ms Sheila Mbele

• Mr Mluleki Zazini

• Dr Gwen Ramokgopa

• Mr Pholokgolo Ramothwala

• Ms Steve Letsike

• Dr Yogan Pillay

• Mr Mthetho Tshemese

• Prof Kholeka Mlisana

• Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba

• Ms Thandi Orleyn

The Deputy President also extended his gratitude to the outgoing SANAC Trustees and said that “under the leadership of Zak Yacoob, the trustees served the SANAC community with great dedication and diligence”.

In this regard Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the following as critical successes in the work of SANAC:

• Continued expansion HIV treatment programme, with over 3 million people on antiretroviral treatment.

• Further reduction of mother-to-child transmission.

• Improvement in all TB indicators.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a government delegation in its regular engagement with the South African National Editors’ Forum on Saturday, 21 November 2015, at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria as part of government’s commitment and   ongoing programme to strengthen relations with the media.

Government will brief editors on key issues and upcoming plans while affording the editors an opportunity to raise areas of interest with government.

Members of the media are invited for a photo opportunity and opening remarks as follows:

Date: 21 November 2015

Time: 8h30 for 9h00

Venue: Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, Bryntirion Estate, Pretoria (enter through gate 10 on Nassau and Dumbarton streets, Pretoria).

Please RSVP with Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707 or Terrence@presidency.gov.za and  Pheliswa Sebati on 082 413 4609 or pheliswa@gcis.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency and GCIS

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the annual official Opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) on Tuesday, 19 February   2019.
 
Proceedings will take place in the Old Assembly Chamber in Parliament, Cape Town.
 
The official opening is undertaken annually by the President after the State of the Nation Address and allows the country’s traditional leadership members to engage on how the President’s vision touches traditional communities and the role traditional leaders can play in moving South Africa  forward.

The address by the President speaks to the significance government attaches to the institution of traditional leadership in line with constitutional   recognition of this component of South Africa’s national diversity.

Following the opening address, members of the House will on Thursday, 21 February 2019, debate and deliberate on the President’s input.

The Opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders will be attended by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairperson of the NCOP, Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers, MECs responsible for Traditional Affairs, Kings and Queens, traditional leaders from SADC member states, Executive Members of the Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders, representatives of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, delegates from constitutional bodies, business, religious communities, non-governmental organisations, political parties, the National Khoi-San Council and other formations.

Media are invited as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 19 February 2019
Time: 14h00
Venue: Old Assembly Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town

Debate on the President’s Speech

Date: Thursday, 21 February 2019
Time: 16h00
Venue: Old Assembly Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town

Media should send their details to Nkanyiso Ndadane on 066 480 3430 or Modiegi Madiga on 082 822 5878


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Saturday, 21 November 2015, lead a government delegation in its regular engagement with the South African National Editors’ Forum at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria as part of government’s commitment   and ongoing programme to strengthen relations with the media.

Government will brief editors on key issues and upcoming plans while affording the editors an opportunity to raise areas of interest with government.

Members of the media are invited for a photo opportunity and opening remarks as follows:

Date: 21 November 2015

Time: 8h30 for 9h00

Venue: Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, Bryntirion Estate, Pretoria (enter through gate 10 on Nassau and Dumbarton streets, Pretoria).

Please RSVP with Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707 or Terrence@presidency.gov.za and Pheliswa Sebati on 082 413 4609 or pheliswa@gcis.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency 

Pretoria