Deputy President Ramaphosa will deliver an opening address at the XIV World Forestry Congress tomorrow, 07 September 2015 at the iNkosi   Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, at 16h00.

The XIV World Forestry Congress is a platform for governments, the private sector, foresters, academics and the civil society to exchange views   and innovations impacting on the broader forestry sector.

The Congress is an event of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the theme for this year is “Forestry and People: investing in Sustainable future”.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Cape Town- Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will brief Parliament tomorrow, Wednesday 9 September 2015 on progress made by the   government towards the achievement of objectives of the National Development Plan. The briefing will take place within the context of   responding to several questions from members of Parliament during the sitting of the National Assembly.

The National Development Plan remains at the centre of government efforts and an overarching programme to eliminate poverty, unemployment   and reduce inequality in South Africa by 2030. The NDP has received endorsement from South Africans across the political spectrum.

During the same sitting of the National Assembly, Deputy President Ramaphosa will outline how South Africa’s international relations strategy has been effective in promoting peaceful resolution of conflict while advancing the national interest including the objectives of the African Agenda.

Since the advent of democracy, South Africa has been involved in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction and development initiatives including the DRC, Burundi, Lesotho, South Sudan and Zimbabwe. Over the past year South Africa has also been asked to share its experience in the truth and reconciliation and constitutional development processes with the people of Sri Lanka.

Equally, Deputy President Ramaphosa will provide a progress report regarding his recent visits to the Peoples Republic of China and Japan aimed at exploring new and innovative means of growing South Africa’s economy.

In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa visited the Peoples Republic of China with a view to studying the Chinese model of state-owned enterprises and how South Africa can utilise this model to address challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

Similarly, Deputy President Ramaphosa visited Japan to reassure Japanese investors that South Africa is indeed open for business while encouraging foreign direct investment into South Africa. During the visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa briefed Japanese investors regarding South Africa’s macro-economic stability, vibrancy and conducive business environment for Japanese business to invest in the country with a focus in those ventures can create jobs for our people.

The Deputy President will also outline to parliament what best practice models the government is putting into place in the public service to respond to challenges identified by the Public Protector with regard to some government departments and state-owned enterprises.

Issued by: Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 10 September 2015 attend and address the announcement by the University of   Witwatersrand of major new fossil discoveries at Maropeng in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site at 08h00.

According to the massive team of international and local scientists led by Professors Lee Berger, Paul Dirks and John Hawks, involved in this   project, this major discovery will force the world to re-think what it means to be human.

This new remarkable discovery follows intensive research by the scientists under the auspices of the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence at the University of Witwatersrand. The expedition began in November 2013 culminating in the announcement on Thursday of the most important fossil discovery in the Cradle of Humankind to date.

In this regard, the function will witness the unveiling of the largest assemblage of hominin fossils in the African continent and will be attended by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adam Habib and Deputy Vice Chancellors of Wits, Minister Edna Molewa the responsible Minister for the World Heritage Convention Act, Acting Gauteng Premier Lebogang Maile, Executive Mayor of West Rand District Municipality Mpho Nawa, Nobel Laureate and eLife Editor Mr Randy Scheckman, Chief Science and Exploration Officer at National Geographic, Mr Terry Garcia as well as guests from academia and key figures in the science, education, environmental and tourism sectors.

Issued by: Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the 20th Nedlac Annual Summit to be held at the CSIR Convention Center, tomorrow Friday 11 September 2015.

The Deputy President is expected to call on social partners to develop innovative ways to grow the economy, save Jobs whilst continuing to create new job opportunities for our people.

Nedlac is a forum that brings together social partners from government, labour, business and communities in developing effective policies to promote economic growth and increase participation in economic decision making and social equity in South Africa.

President Jacob Zuma has tasked Deputy President Ramaphosa with the responsibility to convene social partner’s dialogue, within the ambit of NEDLAC to deliberate on national minimum wage, wage inequality and the violent nature and duration of labour strikes.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: 11 September 2015

Time: 08h00 – 10h30

Venue: CSIR Convention Center, Pretoria

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

At the invitation of the Bishop of the Tzaneen Diocese, Bishop Joao Rodrigues of the Catholic Church of South Africa, Deputy President Cyril   Ramaphosa will attend and address the Beatification Ceremony of Benedict Tshimangadzo Daswa on Sunday, 13 September 2015 at the   Tshitanini village near Thohoyandou, Limpopo province.

Benedict Tshimangadzo Daswa, was a South African school teacher and principal. He was killed by a mob in February of 1990 for refusing to   abandon his Christian beliefs and to fund anti-Catholic superstitions. He was declared a martyr this year, 2015, paving the way for his beatification.

The beatification mass will be led by Cardinal Angelo Amato, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints based in Rome, who will also be representing His Holiness Pope Francis.

Members of the media are invited as follows: 

Date: Sunday, 13 September 2015

Venue: Benedict Daswa Shrine Site at Tshitanini, Thohoyandou

Time: 07h30 – Opening Ceremony (Youth Presentation)

         09h00 – Prayer of the Church in honour of Benedict Daswa

         10h00 – Beatification Mass led by Cardinal Angelo Amato SDB

Contact person: Matome Bopape 082 318 5251 and Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Thohoyandou - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit the community of Vuwani near Thohoyandou in Limpopo, today, Sunday 13 September  2015 at 15h00 to listen to their grievances.

The meeting will also be attended by His Royal Highness King Thovhela Mphephu Ramabulana.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Venue: Vuwani Fire Centre, near Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province

Time: 15h00

Enquiries: Matome Bopape on 082 318 5251

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Johannesburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Tuesday, 22 September 2015, address the 3rd Japan Seminar to be held   at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Johannesburg. The Seminar is organized jointly by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), the Japanese embassy in South Africa and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in South Africa.

The seminar will bring together South African, the Japanese business communities and public entities. The seminar is aimed at promoting trade   relations between South Africa and Japan.

In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa recently visited Japan to consolidate existing bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and Japan. As part of his official visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa paid a visit to the headquarters of  Jetro in Tokyo, among others as part of efforts to reassure Japanese investors that South Africa is open for business and investment.

Media is invited as follows:

Arrival Time: 14H00 for 14H30

Time of address by Deputy President: 14H40

Venue: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Johannesburg

Date: 22 September 2015

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853, or Nthabiseng on 082-570-5503.

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Mokomene - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will and on behalf of President Jacob Zuma, address the National Heritage Day celebrations   scheduled for Ramokgopa Stadium at Mokomene in the Limpopo Province tomorrow, Thursday 24 September 2015. Deputy President   Ramaphosa will be supported by Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa, other cabinet ministers and Premier Stanley Mathabathe.

This year’s Heritage Day Celebrations will be held under the theme, “Our indigenous knowledge, our heritage: Towards the identification,   promotion and preservation of South Africa’s living heritage’. This seeks to reconnect all South Africans, black and white to our rich and diverse   collective heritage. 

The function will also be utilised to create awareness through educational programmes, dialogues, and public activities on the importance of collective heritage as a vehicle to foster social cohesion and nation building.

As part of the Heritage Day celebrations, Deputy President Ramaphosa will visit a local exhibition showcasing South African heritage as well as the heritage of other communities resident in South Africa. This includes among others indigenous foods, craft, dance, music, instruments and objects. 

The government calls on all our communities to utilise this occasion to promote and embrace our cultural diversity and contribute to the overall national thrust aimed at nation building and social cohesion.

Media is invited as follows:

Date: Thursday, 24 September 2015

Venue: Ramakgopa Stadium, Mokomene, Molemole Municipality in Limpopo

Time: 08h30 for 09h00

For enquiries please contact Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251 or Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria – At the invitation of the Speaker of Parliament, Ms. Baleka Mbete, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Wednesday, 30   September 2015, attend and address the launch of the inaugural lecture of the Memory Project in honour of Charlotte Maxeke at the Freedom   Park in Pretoria.

The Memory Project, which is the initiative of Parliament, is aimed at recognizing the significant contribution of South African women in their   respective areas of expertise and will be presented in a format of an annual lecture and information sharing series.

The first South African woman to be celebrated during this Heritage Month is Ms Charlotte Maxeke for her significant contribution at a political and social level.

The theme of the lecture is therefore titled “the Life and Legacy of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke”.

Media is invited as follows:

Arrival time: 18h00

Time of address by Deputy President: 19h10

Venue: Freedom Park, Pretoria

Date: 30 September 2015

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853   

Issued by: the Presidency

Pretoria 

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