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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the partners in Agri Land Solutions (PALS) Annual Meeting
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Witzenberg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, Wednesday 21 June 2017, address the Partners in Agri Land Solutions (PALS) annual meeting at Kaleo Guest Farm in the Witzenberg Municipality near Ceres in the Western Cape at 19h00.
 
PALS is a private land reform initiative established by commercial farmers in the Witzenberg municipality, in partnership with local communities and all spheres of Government. The aim of the initiative is the creation of an enabling environment for the implementation of innovative land reform and economic empowering projects in line with the National Development Plan (NDP).
 
PALS also provides mentorship and training for emerging black farmers to become successful commercial farmers. 
 
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 21 June 2017
Time: 19h00
Venue: Kaleo Guest Farm, Witzenberg, near Ceres
  

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440 or Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President calls for safety amid festivity at Easter
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President Cyril Ramaphosa wishes South Africans well for the Easter holidays and has called for this period to be observed in a spirit of tolerance, consideration and safety.

The President has urged travelers to share the country’s roads with consideration for fellow road users – including pedestrians – and to follow all the rules of the road diligently and consistently.

In addition, says the President, law-enforcement agencies are on high alert and instructed to apply the law as stringently as possible for minor and serious offences alike.

President Ramaphosa says: “There is no reason that our Easter holidays should be remembered for the number of lives lost or injuries incurred on our roads; this should be a period of rest and enjoyment where everyone who leaves home, returns safely.

“Let us work together to prove that we can reduce death, injury and damage on our roads. It is our own behaviour that inflicts tragedy on families and costs on our economy. It is within us to change this.

“For those of us who will spend this period at home, let us make this a time of taking care of ourselves, our families and our neighbours. We should all be able to enjoy this time in conditions of safety so that all of us are available after these holidays to continue growing South Africa together.

“I offer my best wishes to religious communities and the nation at large for the long weekend ahead.”


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President Ramaphosa undertakes a Working Visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt
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President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 22 April 2019 depart South Africa to undertake a Working Visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt to attend an emergency African Union (AU) Troika Summit convened to discuss the political and security situations in the Republic of Sudan and Libya.

President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi has called the Emergency Summit in his capacity as Chairman of the African Union. The AU Troika consists of Egypt, current Chair; South Africa, incoming Chair; and Rwanda, outgoing Chair. The Summit will also be attended by the AU Commission Chairperson, Mr   Moussa Mahamat Faki who is expected to report on the AU initiatives undertaken to resolve these crises. Mr Faki has just concluded a visit to Sudan.

South Africa is serving as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the period 2019-2020 and these political and security  challenges in Libya and Sudan are already before the UN Security Council.

President Ramaphosa has prioritized regional and continental peace, stability, security and integration and development and will attend the Emergency Summit to contribute towards the African Union’s stated goal of silencing the guns by 2020.

The President will be accompanied by Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu, Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and State Security, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to chair the 18th meeting of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) - CSIR Convention Centre, Pretoria
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Pretoria – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday, 23 June 2017, chair the 18th Meeting of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) at the CSIR Convention Centre, Pretoria, Gauteng province.

Deputy President Ramaphosa chairs the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) which plays a critical role in mobilising various stakeholders behind the Human Resource Development Strategy for South Africa. The strategy aims to develop skills that serve the needs of the economy and support the national objectives of radical economic transformation, notably inclusive growth and development, among others.

In this regard, the 18th Council meeting will consider the following:

· An appraisal of the contribution of Science Councils to high level skills  and research and development as envisaged in the NDP and the HRD Strategy;
· Highlights of Skills Development Programmes offered by State Owned Enterprises & Corporations;
· Financing of Higher Education for the poor & “missing middle” students through a PPP;
· Progress update on the work of the HRDC Maths and Science Standing Committee;
· A Rapid Appraisal of the TVET Sector Performance since 1994, and
· Concept Document for the HRDC Members Adoption of TVET Colleges

Deputy President Ramaphosa and Council members will also undertake a guided tour of the CSIR research stations and engage with young scientists and researchers, as part the national focus on Youth Month.
 
Media is invited to cover as follows:
Date: Friday, 23 June 2017
Time: 08H00 – 09H30 (Media To Arrive At 07h00)
Venue: CSIR Convention Centre, Knowledge Centre, Building, 50 Meiring Naude Road, Pretoria


For enquiries and accreditation please contact, Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251or Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440 . 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President Ramaphosa to bestow National Orders Awards
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President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Grand Patron of the National Orders, will this Thursday, 25 April 2019, bestow the 2019 National Orders Awards on distinguished local citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have played a momentous role towards building a free and peaceful democratic South Africa and improving the lives of South Africans in various ways. 

The National Orders are the highest awards that South Africa bestows, through the President of the Republic, upon citizens and members of the international community who have contributed meaningfully towards making the country a free democratic and successful nation, united in its diversity.

During the ceremony, President Ramaphosa will bestow the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, and the Order of the  Companions of OR Tambo to the deserving recipients. 

Details of the ceremony are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 25 April 2018 
Time: 10h00 (Media to arrive at 08h00 for the Ceremony)
Venue: Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria

Members of the media interested in covering the ceremony are requested to immediately send their names, ID/Passport numbers and media house to Tsakane Khambane on Tsakane@presidency.gov.za or 082 084 5566 by no later than 10:00 on Wednesday, 24 April 2019 . 

DRESS CODE: Members of the media are kindly requested to dress formal in suits or traditional attire. No jeans and takkies will be allowed.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the Regenesys Business School Lifetime Award for Leadership ceremony
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Sandton - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Thursday 22 June 2017, receive a Regenesys Business School Lifetime Award for Leadership and address the awards ceremony at the Regenesys Campus in Sandton, Johannesburg.

The Lifetime Award for Leadership ceremony recognises businessmen and women who have excelled in business management and leadership.

The school consistently bestows awards on renowned business leaders across the world, to acknowledge their outstanding work in the business sector.

Regenesys Business School is ranked one of the top 5 business schools of South Africa in offering business and public sector programmes ranging from Higher Certificates to Masters Degrees, including flagship MBA. Since 1998, it has educated over 120 000 students from over 1 000 of the most reputable global organisations, across 195 countries.

Members of the media are invited as follows: 
Date: Thursday, 22 June 2017
Time: 19h30
Venue: Regenesys Campus, 4 Pybus Road (cnr. Katherine Street), Sandton, Johannesburg
 
 
Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440 or Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Statement on conclusion of the 18th meeting of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), held at the CSIR, Pretoria, 23 June 2017
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Pretoria – Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, as Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), today, 23 June 2017, chaired a successful 18th meeting of the Council at the CSIR Knowledge Commons, Pretoria.
 
The 18th HRDC meeting was proceeded by a guided tour to various Science and Technology research stations at the CSIR, where Deputy President Ramaphosa together with council members had the opportunity to witness high level research and development opportunities offered at the nano technology centre. Further, the Deputy President and council members received progress report on the work of CSIR in relation to their funding, research, innovation and human capital development.   
 
Council approved the Terms of Reference of the Standing Committee on Maths and Science. The Committee is responsible to develop strategies to address the current challenges facing schooling outcomes and training of Science and Maths teachers.
 
With regards to the support and funding model for the poor and the “missing middle” students, the Council, received progress achieved by the Department of Higher Education and Training in determining the alternative financing and operating models for funding. Meaningful consideration will be made on clarifying the legislative framework, based on public policy findings, and recommendations of the Presidential and Ministerial 
Task Team.    
 
The Department of Public Enterprises provided an appraisal to council, on State Owned Companies (SOCs) contribution to scarce and critical skills in response to government’s various skills development policy frameworks. The Council agreed on facilitating an integrated approach for skills development with regards to training of artisans and strategies for skills retention.  
 
The Council further, noted a steady progress achieved in building strong partnership between industry and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges through programmes such as, the Adopt-A-College, Institutional exchanges and Operation Phakisa. In this regard, the council further noted the challenges of funding, capacity building through alignment between industry and curriculum development, including dealing with the challenges of certification of graduates. Furthermore, the council expressed the need to embark on an Imbizo/Phakisa approach in dealing with the challenges facing the TVET sector.
 
In conclusion, emphasised the need for a more coordinated approach in addressing the Human Resource Development challenges of our country. 


Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the Eid prayer and celebration, Lenasia, Gauteng
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Lenasia – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Monday, 26 June 2017, attend and address the Eid prayer and celebrations, at Lenasia Eidgar, Gauteng province.   

The Eid prayer and Celebration is one of the largest assemblies of the Muslim community in South Africa and represents a day of accomplishment after a month of fasting. 

It is also a day of compassion marked by the compulsory discharge of charity prior to the Eid prayer that is spent on the less fortunate people of our country. 

Members of media are invited to cover as follows:
Date: Monday, 26 June 2017
Time: 07H00 – 09H00
Venue: Lenasia Eidgah, Nirvana Drive West
 
Enquiries: Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251 or Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440  


Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President to visit flood-damaged areas
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his personal sadness at the loss of life and damage to property experienced in storm-affected parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, and has undertaken to visit affected communities after his return from his current Working Visit to the Arab   Republic of Egypt.

President Ramaphosa will return to South Africa later today, Tuesday 23 April 2019, following a Working Visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt where the President attended an emergency African Union (AU) Troika Summit convened to discuss the political and security situations in the Republic of Sudan and Libya.

The President has said: “As South Africans, the entire nation’s thoughts and prayers are with the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape who  have been affected by the forces of nature against which they had little defence.

“Our hearts go out particularly to families and communities who have been directly affected by death, injury and the loss of property. This situation calls on all of us to pull together as a country to reach out to affected communities and to help alleviate their hardship.”

The President has welcomed the response of provincial authorities and national agencies to the calamity, as well as the support and goodwill – material and otherwise – provided by various sectors of civil society.

President Ramaphosa has undertaken to visit some of the affected areas following his return from Egypt, as part of reaching out to communities and assessing recovery efforts.

The President has reiterated the call made by government for community members to avoid crossing low-lying bridges, streams and rivers; and for motorists to exercise caution and avoid driving in flooded areas.

In the event of an emergency, members of the public should call the emergency management services on 10177.

Weather SA has urged the public to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio. Updated information can also be found at www.weathersa.co.za


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa pays tribute to veteran trade unionist and activist Ronald Bernickow
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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the late trade unionist and activist, Mr Ronald “Bernie” Bernickow, for his decades-long commitment to workers in the communications sector in particular and the labour movement at large.

Mr Bernickow, popularly known as “Bernie”, passed away on Monday 26 June 2017 after an extended illness.

Most recently, he served as National Senior Commissioner: Operations at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration. This followed more than three decades in various organising and leadership roles in the labour movement, beginning with his time in the early 1980s as a Media Workers’ Association of South Africa organiser in the Western Cape.

In 2014, Deputy President Ramaphosa appointed Mr Bernickow as facilitator of the technical task teams that advised the Committee of Principals of the National Economic Development and Labour Council on the formulation of a National Minimum Wage and development of a new labour relations framework for the country.

“We have lost a giant who served the workers of our country and the labour movement with humble distinction. The historic Nedlac agreement reached by social partners benefited greatly from the facilitation undertaken by Bernie, who brought his vast experience as a seasoned negotiator to bear on this important national task.

“Bernie will be greatly missed by all those alongside whom he worked tirelessly to build a better South Africa and improve the working and social conditions of South Africa’s working class.

“I offer my sincere condolences to his family, friends and comrades.”

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale 083 575 7440


Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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