President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, 09 April 2019, undertake a visit to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) in Cape Town where the President will be briefed on PRASA’s efforts to improve commuter services and to stimulate economic activity and industrialisation   through its modernisation programme. The President will also observe the testing of new train sets.

The President’s visit follows his recent personal experience of commuter frustration and technical problems with rolling stock between Mabopane and Bosman stations in Pretoria. 

During an engagement with commuters, the train on which the President was travelling broke down, turning a 45-minute journey into a three-hour delay

In Cape Town PRASA will take the President through elements of the passenger rail sector’s 20-year modernisation programme.

This programme aims to revitalise the rail industry through local manufacturing of parts, maintenance, the establishment of training facilities, the achievement of 65 percent local content, and training and skills development for PRASA employees and young people interested in the rail industry.

Government’s commitment to providing safe and sufficient passenger rail services that will benefit commuters and the economy is reflected in its investment of more than R170 billion to ensure that passenger rail services offer:

• Modern, safe and reliable trains for commuters,
• Faster trains which will increase capacity of the network,
• Improved overall safety of trains and reduced energy costs, and
• Improved, predictable and reliable services to passengers.

During his visit to Cape Town’s central railway station, President Ramaphosa will view two new trains that were manufactured locally and which will be deployed on upgraded infrastructure, as part of PRASA’s Rolling Stock Fleet Renewal Programme that will see the manufacturing of more than 7 000 new trains over a period of 20 years - or close to 30 per month.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 09 April 2019
Time: 11h00 (members of the media are requested to arrive at 10h00)
Venue: Cape Town Station, Western Cape Province

Media RSVP: Tsakane Khambane – tsakane@presidency.gov.za / 082 084 5566 by sending names, media house and ID numbers by no later than 14:00 today, 08 April 2019.04.08.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Secunda – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Chairperson of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) will on Saturday, 25 February 2017, officially open the eMbalenhle Extension 14 Community Clinic in Govan Mbeki District Municipality, Secunda, Mpumalanga.
 
 The clinic was built by Sasol in partnership with the National Department of Health. The facility delivers on government’s strategy aimed at improving access to basic health care to communities. The provision of affordable and quality healthcare to communities is one of the   priorities of government.
 
In this regard, the facility will ensure a cost effective primary healthcare is brought closer to the community. Primary healthcare is essential to the promotion and implementation of various prevention measures, including medical male circumcision, prevention of mother-to child transmission and the promotion of HIV testing. 
 
The eMbalenhle community clinic in Secunda underlines that working together as government, private sector and communities we can improve the lives of our people and help move South Africa forward.
 
The features of the new upgraded clinic includes a reception and waiting area, four examination rooms, a dispensary and storeroom, a kitchen and staff rest room. The facility also has four ablution facilities, a boardroom and two offices, a short stay room, new furniture and a security guardhouse.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will be joined by the Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, the Premier of Mpumalanga province Mr David Mabuza, the Mpumalanga MEC for Health Mr Gilllion Mashego and Chief Executive Officer, Sasol Limited Mr Bongani Nqwababa.
 
Media is invited as follows:
 
Date: Saturday, 25 February 2017
Venue: Ext 14 Clinic, eMbalenhle Township, Secunda, Mpumalanga

08h00-09h30: Registration time. 
Venue: Graceland Hotel Casino and Country Club Resort, eMbalenhle Road, Secunda, after registration, guests will be transported by bus to the clinic

10h00: Opening of the Clinic and Walk-about

11h00: Deputy President Ramaphosa addresses members of the community
Venue: Sasol Community Recreation Centre, eMbalenhle

For more information and accreditation please contact, Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251
 

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Johannesburg – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the South African Actuaries Development Programme (SAADP) annual alumni function at the Sandton Convention Centre, Gauteng province on Friday, 24 February 2017.
 
The SAADP annual alumni function is an event to celebrate the programme’s achievements such as the number of Actuarial Science graduates and qualified actuaries the programme has produced.

Members of the media are invited as follows:
 
Date: Friday, 24 February 2017
Time: 18h30 (members of the media to arrive at 18h00)
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Gauteng province
 
RSVP: Terrence Manase on Terrence@presidency.gov.za / 082 338 6707
 

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Programme Director and MEC for Health, Mr GP Mashego,
Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi,
Mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality, Cllr Flora Maboa-Boltman,
Joint CEOs of Sasol, Mr Bongani Nqwababa and Mr Stephen Cornell,
Leadership of the South African National AIDS Council,
Clinic Operations Manager, Sister Eunice Ngobeni,
Chairperson of the Clinic Committee, Mr Bafana Msibi,
Traditional Leadership,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Halala mphakathi wase Mbalenhle, Halala!
Qhakaza Mbalenhle, Qhakaza!
Asphile bantu base Mbalenhle, Asphile!
 
Today’s opening of this clinic is a source of joy and pride to the people of Mbalenhle Extension 14 and the province of Mpumalanga.
 
It reflects our shared commitment to build a compassionate society in which all have access to quality health care.
 
It demonstrates our nation’s ability to bring social partners together to create a more humane and inclusive society.
 
When we first visited here in November 2014, we were shocked by the state of the clinic, by the lack of adequate infrastructure and appropriate facilities.
 
We were deeply impressed, however, by the dedication of the clinic staff to tend to the needs of the community under such difficult conditions.
 
It is from that visit, that the partners gathered here were spurred into action.
 
Thanks to them, we understand better why our ancestors said:
 
“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
 
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sasol for being a trusted ally of our people in working to transform and improve the health system that we inherited from a past of neglect and deprivation.
 
Side by side with our people, Sasol has sought to champion the health of this community.
 
As a valued partner for social development, the company has embraced the vision of a united, just and equitable society.
 
Sasol’s investment in health, education, sport, conservation and employment creation goes to the heart of our people’s dignity.
 
It fuels our nation’s dreams.
 
It nourishes the hopes of vulnerable communities.
 
We thank the leadership of this company for fulfilling the promise it made in November 2014 to broaden access to quality health care in Mbalenhle.
 
Today, this area boasts a health facility that is better placed to meet the health demands of local residents.
 
Today, more people have better prospects of receiving quality health care in dignity.
 
Today, we have a better chance of saving lives and preventing the spread of diseases.
 
The clinic must be a source of knowledge for residents.
 
It must be a sanctuary that welcomes young people who wish to access condoms, contraceptives and treatment for infections like TB and HIV.
 
It must be a refuge for mothers and babies who are injured or sick or in need of emergency care.
 
Compassion, warmth and safety must be the defining experience of all who come to the clinic.
 
No patients should be stigmatised.
 
No patients should be discriminated against.
 
We are certain that the new facility will improve the working conditions and boost the morale of health care workers.
 
For it is ultimately not the new building and its facilities that will define the experience of the members of the community that come here.
 
It is our caring nurses and dedicated management that will drive the improvements in health outcomes here in Extension 14.
 
Through their empathy and expertise, the community will feel valued, respected and cared for.
 
As a community, we carry the responsibility of making sure that our health workers are safe and feel safe.
 
We carry the responsibility of heeding the counsel of health workers by maintaining a healthy lifestyle in our homes, schools and places of work.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
This clinic is a treasure we should all preserve, protect and continue to develop.
 
It is a public asset built by the community and it belongs to this community.
 
We urge you to guard and protect your hard-earned investment.
 
The committee and its stakeholders must remain the guarantors of the success of the clinic.
 
We make a special appeal to Sasol to continue to find a meaningful role in the future of the clinic and the community.
 
On behalf of SANAC, I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the SA Business Coalition on Health and AIDS (SABCOHA).
 
We thank SABCOHA for its continued efforts in mobilising resources from the private sector to improve the provision of health in our country.
 
Thank you for treating the wellbeing of our nation not as a cost, but as an investment.
 
We urge many more in the business community to expand social opportunities by investing in the health of South Africans.
 
Brick by brick, we are laying the foundation of the society we want to achieve by 2030.
 
This is a society in which we say:
 
“I am not self-sufficient alone. We are self-sufficient in community.”
 
As we say in the Vision Statement of the National Development Plan, this is a society where:
 
We feel loved, respected and cared for at home, in community and the public institutions we have created.
We feel understood.
We feel needed.
We feel trustful.
We feel trusted.
We feel accommodative.
We feel accommodated.
We feel informed.
We feel healthy.
We feel safe.
We feel resourceful and inventive.
We learn together.
We talk to each other.
We share our work.
We play.
We worship.
We ponder and laugh.
We are energised by sharing our resourcefulness.
 
I thank you. 

Cape Town - Deputy President and Leader of Government Business Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday 01 March 2017 provide oral replies in the National Assembly regarding a number of issues of national interest raised by Members of Parliament.
 
Issues tabled for oral replies include the national minimum wage, the Health Ombudsman report on Gauteng health tragedy, South Africa’s participation in the recently held World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland, declaration of financial interests in terms of the Executive Code of Ethics, the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment Bill and security measures in the National Assembly.
 
 The briefing by the Deputy President takes place against the background of the recent signing of agreements by several Nedlac social   partners - government, business, labour and communities on measures to strengthen labour stability, collective bargaining and modalities for the introduction of a national minimum wage.
 
These agreements represent a significant advance in the country’s efforts to address the challenges of wage inequality and labour instability, while providing a necessary step in tackling the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
 
The agreements are a culmination of a call made by President Jacob Zuma during his state of the nation address of 2014 in which he tasked social partners at NEDLAC under the leadership of Deputy President Ramaphosa to deliberate upon wages, wage inequality, protracted and violent strikes and the national minimum wage.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa is also expected to brief the national assembly on the successful participation of team South Africa at World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland under the theme: Responsive and Responsible Leadership. In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa led Team South Africa, comprising government, business and labour to promote South Africa as open to business and a preferred destination for foreign direct investments.
 
The delegation also utilised the Forum to highlight the work that government is doing to implement economic transformation and the reform agenda; make progress towards achieving inclusive growth and employment; restoring investor confidence; achieve supportive business confidence and refine government spending efficiency.
 
The Deputy President is also expected to deal with the issue of the feasibility of a constitutional amendment regarding relations between the national and provincial spheres of governments arising out of the Health Ombudsman Report on the recent Gauteng health tragedy.
 
The Deputy President will also deal with the issue of financial declarations in terms of the Executive Code of Ethics and reflect on security measures in the national assembly including discussions in the standing committee on Finance regarding the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment bill.
 

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in his capacity as Chair of the NEDLAC Committee of Principals, welcomed the adoption by theCongress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) of the proposed National Minimum Wage of R20 an hour.
 
The COSATU Central Executive Committee (CEC) announced today, Thursday 2 March 2017, that the trade union federation supported the National Minimum Wage and labour relations package agreed recently by leadership of labour, community, government and business under the auspices of the NEDLAC Committee of Principals.
 
The agreement followed a directive by President Jacob Zuma to NEDLAC in 2014 to deliberate measures to reduce wage inequality in the country and improve labour relations, notably reducing the intensity and duration of industrial action.
 
Welcoming COSATU’s endorsement of the NEDLAC agreement, Deputy President Ramaphosa said: “The announcement by the Central Executive of Committee of COSATU is an important milestone in the process of making the National Minimum Wage a reality in our economy.
 
“The CEC’s endorsement builds on the very constructive approach COSATU adopted throughout the NEDLAC process, in the face of very difficult choices at times. COSATU represented not only the interests of its own membership but those of working and unemployed South Africans at large.
 
“This endorsement represents the will of the working people of our country and enables the initiation of a public consultation process that will ultimately result in new legislation that will regulate implementation of the National Minimum Wage by no later than May 2018.
 
“The decision by COSATU gives further impetus to NEDLAC’s contribution to addressing poverty, unemployment and inequality in our society, and to restoring the dignity of South Africans, notably the working poor.
 
“The Committee of Principals looks forward to COSATU’s National Office Bearers appending their signatures to an already historic agreement, in line with the mandate given by the CEC.”

 
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will make yet another appearance in the National Assembly, on Thursday 9 March 2017, to brief the National Assembly on government policy and interventions on a number of critical national issues including the quest for inclusive growth for transformation.

The briefing by Deputy President Ramaphosa arises from questions that members of the National Assembly have posed to the Deputy President and are scheduled for oral replies with specific reference to inclusive growth for transformation, economic development, nation- building, social cohesion and  human resource development.

The Deputy President will utilise the opportunity of this session to highlight steps government is undertaking in its quest for inclusive growth for transformation as part of national efforts to push back the frontiers of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

In this pursuit of this objective, the government has committed itself to a programme of radical socio-economic transformation to ensure fundamental change in the structure, systems, institutions and patterns of ownership, management and control of the economy to ensure a better life for all South Africans in particularly the poor.

Deputy President Ramaphosa who is also the Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council charged with the task of developing a national strategy for skills development is called upon to reflect on what the impact of the strategic partnership between government and private sector has been on skills development in the country.

In the past two years, Deputy President Ramaphosa has led government delegations on several official visits abroad including Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, the Peoples Republic of China, Mexico and Cuba to exchange views and to learn from the experiences of these countries in skills development and training to achieve their national developmental objectives. In this regard a number of agreements were reached to create training opportunities for South African students to study abroad in a number of critical areas required by our economy.

The Deputy President has also been called upon to brief the National Assembly on measures that government intends introducing as part of social cohesion and moral regeneration in our communities particularly those affected by the recent protests against drugs and other criminal activities. In the same breadth the Deputy President will brief members of the national legislature on efforts to fight different forms of discrimination which undermine social cohesion and nation building.

Once more the Deputy President is expected to reinforce the notion of the constitutional imperative of accountability of members of the national executive to parliament through appearances and participation in various forums created by parliament. In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa in his capacity as Leader of Government Business has ensured a fruitful relationship and accountability of members of the executive to parliament.

On international relations the Deputy President will reflect on bilateral relations between South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho with specific reference to the construction of the Polihali Dam expected to ensure bulk water supply to Gauteng province.


Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Johannesburg - Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, will officially open the Global Entrepreneurship Congress on Tuesday, 14 March 2017 at the Sandton Convention Centre at 7h00.
 
South Africa will host the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) from 13 to 16 March 2017 in Johannesburg. This is the first time this prestigious international event for entrepreneurs will be held on the African continent.
 
The Global Entrepreneurship Congress is attended by global thought leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers and policymakers.
 
GEC 2017 provides South Africa an opportunity to showcase its entrepreneurial prowess to the world.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa launched the 2016 South African Chapter of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW2016) in November.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported during the Global Entrepreneurship Congress by Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu and Gauteng Premier David Makhura.
 
Members of the media are invited as follows: 
Date: Tuesday, 14 March 2017
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre
Time: 7h00 (Deputy President to officially open the Congress Exhibition)
          9h00 (Keynote address)
 
GEC sessions will be conducted by leading global organisations to help entrepreneurs start and upscale new businesses. South Africa is confident that GEC will play an important role in strengthening the country’s entrepreneurial base.
 
Enquiries for the event:
The Presidency
Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 or
 
The Department of Small Business Development
Cornelius Monama on 060 960 3158


Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is poised to engage with members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP)   during oral replies to questions on a number of issues of national interest including South Africa’s position regarding the intended   withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the background of the recent Gauteng North Court decision on the matter.
 
Among key issues the Deputy President is expected to provide oral replies to matters concerning question on the national minimum   wage, SANAC’S efforts to reduce gender-based violence, public access to the parliamentary communication channel, and  alignment of   provincial plans with the National Development Plan (NDP).
 
 On the national minimum wage members of the NCOP have requested to be briefed on measures that NEDLAC has undertaken to determine the human resource and organisational capacity to monitor and enforce compliance with the proposed national minimum wage of R20-00 an hour and expected to come into effect on 01 May 2018.
 
Equally Deputy President Ramaphosa who also chairs the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) will brief members of the NCOP on efforts to reduce the HIV epidemic as well as the national strategy to reach out to the sex worker sectors against the background of the current legislation that outlaws sex work.
 
The Deputy President is once more expected to brief the NCOP on programmes that government has embarked upon to deal with recent acts of violence and protests in various communities against drugs and crime in general. In his previous interaction with members of the National Assembly, Deputy President Ramaphosa condemned the violence in the communities and stressed that South Africans are not xenophobic.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa has also been requested to reflect on the need to increase the footprint of the national parliamentary TV channel as a means of communication and reaching out to various communities.
 
In the context of the National Development Plan, Deputy President Ramaphosa will brief members of the NCOP on government efforts to ensure alignment of provincial government plans with the National Development Plan as part of efforts to address challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
 

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is, later today, Wednesday 15 March 2017, poised to engage with members of the National Council  of Provinces (NCOP) during oral replies to questions on a number of issues of national interest including South Africa’s position regarding the intended withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the background of the recent Gauteng North Court decision on he matter.
 
Among key issues the Deputy President is expected to provide oral replies includes, matters concerning question on the national minimum wage, SANAC’S efforts to reduce gender-based violence, the protection of the poultry industry and avoid job losses, and alignment of provincial development plans with the National Development Plan (NDP).
 
On the national minimum wage, members of the NCOP have requested to be briefed on measures that NEDLAC has undertaken to determine the human resource and organisational capacity to monitor and enforce compliance with the proposed national minimum wage of R20-00 an hour that is expected to come into effect on 01 May 2018.
 
Equally Deputy President Ramaphosa, who also chairs the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), will brief members of the NCOP on efforts to reduce the HIV epidemic as well as on the national strategy to reach out to the sex worker sectors against the background of the current legislation that outlaws sex work.
 
The Deputy President is once more expected to brief the NCOP on programmes that government has embarked upon to deal with recent acts of violence and protests in various communities against drugs and crime in general. In his previous interaction with members of the National Assembly, Deputy President Ramaphosa condemned the violence in the communities and stressed that South Africans are not xenophobic.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa has also been requested to reflect on the need to protect South Africa’s poultry industry and avoid job losses.
 
In the context of the National Development Plan, Deputy President Ramaphosa will brief members of the NCOP on government efforts to ensure alignment of provincial government development plans with the National Development Plan as part of efforts to address challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.