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

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

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead South Africa’s celebration of 25 years of freedom and democracy at the 2019 Freedom Day national event at Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape tomorrow, Saturday, 27 April 2019.

The event will take place at the Miki Yili Stadium in Joza Township at Makhanda. The 2019 National Freedom Day marks 25 years of freedom from apartheid colonial oppression and the country’s development as a constitutional democracy.

Freedom Day will be an occasion for the nation to reflect on how South Africa’s freedom and democracy was achieved and on the role all South Africans  can play in growing the country together into the future.

Freedom Day is observed on 27 April each year to mark the date in 1994 of the first election in which all South Africans were able to participate.

This national day is the culmination of Freedom Month which is an opportunity for South Africans to strengthen solidarity, express pride in our national identity and promote social cohesion.

Freedom Month is a period during which the nation remembers and honours heroes who sacrificed their lives for freedom.

The theme for this year’s event is "Celebrating 25 Years of Democracy" and has added significance as it comes just days before the sixth general election on 8 May 2019 where eligible voters will once again be able to exercise their democratic right to elect new leadership for the country.

Government has invited as many South Africans as possible to actively celebrate Freedom Day in Makhanda and elsewhere around the country.

RSVP: Nangamso Gxaba - 072 321 6355


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in his capacity as Leader of Government Business, welcomed the level and quality of engagement between the Executive and Parliament during the 2nd Term of Parliament between April and June 2017.
 
The Leader of Government Business is the interface between the Executive and the National Assembly.
 
During the second term of 2017, 31 Executive Bills were placed before Portfolio Committees in the National Assembly, including the Expropriation Bill, the Medical Innovation Bill, the Broadcasting Amendment Bill and the Traditional Courts Bill.
 
In addition, the National Youth Development Agency Bill was passed on the eve of Youth Month, observed in June 2017, and out of recognition of the importance of creating opportunities that will empower South Africa’s young people.
 
During this term, Ministers and officials regularly interacted with Committees to ensure a streamlined legislative process and to enable legislators’ scrutiny of Executive actions.
 
Various members of the Executive – including the Ministers of Public Enterprises, Social Development and Finance – gave account to committees on matters of national interest.
 
Similarly, the President, Deputy President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers presented themselves to the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces to answer Questions for Oral Reply.
 
Parliament also successfully debated issues of importance such as, the increase in farm murders and farm attacks in South Africa; the twentieth anniversary of the Constitution and Human Rights Day; the scourge of violence against women and children; advancing youth economic empowerment.
 
At the same time, the second term recorded a substantial increase in the number of written Parliamentary Questions put to the Executive.
 
“The scale and intensity of interaction between Parliament and the Executive bodes well for our democracy,” noted Deputy President.
 
“It bodes well too for public confidence in government and the legislature, as South Africans can be assured that public resources are well accounted for; that mismanagement of these resources is prevented or addressed, and that public representatives are vigilant in their advancement of the best interests of citizens.
 
“The collaboration between the Executive, political parties and Parliament as a whole demonstrates that our democracy is maturing, and that various stakeholders can work together harmoniously without compromising their integrity or respective mandates. All of us are putting the country first.”
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa wished Members of Parliament well for their constituency period and called on citizens to become more active in participating in the processes and platforms of Parliament.

 
Enquiries: Tyrone Seale – 083 5757 440: Chief Director: Communications: Office of the Deputy President
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 7 July 2017 visit the Amathole and OR Tambo Districts of the Eastern Cape Province to participate in the 20th Anniversary Celebrations of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders in Bhisho, and the official launch of a broadband roll-out project in Tsolo near Mthatha.
 
The House of Traditional Leaders was established in 1996, to develop effective and efficient traditional leadership institutions that put the   interest of the people first. It also exists to strengthen service delivery to rural communities including the preservation of traditional norms, heritage and cultural practices in the Eastern Cape.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will address the 20th Anniversary Celebrations which will be attended by various guests and dignitaries including members of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Kings and Queens, Mayors, representatives from the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) and delegates from business and civil society.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by the Deputy Minister of COGTA Obed Bapela, Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle, and members of the Executive Council.

The details of the event are as follows:

Date: 07 July 2017                                              
Venue: Bhisho Stadium                                  
Time: 09h00

 
For enquiries and accreditation please contact Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707 or Welile Jack on 082 559 6183


B: Launch of the Connectivity Programme in the OR Tambo District 

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will proceed from Bhisho to Tsolo in the OR Tambo District, Mhlontlo Local Municipality for the launch of the broadband project at the Ntuli Secondary School.
 
Government has prioritised the provision of affordable broadband services to rural communities as one of the ways in which the ICT sector can contribute to reigniting the economy. In this regard, government also seeks to provide equitable access to the developmental power of the internet to all citizens of our country.

The project is spearheaded by the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa and which has already connected 295 schools, clinics and communities to the internet through WiFi in the King Sabata Dalindyebo and Mhlontlo municipalities.

Further effort will be put into connectivity across the local municipalities of King Sabata Dalindyebo and Mhlontlo including Traditional Council offices.
 
The rollout is complemented by a training programme on basic ICT skills. The first phase of the training programme focuses on training teachers, who in turn will train other teachers and learners.

Details of the launch as follows:

Date: Friday, 07 July 2017
Venue: Reuben Ntuli High School, Tsolo, Mhlontlo Local Municipality (near Mthatha) 
Time: 12h00
 

For enquiries and accreditation please contact Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251 or Siya Qoza on 082 898 1657

For comments please contact, Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in his capacity as Special Envoy to the Republic of South Sudan, congratulated the government and people of South Sudan on their celebration on 9 July 2017 of independence attained in 2011.

President Jacob Zuma has appointed Deputy President Ramaphosa as Special Envoy to assist in the reunification of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and bring to an end conflict that has affected Africa's newest state since 2013.

Deputy President Ramaphosa said South Sudan's national day presented an opportunity to the country's leadership and citizens to reflect on the unity and vision for a peaceful and prosperous South Sudan that led to the achievement of independence six years ago.

Deputy President Ramaphosa has commended President Kiir and the people of South Sudan on the launch of the National Dialogue which is aimed at uniting and reconciling the people of South Sudan following the devastating conflict they have experienced and continue to go through.

Deputy President Ramaphosa had the opportunity to meet the National Dialogue Steering Committee members in Johannesburg on 1 July 2017, on which occasion Deputy President Ramaphosa appreciated the strategic intention of the Committee to ensure the inclusivity of the Dialogue. Deputy President Ramaphosa assured the Steering Committee members of South Africa's support by sharing experiences from South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Deputy President has expressed the wish that the National Dialogue would yield positive outcomes.


Enquiries:
Tyrone Seale – 083 5757 440
Chief Director: Communications
Office of the Deputy President

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Mookgophong - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially handover the Ramadimetja Sophia Mogotlane Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre to the Mookgophong community in Limpopo on Tuesday, 18 July 2017.

The ECD came into being as a result of a call by Deputy President Ramaphosa on World TB Day for the creation of Early Childhood Development facilities in areas with a high TB burden, with a particular focus on children under the age of five.

Cipla South Africa, a pharmaceutical company that manufactures world class generic medicines at affordable prices, answered Deputy President Ramaphosa’s call by establishing the centre.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will on behalf of Cipla officially handover the centre. The facility will afford children an opportunity to develop through play and other creative activities such as age-appropriate computer skills.
 
The facility will also improve the health and wellbeing of children through access to adequate nutrition and health services. This will ensure that children meet the normative developmental milestone of being able to read, write and count when they start schooling.

The handover ceremony coincides with the world wide Nelson Mandela Day celebrations, which are observed annually, since its declaration in 2009 by United Nations. The day is marked by 67 minutes of selfless good deeds to the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Premier of Limpopo Province Stanley Mathabatha and Members of the Provincial Executive including MEC for Health Phophi Ramathuba, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, Social Development Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, Cipla South Africa CEO Paul Miller, Local Mayors , Traditional Leaders, and other dignitaries.

Members of the media are invited for coverage as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 18 July 2017
Time: 09h00 (members of the media to arrive at 8h00 for accreditation)
Venue: Ramadimetja Sophia Mogotlane Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre, Mookgophong, Limpopo Province


Members of the media are requested to RSVP with Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707 or Terrence@presidency.gov.za and terrence.manase@gmail.com with their full names and ID numbers and are requested to carry their press cards on the day.


Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) will on Sunday, 16 July 2017 host a joint memorial service with the Mabele family for the late Prudence Mabele, cherished friend and colleague and global activist for women and people living with HIV.

The memorial service is scheduled to take place as follows:

Date: Sunday 16 July 2017
Time: 12:00 – 17:00
Venue: University of Witwatersrand Great Hall, 3 Jorissen Street Braamfontein

The funeral service is scheduled to take place as follows:

Date: Wednesday 19 July 2017
Time: 08:00 – 12:00
Venue: Rhema Bible Church, corner Rabie and Hans Schoeman Streets, Randburg

Donations may be made to the Positive Women’s Network, which Prudence co-founded:

PW Network
Bank: Nedbank
Account Number: 1078 78 5570
Branch Code: 177705.

Members of the public are encouraged to send messages to communication@sanac.org.za. All messages will be collated into a book, which will be delivered to the Mabele family.


For more information please contact: Kanya Ndaki, Communications Manager on 0832986100

Issued on behalf of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) by:

The Office of the Deputy President
Chairperson of SANAC

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated his widely stated support for the establishment, without delay, of a judicial commission of inquiry into state capture.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa however opposes an application in which AfriForum, the Quaker Peace Centre and the F.W. de Klerk Foundation are asking the Constitutional Court to order the Deputy President to establish a Commission of Inquiry into the allegations of state capture.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa opposes this application based on his understanding that the Constitution does not permit the Deputy President to exercise Presidential powers unless delegated.

 
Enquiries: Tyrone Seale – 083 5757 440: Chief Director: Communications: Office of the Deputy President
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Mookgophong - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially handover the Ramadimetja Sophia Mogotlane Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre to the Mookgophong community in Limpopo on Tuesday, 18 July 2017.

The ECD came into being as a result of a call by Deputy President Ramaphosa on World TB Day for the creation of Early Childhood Development facilities in areas with a high TB burden, with a particular focus on children under the age of five.

Cipla South Africa, a pharmaceutical company that manufactures world class generic medicines at affordable prices, answered Deputy President Ramaphosa’s call by establishing the centre.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will on behalf of Cipla officially handover the centre. The facility will afford children an opportunity to develop through play and other creative activities such as age-appropriate computer skills.
 
The facility will also improve the health and wellbeing of children through access to adequate nutrition and health services. This will ensure that children meet the normative developmental milestone of being able to read, write and count when they start schooling.

The handover ceremony coincides with the world wide Nelson Mandela Day celebrations, which are observed annually, since its declaration in 2009 by United Nations. The day is marked by 67 minutes of selfless good deeds to the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Premier of Limpopo Province Stanley Mathabatha and Members of the Provincial Executive including MEC for Health Phophi Ramathuba, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, Social Development Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, Cipla South Africa CEO Paul Miller, local Mayors, traditional leaders, and other dignitaries.

Members of the media are invited for coverage as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 18 July 2017
Time: 09h00 (members of the media to arrive at 8h00 for accreditation)
Venue: Ramadimetja Sophia Mogotlane Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre,
Mookgophong, Limpopo Province
 
Members of the media are requested to RSVP with Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707 or Terrence@presidency.gov.za and terrence.manase@gmail.com with their full names and ID numbers and are requested to carry their press cards on the day.


Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria