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

Randburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Chairperson of South African National Aids Council (SANAC) will attend and address the funeral of HIV activist Ms Prudence Mabele at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, on Wednesday, 19 July 2017.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will pay tribute to the late Director of the Positive Women’s Network and the President for the Society for Women and Aids in Africa. Ms Mabele succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 46 in a Rosebank, Johannesburg hospital on Monday, 10 July 2017.
 
Members of the media are invited for coverage as follows:
 
Date: Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Time: 08h00 - 12h30
Venue: Rhema Bible Church, Hans Schoeman St, Bromhof, Randburg
 
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

Randburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will in his capacity as Chairperson of South African National Aids Council (SANAC) attend and deliver the eulogy at the funeral service of HIV activist Ms Prudence Mabele at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, on Wednesday, 19 July 2017.
 
The late Ms Prudence Mabele was Director of the Positive Women’s Network and the President for the Society for Women and Aids in Africa. 
 
Ms Mabele succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 46 in a Rosebank, Johannesburg hospital on Monday, 10 July 2017.
 
Members of the media are invited for coverage as follows:
 
Date: Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Time: 08h00
Venue: Rhema Bible Church, Hans Schoeman St, Bromhof, Randburg
 
Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440

 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Port Elizabeth – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Thursday, 20 July 2017, deliver a keynote address at the Official Launch of the Nelson Mandela University Name, formerly known as the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, at the Missionvale Campus in Port   Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Province.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa attends the launch at the invitation of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Derrick Swartz and University Council, and the event coincides with the celebration and commemoration of the International Nelson Mandela Day.
 
The launch of Nelson Mandela University represents an important milestone in the journey the university set itself when it adopted the institutional Vision 2020. This vision enjoined the institution’s leaders to work relentlessly towards building a new generation, dynamic African university, recognised for its leadership in producing cutting-edge knowledge for a sustainable future.
 
In this regard, government has granted the university permission to establish the country’s 10th medical school and, furthermore, will provide strategic assistance in helping it establish the country’s only dedicated Ocean Sciences campus. These initiatives will go a long way in enabling the youth, particularly, from township and rural schools and communities to study and gain specialist qualifications in areas that were previously inaccessible.
 
These institutional developments will, among other things, place the university in a substantially better position to serve the country’s development and create a path for economic growth. The Nelson Mandela University is the only higher education institution in the world to bear the name of one of the world’s iconic leaders synonymous to the profound values of Ubuntu, integrity and respect for diversity.
 
Accordingly, the new Nelson Mandela University name was then promulgated in the Government Gazette on 23 June 2016 by the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande. During this launch, the new university logos and colours will be revealed to reflect the new era and renewed vigour.
 
The event will be attended by various university stakeholders, representatives of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, business and industry, traditional leaders, community leaders, and principals from educational bodies including donors.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by members of the Eastern Cape Executive Council and other senior Government officials.
 
Members of the media are invited as follows:
 
Date: Thursday, 20 July 2017
Time: 10h00 – 14h00
Venue: Indoor Sports Arena, Missionvale Campus
 
For more information and accreditation please contact Sam Bopape on 0823185251 and Zandile Mbabela on 078 164 0449

 
For enquiries please contact Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria