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

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Saturday, 22 July 2017, address the Launch of the National Programme of Tribute for the late anti- apartheid struggle veteran, Ahmed Kathrada, in his hometown of Schweizer-Reneke, North-West Province.

Deputy President Ramaphosa attends the launch at the invitation of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, to honour the life of Ahmed Kathrada and his dedication to the liberation Struggle in South Africa.  

During the visit to Schweizer-Reneke, Deputy President Cyril Rampahosa will also pay a courtesy visit to the Kathrada family.

The event takes place several weeks ahead of Mr Kathrada’s birthday, and marks the beginning of a national programme of tribute and reflection on his life and legacy.

“The national programme of tribute is being launched because there are a number of people and organisations who had indicated that they would have loved to have been given an opportunity to speak about and reflect on Kathrada’s life after his passing in March this year, but were unable to attend the funeral and memorial services. People also needed to be given sufficient time mourn the passing of such an important role player in the South African liberation struggle before reflecting on the depth of his contribution to the country,” said Neeshan Balton, Executive Director of the Foundation.

The Schweizer-Reneke event is the first on the national programme.

The programme will include tributes by the Kathrada family and fellow anti-apartheid activists.

The launch will be attended by various struggle stalwarts, representatives of political, business and faith-based organisations including members of the surrounding communities.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by senior government officials.

Members of the media are invited to cover as follows:

Date: Saturday, 22 July 2017
Time: 12H30
Venue: Rosherville Park, Schweizer-Reneke, North-West Province

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


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

President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa have expressed sadness at the death of Mr Ronnie Mamoepa, who passed away in Pretoria on Saturday, 22 July 2017, at 23h15.
 
The President and Deputy President conveyed their sincere condolences to Mr Mamoepa's immediate and extended family, comrades, friends and colleagues.
 
Mr Mamoepa (56), a former political prisoner and member of the Gauteng provincial legislature, was a highly regarded and accomplished public servant and veteran communicator who served the African National Congress and various departments in government with distinction.
 
In his latest role, since 2014, Mr Mamoepa served as Spokesperson for the Deputy President.
 
"This is a great loss to me personally, to The Presidency and government at large," said Deputy President Ramaphosa.
 
"However, our thoughts are firstly and foremost with Ronnie's wife, Audrey, his children and his siblings. I offer my sincere condolences to Ronnie's relatives, friends, comrades and colleagues who have suffered the loss of someone who was much loved and respected across our country and beyond.  We shall miss him greatly."
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa, who visited Mr Mamoepa in hospital several times during his illness, expressed his appreciation to the management and staff of Unitas Hospital as well as other medical professionals who attended to Mr Mamoepa for their sustained efforts to make Mr Mamoepa comfortable during his extended illness.
 
Details of memorial events will be made known as soon as they are finalised with the Mamoepa family.
 

Enquiries: Mr Tyrone Seale: Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 083 575 7440

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Details of the public memorial service for the late government communicator, Mr Ronnie Mamoepa
 
The official memorial service for the late government communicator and anti-apartheid activist Mr Ronnie Mamoepa will take place at the Tshwane Events Centre at 10h00, tomorrow, Thursday, 27 July 2017.
 
This event is open to members of the public and will be attended and addressed by leaders and representatives of national and provincial governments, the communications industry, media organisations and close relatives and friends.  
 
Members of the media are advised of the following details pertaining to the official memorial service: 
 
Date: Thursday, 27 July 2017
Time: 10:00am
Venue: Tshwane Events Centre, Hall J, Pretoria West        
 
Enquiries: Gauteng Government, Ms Phumla Sekhonyane 071 860 4496 phumla.sekhonyane@gauteng.gov.za or Nozipho Dlamini 072 025 4166


Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy at the Special Provincial Official Funeral of his late Spokesperson, Mr Ronnie Mamoepa, in Pretoria tomorrow, Saturday, 29 July 2017.

Mr Mamoepa, a veteran political activist and distinguished government communicator, passed away on Saturday, 22 July 2017, at the end of five weeks in hospital.

The funeral service will commence at 07h30 at the St Alban's Cathedral on Francis Baard (ex-Schoeman) Street in the Pretoria City Centre.

Mourners are requested to be seated by 07h00 to enable a punctual start to proceedings. Apart from special arrangements for the Mamoepa family, all seating will be unreserved.

Mourners are encouraged to park along Nana Sita (east) and Thabo Sehume Streets.

A limited number of buses provided by the City of Tshwane and the Gauteng Provincial Government will shuttle mourners from the cathedral to the gravesite at Zandfontein Cemetery. No private cars will be allowed into the cemetery.

Throughout his life, Ronnie Mamoepa interacted with a number of people in various spheres across government, diplomatic corps, politics, community, sport and the media. Preparations are done with an expectation that the funeral will be attended by people from across all these sectors of society.


Enquiries:

The Presidency
Tyrone Seale – 083 575 7440

Gauteng Provincial Government
Phumla Sekhonyane - 071 860 4496/ or phumla.sekhonyane@gauteng.gov.za

Mamoepa Family Spokesperson
Groovin Nchabeleng - 083 430 4717.


Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Randburg – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Sunday, 30 July 2017, attend and address the Rhema Bible Church during the Launch of the National Campaign Against Violence towards Women and Children, at Randburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng.  

Deputy President Ramaphosa who also a patron of the Moral Regeneration Movement  attends the Launch of the National Campaign Against Women and Children at the invitation of the National Religious Leaders Council (NRLC), the Rhema Family Churches (RFC), and the Rhema Bible Church North, Civil Society.

The campaign is supported and run in partnership with the Ministry in The Presidency responsible for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, the Ministry of Police and the Gauteng Provincial government.

The stakeholders in this regard aim to achieve the following objectives:
• For all South Africans – men and women, to stand up against violence to women and children;
• To create awareness of the abuse of women and children; and
• To support the build-up towards the “16 Days of Activism campaign”.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by cabinet ministers, the Premier of Gauteng, members of the executive council and senior government officials.  

Members of the media are invited to cover as follows:

Venue: Rhema Bible Church North, Cnr Hans Schoeman and Rabie Streets, Randpark Ridge, Randburg
Date: Sunday 30th July 2017
Service times:  08h00 – 09h30 (First Service), 10h30 – 12h30 (Second Service)
 
For accreditation please contact:  Ps Giet Khosa,  gietk@rhema.co.za, on  082 886 4845 and  Lorraine Gehlig, lorraineg@rhema.co.za, on 082 615 2427

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440  


Issued by The Presidency 
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has ended the tenure in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of advocates Nomgcobo Jiba and Lawrence Mrwebi, as recommended by the Mokgoro Enquiry into the fitness of the two officials to hold office.

The President took this action on Thursday, 25 April 2019 after studying the findings and recommendations of the Mokgoro Enquiry and affording Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions Adv Jiba and Special Director of Public Prosecutions Adv Mrwebi an opportunity to respond to the   outcomes.

The Enquiry – whose full report can be viewed at HERE - centred on criticisms and serious allegations levelled against the two officials in various fora, including Courts of law, which raised critical questions regarding their fitness and propriety to hold office. The Presidency is also publishing the   submissions made by Advocates Jiba and Mrwebi in response to the report, as well the President’s letters to the officials notifying them of his decision   below.

Mokgoro Enquiry Report
Advocate Jiba submissions on the report
Annexure A - Advocate Jiba submissions
President's letter to Advocate Jiba
Advocate Mrwebi submissions on report
President's letter to Advocate Mrwebi

The enquiry has found that both officials are not fit and proper to hold their respective offices.

At a meeting in Pretoria on 10 April 2019, Judge Yvonne Mokgoro briefed President Ramaphosa on the outcomes of the enquiry, having submitted the report to the President at an earlier date.

The President subsequently shared the report with the implicated officials and invited them to make representations regarding the findings and recommendations.

Following receipt of these representations, the President has informed Advocates Jiba and Mrwebi that their tenure has ended with immediate effect.

President Ramaphosa established the Mokgoro Enquiry in October 2018 and placed Advocates Jiba and Mrwebi on suspension with full pay pending finalisation of the enquiry.

The inquiry was established in terms of Section 12(6) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, which applies directly to Adv. Jiba and read with Section 14(3) applies to Adv. Mrwebi. The legislation sets out the conditions under which the President may provisionally suspend the National Director or a Deputy National Director from office.

The enquiries did not take the form of a judicial enquiry or a commission of enquiry; instead this was an internal process to advise the President on the fitness of the two senior officials to hold high office in the National Prosecuting Authority.

President Ramaphosa has reiterated his appreciation to Judge Mokgoro, Kgomotso Moroka SC and Attorney Thenjiwe Vilakazi for conducting the inquiries into the two senior National Prosecuting Authority officials with the assistance of  evidence leader Nazreen Bawa SC and her team.

The Mokgoro Enquiry concludes its report with the observation, among others, that NPA officials are required to be completely devoted to the rule of law without fail, as the country depends on it.

“As the sole entity constitutionally mandated to prosecute on behalf of the State, in the face of the scourge of crime, the confidence that the public enjoys in the NPA is what prevents individuals from taking the law into their own hands. This confidence underpins the social contract. It lies in the belief that the State can offer protection where laws are not respected.”

In compliance with Section 12(6) of the NPA Act, the President will furnish Parliament with documentation comprising his decision as communicated to Advs Jiba and Mrwebi; the report of the enquiry which serves as the basis for the President’s decision and the submissions made by both advocates in response to the report.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 02 May 2019, receive an update on the Youth Employment Service (YES) which is a business-led collaboration with government and labour to create work opportunities for youth.

President Ramaphosa launched YES in 2018 as an initiative to place the needs of and opportunities for young people at the centre of inclusive economic growth.

YES partners will provide an update at an event in Sandton on Thursday 02 May 2019 where  Nedbank will be inducting the 3315  young people  the  bank has signed for jobs.

The President will also make a call to the CEO of companies across industries who will be in attendance to support YES as one of the solutions to tackling youth unemployment in the country.

The event will take place as follows:

Date: Thursday, 02 May 2019
Time: 08:00 (Media to arrive at 07:00)
Venue: Nedbank Tom Boardman Auditorium, 135 Rivonia Road, Sandton Entrance 04, off Fredman Drive

Members of the media interested in covering the event are requested to immediately rsvp with Tsakane Khambane on 082 084 5566 or tsakane@presidency.gov.za and Kedibone Molopyane of Nedbank on 071 364 3479 by sending their names, ID/passport numbers and media house by no later than 14:00 on Wednesday, 01 May 2019.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Ronnie Mamoepa, the fourth child of Mrs Helen Mamoepa, was born in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria. From humble beginnings he was destined to leave an indelible mark on the country’s communication environment and on the Departments in which he worked over his almost four decade career as a communicator and activist.

He attended the Matseka Lower Primary School in Atteridgeville, Pretoria from 1966 to 1969 and the Walton Jameson Higher Primary School from 1970 to 1973. Following this Ronnie attended the Hofmeyer High School from 1974 to 1979.

His education was interrupted by his political activities. Between 1976 and 1979, he was involved in the Atterdgeville - Saulsville student movement and was detained on many occasions under the country’s terrorism laws. 

His political activism saw him being arrested at the age of nineteen on the charge of conspiracy to overthrow the state. He began serving his five year sentence on Robben Island at the age of twenty making him one of the youngest political prisoners on the Island.

It was on the Island that he obtained his matric certificate in 1983 following which he registered with UNISA to pursue a B.Juris degree.

Following his release from Robben Island, Ronnie returned to his home in Atteridgeville, Pretoria and continued with his political activities. During this time, he was also an Executive Member of the Atteridgeville - Saulsville Detainees Support Committee and the Pretoria Youth Congress.

He was responsible for mobilising young people behind the banner of the ANC – UDF, organising political lessons for the youth in the township as well as media and publicity. He also ensured that the work of the Civic Organisation (ASRO) and Detainees Support Committee was profiled.

At the same time, from 1986-1990, he worked as a journalist for SASPU National. Through his writing he aimed to promote and project the aims and objectives of the broad democratic movement.

From 1989 to 1991, Ronnie served as a Provincial Executive Committee Member of UDF Southern Transvaal. He was also the spokesperson of the UDF in the region and was tasked with the development of a media and communication strategy. During this time – 1990-1991, he was also an Executive Committee member of the ANC Atteridgeville-Saulsville branch.

In 1990 Ronnie served on the Media team of the National Reception Committee. Working under the leadership of Zwelakhe Sisulu, he developed and implemented the communication strategy to support the release of political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, from prison. It was also an opportunity to profile the ANC and its contribution to a South Africa on the verge of attaining its freedom.

From 1991 to 1992 Ronnie served as the ANC Gauteng Provincial spokesperson. Amongst others, he produced the ANC provincial newsletter, Amandla and all other publicity material.

From 1992 to 1994 Ronnie joined the ANC’s Department of Information and Publicity where he worked as a media liaison officer.

In May 1994, following the first democratic elections, Ronnie was elected as a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. He served as a member of the Housing as well as the Safety and Security Portfolio Committees. During this time he also volunteered his services to help set up the communications unit in the Office of the Premier.

From 1996 to 1998, Ronnie was the Director of the Information and Publicity unit of the ANC. During this time he, amongst others, managed the daily affairs of the Department on behalf of the NEC sub-committee on media and also served as the National Spokesperson of the ANC.

In August 1998, Ronnie was appointed as Chief Director: Communication in the office of Deputy President Thabo Mbeki. While managing the content development and media engagement portfolios, Ronnie also worked closely with the newly formed Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS). 

When Thabo Mbeki became President of the Republic in June 1999, Ronnie assumed the position of Presidential Spokesperson. He held stayed in this post for a few months before being transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
In February 2000 Ronnie was appointed to head the Public Diplomacy unit at the then Department of Foreign Affairs. He was also the spokesperson for the then Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. 

Ronnie travelled all over the world profiling South Africa’s international relations strategy and programme. 

In May 2009, Ronnie moved to the Department of Home Affairs to head the communications portfolio following the appointment of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma as Minister of Home Affairs. He managed the internal and external communication activities of the Department. He is credited with improving the profile and reputation of the Department by contextualising its role in improving the lives of the people. 

In June 2014, Ronnie was seconded to the Presidency and appointed as Spokesperson to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and head of the Deputy President’s communications team. 

Ronnie held this position until his passing on 22 July 2017.


Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has instructed that the National Flag fly at half-mast at every station in the country from 1 to 7 May 2019 as a mark of respect and in observance of seven days of national mourning for people who lost their lives due to floods that have ravaged the country in the past   week. 

President Ramaphosa has visited flood-stricken communities and assured residents that all spheres of government will assist communities in rescue and recovery efforts. The President has also welcomed the wealth of material and social support extended to affected communities by various sectors of society. 

The President has expressed the profound appreciation of the government and people of South Africa for the messages of support received from governments around the world in relation to the recent floods. 

President Ramaphosa equally appreciates the international messages of congratulation extended to South Africa in recognition of our celebration of 25 years of freedom and democracy.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria