Pretoria - In response to media queries, the Presidency wishes to reiterate that the SADC Double Troika Summit held in Pretoria on Friday 3   July 2015 reappointed Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to continue with his facilitation work for peace and stability in the Kingdom of Lesotho. This followed the recent killing of Lt. General Maaparankoe Mahao and the fleeing of several opposition leaders to South Africa.

An oversight committee which will act as early warning mechanism in the event of signs of instability will be established and intervene in  onsultation with the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa.

This renewal of the Facilitation Mandate also came against background of the tabling and endorsement of Deputy President Ramaphosa’s final report on his Facilitation process to restore peace and stability in Lesotho in 2014.

This facilitation process culminated in the signing of the Maseru Facilitation Accord, the Maseru Security Accord and the Electoral Pledge.

The signing of these agreements helped create a climate conducive for the re-opening of Lesotho’s parliament in 2014, the stabilisation of the security situation and the holding of democratic elections early this year which were declared free, fair and credible by electoral observer missions.

Deputy President Ramaphosa also tabled his reflections on the proposed constitutional and sector reforms to the SADC Double Troika Summit. These reflections were adopted by the Summit which made a call to all Lesotho’s political parties to implement the recommendations of the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa and urged them to undertake constitutional and security sector reforms assisted by SADC.

The SADC Double Troika also decided to establish a commission of enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Lt. General Maaparankoe Mahao while agreeing to second two pathologists from South Africa to assist with the post-mortem process.

Meanwhile, a team of investigators from Zimbabwe and Namibia would be made available to assist with investigation related to the death of Lt. General Mahao. In this regard SADC leaders conveyed their message of condolences to the Mahao family, his Majesty the King and the government of Lesotho.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - The Presidency has noted a report in City Press edition of today Sunday 12 July 2015 regarding Deputy Cyril Ramaphosa’s acquisition of property in Fresnaye, Cape Town. 

The Presidency wishes to put it on record that two properties were acquired in 2010 through a loan secured against a different property under his family's Tshivhase Trust. The ownership of the two Cape Town properties forms part of Deputy President Ramaphosa’s financial declarations to   Parliament and Cabinet.

The Presidency raises its concern that an article of this nature could be published without seeking comment from the office of the Deputy President.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Presidency Director-General Dr Cassius Lubisi has, on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, received a memorandum from #FeesMustFall activists demanding blanket amnesty for activists who have been convicted of crimes arising from #FeesMustFall protest in 2017. 

Activists arrived at the Union Buildings in Pretoria today, Wednesday, 2 January 2019 following a march from KwaZulu-Natal to the Leeukop correctional centre in Gauteng where activist Kanya Cekeshe is serving a sentence arising from #FeesMustFall protest. 

Dr Lubisi met the marching delegation at the Union Buildings and indicated that government would respond to the memorandum which also addresses  unemployment and other issues affecting youth. 

Dr Lubisi drew the group’s attention to the offer extended five months ago by Minister of Justice and Correctional Services to help #FeesMustFall activists comply with the procedures required for amnesty applications. 

On that occasion Minister Masutha pointed out to the #FeesMustFall movement that no blanket exemption from prosecution or presidential pardons would be granted for students linked to #FeesMustFall-related violence. 

However, the Minister indicated his willingness to guide students in making applications to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a review of prosecutorial decisions in cases involving students who are already charged and whose matters are currently on trial. 

The Minister stated that President Cyril Ramaphosa could not interfere with judicial processes and said presidential pardons were granted in respect of convicted and sentenced persons only on the basis of the information they provide and in circumstances where applicants showed good cause. Furthermore, under no circumstances could presidential pardons be predetermined. 

Minister Masutha has proposed that students form a delegation to provide a list of all the students who have been arrested‚ charged‚ convicted or are still undergoing trial. He said where appropriate‚ he would guide the students on the process of making the applications for a presidential pardon. 

The Minister said the severity of the charges concerned and public interest in these cases were among the factors the President would need to take into account before deciding whether to grant amnesty. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Ramaphosa extends best wishes to the 38th President of the Federative Republic of Brazil

President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, his sincere greetings and best wishes to President Jair Bolsonaro, on the occasion of his Presidential inauguration on 1 January 2019, as he assumes his role and official duties as the 38th   President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. 

It is President Ramaphosa’s firm belief that this occasion will mark the beginning of a revitalised, excellent and strategic relations that Brazil and South  Africa enjoy. The special bond between the two nations has continued to grow over many years and through many shared commitments and common  experiences, more particularly the concerted and continuous efforts to comprehensively deepen  South-South Cooperation within the ambit of not only  IBSA, but also the BRICS formation. 
  
The Government and the people of South Africa are ready to expand on the already fruitful bilateral relations aimed at advancing cooperation in all areas and to further expand on the relationship between the two fraternal countries to achieve common objectives.  The South African Government looks forward to working together with the new government of the Federative Republic of Brazil under the leadership of President Jair Bolsonaro. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated the Matric Class of 2018 for keeping the National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate above 70 percent and said this achievement underscores the importance of learners, educators, families, administrators and political leadership working together. 

“As South Africans, we can all take pride in the dedication shown by learners and educators. Together, they have presented our nation with another cohort of young people whose life chances have been significantly enhanced, and whose success in basic education is indeed reversing the   damage inflicted on generations of South Africans who were deprived of quality education under apartheid," said President Ramaphosa. 

The Class of 2018 was the fourth large cohort in the history of basic education to register for any NSC examination. 

President Ramaphosa said this illustrated the impact of government’s support to poor learners and their families. 

This support spans pro-poor funding of schools; the provision of nutritious meals on a daily basis; and the provision of scholar transport to deserving learners on daily basis. 

These interventions have led to increased levels of retention of learners and enabled their success in the National Senior Certificate examinations. 

The President has urged matriculants to show responsibility in exploring opportunities in higher education, vocational training or workplace experience, and to adopt the understanding that learning is and should be a lifelong endeavour. 

President Ramaphosa has also encouraged learners who did not pass to make use of Second Chance programmes and to believe in their ability to overcome this challenge as one of many that will bring out the best in them during the course of their lives. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Beijing - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived today. Monday 13 July 2015 in Beijing where he is leading a South African government, business and state-owned enterprises delegation on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China scheduled from 13-17 July   2015.

On Tuesday 14 July 2015 Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to hold bilateral political and economic discussions with Vice-President Li Yuan Chao, followed by a meeting with Li Qiang the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China ahead of interacting with  the Leadership of the Chinese Academy of Governance and address a banquet in his honour later in the evening.

The bilateral discussions between Deputy President Ramaphosa and his Chinese counterpart Vice President Li Yuanchao are expected to focus on trade and investment cooperation, financial cooperation including the BRICS New Development Bank, infrastructure development, energy issues, vocational training and South Africa’s co-hosting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), to be hosted later this year in South Africa.

These bilateral discussions will take place within the framework of the Five-to-Ten Year Strategic Programme, which was signed by President Jacob Zuma during his State Visit to the People’s Republic of China in December 2014.

The thrust of Deputy President Ramaphosa’s visit to the People’s Republic of China is on economic and trade matters with specific reference on how state-owned enterprises can be utilised to promote economic growth while addressing challenges of poverty and unemployment. 

In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to visit several Chinese State-owned enterprises with a view of learning how South Africa could utilise the Chinese model in its own re-industrialisation process.

Deputy President Ramaphosa’s delegation comprises Ministers Lynne Brown, Blade Nzimande and Deputy Ministers Thembi Majola, Mzwandile Masina, Mcebisi Jonas, senior government officials, business leaders and state-owned enterprise executives.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his heartfelt condolences to the victims of a train accident in Pretoria at the Mountain View station, which has left three people fatally wounded.
 
“I have learned with sadness of the train accident, with three fatalities at this point and over 600 being attended to at various hospitals, mostly with light injuries.  Our thoughts are with those who lost their lives and their families. To the injured I would like to wish you all a speedy recovery”, said   president Ramaphosa.
 
President Ramaphosa further said “I would like to also encourage emergency services team on the scene to do all in their powers to help those who are  still trapped under the train”.
 
President Ramaphosa welcomes efforts by Gauteng Metrorail to institute a board of enquiry to determine the cause of the accident.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Beijing - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Wednesday 15 July 2015 address the South Africa-China state-owned enterprises seminar in Beijing as part of his official visit to the People’s Republic of China.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is currently leading a South African delegation consisting of Ministers Lynne Brown, Blade Nzimande and Deputy Ministers, Thembi Majola, Mcebisi Jonas, Nomaindia Mfeketo, Mzwandile Masina including business leaders, state-owned enterprises executives   and senior government officials on the visit to the People’s Republic of China that began on Tuesday 13 July 2015.

The address to the South Africa-China state owned enterprises seminar comes against the background of the objective of the official visit of Deputy President Ramaphosa to study how Chinese state-owned enterprises are used to promote economic growth while addressing challenges of poverty and unemployment.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is also expected later on Wednesday 15 July to address the South Africa-China Business Forum, hold discussions with the Chairperson of the Chinese State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, visit the Beijing Economic Technological Development and interact with members of the African diplomatic corps based in Beijing.

Within the objective of the official visit to the People’s Republic of China, Deputy President Ramaphosa will later in the week visit several Chinese State-owned enterprises in Qingdao and Shenzhen with a view to learning how South Africa could utilise the Chinese state-owned enterprises model in its own re-industrialisation process.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Beijing - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today Wednesday 15 July responded to media questions regarding the arrests of a number of South Africans and other nationals in the Peoples Republic of China.  In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa said ‘’Yes we have known that there are a number of South Africans as well as people from other nations who were arrested.  The matter is being addressed at our Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) level.

“They are dealing with the matter. We are hoping that there will be a solution as time goes on. So that matter is being handled. We think it is best to leave it at that level because the Chinese officials as well as our Department of International Relations are dealing with the matter, actively on an hour by hour basis, yes it is being addressed’’ concluded Deputy President Ramaphosa.

Deputy President Ramaphosa was speaking during a media briefing in Beijing on Wednesday 15 July following the conclusion of the first part of his official visit to the People’s Republic of China in effort to understand how state-owned enterprises can be utilised to promote economic growth while addressing challenges of poverty and unemployment.  In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa has interacted with a number of Chinese State-owned enterprises with a view of learning how South Africa could utilise the Chinese model in its own re-industrialisation process.

Accordingly, Deputy President Ramaphosa will on Thursday 16 July visit the coastal city of Qingdao in the second part of his official visit to the People’s Republic of China. The city of Qingdao has over 50 percent of the Peoples Republic of China’s ocean-related research institute. It is one of China’s five largest foreign trade ports, a home to a large petro-chemical industry which hosts many international companies.

During his visit to Qingdao, Deputy President Ramaphosa will meet the management of large Chinese companies, Haier and Hisense.  Hisense is a multinational white goods and electronics manufacturer which recently expanded its existing operations in South Africa by establishing a manufacturing centre in Atlantis, Western Cape. Of the products manufactured in South Africa, approximately 40% are sold locally and the rest exported to other African countries. Hisense indicated that it intends to establish a Research and Development centre in South Africa the near future.

Haier Group on the other hand is a leading global networked home appliance and furnishing supplier. Currently, Haier has a sales office in South Africa. There are plans to set up a  sale, Research and Development Centre and a manufacturing operation aimed at producing products for both the South African in particular and the African markets in general.

While in Qingdao Deputy President Ramaphosa will also visit the China Rail Company. The China Rail Company is, home to China’s high speed train factory. The company is engaged in the design and manufacture of high-end trains, as well as subway vehicles and light railway vehicles.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will be joined by Sport and Recreation Minister Thokozile Xasa tomorrow, Thursday, 10 January 2019, in an early morning 5km walk to promote active and healthy lifestyles in Pietermaritzburg.
 
The walk will start at Freedom Square in the Pietermaritzburg CBD at 06h00 and end at the new Msunduzi Athletics Track. 
 
The walk will be followed by the official handover of the world-class athletics track to the local municipality and sports fraternity by President Ramaphosa.
 
Accompanied by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, President Cyril Ramaphosa will later in the day, at 09h00, visit the Siqongweni High School  in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg.
 
The aim of the visit is to welcome the 2019 academic year and to conduct oversight to ensure full scale readiness for learning and teaching at the beginning of the school calendar.
 
Media details:
 
Session 1
 
Date: Thursday, 10 January 2019
Time: 06h00 (Registration at 5am)
Venue: Freedom Square, Pietermaritzburg
 
Session 2
 
Date: Thursday, 10 January 2019
Time: 09h00 (members of the media are required to be at the venue at 08h00)
Venue: Siqongweni High School, 297 Phezulu Road, Imbali, Pietermaritzburg
 

Media Enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707 
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria