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Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the IEC Election Results Announcement, Results Operation Centre, Midrand
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Programme Director,
Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Mrs Mashatile,
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, Mr Mosotho Moepya,
Commissioners of the IEC,
Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Sy Mamabolo,
Leadership of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders,
Leaders and representatives of political parties,
Members of observer missions,
Members of the diplomatic corps,
Religious leaders,
Representatives of civil society,
Members of the media,
Fellow South Africans, 

The final announcement of the 2024 National and Provincial election results today represents a victory for our democracy, for our constitutional order and for all the people of South Africa.

We have held another successful election that has been free, fair and peaceful.

The Independent Electoral Commission has, despite many challenges, once more acquitted itself with excellence, professionalism and integrity.

Millions of South Africans have cast their votes in cities and towns, in villages and on farms, at voting stations at home and abroad.

South Africans care about their country. 

South Africans have demonstrated that they want to be part of making this country a better place. 

South Africans have shown how important their vote is and that they know that their vote counts.

By going to vote, the people of South Africa have taken responsibility not only for the future of themselves and their families, but for the future of their country.

Through their votes they have demonstrated, clearly and plainly, that our democracy is strong, it is robust and it endures. 

They have given effect to the clarion call that has resonated across the generations, that the people shall govern.

Our people have spoken.

As the leaders of political parties, as all those who occupy positions of responsibility in society, we have heard the voices of our people and we must respect their wishes.

Over the past 30 years, we have strived together to build a country which everyone – black and white, man and women, young and old – can call home.

This election has reaffirmed building a South Africa for all remains the defining mission of our nation. 

Over the course of the election campaign, parties and candidates have at times differed, often forcefully. 

They have expressed a wide variety of views that are often at odds with each other.

This is a welcome and necessary feature of a robust democracy.

Yet, throughout the election campaign, parties and candidates have held fast to the fundamental principles of democracy.

Parties and candidates have affirmed the right of voters to participate in an election that is free, fair and peaceful.

And now, we are all called upon to recognise that the results of the election reflect the will of the people. 

What this election has made plain is that the people of South Africa expect their leaders to work together to meet their needs.

They expect the parties for which they have voted to find common ground, to overcome their differences, to act and work together for the good of everyone. 

Our people expect all parties to work together within the framework of our constitution and address whatever challenges we encounter peacefully and in accordance with the prescripts of our constitution and the rule of law.

Each party emerges from this election with a mandate based on the commitments they each made to the electorate.

However, all the parties share an over-arching mandate, to work in partnership with each other and with society more broadly, to build a country that is inclusive, united and prosperous.

As we take up our seats in Parliament and in the provincial legislatures let us appreciate that the seats we occupy do not belong to us. They belong to the people.

Whatever authority, whatever power, we are entrusted with must be exercised to advance the interests of the people.

As the 2024 election reaches its conclusion, we thank the staff and leadership of the Independent Electoral Commission, who have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of these elections, often under difficult conditions.

We pay tribute to the men and women of the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force for ensuring peace and stability during voting, and to the Home Affairs staff who ensured that as many voters as possible had their identity documents on election day. 

Thank you to the independent candidates and leaders and members of the various political parties that participated in the elections.  

I wish to thank all the local and international observer teams, who gave their time and effort to ensure a free and fair election. 

I also thank the journalists, researchers, camera persons, producers, analysts and other members of the media, who played such an essential role in ensuring that the South African people were well informed as they went to vote. 

Above all, we thank the people of South Africa for once again giving life and meaning to the values and principles of our constitutional democracy.

This is the time for all of us to put South Africa first. 

The people of this country expect and deserve no less.

God Bless South Africa and protect her people.
Nkosi Sikelela iAfrika
Morena Boloka sechabe sa Heso
Hosi katekisa Afrika Dzonga
God seen Suid Afrika
Mudzimu vha fhatutshedze Afurika Tshipembe.

I thank you.
 

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President Ramaphosa to participate in official Election Result Announcement Ceremony
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President Cyril Ramaphosa will participate in the Independent Electoral Commission’s Final Results Announcement Ceremony of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

Proceedings will begin tomorrow, Sunday 02 June 2024, at 17h20 at the National Results Operations Centre at Gallagher Estate, Midrand.

South Africans cast their votes on Wednesday, 29 May 2024, in the seventh democratic National and Provincial elections since the attainment of the right of all citizens to elect a government of their choice.

May 29 was preceded by special voting days on 27 and 28 May 2024. 

The 2024 National and Provincial Elections implemented the Electoral Amendment Act, which became law in June 2023, expanding the pool of contest for the National and Provincial Elections to independent candidates.

President Ramaphosa will deliver an address as part of the results ceremony.


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President Ramaphosa enacts law allowing emergency access to retirement funds
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the Revenue Laws Amendment Bill of 2023, which establishes a “two-pot” system that gives members of retirement funds access to retirement savings without having to resign or cash out entire pension funds.

The amendment law introduces a “two-pot” retirement system to address the concerns related to lack of preservation before retirement and lack of access to retirement funds by households in financial distress. 

This retirement system comprises a savings and retirement component for contributions made after 1 September 2024, while historical retirement benefits will be housed in a vested component. 

Individuals will have access to amounts in the savings component before retirement for times of financial distress, and the amounts in the retirement component are preserved until retirement.

The primary objective of the two-pot retirement system is to provide flexibility for fund members to access their retirement savings during emergencies, without necessitating resignation.

The reform introduced by the legislation strives to strike a balance between long-term security and immediate needs, recognising life's unpredictability.

It permits fund members to access a portion of their savings during crises, such as those seen during the COVID-19 challenges.

These changes ensure the retirement system remains responsive to diverse financial needs, supporting both long-term financial security and immediate assistance during emergencies.

Traditional retirement systems primarily focus on long-term savings, often lacking the adaptability to address immediate financial crises.

President Ramaphosa said: “While we are continuing the task of growing our economy to create more opportunities for all South Africans and reduce the financial vulnerability affecting many individuals and households, the new retirement system offers protection and dignity to those who need it the most to overcome financial stress.”


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

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President Ramaphosa assents to South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport Amendment Bill
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law legislation that ensures the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport complies with the World Anti-Doping Code which harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations with sport organisations and among public authorities globally.
 
President Ramaphosa has signed into law the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport Amendment Bill which effects a number of amendments that bring South Africa in line with the World Anti-Doping Code of 2021.
 
The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) role is to promote, coordinate, and monitor the fight against drugs in sports.
 
The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) is a public entity under the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and is defined in the amended legislation as the national anti-doping organisation.
 
The legislative amendment also clarifies the powers of SAIDS.   The SAIDS has  major role to play in preventing the use of prohibited substances in the South African and international sporting environment that are contrary to the principles of fair play and the health and well-being of athletes
 
The amendments enacted by President Ramaphosa have been induced by a World Anti-Doping Agency review of relevant South African legislation in 2022.
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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No loadshedding forecasted
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We have noted a social media post purporting to be a power alert – and advising of imminent loadshedding. 

The report is factually incorrect and an ill-guided political ploy to mislead the country on the eve of our 7th General Elections. Following 62 days of no loadshedding, there is growing and overwhelming support for Eskom’s sustained and rigorous effort to self-correct, stabilise and strengthen the generation system. 

This work is buoyed by an across-the-fleet improvement in energy availability and reduction in breakdowns, following a conscious decision in March 2023 to invest in heightened planned maintenance. In addition to no loadshedding, this work has meant that, over the past eight weeks, Eskom has significantly reduced the amount of diesel used by the Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs). 

Eskom’s performance has defied all the doomsday predictions and silenced many so-called “critics”. 

“The Ministry remains confident that the work we have been leading over the past 12 months, supported by the many competent Eskom employees and its leadership team, will continue in the coming months and ultimately place the country on a firm foundation of energy security to support our inclusive economic growth and development agenda,” says Minister of Electricity, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. 


Media enquires: Tsakane Khambane, spokesperson in the Ministry of Electricity, on 082 084 5566

Issued by: The Ministry in The Presidency responsible for Electricity
Pretoria

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President assents to the Cannabis Private Purposes Bill
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act (“CfPPA”). The CfPPA regulates the cultivation, possession, and use of cannabis by adults in a private setting.

The consequent regulatory reform enabled by the CfPPA will, amongst others, entirely remove cannabis from the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act. This will further enable amendment of the Schedules to the Medicines and Related Substances Act and provide for targeted regulatory reform of the Plant Breeders Rights Act and the Plant Improvement Act, as well as other pieces of legislation that require amendment to allow for the industrialisation of the cannabis sector.

The Bill further guides the medically prescribed administration of cannabis to a child while also protecting children from undue exposure to cannabis. It provides for an alternative manner by which to address the issue of the prohibited use, possession of, or dealing in, cannabis by children, with due regard to the best interest of the child. It also prohibit the dealing in cannabis.

 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on media@enquiries.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President mourns loss of life in Limpopo road accident
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President Cyril Ramaphosa is deeply saddened by the loss of a reported 13 lives in a collision between a truck and a minibus on the Dendron Road in Ga-Hlahla, Polokwane.
President Ramaphosa’s thoughts are with the families of the deceased who died in a crash which left no survivors.

Apart from the two drivers, the minibus passengers are reported to be teachers and other public servants.

President Ramaphosa said: “My heart goes out to all families who have lost loved ones in this incident.

“Amid our mourning, we must once again be mindful of our individual and shared responsibility to take care of ourselves and those with whom we share our roads.

“Incidents of this kind incur heartache for those closest to the deceased, the loss of household income and the impact of losing members of our families and communities in whose skills and development the nation has invested.

“We must pay attention to road and weather conditions but most importantly, we must respect human life and make safety our way of life.

“While government has reached out to the affected families, we must all work together to the best of our ability to prevent such tragedy from recurring.

“As large numbers of South Africans move around the country during this election period, we must take care of each other and make this an election thst will also be remembered for safety on our roads and in our homes.”

 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on media@enquiries.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President extends employment of SANDF to preserve law and order during elections
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed the National Assembly that 2 828 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be employed for service in cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the prevention and combating of crime and for the maintenance and preservation of law and order during the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

President Ramaphosa has informed the Acting Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces that the employment of SANDF personnel will form part of Operation PROSPER and applies from 20 May to 7 June 2024.

This employment is authorised in accordance with the provisions of Section 201(2) (a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996, read with Section 19 of the Defence Act of 2002 (Act No.42 of 2002).

The expenditure for this employment is estimated at R59,451,704.

 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on media@enquiries.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President mourns passing of retired Constitutional Court Justice Lourens "Laurie" Ackermann
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has been saddened by the passing of retired Constitutional Court Justice Lourens Wepener “Laurie” Ackermann, aged 90.

President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Justice Ackermann, who served on the apex court from 1994 to 2004, having been appointed by President Nelson Mandela.

President Ramaphosa said: “Justice Ackermann served the cause of human rights and the dismantling of apartheid with bravery and a distinctive legal intellect while serving as a judge during the apartheid era.

“His rejection of apartheid and its supporting institutions, including Parliament at that time, inevitably brought him into conflict with a system which pretended that the courts were independent.

“This conflict forced Judge Ackermann to resign, until he was reinstated on the Bench during our transition and was elevated to the inaugural Constitutional Court where he crafted jurisprudence that centred on the rights and dignity of historically disadvantaged individuals and communities.

“We will remember him for standing up against the apartheid state from within its very judicial vestiges and we are indebted to him, after 30 years of freedom, for his contribution to the judicial outlook and characteristics of the democratic and united South Africa.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on media@enquiries.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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South Africa expresses grave concern at the escalating conflict in Sudan and attacks in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur
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South Africa once more expresses its serious concern at the on-going armed conflict in Sudan which has resulted in loss of civilian lives, wanton destruction of property, especially critical infrastructure, and displacement of the population. 

South Africa stands in solidarity with the innocent people of Sudan, who have been subjected to untold suffering since the outbreak of hostilities on 15 April 2023, with the main protagonists to the conflict being the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). South Africa reiterates its call for the immediate end to the conflict and resumption of genuine and sincere talks to bring an end to the human suffering that the people of Sudan have endured for a long time. 

There can be no military solution to the fighting, which must be resolved in a peaceful manner on the basis of a Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led inclusive dialogue, paving the way for a return to the transition process towards a civilian-led, democratic Government. 

We express our grave concern at the outbreak of a major fighting in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and the plight faced by many civilians, especially women and children. The reported use of heavy artillery by the fighting parties in populated places continues to place the lives of civilians in danger. In this regard we wish to sight the warning by the Secretary-General of the UN, Mr Antonio Gutteres, during his recent address to the UN Security Council, that “intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population and wilfully impending humanitarian relief for civilians in need may constitute war crimes”.

The attacks against El Fasher came amidst the Human Rights Watch Report which detailed cases of gross human rights abuses in Sudan, including ethnically motivated killings and gender-based violence. 

We call on all the parties to the conflict to respect international law, including international humanitarian law, protect civilians, especially women and children, and not to hamper in any manner the distribution of humanitarian assistance as well as provision of medical support.

There is a need to urgently put an end to impunity in this senseless conflict. The dire human rights situation arising from the ongoing conflict cannot be ignored, nor can the role of relevant multilateral and regional bodies and initiatives. South Africa pledges its full support to the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to Sudan, Mr Ramtane Lamamra, the African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to promote the peaceful end to the conflict through mediation and dialogue. 

 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on media@enquiries.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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