Presidential Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, will tomorrow, 26 October 2023, host a media briefing to update the public on the President’s public programme.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Thursday, 26 October 2023
Time: 13h00 (Media to arrive at 12h00)
Venue: Room 159, Union Buildings, Pretoria 
 
RSVP: Members of the media wishing to attend the media briefing in person are requested to submit their details to Hlobisile Nkosi at hlobisile@presidency.gov.za by 12h00 on 26 October 2023.

Media following remotely can text their questions to 079 988 9954. The media briefing will be streamed live and the link will be shared prior. 
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded his working visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt with an appeal to the international community to do more in enabling the revival of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. 

The President traveled to Cairo, Egypt on 21 October 2023, to attend the Cairo Summit for Peace at the invitation of Egyptian President, His Excellency Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

In his plea to the international community, President Ramaphosa said more energy and focus must be directed at supporting the resumption of the peace process.

“Influential countries like the United States of America, have a duty and a responsibility to support processes that will deliver a long lasting and durable peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The international community cannot afford to squander the opportunity that has been presented by the current conflict to decisively push for a two state solution. There is unanimity across the globe that peace is viable when a free and independent state of Palestine exists alongside a secure state of Israel,” said President Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa decried the escalation of the conflict by those arming either of the warring parties and called on state actors to immediately stop the provision of weapons as it undermines the promise of peace.

“The fighting must end. Israel must stop its siege and shelling of Gaza. Hamas must stop launching rockets into Israel. Hostages must be returned. We must discourage any action that fuels this conflict and threatens to engulf the entire region.  Humanitarian corridors must be opened to alleviate human suffering,” said President Ramaphosa.

The President expressed his gratitude to President El-Sisi for convening the summit, marking it as the beginning of many efforts that will rally the Israelis and Palestinians and the world behind a concerted attempt aimed at finding peace in the Middle East.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Saturday, 21 October 2023, attend the Cairo Summit for Peace at the invitation of His Excellency Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The Summit will discuss the ongoing escalation of the conflict in Israel and the Gaza Strip, the urgent need for humanitarian support and make a call for the resumption of the peace process.

President Ramaphosa has been deeply concerned by attacks on civilians, the resulting enormous loss of life, displacement of people and the humanitarian crisis that has engulfed the Gaza Strip.

South Africa has repeatedly called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, return of hostages and the urgent opening of humanitarian corridors.

South Africa stands ready to join the global effort that will bring about lasting peace to the Middle East.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya; Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa on media@presidency.gov.za 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep and profound sadness at the passing of Former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari, who died at the age of 86 on 16 October 2023.

President Ahtisaari was well respected for the many leadership roles he occupied and accolades that he received during a life time of service to humanity.

 The former President of Finland and Nobel Laureate was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008 for his role as an independent mediator and contribution to ending conflicts in Namibia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Indonesia.
 
 He was also the founder of the conflict resolution foundation, Crisis Management Institute—Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation and was a member of the Elders, a group of former senior world leaders founded by the late former President Nelson Mandela. 

“I remember Martti Ahtisaari as my partner in Northern Ireland where we both served as inspectors in the decommissioning of weapons process during the years 2000 and 2001. Martti had a wonderful sense of humour, which helped tremendously as we travelled the Irish countryside counting weapons and placing plastic seal strappings through and around them.

We were always aligned in our thinking and as Martti noted in his biography we were able to finish each other’s sentences. We completed this task when the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning announced that the IRA had rendered the quantity of arms completely beyond utilisation. It was a great privilege for both of us to have played a small part in the Northern Ireland Peace Process,” recalls President Ramaphosa.

The world will remember Ahtisaari as a man of peace, a tough negotiator who displayed great compassion and deep respect for people.

President Ramaphosa joins the many voices around the world in extending his condolences to President Ahtisaari’s wife, Eeva, their son Marko and the people of Finland.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 19 October 2023, address the International Women’s Forum South Africa Hall of Femme Awards ceremony. 

Open only to IWFSA members and select invitees, the awards serve as a beacon, highlighting the tireless commitment and relentless drive of women who not only excel in their respective fields but also open doors for the next generation of leaders.
 
The IWFSA forms the South African arm of the International Women’s Forum (IWF), a formidable organization comprising over 7,500 distinguished members from 36 nations and spanning six continents. IWF Global takes pride in its diverse board - arguably one of its most varied in its history, encompassing 19 Forums across 13 countries.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date:Thursday, 19 October 2023
Time: 18h00
Venue: Standard Bank Auditorium, Rosebank

For media accreditation contact, Patience Mtshali 083 376 9468

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 20 October 2023, undertake a return visit to the North West Province to assess progress made on commitments Government undertook during the previous District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo.

The DDM visit aimed for integrated service delivery will be held under the theme: “Leave no one behind” at the J.B. Marks Local Municipality in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.

This visit provides an opportunity for the President to assess progress made in implementing the interventions pronounced during his visit on 12 March 2022, in Mahikeng.

During the visit, community members raised various service delivery challenges such as water shortages, Crime and GBVF, bad state of the roads, lack of access to electricity, and creation of jobs for the youth.

President Ramaphosa supported by Cabinet members and senior government recorded issues raised by community members with clear timeframes and action plans.

The President will also conduct a site visit to the water treatment works with an upgraded reservoir which will convey water to Ikageng Proper, Ikageng Ext 1,4,5,9,12, Potchindustria, Mohadin and the Northern portion of Ikageng Ext 7.  The reservoir is also suitable to cater for further future developments.

Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality consists of three local municipalities, namely; JB Marks, Matlosana and Maquassi Hills, and has a total population of just above 800 000 people. 

The District has prioritised sectors of tourism, mining and agriculture as key economic activities.  The implementation of the Province’s integrated Accelerated Service Delivery Programme - Thuntsha Lerole is also in full swing to respond to various service delivery challenges in municipalities.  

Preceding the Imbizo, various departments and State-owned entities will hold a series of outreach activities led by Ministers, MECs and Mayors across the District Municipality to engage with the community.

The participation of leadership at the national, provincial and local levels underscores the commitment to accountability among public officials and the promotion of collaborative efforts.

The DDM visit will unfold as follows:

VISIT TO WATER PROJECT

Date: Friday, 20 October 2023
Time: 10h00
Venue: Ikageng New 25ML Reservoir, Ikageng Ext 07

COMMUNITY IMBIZO

Date: Friday, 20 October 2023
Time: 12h00
Venue: Ikageng Sports Complex, Potchestroom

NB: Members of the media who have applied for accreditation to cover the forthcoming Presidential Imbizo are advised to collect accreditation cards as stated below. All media personnel have to collect their own accreditation. They are to present their ID / Press Cards to verify their identity when collecting their accreditation.

DETAILS FOR THE COLLECTION OF MEDIA ACCREDITATION:

Venue: Madiba Banquet Hall, Potchefstroom
Dates and Times:

Wednesday, 18 October 2023 from 08:30 – 18:00
Thursday, 19 October 2023 from 09:00 – 18:00
Friday, 20 October 2023 from 08:00 – 10:00

Enquiries for accreditation should be directed to Takalani Mukwevho (GCIS) on 082 227 9308

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa held a telephone conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on 17 October 2023, at the request of President Zelenskyy, wherein both leaders affirmed their closer cooperation and shared desire for a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

The leaders also discussed the forging of closer bilateral ties between the two countries. 

President Ramaphosa committed South Africa’s continued active engagement in the Africa Peace Initiative and participation in the Ukraine Peace Formula talks that are held at the level of National Security Advisors. 

President Ramaphosa welcomed President Zelenskyy commitment to the revival of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Both leaders pledged to continue working together in this regard. 

The leaders also reflected on the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. 

President Ramaphosa expressed his deepest concern at the rapid escalation of the conflict, the unprecedented level of destruction and toll on human lives.

President Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s call for an immediate end to the violence, return of hostages and for urgency in the opening of humanitarian corridors.  

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will host Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of Netherlands on a State Visit.

The State Visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to South Africa will take place from 18 to 20 October 2023. This will be the second visit of a Dutch monarch since Queen Beatrix visited South Africa at the invitation of President Nelson Mandela in 1996. 

President Ramaphosa will officially welcome their Majesties at a Welcome Ceremony on Thursday, 19 October 2023, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Following the Welcome Ceremony, President Ramaphosa and King Willem-Alexander will lead their respective delegations in official talks.  

The King will be accompanied by a delegation including the Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Minister of Defence; the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality; as well as the Minister of Education, Culture and Science. The delegation will also include a business component of about 100 people, as well as the Presidents of 25 universities and academic institutions of the Netherlands. 

It is further envisaged that a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Fields of Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, will be signed on the margins of the visit.

The Netherlands is a major investor in the South African economy and one of South Africa’s significant trading partners. Total trade doubled between 2019 and 2022 when it reached R122 billion. 

The Netherlands is also the fourth largest source of overseas tourists to South Africa, even though the numbers declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the last year before the pandemic, South Africa received 144,071 Dutch tourists, but the number declined to only 21,755 in 2021, before recovering to 90,289 in 2022.

The visit by Their Majesties the King and Queen not only illustrates the importance of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, but will accelerate cooperation in areas that bring benefits to the peoples of both countries.
 
MEDIA PROGRAMME - INCOMING KINGDOM OF NETHERLANDS STATE VISIT

Date: Thursday, 19 October 2023

Arrival of media and issuing of Media Accreditation 

Time: 08h00 - 09h00
Venue: Government Avenue Entrance, Union Buildings  

Welcome Ceremony 

Time: 10h00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Amphitheater, Union Buildings 

South Africa - Netherlands Official Talks 

Time: 11h00
Venue: Union Buildings 

Official Talks Report Back

Time: 12h30 
Venue: Courtyard, Union Buildings

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his warm and proud congratulations – and those of the Nation – to the Springboks on their 29-28 Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final victory over France on Sunday, 15 October. 
 
The Springboks’ win in Paris has set up a semi-final against England next weekend. In November 2019, the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup final in Japan by defeating England.
 
President Ramaphosa congratulates the 2023 host nation, France, on a performance that made the encounter in Paris a tense and dramatic game that was enjoyed by a stadium audience of 80 000 and millions of people around the world.
 
The President said: “As a nation, we are proud of the Springboks’ advance to the semi-finals in a game that was an incredible athletic display as well as a metaphor for our country.
 
“We are indeed stronger together when we come together in our diversity, and we create opportunities for people to live their passion, fulfil their potential, and display their talents.
 
“But we’re also together on days when we struggle and when we create the space for people to come back from difficulty and to continue the journey to victory with us.
 
“Out of the 20 nations in the World Cup, the Springboks delighted and inspired us whether they were on the field, on the bench or in coaches’ box.
 
“We wish the Springboks the very best as they prepare for what we hope will be another unforgettable victory next week.”
 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on 082 835 6315 / media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Monday, 16 October 2023, deliver the keynote address at the second iteration of the South Africa Green Hydrogen Summit (SAGHS) taking place on 16 - 17 October 2023 in Century City in Cape Town, Western Cape. 

The inaugural SAGHS, held in 2022, reaffirmed South Africa as an investment destination of choice and a world leader in the green energy space.
 
This second SAGHS aims to highlight South Africa’s exceptional potential as an early stage, large scale, low cost, world-class green hydrogen production hub and total value chain investment destination.

Green hydrogen and its associated large scale renewable energy production has the potential to support the expansion of the electricity transmission infrastructure to add additional renewable energy generation capacity and to support the local development of renewable energy.

This makes green hydrogen a key component of South Africa’s future energy mix and features as one of the Big Five Frontiers in the South Africa Investment Strategy.

The 2023 Summit aims to take the next step by focusing on the production and application of Green Hydrogen and paving the way for machines on the ground whilst concretising Power to X.

President Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address during the opening ceremony of the summit as follows.

Date: Monday, 16 October 2023
Time: 10h00
Where: live-streamed on all PresidencyZA digital platforms 

Media enquires: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on 082 835 6315 and Tsakane Khambane, Spokeperson in the Ministry of Electricity, on 082 084 5566.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria