President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged Directors-General to embrace innovative approaches in leading their departments and delivering on their mandates.

President Ramaphosa addressed a meeting of Director-Generals (DGs) and Deputy Director Generals (DDGs) in Pretoria. The meeting follows engagements with members of the executive that reviewed and re-aligned Government priorities for the remainder of the term.

The engagement with senior public service managers sought to line up the implementation level of Government with key priority delivery areas agreed with members of the Executive.
 
“It is urgent that we narrow the gulf between priority setting and effective execution. And in doing so our focus must not be on setting unrealistic goals that cannot possibly be achieved in less than a year, but on a few tangible actions that can move the needle, and meaningfully so,” said President Ramaphosa.

The DGs and DDGs interaction with the President covered a wide range of issues that are currently undermining the effectiveness of Government. President Ramaphosa expressed concern at the targets that are being missed and implementation failures that continue to cause a credibility deficit for the Government.

The rise of adverse audit outcomes and the failure to arrest them with urgency was identified as leadership weakness that undercuts the progress that Government is making in rebuilding the upper ranks of the Public Service.

The meeting further reflected on processes of filling vacancies that are moving at a snail’s pace in many departments, causing inefficiencies and complete paralysis.

In charting the way forward President Ramaphosa outlined that Clusters will be required to indicate the actions they are going to take to address outstanding actions.

The Department of Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation will provide data sets to assist Clusters evaluate progress in implementing the MTSF 2019 to 2024, as well as all State of the Nation commitments since 2019.

Importantly, the President further directed that public communication must be strengthened for increased public accountability.

“The time for half-measures and heel dragging is over. It is time for decisive actions that will lift this country above the many crises we have faced over the course of this administration. It is time for high-impact, measurable interventions that will make an actual difference,” said President Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa paid tribute to DGs, DDGs and Heads of Department across the public service for their contribution and commitment to the building of a capable, ethical, developmental state.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will host His Excellency President Hage Geingob of the Republic of Namibia who will undertake a State Visit to the Republic of South Africa on Thursday, 20 April 2023. 

The visit aims to solidify bilateral relations between the two countries and it is expected that President Ramaphosa and President Geingob will discuss political and economic issues including regional, continental and international matters of mutual concern, including exchanging views on the political situation in Eswatini, conflict in Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Palestine and the Russia – Ukraine situation. 
 
South Africa and Namibia enjoy close historic relations and the structural bilateral relations between the two countries is conducted under the framework of a Bi-National Commission (BNC) inaugurated in 2013.

The State Visit by President Geingob will afford the two countries an opportunity to solidify their bonds of friendship through assessing progress made in the implementation of the decisions of their BNC. 

The visit will also afford the two countries an opportunity to enhance economic cooperation; explore trade and investment; and identify new areas of cooperation. 

 In 2022, South Africa imported R16.1 billion from Namibia and in turn South Africa exported R56.5 billion to Namibia. 

The second session of the South Africa-Namibia BNC was held in South Africa in October of 2016. The third session is scheduled to be hosted by Namibia and meetings, at senior officials level, are underway planning for this meeting. 

The State Visit will be preceded by a bilateral meeting between the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Dr Naledi Pandor and Ms Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of Namibia on 19 April 2023.

Namibia is a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and President Geingob Chairs the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation.

The last State Visit to the Republic of South Africa by the Republic of Namibia took place in November of 2012, by former President Hifikepunye Pohamba. 

Members of the media wishing to cover the State Visit are requested to populate the attached Accreditation Form and send it back to Terrence Manase – terrence@presidency.gov.za on or before Monday, 17 April 2023 at 11h00.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
Accreditation Form.xlsx

12 April 2023 – Engagement with CEO’s

President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted a virtual meeting this morning, with several business leaders representing key sectors of the economy, to discuss ongoing interventions to maximise inclusive economic growth, inspire confidence and create jobs. The meeting focused on consolidating collaboration between government and business. This cooperation between government and business builds on a strong partnership foundation that saw a successful vaccine roll out during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the establishment of the Resource Mobilisation Fund aimed at providing support to government’s Energy Action Plan. The President has agreed with business that there’s need for an acceleration to the resolution of challenges impacting key economic enablers, namely, Energy, Transport and Logistics and Crime and Corruption.  On the eve of the 5th South African Investment conference, President Ramaphosa is highly enthused by the collaborative spirit that continues to guide the engagements between government and business and more importantly, the commitment shown by business to take collective responsibility in resolving some of the challenges that are facing the country and our economy.

12 April 2023 – Meeting with organised labour on ports and rail

President Ramaphosa will host a meeting this afternoon, with representatives of organised labour on national ports and rail, to discuss the state of the country’s logistics system and the important role that it plays in our economy. The meeting follows an interaction on Wednesday evening, on 5 April 2023, with South Africa’s largest exporters who are reliant on the country’s road, rail and ports infrastructure.  The meeting with large exporters was preceded by an engagement the President held with members of the Transnet board and executive management at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, on 28 March 2023, which discussed challenges facing the country’s logistics system, including the declining performance of the freight rail network.

Following these engagements the President has been considering a set of measures that will add impetus to the work that is currently underway to improve rail and port efficiencies and in line with the government policy direction for the freight transport sector in the White Paper on National Rail Policy and in legislation such as the National Ports Act and the Economic Regulation of Transport Bill that is currently before Parliament.

The President’s meeting with organised labour representatives will further concretise a collaborative effort that will be coordinated from the Presidency.

12 April 2023 Dinner with Investors

President Ramaphosa will attend a dinner tonight with investors who will be part of the South African Investment Conference. The dinner is an opportunity for investors to engage with the President over a wide range of issues and opportunities related to investing in South Africa.   

13 April 2023 South African Investment Conference

President Ramaphosa will open and address the South African Investment Conference, which attracts delegates from varying industries in South Africa and across the globe. Over the last four years the investment conference has realised about R 1, 14 trillion in investment commitments. The 5th edition of the conference is expected to meet and exceed the investment target of R1, 2 trillion that was set by the President at inception of the 5 year investment cycle.  In his opening address the President will reflect on the goal he set in April 2018 and the progress achieved thus far. President Ramaphosa will also brief investors on the steps that are being taken by government in addressing the visa, transport and logistics, crime and corruption and energy challenges.   

14 April 2023— Meeting with Directors General

In line with his stated commitment to lead government’s re-building of a capable state and to ensure improved service delivery, President Ramaphosa will meet with the Directors General from across all national government departments. The meeting will discuss work underway at capacitating various levels of leadership, management and critical areas of government service delivery. The acceleration of the President’s priorities as outlined in his 2023 SONA address will also form part of the discussions.

16 April 2023 — Address to the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) in Cape Town

President Ramaphosa will deliver the key note address at the AfCTA Business Forum 2023, which will be held in Cape Town under the theme: Acceleration of the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.

The AfCFTA Business Forum is intended to raise awareness about potential trade and investment opportunities that the African market presents in a range of labour intensive and industrial sectors such as agriculture, automotive, pharmaceuticals and transport and logistics, amongst others.

 The Forum will discuss a number of themes such as the economic potential of the “One African Market,” the challenges, and especially the opportunities for trade. How do we increase intra – Africa trade to accelerate economic growth through industrialization and job creation?

The forum will also explore the kind of policy tools that are required to establish or grow Africa’s manufacturing and industrialisation to increase value-addition in the AfCFTA focused value chains such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textile and clothing, mining, among others.

18 April 2023 – Meeting with the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) – Union Buildings

In line with the President’s SONA 2023 commitment to hold a series of sectorial engagements, President Ramaphosa will meet with the leadership of the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA). The purpose of the meeting is to open channels of dialogue between the President’s Office and this strategic sector of the economy. It is the first direct engagement between a South African Head of State and this sector since SEIFSA’s formation almost 80 years ago.

President Ramaphosa appreciates the metals and engineering sector is an integral part of the global and domestic economy. The sector is a vital supplier of inputs into major sectors such as mining, the automotive sector, construction and other manufacturing sub industries. SEIFSA as a Federation represents 18 Employer Organisations, who collectively represent in excess of 1 250 companies and employ approximately 170 000 employees in the sector.

18 April 2023 – Meeting with SMME award winners – Union Buildings

President Ramaphosa will host the winners of the Presidential SMME and Cooperatives Awards. To encourage public and private partnership, the Department of Small Business Development hosted the Inaugural National Presidential SMME and Cooperatives Awards and the SMME and Cooperative Summit, in November last year with the aim of cultivating an enabling environment for the development; and nurturing of innovative ideas and best practice across the whole spectrum of small business development in the country.

More than 8,073 submissions were received and there were over 4,286 confirmed nominations. A total of 13 winners were awarded.

19 April 2023 — Meeting with the Presidential Climate Commission

President Ramaphosa will meet the Presidential Climate Commission during a special sitting of the Commission, attended by all its Commissioners, including government Ministers that are deployed to the Commission. The commission will present its recommendations to the President following consultations on the electricity plan and JET-IP.  In November last year, President Ramaphosa briefed the Presidential Climate Commission on the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) and requested the Commission to consult stakeholders on the plan and prepare recommendations that will be considered by the President and the government. The Commission has consulted widely with stakeholders and prepared recommendations on how to factor the carbon constraint into electricity planning, including short-term measures to address the power generation crisis.

FOR DIARY PLANNING MORE INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED CLOSE TO THE TIME ON THE EVENTS BELOW.

20 April 2023 – Incoming Namibian State visit

25 April 2023 — Official Visit by the President of the Republic of FInland, H.E. President SV Niinisto

27 April 2023 – Freedom day celebrations, Klerksdorp North West Province

28 April 2023 – National Orders Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the Employment Equity Amendment Bill of 2020. The Amendment Bill seeks to advance transformation of South Africa’s workforce by setting equity targets for economic sectors and geographical regions, and requiring enterprises to develop transformation plans.

The Bill amends the Employment Equity Act of 1998 (Act No 55 of 1998) with new measures to promote diversity and equality in the workplace.

Among its key provisions, the Amendment Bill empowers the Minister of Employment and Labour to set employment-equity targets for economic sectors, as well as regions where transformation is lagging. The amendment Bill also empowers the Minister of Employment and Labour to regulate compliance criteria to issue Compliance Certificates as per Section 53 of the Employment Equity Act.

The amended Act allows the Minister of Employment and Labour to set regional targets given that racial diversity in South Africa often has regional differences.

The law requires employers with more than 50 employees to submit employment equity plans for their companies, spelling out how they will achieve these targets. Employers are then required to submit annual reports to the Department of Employment and Labour.

In the area of remuneration, the law requires employers to pay workers equal pay for equal work. The Bill provides clear definitions of discrimination and sets out what workers can do when facing such discrimination - including lodging grievances with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, or the Labour Courts.

Companies seeking to do business with the state will be required to submit a certificate from the Department confirming that they are in compliance with the Employment Equity Act and its objectives, and that they do not pay their employees less than the national minimum wage.

As part of ensuring the employment equity objectives become reality, the law now compels labour inspectors to inspect workplaces and to issue employers with compliance orders. The Department of Employment and Labour has committed to increase the number of labour inspectors and health and safety inspectors who will enforce compliance.

 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Presidential Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, will tomorrow, 12 April 2023, update the public, through a media briefing, on the President’s public programme for the week.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
Time: 13h00
Venue: Room 159 , The Union Buildings, Pretoria
 
RSVP: Media wishing to attend the media briefing physically are requested to submit their details to Shadi Baloyi – 072 571 6415 / shadi@presidency.gov.za 

A livestream link will be shared with all media who wish to follow remotely at 12h30. 
 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will open and address the South Africa Investment Conference on Thursday, 13 April 2023. 

South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) is attended by delegates from varying industries in South Africa and across the world and will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

In its 5th year since inception, President Ramaphosa convened the South Africa Investment Conference with an objective of achieving R1.2 trillion in investments targets. Investors heeding the call, have over the last four conferences, declared R1.14 trillion in investment commitments.

Of the 152 investment announcements made previously, 45 projects have already been completed, while a further 57 projects are currently under construction. These investments have resulted in new factories, call centres, solar power plants, undersea fibre optic cables, expansion of production lines and the adoption of new technologies.

Importantly, the new investments also significantly contribute to South Africa’ national goals of socio-economic development to create sustainable jobs, reduce poverty and drive back inequality. These investments have also contributed to a substantial increase in local production and encouraged efforts to buy local.

President Ramaphosa will address the opening of the South Africa Investment Conference on the Thursday morning and also take part in the panel discussion on “South Africa: Resolving the Energy Crisis”. Companies' significant investments will be pronounced in the opening session . 

Delegates at the conference will be treated to an a la carte of breakaway sessions ranging from discussions on: Digital opportunities in SA: stories from the tech ecosystem; Agriculture: new products and markets; Infrastructure: Investment opportunities through the investment fund; Tourism, Digital and Creative Economy; Capital markets: facilitating investment in SA and providing access to capital; The Just Energy Transition in South Africa; Mining: A new partnership for growth; Manufacturing: deepening supply chains and building regional value chains and Local growth strategies – a provincial focus.

The breakaway sessions, taking place simultaneously, are open to all media and will have Ministers of Government and leading industry experts partake. 

In the afternoon, President Ramaphosa will officiate at the closing and announcement ceremony of the 5th South Africa Investment Conference. The 4th SAIC raised R367 billion in investment commitments, bringing the five-year investment target firmly into sight. Later, the President will host a business and awards dinner in honour of investors and companies participating at the SAIC. 

MEDIA PROGRAMME  

SOUTH AFRICA INVESTMENT CONFERENCE 

Date: Thursday, 13 April 2023 
Venue : Sandton  Convention Centre 

Opening and Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the 5th South Africa Investment Conference 

Time: 08h30 

Panel Discussion:” South Africa: Resolving the energy crisis”

Time: 09h30

Investments announcements

Time: 10h50 – 11h30

Breakaway panel discussions: Session A

Time: 11h00

Breakaway panel discussions: Session B 

Time: 13h00

Breakaway panel discussions: Session C 

Time: 14h20 

President Ramaphosa to address the Closing Ceremony and officiate at the Investments Announcements

Time: 16h00

Business and Awards Dinner hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa 

Time: 18h30 
 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Ramaphosa has today, 18 June 2023, concluded a two-days working visit to the Ukraine and the Russian Federation where African leaders proposed a path for peace to the 16 month long conflict between the two countries. 

The proposal presented by African leaders on a mission to Ukraine and Russia has created a foundation for future engagements that will contribute to a road to peace and resolution to the devastating conflict. 

The African Heads of States and Government asserted several key elements that are vital in starting a path to peace. 

Some of the elements include the de-escalation of the conflict; release of the prisoners of war and children, adherence to the principle of the UN Charter on Sovereignty; ensuring that there is humanitarian support for those in need and post war reconstruction amongst others .

The Peace  Mission to Ukraine and Russia has wrapped up its first round of engagements with both warring parties to the conflict. 

President Ramaphosa is encouraged by the warm reception that the delegation received from the Presidents of Ukraine and Russia. 

The President will further reflect on the engagements by the African Peace Mission on his weekly newsletter on Monday. 


Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa – +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa wishes the South African Jewish Community a Chag Pesach Kasher v'Sameach as they celebrate the festival of Pesach, which began yesterday, 5 April 2023, and continues today. 

The President said: “This week, three important religious holidays – Easter, Pesach and Ramadan – are being celebrated simultaneously across our country. This is a reminder of the cultural richness and diversity that is among our society’s greatest strengths. I extend my best wishes to the Jewish community as they mark this celebration of freedom.”  

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Bill, which extends coverage for occupational injuries and diseases to previously excluded vulnerable workers, and improves compensation benefits to employees.

The Bill effects a range of amendments to the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Act No 130 of 1993) which governs compensation for disablement caused by occupational injuries or diseases sustained or contracted by employees, or for death resulting from injuries or diseases.

The new provisions enacted by the President include one that gives effect to a Constitutional Court judgment in the matter of Mahlangu and Another v Minister of Labour and Others in which the Court declared parts of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act unconstitutional.

The unconstitutionality related to the exclusion of domestic workers employed in private households from the definition of “employee” and the effective denial of compensation to such workers who contracted diseases or suffered disablement, injuries or death in the course of their employment.

The amended legislation also protects the livelihoods of workers affected by occupational injuries or diseases by introducing a multi-disciplinary employee-based process of rehabilitation and reintegration of injured employees or employees who contracted occupational diseases.

This requires employers to exhaust all rehabilitation and reintegration processes before laying off an employee.

In turn, employers will be incentivised for full compliance with the provisions.

The new law also addresses institutional arrangements, such as the appointment of members of the Compensation Board.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted a virtual meeting on Wednesday evening, 5 April 2023, with chief executives from key exporting economic sectors such as mining and minerals, the agricultural and forestry sectors, as well as the automotive and freight forwarding industry representatives. 

The sectors represent South Africa’s largest exporters who are reliant on the country’s road, rail and ports infrastructure.  

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the proposals presented during the meeting, which are aimed at improving the state of South Africa’s national rail and ports.  

“We need to take urgent measures to resolve the logistics backlog that continues to undermine economic growth. I deeply appreciate the constructive manner in which all the impacted sectors have approached the resolution of this crisis. Government will consider some of the proposals presented and act on them quickly in order to unlock much needed investments into the economy,” says President Ramaphosa.

The interaction with large exporters follows a meeting the President held with members of the Transnet board and executive management at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, on 28 March 2023, which discussed challenges facing the country’s logistics system, including the declining performance of the freight rail network. 

President Ramaphosa directed Transnet to implement reforms swiftly and completely to turn around the crisis in South Africa’s logistics system.

Over the course of the coming weeks, Government will consider and announce a set of measures that will add impetus to the work that is currently underway to improve rail and port efficiencies, and in line with the Government policy direction for the freight transport sector in the White Paper on National Rail Policy and in legislation such as the National Ports Act and the Economic Regulation of Transport Bill that is currently before Parliament. 

The President will soon meet with organised labour representatives to concretise a collaborative effort that will be coordinated from The Presidency.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria