President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning, Thursday, 29 June 2023, arrived in the Kingdom of Eswatini to participate at the 8th Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) Heads of State and Government Summit. 

The President‘s working visit at the SACU  Heads of State and Government Summit is at the invitation of the current Chair of SACU, His Majesty King Mswati III, and the iNgwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The Summit will take place at the Mandvulo Royal Palace under the theme " SACU Industrialization Opportunities through Improving Economic Complexity”. 

President Ramaphosa will deliver a statement at the opening ceremony of the 8th Southern Africa Customs Union Heads of State and Government Summit. 

The SACU Strategic Plan 2022- 2027, which will be in its first year of review since being adopted at the 7th SACU Heads of State and Government Summit is centered on six pillars, namely;  Industrialisation, Export and Investment Promotion, Trade Facilitation and Logistics, Implementation and Leveraging of The AFCFTA Opportunities, Trade Relations/Unified Engagement with Third Parties, Finance and Resource Mobilisation and Effectiveness of SACU Institutions.

Established in 1910, SACU is the oldest Customs Union in the world. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa is accompanied by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza; Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana; and the South African Revenue Service Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 17 March 2023, participate in the annual dialogue of government and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) at Southern Sun Hotel in Arcadia, Pretoria.
 
The dialogue entails a debate on the address delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 23 February 2023 at the Annual Official Opening of the House.
 
The dialogue will be attended by invited guests including Cabinet Ministers; Deputy Ministers; Premiers; MECs responsible for Traditional Affairs; Kings; EXCO Members of Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders; CONTRALESA; Business Sector; Religious Sector; NGOs and Representatives from amongst others, SADC Countries; National Khoi-San Council as well as Chapter 9 Institutions.
 
Details of the proceedings are as follows:
Date: 17 March 2023 (Friday)
Time: 10:00 (media to arrive at 09:00)
Venue: Southern Sun Hotel, Arcadia, Pretoria (corner Steve Biko and Pretorius roads)
 
Members of the media are invited to cover the proceedings.
 
For media rsvp's: Mandla Linda, 079 517 4402 (NHTKL); Ms Tsakane Khambane, 082 084 5566 (Presidency) and Ms Kearabetswe Mabatle, 066 219 2162 (Presidency)
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa - +27 82 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and people, offered condolences to the governments and citizens of Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar which have been affected by Cyclone Freddy.

This tropical cyclone, which originated off the north-west of Australia in recent weeks and has travelled across the Indian Ocean, has resulted in nearly 140 deaths, a high rate of injury and the loss of public infrastructure and private property in the three Southern African states.

President Ramaphosa said: “As the Government and people of South Africa, we are saddened by the loss of human life, livestock, infrastructure and property experienced by our sister nations.

“Our thoughts are with the many families who have lost loved ones in this disaster and we share the wishes of the people of Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar that these extreme weather incidents will subside so that recovery and rebuilding efforts can proceed.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 14 March 2023, receive Letters of Credence from Heads of Mission-Designate at a Credentials Ceremony in Pretoria.

The President will welcome 18 Heads of Mission-Designate who have arrived in South Africa to serve in diplomatic missions.
 
Heads of Mission-Designate from the following countries will serve in South Africa with the aim of advancing diplomatic relations:

Republic of the Philippines;
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka;
Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal;
Kingdom of Norway;
Republic of Austria;
Kingdom of Belgium;
Republic of The Gambia;
Republic of South Sudan;
Democratic Republic of East Timor;
Republic of Slovenia;
Japan;
Republic of Botswana;
Commonwealth of Australia;
Republic of Mozambique;
Islamic Republic of Pakistan;
Republic of Kazakhstan;
Syrian Arab Republic;
St Kitts and Nevis.
 
Proceedings of the Credentials Ceremony can be followed on The Presidency and Government digital platforms.
 
Details are as follows:
 
Date: Tuesday, 14 March 2023
Time: 15h00 (media to arrive at 13h30)
Venue: Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria
 
Members of the media wishing to cover the event are required to RSVP by submitting their name and surname, designation, media house and ID number to Tsakane Khambane – Tsakane@presidency.gov.za / 082 084 5566 or to Kearabetswe Mabatle – Kearabetswe@presidency.gov.za / 066 219 2162 on or before Monday, 13 March 2023 at 17:00.
 
Members of the media are also requested to present valid press cards on arrival at the venue.
 

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

Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United Republic of Tanzania will pay a State Visit to South Africa on Thursday, 16 March 2023, at the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The State Visit will crown the 2nd Session of the South Africa-Tanzania Bi-National Commission (BNC).

The Commission comprises four committees: Political and Diplomatic; Defence and Security; Economic Affairs, and Social and Cultural Affairs.

South Africa and Tanzania enjoy deep historical relations arising from Tanzania’s solidarity with South Africa’s liberation struggle.

The ruling party in Tanzania, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), supported the African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) in the struggle against apartheid. 

These ties culminated in the establishment of official diplomatic relations when South Africa achieved freedom in 1994 and have since evolved into 
excellent political, economic, and social relations.

The Bi-National Commission is a platform for strengthening cooperation especially in areas such as trade and investment, infrastructure, transport, energy, water, science and innovation, education, defence, agriculture, environment, health, and culture, among others.

Tanzania is one of South Africa’s foremost trading partners on the continent. 

South Africa wishes to see an increase in trade and investment and broader economic development between the two countries. To this end, total trade between South Africa and Tanzania increased from R6,89 billion in 2021 to R8,71 billion in 2022. 

The strong economic ties are evidenced by the presence of more than 250 South African companies in diverse sectors in Tanzania.

The programme of the Heads of State and Government will be preceded by meetings of senior officials on 13 and 14 March 2023 and the Ministerial Bi-National Commission on the Senior Officials on 15 March 2023. These engagements will take place at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s OR Tambo headquarters in Pretoria.

On the margins of the State Visit and the BNC, a Business Forum will take place under the theme ““Forging a New Deal between South Africa and Tanzania Towards High Levels of Trade and Investment”.

The forum will focus on agriculture, agro-processing, oil and gas, mining and infrastructure development.

President Ramaphosa and President Hassan will address a plenary session of the Business Forum on the afternoon of the State Visit on 16 March.

Accredited Members of the media are invited as follows:
STATE VISIT AND HEADS OF STATE BNC
Date: Thursday, 16 March 2023
Time: 10h00 (Media to arrive at 08h30)
Venue: The Union Buildings, Pretoria 

SA-TANZANIA BUSINESS FORUM 
Date: Thursday, 16 March 2023
Time: 15h00 (Media to arrive at 13h00)
Venue: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Meiring Naude Road Brummeria, Pretoria 

NOTE TO MEDIA: MEDIA ACCREDITATATION APPLICATION FOR ALL THE ENGAGEMENTS CLOSED ON 06 MARCH 2023. ONLY ACCREDITED MEDIA WILL BE ALLOWED ACCESS.

Accreditation enquiries: Shadi Baloyi 072 571 6415 (State Visit); Kgopotso Rapakuana 073 058 3876 (Senior Officials and Ministerial BNC) and Phumzile Kotane 063 114 3704 (Business Forum)

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Presidency is in receipt of the Public Protector's preliminary report on the investigation of whether the President breached the executive ethics code with respect to the Phala Phala matter. We note the report. 

As stated before, we reiterate that the President did not participate in any wrong doing, nor did he violate the oath of his office. Instead, the President was a victim of a crime that he duly reported to the relevant authorities.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Presidency has today, Thursday 9 March 2023, welcomed the launch of the Resource Mobilisation Fund (RMF) by Business for South Africa as a mechanism for business in South Africa to support the implementation of the Energy Action Plan announced by President Ramaphosa in July 2022.

The RMF is an example of the collaborative approach between government and social partners which the President has always prioritised, building on the model pioneered by the Solidarity Fund to support South Africa’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The RMF has already raised R100 million from businesses and philanthropies, which will be used to provide technical support and capacity to the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM).

The fund will provide crucial expertise and resources to turbocharge the work of NECOM and ensure that we put the best minds in our country and indeed across the world to work to end load shedding. Support will be provided through an independent procurement process to source the required expertise in response to specific requests from NECOM.

The Energy Action Plan has received broad support from across society, and outlines a clear path to reduce the severity and frequency of load shedding in the short term and achieve energy security in the long term.

Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, said: “The establishment of the RMF shows what we can achieve if we roll up our sleeves and go beyond debate and discussion to engage in real, practical action on the issues that confront our society. We look forward to a strong partnership with the RMF as we move to ensure swift and full implementation of the President’s plan.”

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Thursday 09 March 2023, engage with the National Assembly on South Africa’s year-long chairing of the BRICS group of countries, combating crime in communities and how government is building the capability of the state in line with the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.

The President will elaborate on these issues when he replies to questions by Members of Parliament at 14h00 tomorrow.

The President will also outline his approach to the Expropriation Bill, and touch on the reconfiguration of state-owned enterprises.

Questions for Oral Reply is one of the mechanisms Parliament uses to hold the Executive to account and this will be the President’s first questions session following the February 9 State of the Nation Address.

Details of the interaction are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 09 March 2023
Time: 14:00
Venue: Good Hope Chamber, Parliament 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 10 March 2023, deliver the keynote address and participate in a panel discussion with young Africa leaders at the inaugural international Nelson Mandela Youth Dialogue.
 
Friday will be the first day of this four-day event at the Walter Sisulu University’s Zamokulungisa Campus in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
 
The Dialogue is hosted by the National Youth Agency in partnership with the Departments of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities; Higher Education and Training, and International Relations and Cooperation; the Eastern Cape Provincial Government; the Insurance and Wholesale and Retail SETAs as well as the Royal House of Mandela.
 
The deliberations will provide platform for youth from around the African continent and elsewhere to engage on pressing socio-economic issues on the continent.
 
The Dialogue brings together young people from about 20 countries including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Algeria, Egypt, Jamaica and Brazil.
 
Delegates will include leaders from government, business, labour and civil society.
 
The engagement among young leaders from all spheres of society is aimed at fostering the development of ideas, problem-solving and decision-making.
 
The Dialogue will also be a space for reflecting on and strengthening continent-wide plans and agreements such as the African Union Agenda 2063, the African Youth Charter, and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), through the development of inter-generational leadership.
 
Members of the media wishing to cover the event - and who will be required to be in place earlier in the morning- are requested to RSVP with Bongekile Skosana on 082 269 9246 of the National Youth Development Agency.
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315.
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, 07 March 2023, officiate at the swearing-in ceremony of new members of the National Executive.

The ceremony will take place at Tuynhuys in Cape Town. 

The President announced changes to the National Executive on Monday, 06 March 2023, to ensure that Government is properly capacitated to give effect to the commitments made in the State of the Nation Address and the Budget Speech.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo will preside over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed members of the National Executive. 

Details of the swearing-in ceremony of the National Executive are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 07 March 2023 
Time: 18h00 (Media to arrive by 16H00)
Venue: Tuynhuys, Cape Town 

Media wishing to cover the ceremony are asked to RSVP to khutjo@presidency.gov.za or 079 898 4621 and Kearabetswe@presidency.gov.za or 066 219 2162 by 13h00 on Tuesday, 07 March 2023. 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria