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Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of Women's Day, Union Buildings, Tshwane
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Programme Director, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Zizi Kodwa,
Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,
Veteran of the women’s movement, Ms Sophia Williams-De Bruyn,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi,
Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Cllr Cilliers Brink,
Members of Parliament,
Representatives of political parties,
Religious, traditional and community leaders,
Guests,

Fellow South Africans,

Molweni. Sanibonani. Dumelang. Goeie môre. Lotjhani. Avuxeni. Ndi Matsheloni. Good Morning.

I greet all the women of South Africa on this Women’s Day.

Today, as men and women, we celebrate the beautiful mothers of our nation, our sisters, our grandmothers, our aunts, our daughters. Together, we thank the women of South Africa for the role they play in the life of our nation.

Today, we celebrate how far we have come in building a non-sexist society where women are free and equal and enjoy the rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution.

We recall the suffering that women have endured for no reason other than that they are women.

We remember the courageous struggles waged by women against oppression; from those who stood up against colonialism and slavery to those who risked jail rather than carry the hated dompas.

We remember those women who took up arms against a violent regime, who organised workers to fight exploitation, who led political movements and civic organisations, and who were involved in the drafting of our new democratic Constitution.

Today of all days, we salute imbokodo, amaqhawekazi, the brave pioneers who marched to the Union Buildings on this day in 1956.

There are few moments more compelling in our history than the day when tens of thousands of women gathered in the amphitheatre of these Union Buildings.

We are still moved by the images of women like Lilian Ngoyi, Rahima Moosa, Sophie De Bruyn and Helen Joseph carrying armfuls of petitions from the women of South Africa.

We are honoured and privileged to have among us today one of those remarkable women, Aunt Sophie De Bruyn. We are grateful for your lifetime of service and continued contribution to the cause of women’s emancipation.

The women marched here to the Union Buildings, to the seat of apartheid power, to demand an end to laws that were intended to deprive them of their rights and dignity as black women.

Today, all the women of South Africa, whether they are black, white, Indian or coloured, have freedom and equal rights thanks to the bravery, activism and sacrifices of the generation of 1956.

Thanks to the struggles of women over the generations, all South African women have the right to vote, the right to work, the right to have control over their bodies, the right to property, to equality.

On this Women’s Day we pay tribute to imbokodo from across South Africa for their resilience.

Despite hardship, deprivation and many difficulties, South African women continue to stand strong. They bring up children, many of them as single parents. They run businesses, earn a living, learn skills, raise families, lead organisations and hold public office.

Even when opportunities are difficult to come by, South African women do not give up, running informal business, looking for work, providing care and being active in communities.

In every part of this country, women are taking charge of their destinies, inspiring others and driving change. They are excelling in areas once closed to women; as engineers, scientists, managers, pilots, farmers, judges, magistrates, athletes, marine pilots, and soldiers.

Women are the strength of our nation. Women carry our nation. Women prepare the next generation for a better future.

As a country we have come a long way in advancing the rights and freedoms of women.

As Government we are irrevocably committed to continuing the process of advancing and improving the lives of the women and girls of South Africa. We call upon other key role players who control resources and can open opportunities for women to do so. Business is well placed to play a key role in this process of helping to improve the lives of the women of South Africa.

There are a number of things we should do and continue doing together. Some of them are:

1. Increase the representation of women in all structures that affect our lives as South African.

The women of our country said there should be is nothing about them without them. They demanded representation in every endeavour that affects the lives of South Africans.

Women must be well represented in key positions in government, in management, in the judiciary.

The representation of women in decision-making structures continues to improve.

In Cabinet, half of the Ministers are women.

In Parliament, in the judiciary, in the public service, in the armed forces, in the police and in many local councils, we are getting closer to gender parity.

Despite these gains, we need to do much more to achieve a society of true gender equality.


2. There must be policies and laws that focus and advance the lives of women. Our laws and policies must have a bias towards improving the lives of women.

Since the advent of democracy in 1994, we have put policies and laws in place to empower women, improve their lives and advance gender equality.

3. Our education must prioritise the advancement of women. We see some of these achievements in education.

South Africa has one of the highest female literacy rates in our region.

There is parity between girls and boys in primary school enrolment.

More female learners sit for matric than males. Female learners are achieving more bachelors passes.

Young women make up the majority of students enrolled in higher education institutions.

We still have the problem of girls dropping out of school, often due to domestic responsibilities. As a society and as families and as a nation we must ensure that our girls stay at school and finish school.

4. The health of women must be a key priority.

We should remember that it was President Nelson Mandela who decided, right at the dawn of our democracy, that pregnant women and children under six should get free health care.

Women’s health outcomes continue to improve as a result of progressive policies around reproductive health, antenatal care, HIV/Aids and other communicable diseases.

Even though women’s health outcomes have improved by a number of indicators, women still carry the largest share of the burden of HIV and are more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases.

Despite our laws, women and girls in many parts of the country still struggle to access reproductive health services.

5. The participation of women in our economy must be improved.

Our economy remains dominated by men. More women are unemployed than men.

Women are more likely to work part-time, unskilled and semi-skilled jobs and for lower pay. Women are disproportionately responsible for unpaid care work.

As a result of all these factors, women are more vulnerable to poverty, food insecurity and hunger.

Even today, nearly three decades after the dawn of democracy, the face of poverty is a black women.

The emancipation of women therefore cannot be achieved without economic empowerment.

Women must also be breadwinners. They must have equal job opportunities and equal pay. They must be able to start, own and manage businesses.

Women need to have the financial security and independence to have control over their lives.

That is why we have prioritised investment in women’s economic empowerment.

We are determined to make the most of available resources to make a difference in the lives of young women, women with disabilities, rural women and LGBTQI+ women.

We are making a difference in the lives of women in SMMEs, in cooperatives and in the informal sector.

Among other things, government is supporting women’s economic empowerment through public procurement. We have made a commitment to allocate at least 40 per cent of public procurement to women-owned businesses.

While government departments are working in earnest to award more contracts to women-owned businesses, we need to do much more. As things stand, less than a third of the companies listed on the government’s central supplier database are women-owned.

We have trained more than 6,000 women entrepreneurs to take part in public procurement opportunities. The success of this programme has convinced us of the need to train many more entrepreneurs in their thousands.

The African Continental Free Trade Area will give women-owned businesses in South Africa and across the continent access to new markets and opportunities.

We are working with partners on opportunities for women’s employment and entrepreneurship in agriculture, manufacturing, technology, the oceans economy and others.

The green economy presents immense potential for women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment, especially in renewable energy.

In a number of cities and towns there are many women who are established as green entrepreneurs working in recycling, in greening, in climate-smart agriculture and a number of other avenues.

We call on the business community to support women’s economic empowerment by partnering with small businesses as part of their green economy plans.

There is also immense opportunity for young women in public employment initiatives.

Since it was established in 2020, the Presidential Employment Stimulus has provided work and livelihood opportunities to more than 1.2 million people. Of the participants in the programme, more than 60 per cent are women.

We will ensure that our just transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient society protects the interests of women, as it does for all those affected, and that it offers opportunities for women workers and women-owned businesses.

Government is supporting women-owned businesses to expand and diversify.

We are specifically increasing our support for women-owned SMMEs through the National Empowerment Fund, the Small Enterprise Finance Agency and others.

Working with the financial services sector, we are looking to close the gender gap so that women can access banking services and credit for their businesses.

As a country, we have the right policies and programmes in place. Led by the women of our country, we continue to develop policies that will advance their interests.

What we need now is to intensify the collective efforts of all social partners, including business, to do more to financially empower women.

Business, in particular, must follow government’s lead to set aside at least 40 per cent of their spending for the empowerment of women.

On Equal employment opportunities: Promoting gender equality in the labour market is essential for women's economic empowerment. This includes eliminating discriminatory practices and policies, promoting equal pay for equal work, and providing opportunities for women to access higher-paying and leadership positions.

Equal opportunities

Women must be given opportunities to lead - in Government, in management

6. Gender Based Violence and Fermicide must end

The violence perpetrated by men against women and girls is an assault on our common humanity. Women do not feel safe in their homes, on the street, in places of work and study and worship.
It was in response to this crisis that the first Presidential Summit on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in 2018 made a firm commitment to undertake a comprehensive, effective and united response.

Through an extensive consultative process, the National Strategic Plan to Combat Gender-Based Violence and Femicide was launched three years ago. Since then, it has made important progress.

Women complained that whenever women who had been abused or violated reported their abuse to police they re often met by insensitive police officers at police stations who do treat their cases with he seriousness and urgency they deserve.

We have listened to this and government has ensured that this injustice is addressed.

More than 12,000 police members have received training to respond effectively to gender-based violence and to focus on the needs of victims.

More than one million DNA collection kits have been delivered to police stations around the country since 2019 and there are now just over 1,000 victim friendly rooms at police stations countrywide.

Over the last year, we opened three new Thuthuzela Care Centres for victims of gender-based violence, bringing the national total to 62.

We are improving access to shelters and associated services for survivors of gender-based violence.

In January last year, I signed into law three key pieces of legislation, namely the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act, and the Domestic Violence Amendment Act.

These new laws provide greater protection to survivors of gender-based violence, to ensure that perpetrators are no longer able to evade prosecution, and to strengthen measures to prevent gender-based violence.

We have responded to the call for tougher bail conditions for perpetrators.

Effective from earlier this month, no police bail may be granted to persons charged with rape or if the victim was in a domestic relationship with the perpetrator. Such bail applications must be formally applied for in court. If the accused was in a domestic relationship with the alleged victim, the court has to issue a protection order against them before releasing them on bail.

Also effective from earlier this month, gang or serial rapists face life imprisonment, as do perpetrators of date rape, marital rape, child rape and incest.

We are also piloting a system in a number of provinces that will enable victims of domestic violence to apply for protection orders online.

We congratulate all who have been part of ensuring that these progressive laws are rolled out as soon as possible.

Awareness raising and social behaviour change programmes are taking place in schools, at places of higher learning, in communities and through door-to-door campaigns.

And yet, despite progress on many fronts, women and children are still being abused, raped, assaulted and murdered by men.

This tells us that it is not enough for our laws to change, for our policing to improve, for survivors to receive better care and support.

7. Women in Sport

The women of our country are excelling in sport. Banyana Banyana and the Protea Netball Team did our country proud recently. Banyana Banyana won the African Women’s Cup and reached the top 16 in the Women’s FIFA World Cup and our Netball Team played very well and are now ranked 6th in the world.

As a country we are very proud of our women as they fly South Africa’s flag high. We need to pay them well and their pay must be equal to that of men and even exceed what we pay men.

8. We must mobilise all of society to support the women of our country on their road to empowerment and the improvement of their lives.

Society needs to change. Men need to change.

We need a movement as powerful as the women who marched on the Union Buildings to end violence against women and children.

We need a movement that includes every woman and man in this country, that brings together every church, mosque, temple and synagogue, that involves every workplace, school, college and university.

We need a movement that extends to every town and village, every farm and homestead, every home and hostel.

No-one can be left out and no-one can be left behind.

My fellow South Africans,

As we celebrate Women’s Day here at the Union Buildings, we are disturbed by the troubling events in the city of Cape Town.

This year, we were supposed to hold the national Women’s Day celebration in Khayelitsha in Cape Town. However, we had to move that event here to the Union Buildings because of violence associated with the taxi strike in the city.

While our democracy protects peaceful protest and lawful strike action, we strongly condemn the violence and destruction caused by this dispute.

We are appalled by the killings and assaults that have taken place.

Blocked roads lead to blocked business, blocked education and blocked health services, which will have long-lasting effects on life in the city.

We must uphold the law and we must solve problems through meaningful dialogue.

Today, we think of the women of Khayelitsha and the rest of Cape Town. We think about the men and the children and the families that are trying to go about their lives in peace and in safety.

We all have a responsibility to protect lives and livelihoods.

We all have a responsibility to build a safe and peaceful society.

We all have a responsibility to build a society in which every girl can realise her dreams and every women can live the life she wants.

We have come far. We have much further to go.

But working together as the women and men of South Africa, we will achieve the free and equal society for which generations of women have fought and strived.

I wish every South African a peaceful and blessed Women’s Day.

I thank you.

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President Ramaphosa to attend the launch of the Huawei Innovation Centre
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President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, 13 July 2023, attend the launch of the Huawei South Africa Innovation Centre, to take place at Huawei Office Park in Woodmead, Sandton.

The Huawei Innovation Centre serves to foster and encourage joint innovations with Huawei’s South African partners, app developers and SMME’s in the ICT space.

It is also a showcase of Huawei’s latest and most innovative digital technologies and solutions.

Huawei Technologies is a leading global ICT and smart devices company, which has been operating in South Africa since 1998. Over a period of more than two decades, Huawei has established itself as a trusted partner and brand in the telecommunications, enterprise, consumer, cloud and digital power markets.

The President will tour the Innovation Center and later deliver an address.

A media pool has been arranged to cover the President’s visit and the official launch. The programme is scheduled to start at 10h00.
 

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President Ramaphosa welcomes Constitutional Court decision on the suspension of Adv. Mkhwebane
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted and welcomed the judgement by the Constitutional Court, affirming the President's adherence to due process and fairness, in the process of suspending Public Protector Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane. 

The suspension followed the decision by the National Assembly to institute section 194 proceedings against Adv. Mkhwebane.


Media enquires: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President Cyril Ramaphosa to lead government-community interaction in Limpopo
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President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 14 July 2023, interact with the community of Sekhukhune District in Limpopo province at the eighth District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo themed “Leave No One Behind”.

The DDM is an integrated planning model for Cooperative Governance which seeks to ensure integrated, district-based, service delivery approach aimed at fast-tracking service delivery. 

The Imbizo is a platform for face-to-face engagement between citizens and senior government leaders that holds the administration to account and allows government to consult and brief communities on development and service delivery in the relevant area.

The engagement is also aimed at fostering collaboration between government, residents, business, community-based organisations and traditional leadership in transforming all districts in South Africa. 

During his visit, President Ramaphosa will engage directly with the communities and stakeholders in Sekhukhune, addressing their concerns and seeking solutions to unblock challenges hindering integrated service delivery.

With the participation of leadership from the National, Provincial, and Local spheres of government, the President's visit will facilitate meaningful community engagement, ensuring that government programmes and initiatives are tailored to meet the needs and priorities of residents.

Sekhukhune District has been identified by the Limpopo Provincial Government as a district with immense potential for economic growth, given its abundant mineral resources and water supply. 

Leading up to the dialogue with the community at the DDM Presidential Imbizo, government leaders from all three spheres have interacted with key stakeholders and paid visits to service delivery projects within the four local municipalities in the Sekhukhune District Municipality. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will stop over at the R37 Driekop - Steelpoort Interchange road project for an inspection on loco site visit. 

Details of the DDM Presidential Imbizo are as follows:
R37 Driekop-Steelpoort Interchange Road Project Inspection Site Visit 
Date: Friday, 14 July
Time: 10:30

District Development Model Presidential Imbizo Community Engagement 
Date: Friday, 14 July 2023
Time: 11:00
Venue: Motodi Sports Complex, Ga-Motodi ,Sekhukhune District, Limpopo 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President Ramaphosa hosts discussion with Deputy President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan
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President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted a courtesy call yesterday on Thursday, 13 July 2023, by Mr Malik Agar Eyre Nganyoufa, Deputy President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan, which focused on recent events in Sudan and international efforts to end the conflict and violence.

The visit was a follow-up to a telephonic discussion between the President and Mr Nganyoufa on 2 July 2023.

Mr Nganyoufa briefed President Ramaphosa on the current conflict in the Republic of Sudan.

President Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s concern at the protracted nature of the conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces and called on the Transitional Sovereign Council, including the Sudan Armed Forces, to urgently work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Sudan.

South Africa believes this can be achieved through an inclusive dialogue process that will yield permanent peace for Sudan and her people and respect the commitment of all parties to the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) signed on 3 October 2020.


President Ramaphosa conveyed South Africa’s willingness to play a role in an effort towards ending the conflict and violence if requested by the East African Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union or other role players.

The leaders undertook to remain in contact on the situation in Sudan.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President to lead national commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day
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President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, July 18 2023, deliver the keynote address at the national commemoration of the United Nations-endorsed Nelson Mandela International Day and will preside over the unveiling of two statues commemorating the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela.

A statue honouring the Father of the Nation will be unveiled at the Bhunga Building in Mthatha before the President delivers the keynote address and presides over a second unveiling at the Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu, Eastern Cape.
 
The two monuments serve as a tribute to Nelson Mandela's enduring impact on South Africa and the world, and commemorate the 67 years he dedicated to the fight against apartheid and racism.

Since the United Nations’ proclamation of Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009, the Nelson Mandela Museum has observed the global Nelson Mandela International Day as a strategic opportunity to promote President Mandela's values and foster his legacy. The museum aims to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals in need, and this day serves as a powerful platform to achieve that objective.
 
Media Availability Details:
 
Venue: Bhunga Building, Mthatha, Eastern Cape
Date: Tuesday, 18 July 2023
Time: 9h30
 
Venue: Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu, Eastern Cape.
Date: Tuesday, 18 July 2023
Time: 11h00
 

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

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President mourns passing of former Robben Island prisoner Imam Achmad Cassiem
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the passing of Imam Achmad Cassiem, former Robben Island prisoner, Pan Africanist Congress member and founding member of the Qibla Movement.

Imam Cassiem passed away on Friday 17 July 2023, at the age of 78.

President Ramaphosa extends his condolences to the family, friends, comrades and associates internationally of the late political and religious leader who hailed from the Western Cape.

As a teenager, Achmad Cassiem was politically conscientised by the Pan Africanist Congress’s campaign against apartheid pass laws, motivating him to join the armed struggle at the age of 15.

He was a high school learner when he and his teacher, Sadiq Isaacs, were arrested for sabotage, detained and charged under the Sabotage Act.

His was handed a five-year sentence, which caused him to become one of the youngest prisoners on Robben Island.

Upon his release, he was issued with a banning order, which he defied to remain politically active, including his role in the establishment in 1979 of the Qibla Movement to promote and defend Islam in South Africa.

He was detained again for an extended period after mobilising learners during a protracted class boycott in 1980 and was later charged under the Terrorism Act for facilitating military training and infiltration into South Africa for Qibla fighters who had been trained in Libya.

Years after arrest for this action, Achmad Cassiem was sentenced to six years in prison, which was cut short his release in 1991, following the unbanning of liberation organisations.

In later years, he served as National Chairperson of the Islamic Unity Convention and as advisor to the Islam Human Rights Commission.

President Ramaphosa said: “Imam Cassiem lived a life of courage, principle and faith in mobilising communities on the Cape Flats and around the country against apartheid.

“Imprisonment, confinement to his home in Hanover Park and repeated harassment and detention by the apartheid security machine failed to extinguish the flame of resistance and revolution that burned in his being and which he ignited in everyone he inspired as an activist.

“We are joined by supporters of our Struggle in Libya, Iran and other nations who had an impact on Imam Cassiem who in turn, had an impact on them.

“We are grateful for his life and wish him eternal, peaceful rest.”


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President Ramaphosa and President Putin discuss Black Sea Grain Initiative
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President Ramaphosa had a telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin today following the call the President had with UNSG Antonio Guterres about the ongoing negotiations between Russia and the UN about the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

The discussions also revolved around the African Leaders Peace Mission and the need for a permanent and sustainable solution to the movement of grain from Russia and Ukraine to the international markets. 

As part of ongoing engagements on the conflict in Ukraine and the Black Sea Grain Initiative , President Ramaphosa also held a telephone discussion with  President Zelenskyy on Thursday,  13 July 2023. 

President Ramaphosa will have further discussions with both leaders and the UN Secretary General about these matters.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President Cyril Ramaphosa to enact Sign Language as 12th Official Language
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President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 19 July 2023, sign into law the South African Sign Language Bill during a ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.  

On 02 May 2023, the National Assembly approved that Section 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 be amended to include South African Sign Language (SASL) as an official language to promote the rights of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.

The recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th official language is an important step towards the realisation of the rights of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

South African Sign Language is an indigenous language that constitutes an important element of South African linguistic and cultural heritage. It has its own distinct grammatical structures and lexicon and it is independent of any other language.

The new legislation seeks to:

• Advance the cultural acceptance of SASL; 
• Ensure the realisation of the rights of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing to equal protection and benefit of the law and human dignity; and 
• Promote inclusive and substantive equality and prevent or eliminate unfair discrimination on the grounds of disability, as guaranteed by Section 9 of the Constitution.

With this initiative, South Africa becomes the fourth country on the African continent to recognise sign language as an official language; other countries are Kenya, Zimbabwe and Uganda. 

The signing ceremony is scheduled as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 19 July 2023
Time: 15h00 – 16h00 (Media to arrive at 14h00)
Venue: Media Centre, Union Buildings

Members of the media interested in covering the South African Sign Language Bill signing ceremony are invited to submit their details to Makungu Mbetse on Makungu@presidency.gov.za and Khutjo Sebata on Khutjo@presidency.gov.za / 079 898 4621 by no later than 14h00 on Tuesday, 18 July 2023.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during a Plenary Session in the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg in the Russian Federation
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Your Excellency, President Vladimir Putin,
Your Excellency, President Azali Assoumani, Chair of the African Union and President of the Comoros,
Your Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chair of the African Union Commission
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Ministers,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Allow me to begin by thanking you, President Putin, as well as the government and people of the Russian Federation for receiving us here in St Petersburg.
 
Nearly three years ago in the city of Sochi, we pledged as leaders of African states and as the Russian Federation to cooperate in a manner that is mutually beneficial and that serves the interests of our peoples.
 
In the intervening years we have experienced strong geopolitical and economic crosswinds. We continue to count the human cost of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our economies.
 
As South Africa we are greatly encouraged by the Russian Federation’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the nations of Africa.
 
This is important as we chart a new course for economic recovery, growth and reconstruction, and strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
As South Africa, we remember with deep gratitude how the support of the people and the government of the then-Soviet Union sustained our struggle for liberation.
 
Today our bilateral relationship remains strong. We continue to collaborate in the political, economic, social, defence and security spheres. We work closely across multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, G20 and as members of BRICS.
 
As South Africa, our participation in forums such as this one is guided by our quest to realise the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of economic integration and inclusive socio-economic development.
 
South Africa will shortly be hosting the 15th BRICS Summit.
 
We see this Summit as an opportunity to promote enhanced global cooperation to achieve common prosperity for all the nations of Africa.
 
The BRICS partners are significant investors in Africa.
 
The upcoming summit will therefore give particular attention to infrastructure development, supported by the New Development Bank, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
 
The African Continental Free Trade Area, once fully operational, will unlock the benefits of the continental market and generate mutually beneficial opportunities for both African and BRICS countries.
 
As African countries we are shaping own destinies, as nation states and as a continent.
 
Our substantial resources are being harnessed first and foremost for Africa’s benefit, to grow African economies and to pursue sustainable development.
 
We seek reciprocal trade and investment, and for the goods, products and services from Africa to compete on an equal footing in the global economy.
 
Respect and mutual benefit underpin our international relations.
 
African countries should, as sovereign states, be able to pursue independent foreign policy approaches that are not beholden to any of the major global powers or blocs.
 
This second Russia-Africa Summit is an opportunity to further enhance and strengthen international cooperation and partnership for Africa’s development.
 
We welcome the focus on further cooperation between Russia and Africa to promote investment, facilitate the development of value chains and boost capacity to produce and export manufactured products.
 
The proposed Russia-Africa Action Plan for the coming years should align with the second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of the AU’s Agenda 2063. This will ensure better coherence and more action-orientated interventions.
 
We should also ensure joint monitoring and evaluation of the Action Plan. We need to jointly allocate the necessary funding for implementation and be accountable for concrete deliverables.
 
Geopolitical tensions are negatively affecting countries across Africa.
 
As part of Russia-Africa cooperation we must repeat our call for existing global institutional mechanisms to be both strengthened and reformed. Greater participation of countries of the Global South will promote inclusiveness and engender trust.
 
In this regard, the reform of the multilateral financial institutions and the UN Security Council remains a priority.
 
In our interconnected world, we are all affected by conflict and instability in other parts of the world.
 
We have a responsibility as nations to work for peace, to support peacebuilding and to lend our every effort to bring an end to conflict and war.
 
As South Africa, we are steadfast in our position that negotiation, dialogue and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter are necessary for the peaceful and just resolution of conflict.
 
It is our hope that constructive engagement and negotiation can bring about an end to the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
 
As South Africa our own history has taught us that this is indeed possible.
 
In conclusion, we look forward to this second Russia-Africa Summit playing a key role in supporting our objectives of African integration, economic growth, peace and common prosperity.
 
I thank you.
 

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 Union Building