President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished the Jewish community well over Rosh Hashanah and the High Holy Days that culminate with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
 
Having begun at sunset on Sunday, 25 September 2022, Rosh Hashanah is being observed by Jewish communities in South Africa and around the world.
 
“At a time when our country faces many challenges, we draw strength from the deep spiritual reserves of the Jewish community and of all the South African people, as we strive to make our country a better place for all who live in it,” President Ramaphosa said.
 
“May you and your loved ones be inscribed and sealedin the Book of Life for a good and sweet new year,” the President said.
 

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

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on National Heritage Day this Saturday, 24 September 2022, lead the nation in celebrating South Africa’s indigenous music and its immense contribution to sports, arts, culture and heritage.

The national celebrations will be held at the Union Buildings in Tshwane under the theme “Celebrating the Legacy of Solomon Linda and South Africa’s Indigenous Music”.

The annual event embraces the vast cultural diversity and history that distinctively marks the country’s heritage.

This year’s theme pays tribute to the 60th anniversary of the passing of singer and song writer Solomon Popoli Linda. He is best known as the composer of the song, “Mbube”, which later became the popular music success “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and gave its name to the Mbube style of isicathamiya a capella music.

Heritage Month 2022 focuses on South Africa’s indigenous music with a spotlight on isicathamiya music and its immense contribution to sport, arts, culture and heritage, especially for emigrant communities in hostels, townships and peri urban areas.

It also presents an opportunity to commemorate the centenaries of our late resistance and liberation struggle icons, and honour their contributions towards a free and democratic South Africa. 

As part of this years’ Heritage Month programme, the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture unveiled five Legends and Living Human Treasures’ publications in honour of the late legendary poet, Don Mattera; the living legends and music icons, Abigail Kubeka, Letta Mbulu, and Caiphus Semenya, and iconic photojournalist Peter Magubane.

Throughout Heritage Month, government departments, entities and civil society groups are hosting various activities across the country to celebrate our heritage.

South Africans are encouraged to take pride in celebrating and appreciating the country’s indigenous music and our heritage as a vehicle towards social cohesion and nation building.

Ahead of President Ramaphosa’s keynote address, a carnival procession featuring colourful and flamboyant dance will move from the Union Buildings to Burgers Park in Tshwane.

The carnival float will be an expression of the nation’s diverse origins, traditions and rich tangible and intangible heritage.

The national day celebrations will be held as follows:

PART A: Carnival 

Date: Saturday, 24 September 2022
Time: 10h00
Venue: Procession from the Union Buildings to Burgers Park in Tshwane 

PART B: Heritage Day Celebrations 

Date: Saturday, 24 September 2022
Time: 11h00
Venue: The Union Buildings, South lawns, Tshwane


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the death of 19 learners and two adults in a collision between a bakkie and a truck near Pongola in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, 16 September 2022.
 
The learners were allegedly transported on a bakkie when their vehicle collided with a truck.
 
The President offers his condolences to all families who lost loved ones in this incident and wishes survivors a speedy and full recovery.
 
The President said: “This is yet another sad moment for our country, following the substantial loss of young lives in an Eastern Cape tavern recently.
 
“We cannot afford to lose such precious lives under any conditions. I hope the investigation into the Pongola incident will shed light on the cause of this tragedy and help us take better care of our children into the future.”
 
 
Media enquiries :Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded his official working visit to the United States at the invitation of President Joseph Biden. The two leaders deliberated on a range of critical issues of national, regional and global importance during their bilateral meeting, where trade, investment, global peace and stability, health, as well as climate change and the just energy transition were discussed.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT
On trade and investment, there was agreement on the need to create a more attractive environment for American companies to invest in South Africa, where an estimated 600 US companies are already doing business in a range of sectors. A joint task force on trade and investment will be established to expand bilateral economic ties. In 2023 South Africa will host the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum which will map the next phase of Africa-US trade.
President Ramaphosa welcomed the United States’ further commitment to improve bilateral trade and investment volumes, which will create much needed jobs and economic growth in South Africa.
President Ramaphosa expressed South Africa’s concerns about tariffs levied by the US on South African steel and aluminium products, which South Africa views as unfair and punitive.

JUST ENERGY TRANSITION
The leaders affirmed their commitment to the Just Energy Transition and agreed that South Africa will require more funding to achieve an effective and just transition that leaves no one behind and that protects workers and communities that would be affected by the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. The work on the investment plan for the Just Energy Transition Partnership between South Africa and the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and the European Union is expected to be completed by the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 27) in November 2022 in Egypt.
REGIONAL STABILITY AND GLOBAL SECURITY
Global security and stability discussions focused on the insurgent attacks in Mozambique. President Ramaphosa acknowledged the assistance currently being provided by the US in responding to the insurgent threat in Mozambique. President Ramaphosa called for more US support in the provision of skills and resources to counter the terrorist activities that are causing great suffering in Mozambique and threaten the stability of the SADC region.
 
FOOD SECURITY IN AFRICA
Africa’s food security featured prominently in the meeting with both Heads of State. “Following on from the discussions at the G7 meeting held in Germany this year, there is consensus on supporting Africa’s efforts towards fertiliser manufacturing, which will bolster Africa’s independence in ensuring the continent’s food security,” said President Ramaphosa.

MALIGN RUSSIAN ACTIVITIES BIIL
President Ramaphosa raised concern about the Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Bill, which is currently before the US Congress. President Ramaphosa said that if it becomes law, the Act would unfairly marginalise and punish African countries for exercising their sovereignty in their pursuit of development and economic growth.
President Ramaphosa emphasised the need for an urgent end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and and emphasised the leadership role of the United Nations Secretary-General of António Guterres can provide in leading a peace process.
HEALTH AND CAPACITATION OF HEALTH SYSTEMS

President Ramaphosa expressed appreciation for US support on health services capacitation and future pandemic preparedness. This includes the continued support for the PEPFAR programmes to combat HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis, and the support during the COVID-19 pandemic. President Ramaphosa applauded the leadership role played by President Biden in assisting developing economies to strengthen their health systems and for support on the WTO TRIPS waiver on vaccine manufacturing.
UNITED NATIONS REFORMS AND MULTILATERALISM

Africa’s representation in key multilateral institutions was highlighted by President Ramaphosa. This includes the proposal for Africa’s admission through the African Union (AU) into the Group of 20 countries (G20).
“The absence of representation of 1.3 billion people from Africa in the United Nations Security Council remains a blight in the global democratic order,” said President Ramaphosa. Both leaders agreed on the need for broader reforms of the United Nations.

BUILDING CAPACITY OF THE STATE
President Ramaphosa tabled a proposal for a partnership with the US in supporting South Africa’s efforts to develop public servants, especially women. In this regard South Africa’s National School of Government will work closely with leading American institutions in designing training programmes for South African public servants.
Ahead of the meeting with President Biden, President Ramaphosa met with the United States Vice President Kamala Harris at her official residence, where they discussed women’s empowerment, health and security, partnership on technology and space exploration.
 
 
Media enquires: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Cyril Ramaphosa on +27 82 835 6315 or media@enquires.gov.za
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Wednesday, 14 September 2022, embark on working visits to the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK) to respectively build relations with South Africa’s third largest trade partner and to attend the State Funeral Service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

President Ramaphosa departs today for Washington DC in the United States where he will honour an invitation by His Excellency President Joe Biden for engagement between the two leaders.

The leaders will meet at the White House on Friday, 16 September, to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, including trade and investment, climate change, food security, energy, and peace and security.

President Ramaphosa will reaffirm the importance of the strategic and mutually beneficial relations between South Africa and the United States. The President will further emphasise the need for enhanced multilateralism and dialogue as the means through which the challenges facing humanity can be addressed. These include the urgent need to stimulate economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Washington DC, President Ramaphosa and his delegation will meet Congressional leaders and the veterans of the Civil Rights Movement who were instrumental in lobbying the American public against apartheid and who remain loyal to the cause of anti-racism in both the United States and South Africa.

The United States is a major export market for South Africa, a significant source of foreign direct investment (FDI), technology transfer, development assistance and tourism.

Trade and investment relations take place under the auspices of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants duty-free and quota-free access to the US market for value-added products. AGOA has created jobs in both South Africa and the US and is thus mutually beneficial.

The United States is South Africa’s third largest trading partner (after China and the European Union), with more than 600 United States companies operating in South Africa.

In 2021, the United States ranked as the second largest destination for South Africa’s exports globally.

The United States accounts for 17.4% of total South African outward FDI to the world, according to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).

The President’s visit to the United States provides a platform for strengthening bilateral relations with the United States though the engagement with President Biden.


State Funeral Service for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
 
On Saturday, 17 September 2022, President Ramaphosa will travel from Washington DC to London in the United Kingdom to attend events associated with the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
 
Following his arrival in London on Sunday, 18 September, the President will attend The King’s Reception – a reception hosted by His Majesty King Charles III in honour of Heads of State and Government and guests invited to attend the State Funeral Service – at Buckingham Palace.
 
On Monday, 19 September, the President will be among world leaders attending the State Funeral Service for Her Majesty The Queen at Westminster Abbey, London.
 
Immediately after the State Funeral Service, the UK Foreign Secretary, The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, will host a reception for Heads of State and Government and other distinguished guests in the precincts of Westminster Abbey.
 

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

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Monday, 12 September 2022, visit the Jagersfontein-Charlesville area in the Free State where a mudslide has claimed lives and destroyed homes.
 
The President’s thoughts and prayers are with the families of three people who lost their lives in the incident which allegedly involved a pipe burst from a mine at Jagersfontein around dawn today, Sunday, 11 September.
 
Four persons have been reported missing while 23 patients have been treated for hypothermia and four for broken legs.
 
The President wishes injured survivors a speedy recovery and a positive outcome in the search for missing residents of the Charlesville neighbourhood.
 
The President appreciates the rescue and recovery efforts in which emergency services and police from towns surrounding the mine and from Mangaung are engaged.
 
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Presidency has noted the ruling handed down by the Western Cape High Court this afternoon, 09 September 2022, stating that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to suspend Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane is invalid.
 
The Presidency will seek guidance from the Constitution on the next steps. 
 
 
Media enquires: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Cyril Ramaphosa on +27 82 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 13 September 2022, undertake an investment oversight drive in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. 
 
President Ramaphosa will officiate the launch of the Hesto Harnesses manufacturing facility in KwaDukuza before participating in the opening of the Sappi Saiccor Mill upgrade and expansion project in Umkomaas. 
 
The President’s engagement with these key investments mark the realisation of pledges made by industralists at the South Africa Investment Conference.
 
Government welcomed these investments as welcome contributions to South Africa’s efforts at economic reconstruction and recovery and endorsements of South Africa’s standing as an investment destination for domestic and international enterprises.
 
President Ramaphosa will commence his visit to the province in KwaDukuza where he will officiate the launch of the Metair Investments subsidiary Hesto Harnesses, where a new 35 000 square-metre state-of-the-art manufacturing plant will be unveiled. 
 
In partnership with Yazaki Corporation, Hesto Harnesses manufactures wiring harnesses and instrument clusters for supply to South African-based  automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) Toyota, Isuzu, Nissan and Ford.
 
This facility is one of five capital investment projects that form part of a R1.4 billion commitment by Metair Investments Limited to support the expansion and localisation of the new Ford Ranger.
 
Metair Investments was formed in 1948 to meet the needs of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive components sector and exports products to approximately 46 countries. 
 
Metair Investments shareholding has 14  subsidiaries of which eight are based in South Africa, with KZN hosting the highest number of employees.
 
The facility in KwaDukuza has created 4 000 employment opportunities with a subsidiary employment total of 7 200. 70% of the labour force is female.
 
Following the Launch of the Hesto Harnesses manufacturing facility in KwaDukuza, President Ramaphosa will proceed to Umkomaas for the opening of the Sappi Saiccor Mill upgrade and expansion project.
 
Sappi first announced its upgrade and expansion project for Saiccor Mill at the South Africa Investment Conference in 2018, answering President Ramaphosa’s call for investment into the South African economy by domestic and international companies.
 
The R7,7 billion Sappi Saiccor upgrade and expansion project is aimed at increasing the capacity and global competitiveness of Sappi Saiccor Mill while also creating employment opportunities in the short and long term.
 
Work first commenced on the expansion project in 2018, but construction ceased for a period in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The Sappi Saiccor Mill is a major role player in KwaZulu-Natal, contributing over R6.7 billion annually to the local economy. 
 
The mill employs more than 1 200 staff and 700 contractors.
 
 Sappi’s KwaZulu-Natal operations comprising three mills, forestry operations and sales and export services contribute R12 billion per annum to the provincial economy. This number rises to R60 billion per annum when reflecting indirect benefits.
 
Some 3 000 contractor positions were created over the lifetime of the project, with more than 2 500 local residents being employed. 
 
A permanent community skills centre was established at the mill and some R150 million has been invested in local enterprise and supplier development opportunities. The project has also seen a 9% increase in permanent staff at the mill.
 
MEDIA DETAILS 
 
The Metair Hesto Harnesses manufacturing launch:
 
Time     :           08h00 (Media to arrive at 07h00)
Venue   :           Hesto Harnesses, 1 Gledhow Mill Rd, Stanger Central KwaDukuza
 
 
Sappi Saiccor Mill upgrade and expansion project launch: 
 
Time     :           14h00 (Media to arrive at 13h00 for screening and briefing) 
Venue   :           Sappi Saiccor Mill, R197 Umkomanzi Drift, Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
 
Members of the media who wish to cover the two events are requested to RSVP on or before Monday, 12 September 2022 at 12h00 with the following details; Full names, name of institution they are representing, ID or Passport number, Cell number, email address:
 
METAIR HESTO HARNESSES 
 
Naledi Malatji on naledi@presidency.gov.za 
and Bandile Nkambule bandile.nkambule@instinctif.com 
 
SAPPI SAICCOR MILL UPGRADE AND EXPANSION PROJECT
 
Zelda Schwalbach Zelda.schwalbach@sappi.com 083 6528528 and Batlile Phaladi Batlile.phaladi@sappi.com 073 9349664
 
 
Media enquires: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315 or media@presidency.gov.za 
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, expressed his profound and sincere condolences to His Majesty, King Charles III on the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
 
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on 8 September 2022 at the age of 96 and was the longest-reigning monarch in the United Kingdom.
 
"Her Majesty was an extraordinary and world-renowned public figure who lived a remarkable life.  Her life and legacy will be fondly remembered by many around the world. The Queen’s commitment and dedication during her 70 years on the throne remains a noble and virtuous example to the entire world", says President Ramaphosa.
 
The President met Her Majesty at the last Commonwealth meeting which was held in London in 2018 where they spent some time looking  at letters that Former President Mandela sent to the Queen, reminiscing about the great stateman that Her Majesty respected enormously.
 
President Ramaphosa says that South Africa’s thoughts and prayers are with The Royal Family, the Government and people of the United Kingdom as they mourn their immense loss.
 
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa – 082 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the launch of the new Sandvik Khomanani Manufacturing Site in Kempton Park on Friday, 09 September 2022.
 
Sandvik is a Swedish global manufacturer of mining and mineral processing equipment, which has operated in South Africa since 1948.
 
Sandvik renewed its commitment to South Africa as an investment partner at the 4th South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) in Sandton six months ago.

The launch of Sandvik’s Khomanani high-tech head office facility, workshop and manufacturing complex in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, is a fulfillment of this industrial giant’s investment pledge of R350 million, made at the investment conference.

The Khomanani facility, whose name means “hold each other as a unit” in Xitsonga, consolidates operations previously undertaken at five separate sites and accommodates approximately 550 employees.
 
This 62 000 square-metre site is one of Sandvik’s biggest and most advanced facilities globally and has the ability to produce underground loaders with over 60% South African content, allowing them to be designated as ‘Proudly South African’.
 
A media pool has been arranged to cover the President’s site tour and the official launch occasion.
 
Details are as follows:
 
Date: Friday, 09 September 2022
Time: 09h30
 
 
Media enquires: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President on +27 82 835 6315
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria