Sandton - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on behalf of President Jacob Zuma address the 3rd Annual South African Premier Business Awards tomorrow, Thursday 9 April 2015, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg Gauteng.

The awards are organized by the Department of Trade and Industry in partnership with Proudly South African and Brand South Africa. The awards are aimed at recognising and honouring local enterprises that promote the spirit of success, innovation and job creation. They also   promote and encourage entrepreneurship and public-private partnerships and competitiveness.

The award ceremony is also utilized for and provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the best products and services that South Africa can offer to the world.

Media are invited as follows:

Time: 18h30

Date: 09 April 2015

Venue: Sandton Convention Centre

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Kempton Park - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, 10 April 2015 attend and chair a special Lekgotla of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) at Esselen Park, Kempton Park, Gauteng from 08h00-11h00.

The HRDC Lekgotla will evaluate progress achieved in meeting the targets set out by the Council in the past five years 2010-2015, reviewing targets of the HRD Strategy for 2010-2030 and develop with new priorities and targets for 2015 to 2020.

The HRDC Lekgotla will be preceded by a visit of Deputy President Ramaphosa to the Transnet School of Rail’s Simulation section in the same vicinity to highlight the importance of building requisite skills and training development for South Africa.

Memorial service of the late Steve “Kalamazoo” Mokone, FNB Stadium, Soweto 

Soweto - At the conclusion of the HRDC Lekgotla, Deputy President Ramaphosa will proceed to Soweto where he will attend and address, on behalf of President Jacob Zuma, the National Memorial Service of late Steve “Kalamazoo” Mokone to be held at the FNB Stadium.

The memorial service, organised by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation in conjunction with SAFA and the bereaved family is aimed at providing an opportunity for all South Africans to pay tribute to this giant of African football, Steve Kalamazoo Mokone. Kalamazoo who passed away on Friday, 20 March 2015.

Steve Kalamazoo Mokone was awarded the national order of the Ikhamanga (in gold) in recognition for achievement in the creative and performing arts and sports in 2003. Mokone, who hails from Atteridegeville, Pretoria, was the first African footballer to play professional soccer in Europe. By 1959 he was rated as one of the best soccer players in Europe.

Media invited to cover the events as follows:

HRDC, Esselen Park, Kemptonpark

Tour of Transnet Academy (School of Rail)

Date:  11 April 2015

Time:  08h00 – 08H30

Venue:  Transnet Academy, Esselenpark, Kempton Park, Gauteng

HRDC Lekgotla opening remarks

Time:  08H30

Venue:  Esselen Park Conference Hall, Kemptonpark

FNB Stadium - memorial service: Steve Kalamazoo Mokone

Date:  11 April 2015

Time:  12h00

Venue:  FNB Stadium

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 and Sam Matome Bopape 082 318 5251

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Sandton - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation comprising of former African Heads of State and Government on Tuesday, 14 April 2014 at the Michelangelo hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg.

The Deputy President will meet the champions in his capacity as the Chairperson of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC).

The Champions for an AIDS-free Generation was first launched in 2008 and works to ensure that all children are born free from HIV in Africa and that all people have access to quality HIV prevention and treatment services.

As former Heads of State and Government, the Champions rally and support regional leadership towards ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat.

Champions for an AIDS Free Generation that will attend the meeting include:

•  Former President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe

•  Former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae

•  Former President of Malawi, Joyce Banda

•  Former President of Mozambique, Joachim Chissano

•  Former President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda

•  Former President of Mali, Alpha Konare

•  Former President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa

•  Former Vice-President of Uganda, Speciosa Wandira Kasibwe

•  Former Chairperson of the Kenya National AIDS Control Council, Proffesor Mirriam Were

Media is invited as follows:

Time: 08H00 for 08H30

Venue: Michelangelo Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg

Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2015

Equiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853/ Terrence Manase 082 338 6707 or Zenawit Melesse (UNAIDS – 082 909 2637)

Issued by: The Presidency 

Pretoria

Pretoria - In response to media queries The Presidency  confirms that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has indeed held telephonic discussions with US Vice President Joe Biden regarding AGOA on Monday 13 April 2015.

The telephonic interaction between Deputy President Ramaphosa and Vice President Biden are part of ongoing discussions between the two governments and conducted at various levels including the South African Ministry of Trade and Industry, with their USA counterparts.

In this regard South African government Trade and Industry officials, led by Minister Rob Davies, are currently in Washington to meet with their USA counterparts to discuss the matter further.

As and when it is necessary, the relevant South African and USA counterparts will certainly make the necessary pronouncements.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Oudtshoorn - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday 17 April 2015 join and address members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) during the Taking Parliament to the People Programme, scheduled for Brighton Sports Grounds, in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape Province.

The theme of Deputy President Ramaphosa’s address is “together making service delivery work for our people’’. This will be the first address by Deputy President Ramaphosa to the NCOP’s ”Taking Parliament to the People Programme’’ outside the precinct of parliament in Cape Town.   The programme is expected to last from 09h00-13h30.

The programme will be attended by among others, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, Premiers, Members of Provincial Executive Councils, delegates to the NCOP, Members of Parliament and local community members resident in the Eden District Municipality

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 or Matome Bopape 082 318 5251.

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will depart for Indonesia today Sunday 19 April 2015, where he will represent President Jacob Zuma at the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference to be held in Bandung on Friday 24 April 2015. President Zuma cancelled his visit to Indonesia to attend to matters at home related to attacks on foreign nationals.

Deputy President Ramaphosa’s delegation includes Ministers Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Jeff Radebe, Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula, Rob Davies, Senzeni Zokwana, Edna Molewa and several Directors-General including Ambassador Jerry Matjila.

The Bandung Conference which was held in 1955 in Bandung laid a firm foundation for the Asia-Africa solidarity against colonialism and apartheid. South Africa was represented at the 1955 Conference by ANC leaders, namely the late Moses Kotane and Maulvi Cachalia.

During his visit to Indonesia, Deputy President Ramaphosa will also attend activities that will precede the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference including the Africa-Asia Business Forum and the Africa-Asia Summit on 22- 23 April 2015 in Jakarta and the 10th anniversary of the New Asia-Africa Strategic Partnership which will be held on Friday 24 April 2015 in Bandung.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to South Africa on the Saturday 25 April 2015.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on +27 82 990 4853 or Tyrone Seale on +27 83 575 7440.

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Jakarta - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia today Monday, 20 April 2015, where he will be representing President Jacob Zuma during the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference to be held on Friday 24 April 2015.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is leading a South African government delegation comprising Ministers Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Jeff Radebe, Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula, Rob Davies, Senzeni Zokwana, Edna Molewa and several Directors-General including Dr Cassius Lubisi and   Ambassador Jerry Matjila.

While in Indonesia, Deputy President Ramaphosa is scheduled to attend the Africa-Asia Business Forum and the Africa-Asia Summit on 22- 23 April 2015 in Jakarta and the 10th anniversary of the New Asia-Africa Strategic Partnership which will be held on Friday 24 April 2015 ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference.

The Bandung Conference which was held in 1955 laid a firm foundation for the Asia-Africa solidarity against colonialism and apartheid. South Africa was represented at the 1955 Conference by ANC leaders, namely the late Moses Kotane and Maulvi Cachalia.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to South Africa on the Saturday 25 April 2015.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on +27 82 990 4853 or Tyrone Seale on +27 83 575 7440.

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Pretoria - The Office of the Deputy President takes exception to statements made by energy analyst Ted Blom during a press club briefing on Friday 24 April 2015 in Cape Town and published in Fin24 that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has benefited improperly from Eskom coal contracts.

It is a matter of public record that the Deputy President has divested of his interest in Shanduka Group and no longer holds any mining interests.

The Deputy President undertook this divestment following his appointment to the position of Deputy President of the Republic to avoid any potential for conflict of interest.

It is unfortunate that the Mr Blom, who presents himself as an industry analyst, would make claims that are factually incorrect.

It is also unfortunate that Fin24 would publish these claims without seeking comment from the Office of the Deputy President.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

ANC Gala Dinner, Today 26 April 2015   

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, Sunday 26 April 2015, address the African National Congress eKurhuleni region’s 21 years of Freedom with Business fundraising Gala Dinner at the Emperor’s Palace, Convention Centre at 18h00.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Venue: Emperor’s Palace, Convention Centre, eKurhuleni

Time: 17h30 for 18h00

Enquiries: Keith Khozaon 082 823 9672

Freedom Day Celebration, 27 April 2015

Deputy President to attend the Freedom Day Interfaith Prayers at Freedom Park

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Freedom Day, Monday 27 April 2015, attend national Freedom Day Interfaith prayers at the Freedom Park (Isivivane), in Pretoria at 6h00.

During his visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa will also lay a wreath during this prayer session in honour of the heroes and heroines who fought in the struggle for liberation and freedom in South Africa.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: 27 April 2015

Time: 5h30 for 6h00

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the Freedom Charter address tomorrow, Tuesday 28 April at 09h00 at Fort Hare University in Alice,   Eastern Cape.

Members of the media are invited.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria