Vereeniging - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 05 June 2015, visit Eskom’s Lethabo Power station in the Free State, as part of the work of the Inter-ministerial Committee on Energy (IMC).

The visit to Eskom Lethabo Power station by Deputy President Ramaphosa provides an opportunity for members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Energy (IMC) to interact with Eskom senior management on how power stations are performing against the plans implemented   to accelerate the restoration of the coal generating fleet capacity and reliability.

These plans are part of government’s five-point plan that was adopted by cabinet as a framework to deal with electricity challenges. The plan focuses on:

a) Immediate Measures (Improve Maintenance & Operational Practices)

b) Co-Generation (short and long term contracts)

c) Gas for power generation and additional sources of supply

d) Other Independent Power Producers (IPPs)

e) Demand Side Management

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One of the Lethabo Power station units is currently undergoing maintenance, and it provides for some first-hand experience and exposure to Deputy President Ramaphosa and delegation how maintenance is done and the scale of work involved in this exercise.   

Lethabo is a coal-fired power station that comprises six 618MW production units. A unique aspect of Lethabo is the unusually low grade and quality of coal that is burnt in the power generation process. Lethabo has an extensive water recycling and cleaning desalination. The team will also be taken through Eskom’s plans relating to environmental compliance.

Members of the media are invited to cover the event as follows:

Date: Friday, 05 June 2015

Time: 08h30 

Venue: Lethabo Power Station

In your RSVP, please also include your ID number and the serial numbers of any electronic devices like cameras that you will be bringing along. You will also be expected to present Press Cards at the entrance. 

For more information and accreditation please contact, Sam Matome Bopape on 082 318 5251. For comments please Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Boksburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Saturday 6 June 2015 host and chair the meeting of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) at the Emperors Palace in Boksburg, Gauteng Province. Deputy President Ramaphosa will host the meeting in his   capacity as the Chairperson of the SANAC.

The SANAC meeting on Saturday takes place against the background of the forthcoming 7th SA AIDS Conference scheduled for Tuesday- Thursday 09-12 June 2015 at the Durban's Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC). The focus of the 7th SA AIDS Conference is the reduction of the HIV and TB Stigma reduction programmes.

In this regard, South Africa undertook its first National Stigma Index Survey among people living with HIV in 18 districts across the Republic to measure self-reported stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV. The survey will inform the development and implementation of national policies and programmes that protect the rights of people living with HIV. Critical to note is that the survey indicates that South Africa has indeed made good progress in dealing with HIV-related stigma with about a third of people living with HIV still experiencing some form or another of stigma. The survey report will be released during the 7th SA Aids Conference.

Media is invited to the opening session and address by the Deputy President at the SANAC meeting, Boksburg as follows:

Time: 08h30 for 09h00

Venue: Emperors Palace, Convention Centre, Boksburg

Date: Saturday 6 June 2015

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Durban - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SANAC, will deliver a keynote address during the opening session of the 7th SA AIDS Conference on Tuesday 9 June 2015 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. 

The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) has played a leading role in championing several programmes against the HIV-AIDS in 2014   projecting a multi-sectoral response which include the Social Development, Justice and Correctional Services and Health departments including   civil society organisations such as People Living with HIV (PLHIV), NAPWA, PWN and TAC.

In this regard, the 7th SA AIDS Conference is expected to share the results of the South African Stigma Survey, provide practical and innovative actions and programmes to counter stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

The Stigma survey, the largest in the world, was conducted among 10 700 HIV-positive people who are older than 15 years in 18 districts across the Republic. 

The Survey was launched with a view to measuring self-reported stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV. The results of the Survey will inform government policies and programmes aimed at protecting the rights of people living with HIV.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is also expected to visit the Gugu Dlamini Park where he will interact with youths including young women around the issue of the triple burden and effect of the epidemic on young women.

For more info contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Durban - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, will tomorrow, Tuesday 9 June 2015 attend and address the opening session of the 7th SA AIDS Conference on Tuesday 9 June 2015 scheduled for Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC.

The Conference was preceded by the South African National AIDS Council Lekgotla held in Boksburg over the weekend as part of preparations for the Durban AIDS Conference. The Lekgotla was attended by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, members of civil society including People Living with   HIV (PLHIV), NAPWA, PWN and TAC.

The main focus of the 7th SA AIDS Conference will be the sharing of the South African Stigma Survey results, provide practical and innovative actions and programmes to counter stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

The Stigma survey, the largest in the world, was conducted among 10 700 HIV-positive people who are older than 15 years in 18 districts across the Republic. The Survey was launched with a view to measuring self-reported stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV. The results of the Survey will inform government policies and programmes aimed at protecting the rights of people living with HIV.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is also expected to visit the Gugu Dlamini Park where he will interact with youths including young women around the issue of the triple burden and effect of the epidemic on young women.

Media are invited as follows:

Date: Tuesday 9 June 2015

Opening session of the conference: 16h00-18h20

Deputy President’s address: 16h30

Visit to the Gugu Dlamini Park: 11h45

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will make an appearance at the national assembly in Parliament, in Cape Town to field questions from members of parliament tomorrow, Wednesday 10 June 2015.

Questions on the order paper include among others:

1. Whether in his capacity as chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa (HRDC), he has measures in place to ensure that Adult Education and Training is prioritised and fast-tracked for people who are currently employed in the formal and informal sectors and who have never had the opportunity of an education?               

2. If he has found that the new dispensation of the e-toll system will be financially viable both for the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) to continue operating the system and for ordinary South Africans who have to pay for the system?                                                                              

3. What measures does the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) intend to implement to ensure that the Higher Education HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS) reaches out to rural and/or village campuses of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges and integrates communities around those campuses?     

4. What steps has he taken with regard to the South African Airways, Eskom and the South African Post Office to change their situation?

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Issued by: The Presidency

Cape Town

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will receive Cuban Vice-President HE Salvador Valdés Mesa, for a courtesy call today, 13 June 2015, at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.

Vice-President Valdés is leading the Cuban delegation to the 25th Summit of the African Union, currently underway in Johannesburg.
 

Media are invited to the Courtesy Call as follows:

Time: 18h00 (media to arrive at 17h45)

Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, VIP South

Date: Saturday, 13 June 2015

For more information contact Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440.

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will make an appearance in the National Council of Provinces in Parliament, in Cape Town tomorrow, Wednesday 17 June where he will field questions from members of the NCOP on a number of matters of national interest. In this regard, questions on the official order paper include among others:

 1. Whether the Government has established any processes or mechanisms to assess the responsiveness of our democratic institutions, policy   and legislative framework to the new demands placed on democratic State?

2. Whether our nation is making progress in addressing the historical injustices of apartheid and social exclusion?

3. Whether the available information points to progress in realising the ideals of our Vision 2030 as espoused in our National Development Plan, especially the elimination of poverty, reduction of inequality and building a cohesive society?                             

4. Whether there are any indications that South Africa is aligning the Provincial Growth and Development Strategies with the National Development Plan?

4. (b) Whether such a support network also involves dealing with the psychological effects of living with HIV/Aids?  

5. Whether all Ministers and Premiers have complied with the cost-cutting measures as announced by the Minister of Finance in his 2013 mid-term budget speech?                                                                                            

6. Whether there is evidence that the Employment Tax Incentive has resulted in the creation of new job opportunities for young job seekers?              

7. Why has the Government maintained an apartheid practice such as labour brokerage that materially contribute to wage inequalities?

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Cape Town - The Presidency rejects malicious media suggestions that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa evaded answering questions in the NCOP on Wednesday 17 June 2015 on the recent attendance of the African Union Summit by Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir.

When the matter of President Al Bashir was raised during question time, NCOP Chairperson Ms Thandi Modise ruled that the matter was still before the courts and that an investigation was underway into the circumstances of President Al Bashir’s departure from South Africa. The   Chairperson ruled that the question could therefore not be put to Deputy President Ramaphosa.

Following this ruling, there was no expectation for Deputy President Ramaphosa to deal with the matter any further. Accordingly, suggestions in some media that Deputy President had ‘’evaded” or “dodged’’ answering questions on President Al Bashir are baseless, malicious, misleading. It is hard to understand that some sections of the media could blatantly misrepresent a straightforward ruling by the presiding officer in an open session of Parliament. Media owe it to the public to tell the truth.

Deputy President Ramaphosa comprehensively responded to all questions on the official order paper of the day, including follow up questions allowed in terms of rules and procedures of the NCOP.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver an opening address at the Nedlac Summit tomorrow, Saturday, 20 June 2015 at 9h00 at the Gallagher Estate, Midrand.

President Jacob Zuma has tasked Deputy President Ramaphosa with the responsibility to convene social partner’s dialogue, within the ambit of NEDLAC to deliberate on national minimum wage, wage inequality and the violent nature and duration of labour strikes.

Nedlac is a forum that brings together social partners from government, labour, business and communities in developing effective policies to promote economic growth and increase participation in economic decision making and social equity in South Africa.

Media are invited as follows:

Time of address by Deputy President: 09h00 (members of the media to arrive at 8h30)

Venue: Gallagher Estate, Midrand.

Date: Saturday, 20 June 2015

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853 or Tyrone Seale 083 575 7440

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

In view of claims made by Economic Freedom Fighters MPs in the National Assembly against Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today, Wednesday 24 June 2015, the Presidency wishes to reiterate the following:

- It is a matter of public knowledge that the Deputy President Ramaphosa has divested from Shanduka Group and holds no mining interests.

- Deputy President Ramaphosa’s divestment, announced in November 2014, is the result of a process that he initiated to remove the potential for any conflicts of interest.

- Deputy President Ramaphosa was assigned by Cabinet in December 2014 to lead the Eskom war room, which is focused solely on the implementation of government’s five point plan to address the current electricity constraints facing the country and does not stand to benefit personally from these processes

The Presidency calls on the EFF to have the courage of its conviction to substantiate their claims or withdraw them.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria