Pretoria - The Presidency has been inundated with media queries from several media houses with regard to a statement made by ANC Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was in Lesotho last week when Mr David Van Rooyen was initially sworn in as Minister of Finance.

The Presidency wishes to state that on the day of the swearing in of Mr Van Rooyen as Minister of Finance, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa  was in consultation with a delegation from the office of the Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi regarding preparations for an urgent visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

These consultations followed a decision of the SADC Organ Troika held on the margins of the China-Africa Summit held at the Sandton Convention Centre which decided that the Deputy President in his capacity as Facilitator should visit Lesotho as a matter of urgency. The purpose of the visit was to convey SADC’’s concerns regarding a court case that had been brought against the SADC Commission of Inquiry by a Lesotho citizen. As a result of those consultations the visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho went ahead on 16 December 2015.

The Presidency further wishes to state that Deputy President Ramaphosa was involved in all consultations with President Jacob Zuma and all other stakeholders regarding the appointment of Mr David Van Rooyen. In this context and as stated by the ANC, Deputy President Ramaphosa led on behalf of ANC officials the briefing to the ruling party’s National Working Committee outlining the process that led to the reappointment of Pravin Gordhan as Minister of Finance.

The Presidency is of the view that any other suggestion from the stated facts is nothing but an attempt to create suspicion, sow divisions and mistrust the highest echelons of government. Deputy President Ramaphosa was and remains part of the government collective that sought to stabilise the ministry of finance.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the passing away of jazz performer, composer and recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga, Mama Dorothy Masuka at the age of 83, is a significant loss to the cultural heritage of South Africa and the continent.

Dorothy Masuka passed away on Saturday, 23 February 2019 after more than 50 years of being feted globally as an artist whose performances also directed the spotlight at the injustices of apartheid.

President Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to Mama Dorothy’s family and friends in South Africa and elsewhere.

Ms Masuka was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for excellent achievement in and contribution to music composition and performance.

Born in Zimbabwe in 1935, Ms Masuka moved to South Africa with her family when she was aged 12 and needed treatment for health issues.

She started out as a performer at the age of 16 and developed into an accomplished songwriter and internationally acclaimed artist in the course of half a century.

Her music challenged the apartheid state and she was outspoken offstage on a range of social and political issues in South Africa and around the continent.

Paying tribute to the late artist, President Ramaphosa said: “Another golden voice in the chorus line of our nation has been silenced with the passing of Mama Dorothy Masuka.

“She belonged to a generation of artists who transcended boundaries in art and politics long before we coined the concept of globalisation.

“Mama Dorothy was part of a cohort of performers – notably women - who were driven by wanting to create a better society and a better world.

“Mama Dorothy’s voice and poetry took us on stirring, uplifting and agitating journeys through the human experience.

“While the spotlight of stages all around the world were trained in her, she shone a light on the joys and struggles of life across the lines of race, class and nationality that were so starkly entrenched in the world and era in which she first emerged as an artistic force.”

President Ramaphosa called on South Africans to celebrate Mama Dorothy’s life and legacy and to emulate the resilience with which she conducted her life and career into the advanced years of her life.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of Section (2)(1) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, established a Special Tribunal.
 
The establishment of this Special Tribunal is occasioned by the need to fast-track the finalisation of matters that the SIU refers for civil litigation following conclusion of their investigations. These are matters where the SIU would have referred to civil litigation contracts entered into by state   institutions to be declared irregularly invalid or set aside.
 
Fast-tracking these matters through the Special Tribunal will enable the SIU to recover monies and or assets lost by state institutions through irregular  and corrupt means; thus ensuring that those who are responsible for the loss of monies and or assets by state institutions are held accountable. The  litigation process includes both public and private sectors persons and entities.
 
The powers and functions of the Special Tribunal are to adjudicate upon any civil proceedings brought before it by a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in its own name or on behalf of a state institution or any interested party as defined by the regulations, emanating from the investigation by such SIU. Such civil proceedings will be based on the outcomes from the investigations by SIU.
 
The President has, in terms of Section 7 (2) and (5) of the Special Tribunals Act, 1996 (Act No.74 of 1996)(hereinafter referred to as “The Act”) appointed Judge Gidfonia Mlindelwa Makhanya, as the President of the Tribunal for a period of 3 years.
 
President Ramaphosa has also appointed the following judges as additional members, in terms of Section 7 (3)(a) of the Act:
 
1. Judge Icantharuby Pillay
2. Judge Johannes Eksteen
3. Judge Selewe Peter Mothle
4. Judge Lebogang Modiba
5. Judge Thina Siwendu
6. Judge David van Zyl and
7. Judge Sirajudien Desai
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the passing away of jazz performer, composer and recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga, Mama Dorothy Masuka at the age of 83, is a significant loss to the cultural heritage of South Africa and the continent.

Dorothy Masuka passed away on Saturday, 23 February 2019 after more than 50 years of being feted globally as an artist whose performances also directed the spotlight at the injustices of apartheid.

President Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to Mama Dorothy’s family and friends in South Africa and elsewhere.

Ms Masuka was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for excellent achievement in and contribution to music composition and performance.

Born in Zimbabwe in 1935, Ms Masuka moved to South Africa with her family when she was aged 12 and needed treatment for health issues.

She started out as a performer at the age of 16 and developed into an accomplished songwriter and internationally acclaimed artist in the course of half a century.

Her music challenged the apartheid state and she was outspoken offstage on a range of social and political issues in South Africa and around the continent.

Paying tribute to the late artist, President Ramaphosa said: “Another golden voice in the chorus line of our nation has been silenced with the passing of Mama Dorothy Masuka.

“She belonged to a generation of artists who transcended boundaries in art and politics long before we coined the concept of globalisation.

“Mama Dorothy was part of a cohort of performers – notably women - who were driven by wanting to create a better society and a better world.

“Mama Dorothy’s voice and poetry took us on stirring, uplifting and agitating journeys through the human experience.

“While the spotlight of stages all around the world were trained in her, she shone a light on the joys and struggles of life across the lines of race, class and nationality that were so starkly entrenched in the world and era in which she first emerged as an artistic force.”

President Ramaphosa called on South Africans to celebrate Mama Dorothy’s life and legacy and to emulate the resilience with which she conducted her life and career into the advanced years of her life.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Tuesday, 26 February 2019, chair a meeting of the Presidential Working Group on Disability at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
 
In his recent Reply to the Debate on the State of the Nation Address President Ramaphosa said government’s Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for the years 2020-2025 should mainstream   the empowerment and support to people with disability across all government departments and   programmes.
 
The President said the MTSF should be accompanied by an integrated information system that is able to track performance against targets and every state organ should be reporting substantively on the inclusion of people with disability within their respective mandates.
 
The President assured the joint sitting of Parliament that government was working to ensure that people living with disabilities had equitable access to education, health services, employment, social security and all the opportunities that come with living in a democracy.
 
President Ramaphosa has characterised the meeting with the Presidential Working Group on Disability as a valuable opportunity for dialogue between government and a section of society that for too long has not been able to fully realise the promise of our Constitution.
 
Media are invited to cover the President’s opening remarks at the session. A statement will be issued later on the outcomes of the meeting.
 
Details of the meeting as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 26 February 2019
Time: 09:00 (Media to arrive at 08:00)
Venue: Union Buildings, Pretoria
 
Media who would like to cover the media opportunity are requested to liaise with Khutjo Sebata and rsvp on khutjo@presidency.gov.za /079 898 4621 with full details of ID/Passport Number, Media House and designation by no later than 16h00 on 25 February 2019.
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa is saddened by the loss of life that has resulted from a three-vehicle collision on the R573 Moloto Road at Kameeldrift  near Pretoria on Monday, 25 February 2019.

A sixth victim of the incident which involved a Putco bus, an armoured vehicle and a multi-passenger vehicle passed away in hospital today, Tuesday 26 February 2019.

At least 25 people – most of them bus passengers – were taken to hospital after yesterday’s incident.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and colleagues of our fellow citizens who perished in this tragedy,” said President Ramaphosa, who also wished survivors of the incident a speedy recovery.

“This tragic incident reminds us of the fragility of life and reminds us why it is necessary for all of us to be patient and considerate as we use and share our roads. A few seconds of consideration can prevent a lifetime of trauma and loss.”

 
Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed government to joining the disability sector of South Africa on a journey towards the full empowerment of people with disabilities.

The President gave this commitment at the end of a meeting of the Presidential Working Group on Disability in Pretoria today, Tuesday 26 February 2019. This was the first Presidential Working Group to meet following the State of the Nation Address which the President delivered to a joint sitting   of Parliament on Thursday, 7 February.

In addition, the President committed government departments to the inclusion of people with disabilities within their respective mandates and called for similar commitment on the part of the private sector.

President Ramaphosa was joined at the meeting by Minister of Transport, Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Adv Michael Masutha, Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Henrietta Bogopane-Zulu and Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration Dr Chana Pilane-Majake. Several Directors-General attended as well.
 
Disability sector organisations represented at today’s meeting included Action in Autism, Epilepsy South Africa, the Association of Hearing Loss Accessibility and Development; Disability Workshop Development Enterprise; Deaf Federation of South Africa; Africa Disability Alliance; the Black Management Forum; the Albinism Society of South Africa; the Paralympic Committee; Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) South Africa; Down Syndrome South Africa; Disabled People South Africa.

Other stakeholders were: Albinism Society of South Africa; Institute for the Promotion of Disabled Manpower; Disabled Children Action Group; South African Federation for Mental Health; Kgalagadi People with Disabilities; Disabled Women South Africa; Disability Empowerment Concerns Trust; Disability Association for South African National Military Veterans; Deaf Empowerment Firm; BlindSA; the South African Deaf Youth Development Project; the National Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy; the SA National Association of Blind and Partially Sighted Persons; disability veteran Ms Washiela Sait; QuadPara Association of South Africa; Global Mental Health Peer Review Network, and the South Africa Disability Development Trust.

Disability sector delegates highlighted five overarching goals for the attention and action of the Presidential Working Group on Disability.

These are:

• Location of government’s Office of Disability within the Presidency as part of the reconfiguration of government;
• The adoption of South African Sign Language as the 12th official language;
• The domestication of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with the effect that all legislation and the whole of government should mainstream disability;
• The resourcing, from the fiscus and other sources, of programmes that support people with disabilities, and
• Support for vulnerable groups and strengthening of the criminal justice system to end victimisation of people with disability.
 
President Ramaphosa commended the sector on the clarity of depth of the various concerns and proposals tabled at the Working Group.

Among issues raised were local production of assistive devices for people with disabilities; the development of early childhood development facilities for children with disability, and the need for change in societal attitudes to people with albinism and the ending of violence – including murder – against people with albinism.

President Ramaphosa said the Working Group would process the proposals made through a number of technical committees that would be focused on securing implementation of the proposed actions.

 
Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared Wednesday, 8 May 2019, as the date of the election of the National Assembly.

All Premiers have also declared 8 May 2019 as the date of the election of provincial legislatures.

These proclamations have been published in the Government Gazette.

The President has in terms of Section 50(1) of the Constitution dissolved the National Assembly. This follows a National Assembly resolution adopted on   21 February 2019.

The President has also in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act of 1994 declared 8 May 2019 as a public holiday throughout the country.

Employers are advised to note the declaration of 8 May 2019 as a public holiday in order to facilitate voting by staff and to encourage staff to exercise their right to vote.

 
Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday 1 March 2019 officiate the launch in South Africa of the landmark “Future of Work” report of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Global Commission on the Future of Work.
 
President Ramaphosa and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven co-chaired the 27-member Global Commission whose report was launched to the international community by President Ramaphosa at the ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on 22 January 2019.
 
Prime Minister Löfven will attend the South African national launch at Ballito north of Durban on Friday 1 March.
 
President Hage Geingob of the Republic of Namibia, who is Chair of the Southern African Development Community, will also attend the launch which forms part of the ILO’s centenary programme in 2019.
 
The Global Commission had been tasked to identify challenges and make recommendations that will sustain and protect the livelihood of workers around the world amid the proliferation of the fourth industrial revolution, climate change and the changing world.
 
The South African national launch of the report will take place alongside the 45th Session of the African Regional Labour Administration Council from 26-28 February 2019 at the Fairmont Zimbali Lodge in Ballito north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. 
 
The African Regional Labour Administration Council is a gathering of Labour Ministers and other delegates from 19 African countries under the theme “Towards Gender Equality in the Future of Work”. This meeting is aligned to one of the 10 recommendations of the Future of Work report that calls on all ILO member countries to set measurable targets for achieving gender equality.
 
President Ramaphosa will present the Commission’s key recommendations that advocate a human-centred approach to the challenges and opportunities arising from rapid technological and environmental change.
 
In the State of the Nation Address earlier this month, President Ramaphosa outlined five priorities for the government, which included improving the education system and developing the skills that are needed now and into the future.
 
President Ramaphosa further announced on the impending appointment of the Presidential Commission on the 4th Industrial Revolution to harness technological change in pursuit of inclusive growth and social development.
 
Details of the launch of the ILO Future of Work Report are:
Date: 01 March 2019
Time: 07h30
Venue: Fairmont Zimbali Resort, Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal Province
 
Members of the media covering the launch should send their names and ID/Passport numbers by 14h00 on 28 February 2019, to khutjos@gmail.com or 079 898 4621 using the form below.
 
NB: Only accredited media will be allowed to cover the event. Accredited media will be advised on collection of accreditation.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Accreditation form for The Future of Work Report.pdf

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 01 March 2019, address the Black Business Council (BBC) Summit Dinner at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

The BBC is a confederation of professionals, business associations, chambers and corporates with more than two (2) million members. It advocates for national economic transformation through the attainment of meaningful participation by black business in the mainstream economy.

This two (2) days summit which commences on Thursday, 28 February 2019, will be an interaction between government, labour, civil society and business   on matters relating to the country’s economy.  Amongst the issues the summit is expected to discuss is land reform, South Africa’s readiness for the fourth   (4th) Industrial Revolution, comprehensive socio-economic transformation as well as mechanisms to increase the number of new entrants into the   economy thus creating much needed jobs and reducing unemployment.

The President will address the closing of the summit at its Gala Dinner.

Media is invited to cover the President’s address as follows:
Date: Friday, 01 March 2019
Time: 18:00 for 19:00
Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand

Members of the media who would like to cover the Summit Gala Dinner should liaise with Tsakane Khambane on 082 084 5566 or tsakane@presidency.gov.za.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria