President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned violence against foreign nationals in South Africa and called on law enforcement agencies and law- abiding citizens to identify perpetrators and bring them to book.

The President has therefore welcomed today’s engagement between Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu and Minister of Police Bheki Cele, and the African diplomatic community in South Africa.

Today’s meeting has been convened to discuss the current spate of violence against foreign nationals and their properties.

President Ramaphosa says there can be no justification for criminality and that if communities are disaffected for any reason, grievances must be raised  with government and must be done within the confines of the law.

President Ramaphosa says recent violence against Malawian and other nationals in KwaZulu-Natal is particularly regrettable on the eve of Freedom Month which in 2019 celebrates 25 years of freedom.

“As South Africans, we owe our freedom to the solidarity and support given to our liberation struggle by people across our Continent and around the world.

“Today, our economy and society benefits from our extensive trade and investment relations with partners on our continent and many of our continental compatriots live in South Africa where they are making important contributions to the development of our country.

“African development depends on the increased movement of people, goods and services between different countries for all of us to benefit. We will not allow criminals to set back these processes.”


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Parys - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, 11 January 2017, visit Phehellang Secondary School, in Parys, Fezile Dabi District, Free State, as part of the 2017 School Re-Opening Program.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will be visiting Phehellang Secondary School – which attained 100% pass rate for two year in the running. The school is located in the Free State province – a province that has attained a pass rate of 93.2% matric pass rate in the 2016 academic year.

The performance of Phehellang Secondary School in the past few years is truly remarkable considering the fact that as far back as 2009 the pass rate was only 47.2%.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, the Premier of Free State, Ace Magashule and Free State Education MEC, Tate Makgoe and senior government officials.

Media is invited to cover as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Time: 07H00
Venue: Phehellang Secondary School, Parys, Fezile Dabi District, Free State


For enquiries and accreditation please contact Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa (082 611 7498)

The Presidency
Pretoria

Parys - “You are the future of South Africa,” Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa told learners at the Phehellang Secondary School in Parys, Free State on the first day of the 2017 school year.

The school is one of the best performing in the country, having achieved a 100% matric pass rate in the last two years.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa congratulated the principal, teachers, parents and learners of Phehellang Secondary for achieving consistently outstanding results.
 
The school is located in the Free State, which attained a 93.2% matric pass rate in the 2016 academic year, the highest in the country.
 
The Deputy President commended Free State Premier Ace Magashule and MEC for Education Tate Makgoe on the excellent performance of the province in the face of significant challenges.
 
He said Phehellang Secondary had proven to the nation that they could do what many considered impossible.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa urged the learners to work hard and believe in themselves.
 
“Education is the one thing that improves your lives and your family. It is the one thing that can give you a better life, a better career and a better future,” he said.
 
He urged learners to develop the habit of reading.
 
“Make books your friends. By reading you will always find new knowledge,” he said.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa said progress in education was only possible through effective collaboration between all stakeholders.
 
Phehellang is one of over 200 schools in the Fezile Dabi and Motheo districts in the Free State that are part of the Kagiso Shanduka Trust programme, a partnership between the private sector and the Free State Department of Education to improve schools mainly in townships and rural areas.
 
Phehellang has benefited from this programme through curriculum support, leadership development and ongoing infrastructure provision in the form of a library, a life sciences building and ablution facilities.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa said the school’s teachers were going the extra mile to achieve good results.
 
“Your teachers are doing phenomenal work,” he said.
 
He said Government is dedicating a lot of resources and effort to improve access to quality education.
 
“The entire government of the Republic of South Africa is working to ensure you have a great future,” he told learners.

 
Issued by The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the South African delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland on 17- 20 January 2017.

The World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting brings together world leaders from business, government, international organizations, academia and civil society in Davos to discuss the global economy.

This year, over 2 700 leaders in the public and private sectors will meet under the theme Responsive and Responsible Leadership”.

WEF Davos 2017 takes place in a challenging global environment for both governments and business in which global events in 2016 have highlighted that the more complex a system, the greater a community's concern about its future.

South Africa will once again use the opportunity to market the country as being open for business and partnerships for development in various sessions and interactions with global business. Team South Africa includes Ministers, a large business delegation and representatives of labour, taking forward the spirit of cooperation to promote inclusive growth.

From government, Deputy President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan; Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Jeff Radebe; Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies; Minister of Economic Development, Mr Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sihle Zikalala. South Africa will host the WEF Africa meeting in Durban in May this year.

Enquiries: Mr Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Davos - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today Monday 16 January arrived in Davos, Switzerland to lead, on behalf of President Jacob Zuma, a high-level government, business and labour delegation to the 2017 World Economic Forum Annual meeting scheduled from Tuesday-Friday 17-20 January 2017.

Organised under the theme “Responsive and Responsible Leadership”, this year’s World Economic Forum is taking place against the background of a challenging global environment is expected to attract over 2700 world leaders in the public and private sectors to discuss the global economy. 

The programme for the 2017 World Economic Forum annual event has been organised around five areas which have been identified as in need of urgent responsive and responsible leadership namely: Preparing for the fourth industrial revolution; Strengthening systems for global collaboration; Revitalising the global economy; Reforming market capitalism and addressing identity through positive narratives.

The South African Team under the leadership of Deputy President Ramaphosa will utilise the opportunity presented by the World Economic Forum to communicate the message that South Africa remains open for business and highlight the work that the government working together with business and labour is doing to:
 
•  Implement economic transformation and the reform agenda
•  Make progress towards achieving inclusive growth and employment
•  Restoring investor confidence
•  Achievement of supportive business confidence
•  And refine government spending efficiency
 
During the proceedings of the World Economic Forum, Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to participate in five sessions including: Building a new water economy, Operationalising the sustainable Development Goals-unlocking the power of public-private co-operation, Africa’s Road to Prosperity, Gathering of World Economic Leaders on Responsive and Responsible leadership in a multi-polar world, African Regional Strategy Group, High-level panel on water, Global Goals-the road to 2030.
 
The Deputy President will also participate in Business Interaction Group on South Africa aimed at deepening the process of interaction between South African policy-makers and leading multinational businesses from the perspective of advancing national growth and well-being. Panelists for this session will include Ministers Rob Davies, Pravin Gordhan, Ebrahim Patel and Jeff Radebe.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa’s government delegation includes the Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan; Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Jeff Radebe; Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies; Minister of Economic Development, Mr Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sihle Zikalala. 
 
South Africa is poised to host in May this year the WEF Africa meeting in Durban.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Davos- Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday concluded his productive visit to Davos with his participation in the World Economic  Forum (WEF) session: Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders on Responsible and Responsive Leadership in a multipolar world attended by among others UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and WEF founder Klaus Schwab.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa was leading a 56-person top level government, business and labour delegation to the 2017 World Economic Forum held in Switzerland under the theme Responsive and Responsible Leadership.
 
The delegation included government Ministers Pravin Gordhan, Jeff Radebe, Rob Davies, Ebrahim Patel, Nomvula Mokonyane and KZN MEC Sihle Zikalala, Labour leader Dennis George and business leaders including Jabu Mabuza, Patrice Motsepe, state owned enterprise executives from among others the IDC and PIC Geoff Qhena and Dan Matjila, respectively.
 
Flying the flag of South Africa hard at work, Deputy President Ramaphosa and the South African Team conveyed  to the international community South Africa’s openness to business while stressing its status as a preferred destination for investment. In this context and acting in unison the delegation highlighted that:
 
· South Africa remains focused on pursuing a path to faster, inclusive and job-creating economic growth.
· Government, business and labour have made significant progress in pursuing economic reforms.
· South Africa’s strong institutions, stable macroeconomic environment, developed financial markets and strategic position provide a solid platform for stronger growth.
· SA remains committed to strong fiscal discipline.
· SA is taking steps to strengthen policy certainty.
· Government is working to achieve a more supportive business environment, including through Invest SA and incentive programmes.
· Government has prioritised energy security.
· Massive infrastructure investment will continue to bolster domestic demand and productive capacity.
 
During the visit, Deputy President participated in a number of WEF sessions including: Powering Africa; Operationalisation of the Sustainable Development Goals; Coalition for African Research and Innovation and the Business Interaction Group on South Africa.
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa returned to South Africa today, Friday 20 January 2017.

 
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
 
The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Tuesday, 24 January 2017, attend the Annual Nedlac Organised Labour School at   Roodevallei Hotel and Conference  in Kameeldrift East, Pretoria.

Media is invited as follows:

Time: Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will speak at 13h30
Venue: Plot 81, Zeekoeigat, Kammeldrift East, Pretoria
Date: Tuesday, 24 January 2017


For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa: 082 990 4853.

Issued by: The Presidency

President Cyril Ramaphosa concluded a working visit today, Tuesday 02 April 2019, to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea where he held talks with his counterpart, His Excellency Obiang Nguema Mbasongo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
 
President Ramaphosa was accompanied by a delegation comprising of Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms Lindiwe Sisulu and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula as well as senior officials.
 
The visit provided an opportunity for President Ramaphosa and President Nguema to strengthen political, diplomatic and economic relations between  their two countries, in pursuance of the objective to promote peace, security and sustainable development in Africa and the world.
 
They further agreed on the need to strengthen South-South cooperation and inter-African cooperation in particular.
 
South Africa and Equatorial Guinea enjoy cordial relations that were formally established in 1993. The two countries have entered into a number of bilateral cooperation agreements, including a General Cooperation Agreement and two agreements on defence cooperation. The two countries are also formulating draft agreements to enhance cooperation in education and energy.
 
During the visit the Heads of State participated in a bilateral meeting and witnessed the signing of the Rules of Procedure for a Joint Permanent Commission.
 
South Africa and  Equatorial Guinea  serve as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and have committed themselves to work together to champion Africa’s quest for peace and stability in line with the collective vision encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063.
 
President Ramaphosa has expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality he and his delegation received from President Obiang Nguema Mbasongo and the people of Equatorial Guinea.
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President - +27 72 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Pretoria- Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Wednesday 01 February 2016, host his Cuban counterpart, Vice President of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba Salvador Valdes Mesa for bilateral political, economic and trade discussions at the OR Tambo House, Bryntirion Estates in Pretoria. Vice President Mesa is on a working visit to South Africa which will include paying a courtesy call on President Jacob Zuma and visit Cuban doctors currently working in one of Gauteng’s hospitals.


Cuba has become an established strategic partner for South Africa in the Latin American region and in multilateral fora. The past 22 years   of diplomatic relations have experienced a robust and constructive interaction at both bilateral and multilateral level. Both countries enjoy strong support from each other in multilateral fora. In this regard South Africa has consistently voted for the lifting of the US-imposed economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba. During President Jacob Zuma’s state visit to Cuba, on 6-8 December 2010, the President announced that South Africa would offer Cuba an Economic Assistance Package of R350 million to assist with agricultural development projects as well as reconstruction of infrastructure following the damage by hurricanes in 2008.


Deputy President Ramaphosa undertook a successful working visit to Cuba, hosted by First Deputy President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, from 22 – 26 October 2015. Fruitful discussions with various Cuban interlocutors, including with President Raul Castro, underlined the strategic bilateral political and economic relations between the two countries.


To date the two countries have signed  over 30 bilateral agreements comprising vast areas of cooperation in education, defence, science and technology, agriculture, health services, infra-structure development, housing, water and sanitation, health cooperation, human settlements technical exchange, water resource management and water supply and public works technical assistance.


Under the auspices of the 2012 Agreement, 2903 South African students, including the 80 students on the scholarship programme, are currently receiving medical training in Cuba. So far, 520 South Africans from disadvantaged backgrounds have graduated as medical doctors, providing much needed primary healthcare services to their local communities. 34 Cuban engineers are currently working in South Africa under the auspices of the SA/Cuba Agreement on Cooperation in the fields of Water Resource Management and Water Supply, signed on 09 September 2013.
 
Media is invited as follows:
 
Date: Wednesday, 01 February 2017
Time: 18H00
Venue: OR Tambo House, Bryntirion Estate, Pretoria (enter through gate 10 on Nassau and Dumbarton streets off Stanza Bopape Street)
 
 
Enquiries: Terrence Manase at 082 338 6707 or Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Cape Town - Please be advised that the signing of agreements on labour stability and a national minimum wage, which was due to take place at the Business Investors Luncheon later today, Tuesday 7 February 2017, has been postponed until further notice.

The postponement follows a request from COSATU to be given time to provide a full report to its Central Executive Committee.
 
Further announcements will be made in due course.
 
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria