It is with profound shock and sadness that President Ramaphosa has learnt of the passing of the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa, who tragically lost her life in a motor vehicle accident yesterday, Friday 13 September 2019 on the N1 from Polokwane.

President Ramaphosa has expressed his most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Deputy Minister Hlongwa, as well as the stakeholders in business, labour and community with whom she engaged in the mining sector.

The President has also expressed his condolences to the families of the four people who died with the Deputy Minister on scene while attempting to  assist the passengers involved in another incident.

“The death of Deputy Minister Hlongwa is a devastating, untimely loss of a talented young leader who, alongside Minister Gwede Mantashe, was playing an important and dynamic role in an important sector of our economy,” said President Ramaphosa.

Ms Hlongwa was appointed as Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy with effect from 30 May 2019. Prior to her appointment she served as Executive Deputy Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency.

She studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Howard College where she obtained her Bachelors of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. She started her career at Shell Downstream SA.

Deputy Minister Hlongwa will be honoured with an Official Funeral Category 2 in line with government’s State, Official and Provincial Funeral Policy. The President has further directed that the national flag shall fly at half-mast at every flag station in the country until the Deputy Minister is laid to rest.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Ramaphosa will tomorrow, 16 September 2019, participate in a dialogue on femicide, gender based violence and the killing of people with Albinism in Lusikisiki in OR Tambo district municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. 
 
At the dialogue, the President is expected to provide an update on the work that has been done to date on the implementation of the Declaration emanating from Presidential Summit on Gender Based Violence and Femicide held last year. 
 
Lusikisiki was chosen as because of the high prevalence of gender based violence cases reported and high cases of the practice of ukuthwala and teenage pregnancy.
 
The dialogue is also part of work in progress towards the establishment of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Council and a National Strategic Plan. 
 
While in the district, President Ramaphosa will also official launch the first pilot site of the district-based coordinated model dubbed “Khawuleza”.
 
Media details:
 
Presidential dialogue on femicide, gender-based violence and killing of persons with albinism
 
Date: Monday, 16 September 2019
Time: 15h00 (members of the media to arrive at 14h00)
Venue: Lusikisiki College of Education
RSVP: terrence@presidency.gov.za (by 10h00 on Monday, 16 September 2019)
 
Official launch of the district-based coordination model – Khawuleza
 
Date: Tuesday, 17 September 2019
Time: 11h00 (members of the media to arrive at 10h00)
Venue: Zalu Hill Sport field, Ingquza Hill Local Municipality
RSVP: Takalani Mukwevho – Takalanim@gcis.gov.za and Ndyebo Kopo – ndyebok@gcis.gov.za 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

A team of Special Envoys appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa have begun their assignment yesterday, 14 September 2019, and departed South Africa to deliver messages of solidarity to several Heads of State and Government across Africa. 
 
The team, comprising of Mr Jeff Radebe, Ambassador Kingsley Mmabolo and Dr. Khulu Mbatha, will visit Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.   
 
The Special Envoys will deliver a message from President Ramaphosa regarding the incidents of violence that recently erupted in some parts South Africa,  which have manifested in attacks on foreign nationals and destruction of property. 
 
The Special Envoys are tasked with reassuring fellow African countries that South Africa is committed to the ideals of pan-African unity and solidarity. The Special Envoys will also reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law.
 
The Special Envoys will brief governments in the identified African countries about the steps that the South African government is taking to bring a stop to the attacks and to hold the perpetrators to account. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution, read with Section 19 of the Defence Act, extended the employment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in crime-affected parts of the Western Cape until 31 March 2020.

The extension comes into effect today, Monday 16 September 2019.

Members of the regular and reserve forces of the SANDF will undertake operations in cooperation with the police, and will support the prevention and combating of crime and maintenance and preservation of law and order in the Western Cape.

The President has, in compliance with the Constitution, informed the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thandi Modise, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Amos Masondo, of the extended deployment of armed forces.

President Ramaphosa authorised the original employment of the SANDF in July 2019 for a two-month period ending today, 16 September.

The President commends all the law enforcement agencies for the work done thus far and further extends his appreciation to the affected communities for supporting the work of the various security and law enforcement agencies in stamping out criminality and bringing about stability in the affected areas of the province. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces to focus the attention of elected public representatives and the nation at large on the crisis of gender-based violence and femicide.

The President has in terms of Section 84(2)(d) of the Constitution, read with Rule 7(1)(b) of the Joint Rules of Parliament called for a Joint Sitting of Parliament for Wednesday, 18 September 2019.

The Constitution empowers the President to summon Parliament to an extraordinary sitting to conduct special business.

In a letter to Parliament dated Thursday, 12 September 2019, President Ramaphosa provided the following motivation for his call: “In the last two weeks  South Africa’s approach to violence perpetrated against women has changed fundamentally.

“We all have the responsibility to ensure that these events become the turning point in our fight against gender-based violence.”

President Ramaphosa recently engaged with protesters at Parliament where the President gave women the assurance that government will intensify action against men who kill women and commit various forms of abuse. 

The march to Parliament took place amid a spate of deadly attacks on women and girls in various parts of the country. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy at the funeral service tomorrow, Saturday 21 September 2019, of the late Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa.

The service will be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Center (ICC) in Durban at 08h00.

The Deputy Minister lost her life in a traffic incident on the N1 highway while travelling from Limpopo to Gauteng on Friday, 13 September 2019.

Ms Hlongwa was appointed Deputy  Minister with effect from 30 May 2019. She previously served as the Executive Deputy Chairperson of the Board of  the National Youth Development Agency.

In honour of her contribution to society, the President has declared an Official Funeral Category 2 in line with government’s State, Official and Provincial Funeral Policy. The national flag will fly at half-mast at all flag stations until the Deputy Minister is laid to rest.

The funeral service is open to members of the public.

Details of the funeral service are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 21 September 2019
Time: 08:00
Venue: Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Durban

Details for media accreditation are as follows:

Date: Friday, 20 September 2019
Time: 08:00 - 19:00
Venue: Durban City Hall

Media accreditation enquiries: Ishmael Selemale 072 637 7665 or Tsakane Khambane 082 084 5566


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on National Heritage Day, Tuesday 24 September 2019, lead the nation in celebrating the rich array of cultural communities and assets, natural wonders and religious communities that constitute South Africa’s diversity.

The 2019 National Heritage Day celebrations will be hosted by the Northern Cape Province in Upington under the theme “Celebrating South Africa’s literacy classics in the year of indigenous languages”. 

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages. Twenty-five years after South Africa’s  transition to democracy, the Bill of Rights in the Constitution guarantees freedom of linguistic, cultural and religious association as part of promoting and  maintaining social solidarity and cohesion.

The President will on the morning of the National Heritage Day celebrations officially open the Sandile Present Community Library ahead of addressing the nation at the Mxolisi Jacobs Stadium.

At the Sandile Present Community Library, the President’s Reading Circle, which encourages all citizens to become enthusiastic readers, will host a session in which President Ramaphosa and learners will read in an indigenous language. This session will be led by Ms Katrina Esau, affectionately referred to as Ouma Geelmeid, a recipient of the 2014 National Order Baobab in Silver for her work in heritage preservation.

This activity is primarily aimed at showcasing and appreciating South Africa’s rich literary heritage which must be preserved and sustained for generations to come. 

The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has since the beginning of September collaborated with the National Library of South Africa and the Publishers Association of South Africa to produce a volume of works written in African languages entitled “Writing in Nine Tongues: A catalogue of Literature and Readers in Nine African Languages for South Africa.”

The catalogue showcases more than 4 000 titles in nine African languages isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho, Sepedi, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga written in different genres. 

The National Heritage Day media programme will be as follows:

Part A 
Date: 24 September 2019 
Time: 09:00
Venue: Sandile Present Community Library, Carlton Street , Upington , Northern Cape Province

Part B 
Date: 24 September 2019 
Time: 11:00 
Venue: Mxolisi Jacobs Stadium, Upington , Northern Cape Province 

NB: Only accredited media will be allowed entry at the official opening of the Upington Library 

Members of the media should send their details including ID/passport number not later than 23 September 2019 at 12h00 to Khutjo Sebata on khutjos@gmail.com or 079 898 4621. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa received former President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for a courtesy call today, Thursday 26 September 2019.

After a successful launch of the book, “Democracy Works: Rewiring Politics to Africa's Advantage”, President Obasanjo, who is a co-author of the book, presented a copy to President Ramaphosa today.

The book is authored by Greg Mills of the Brenthurst Foundation in South Africa; President Obasanjo; Jeffrey Herbst, a celebrated Africanist, and Tendai Biti, former Finance Minister of Zimbabwe.

President Ramaphosa thanked the former President for working hard and still having the energy to write and contribute to current debates about the development of Africa.

The two leaders also used the opportunity to reflect on recent events in South Africa. In the meeting, the leaders engaged on misconceptions created about the situation in South Africa that gave the impression that Nigerian nationals in particular had been victimised. No loss of life was reported among Nigerian nationals in South Africa during this period.

Former President Obasanjo expressed his sincere appreciation of President Ramaphosa’s recent appointment of a team of Special Envoys who have in the past few days visited a number of fellow African states to deliver a message from the President regarding the incidents of violence.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has warmly acknowledged the Universal Health Care Award given to the President by the New York-based non- governmental organisation, The Access Challenge, in recognition of his leadership in moving the country towards universal health coverage for   all South Africans.

Led by former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Access Challenge works with national leaders to advocate for equal access to health care and education for the world’s most under-served populations.

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize received the award on behalf of President Ramaphosa on Monday, 23 September 2019 in New York, where the Minister  was part of the South African delegation to the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The recognition of South Africa’s plan to achieve universal health coverage enabled by National Health Insurance (NHI) coincided with the adoption by the United Nations of the UN Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage, or UHC, which commits countries to advance towards full coverage for their citizens in four major areas around primary care.

President Ramaphosa says the recognition by The Access Challenge will serve as further motivation for government to continue working with all sectors of society to achieve universal health coverage in line with the vision of the National Development Plan (NDP).

The President says: “This award is both a personal and collective honour shared by the social partners in South Africa who are united in our effort to build a healthy nation in which all citizens have access to health care and services regardless of their ability to pay for such services. This is a critical part of eradicating inequality in our society and building the South Africa we want.”


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, 26 September 2019, held an engagement with several business leaders on accelerating the pace of reforms to build business confidence, enhance investment and grow the economy faster.

The meeting attended by the leadership of South Africa’s major banks and representatives from business bodies was held at the request of business.

Business leaders wish to support several broader initiatives, including the regular engagement at Nedlac to address the employment crisis in the  country. 

The President has committed to hold similar engagements with other social partners including organised labour. 

Today’s meeting acknowledged the work done by government to date to, among others, rebuild and strengthen state institutions including the South African Revenue Service and National Prosecuting Authority, as well as interventions in several state-owned companies.

The meeting further considered progress on the implementation of much-needed reforms for faster economic growth, including the restructuring of Eskom, the release of spectrum, digital migration and a comprehensive review of the country’s visa regime.

The President welcomed the engagement, saying the challenges confronting the country require a collaborative approach underpinned by a strong social compact between all social partners.

The President has further agreed on the need to fast-track the short-term reforms announced in, among others, the economic recovery and stimulus plan. He has also reaffirmed government’s commitment to reduce regulatory impediments to investment and growth. 

To this end, the President highlighted work done by government to enhance policy certainty in key areas, including through the publication of a revised mining charter, and a directive on the release of spectrum.

The President has lauded significant progress made to South Africa’s visa regime which is already yielding successes including positive growth in forward bookings from Ghana, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, among other source markets.

In a different sector, the Development Bank of Southern Africa is at an advanced stage in the establishment of the Infrastructure Fund Implementation Unit that will drive operationalisation of the Infrastructure Fund announced by the President.

This Unit is in the process of finalising a pipeline of initial projects that will be presented at the South Africa Investment Conference in November.

The President will shortly announce also the establishment three Presidential Advisory Councils focusing on Economic Growth, Investment Promotion and State-Owned Enterprises.

The Advisory Councils will bring together diverse local and international expertise from government, business, labour, academia and civil society to further generate and guide implementation of substantive and practical interventions for faster economic growth and job creation.

The Councils will also drive the process of rebuilding the governance capacity in several state-owned companies. The Advisory Councils will contribute to building a capable state, as demanded by the National Development Plan, through a transfer of skills and improvement on economic policy formulation and implementation.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria