We have learned with shock, the sad news of the passing of Percy Mthimkhulu and wish to convey sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Mthimkhulu family on the passing of Percy. 

I have worked with Percy for more than 20 years as my speechwriter and at times, my Spokesperson. Percy was a wonderful and resourceful mandarin.  

Percy distinguished himself from his peers by his unwavering commitment by always going beyond the call of duty. He possessed great wit and was immensely talented in his craft. 

Percy was definitely one of the most prolific speechwriters in both the ANC and government. His ability to use words creatively to tell a story was exceptional. 

He captured audiences and provoked conversations through the many speeches and documents he authored throughout his career. 

His most recent and most memorable outstanding contribution was the drafting of South Africa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan; and the South African Tourism Recovery Plan.

We are grateful to the Mthimkhulu family for lending us their son over the years. His legacy lives on. 

May his daughter Tatyana, sister Jabu, the entire Mthimkhulu family and friends be comforted as we all try to come to terms with this monumental loss. 

May God grant his soul eternal rest! 

Paul Shipokosa Mashatile 
Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Wednesday, 12 April 2023, pay a visit to the Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng to engage local government and monitor progress on the implementation of the commitments made during the Presidential Imbizo of August 2022, by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The visit by Deputy President Mashatile is informed by his delegated responsibility of implementing rapid response interventions on service delivery and trouble-shooting in service delivery hotspots. The Deputy President’s intervention will also be coupled with the coordination of the different spheres of government, to improve the functioning of municipalities under the banner of the District Development Model. 

The aim of the visit is to provide feedback to the residents of the municipality as well as showcase the progress achieved since the Presidential Imbizo.

Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by Minister Angie Motshekga, who is the District Development Model Champion in the Sedibeng District Municipality; Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu, Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms Maropene Ramokgopa; Minister of Cooperative Governance and Administration, Ms Thembi Nkadimeng; Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Obed Bapela, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Administration, Mr Parks Tau, Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation, Mr David Mahlobo and Ms Judith Tshabalala.

The Programme of the visit is as follows:
Wednesday, 12 April 2023
10h00: Oversight Visit to the Vereeniging Intermodal Taxi Facility (Taxido)

11h00: Oversight Visit to Leeuwkuil Waste Water Treatment Works

11h30: Oversight Visit to the Vereeniging Fresh Produce Market

12h00: Oversight Visit to the Vaal River City Interchange

Members of the media who are interested in covering the visit are requested to confirm their attendance with Linah Ledwaba on 066 240 7635.

Media enquiries: Matshepo Seedat 082 6799473

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Paul Mashatile was sworn in as the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa on 7 March 2023. Following that, a transitional period took place involving a handover process, particularly on the delegated responsibilities that the Deputy President would inherit from his predecessor as delegated by the President.

The delegations are:

•  Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, in terms of section 91(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

•  Leading Government effort to fast-track land reform and the coordination of Government programmes to accelerate land reform and agricultural support

•  Implement rapid response interventions on service delivery and trouble-shooting in service delivery hotspots

•  Assisting the President in the roll-out of the District Development Model through effective coordination of the different spheres of government, which will improve the functioning of municipalities and address community concerns

•  Leading the South African National AIDS Council and the country’s integrated response to the challenges facing HIV and AIDS

•  Special envoy on South Sudan and leading peace missions on the continent as required.

•  Leading the Human Resources Development Council of South Africa and fostering collaboration between government and social partners towards addressing the shortage of skills in critical sectors of the economy.

•  Promoting social cohesion initiatives with particular focus on Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, as well as Military Veterans.

•  Chairing the Governance, state capacity, and Institutional development as well as the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cabinet Committees

To achieve these objectives, the Office of the Deputy President supports the Deputy President in his Constitutional responsibility of assisting the President in the execution of the functions of Government. A well-capacitated office with technical skills to achieve the objectives of Government will ensure that the Deputy President is able to effectively fulfil his mandate.

To this end, the Office of the Deputy President wishes to announce key appointments as such:

In terms of the administration of the Office of the Deputy President, Mr Mduduzi Mbada, former Acting Director-General at the Gauteng Provincial Government, will Head the Office of the Deputy President supported by Chief Directors, Ms Melene Rossouw: Personal Support and Advisory Services, Mr Vukani Mde: Spokesperson and Communication, and Ms Lerato Ntsangani: Strategy and Special Projects as retained.

Further, the following individuals will form the advisory team of the Deputy President:

•  Mr Keith Khoza, former Head of Communication in the African National Congress as Political Advisor

•  Mr Mukoni Ratshitanga, former Presidential Spokesperson as International Relations Advisor

•  Dr Tshilidzi Ratshitanga, Specialist on cities and former government Communicator as Strategy and Spatial Transformation Advisor

Deputy President Mashatile has retained two advisors who were advising former Deputy President David Mabuza, namely; Mr Madala Masuku, who will advise the Deputy President on Service Delivery and District Development Model, and Mr Thulani Mdakane, who will advise on Land Reform and Social Cohesion.

All appointments are subject to Public Service and Administration processes.

Media enquiries: Matshepo Seedat on 082 679 9473

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Honorable Chairperson,
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee,
Honorable Members,

When the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 with its expansive Bill of Rights was promulgated, women in South Africa were so happy because they thought it will save them from their nemesis, Gender Based Violence and Femicide, however, violence against women and children continues unabated. 

In November 2022, we convened the second Presidential Summit on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. The resolutions of the summit were adopted to respond to the key game changer question: “What more can be done to enforce accountability, accelerate and amplify efforts”? 

The Summit resolutions are a call to action that we are taking forward as government. A key takeaway emerging from the Presidential Summit was the need for whole-of-society approach. Indeed, we need communities to join and help us eradicate this pandemic. The Pandemic Plan will form part of the district development one plan and will be informed by our context; the National Strategic Plan and the Presidential Summit Resolutions. 

The scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide continues to plague the country despite progress made in driving the national response. 

As the Minister indicated that President declared GBVF as a second pandemic in 2020 in the midst of COVID pandemic. We are developing the National Pandemic Plan that will seek to treat the scourge with the magnitude and vigour equivalent to that of a national disaster. It will add to the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in its focus on critical areas requiring urgent attention.

This measure will demonstrate the political will in tackling the scourge; and a whole-of-society approach in turning the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide tide at national, provincial and local municipality levels. 

A holistic consultative approach will be taken in line with the linkages to health and social ills such as teenage pregnancy, HIV and AIDs, substance abuse, harmful cultural practices and the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment. 

The criminal justice cluster will be consulted first on all quick wins, medium to short term interventions identified in enforcing accountability, and acceleration in implementing the resolutions that relate to protection, safety and justice.  The proposed national plan once tabled at the criminal justice cluster, will be tabled at the forum of South African Forum of the Director Generals (FOSAD).

In institutionalizing the National Strategic Plan, the Department will ensure that the plan serves on the agenda of the President’s Coordinating Committee. This will ensure that the inter-governmental aspect is elevated, and services are strengthened at the municipal level, as gender based violence and femicide happens at a local level.

Honourable members,

During the 2020/21 FY, the DWYPD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) around 6 priority areas identified. A steering committee was established which produced the following achievements:

Priority 1- Access/acquisition of Land

• 37% (Hectares Allocated to Women) against set target of 50%

Priority 3 - Rural Enterprise & Cooperative Development

• Total: 91 Coops - 334  member trained (155 Women, 131 Youth & 2 Persons with Disabilities)

Priority 4 – Skills Development

• A total of 969 new students enrolled at Agricultural Colleges. 760 are black and more than 50% female.

Honorable Chairperson,

The South African Law Reform Commission of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is due to publish the Discussion Paper on the Disability Rights Bill. Once published, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities will rollout wide consultations with the disability sector, the legal fraternity and the academia. 

We are pleased to also announce that the Protocol on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa is due to be deposited at the African Union. The Department will ensure domestication of the AU protocol.

To take the work forward following the National Assembly approval that South African Sign Language become the 12th official language in South Africa. South African Sign language is offered as a subject in the school curriculum in South Africa.

The Department, PanSALB and the Deaf Community and other stakeholders will continue to work together to realise the aspects and the processes of the South African Sign Language Charter. Responsible stakeholders will in line with the charter implement measures to ensure South African Sign Language is made available to citizenry to effect accessible communication for persons who are deaf.

The Department of Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities hosted the Economic Summit for Persons with Disabilities with objective to dismantle the barriers limiting access and participation of persons with disabilities in the mainstream economy.

The Summit identified stakeholders and assigned responsibilities to departments to fast track disability inclusion in the economic activities which includes ensuring that persons with disabilities are part of the economic value chain as employees and entrepreneurs and are supported accordingly.

It is a sad reality that some individuals and communities within our country still believe in harmful superstitions and myths surrounding albinism. Persons with Albinism remain targets of femicide, kidnappings and atrocities .The Department in partnership with the Task Force on Albinism will develop a program to advocate, educate and create awareness around the prevention of discrimination and violence against persons with Albinism.

The Department will continue to monitor compliance with national and international obligations for the rights of persons with disabilities in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We will work on this in partnership with relevant stakeholders, particularly the National Home Builders Registration Council and Department of Public Works, amongst other stakeholders. 

The Impact of Climate change on Persons with disabilities and their inclusion in Climate change action, adaptation and Mitigation strategies. 

The Department will collaborate with various partners including the United Nations partnership on the rights of persons with disabilities, the International Disability Alliance, University of Johannesburg, the university of Ghana and York University on research and recommendations on Climate change effects on persons with disabilities. 

A status report on the impact of climate change on persons with disabilities and how they should be included in climate change action will be developed by the Department.

Research will be conducted on Access to Education support and services for children and young people with disabilities. The research will serve as an evidential basis to mobilise the public and private sectors to provide resources and assistive devices to special and mainstream schools that have learners with disabilities.

Honourable Members, 

I am pleased to announce that the Department commissioned a formative evaluation study on the implementation of the Gender Responsive Planning Budgeting Monitoring and Evaluation framework, the findings of the evaluation pointed to more government departments that are implementing the framework. We acknowledge that more work still needs to be done to ensure that the priorities of women, youth and persons with disabilities are mainstreamed in plans of departments.  

Our Monitoring as reported in Cabinet in 2022, shows that of the 16 National departments that responded to the self-assessment monitoring, 8 departments were rated at over 50% level of implementation of the framework and this is a welcomed improvement. One of the challenges is the response rate by the department and Cabinet has recommended that all national departments, provincial departments and their entities must comply with the reporting requirements of DWYPD.

We continue to localize of the GRPBMEA framework, in 2022, we presented the framework at the provincial Portfolio Based Councilors Inductions in six provinces. We are collaborating with the Department of Corporative Government (DCOG) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) with the first priority being to conduct the gender, youth and disability responsiveness analysis of the Integrated Development Plans and One Plans of the District Development Model in 2023/24. 

In conclusion, Honourable Chairperson,

We must remain grounded and loyal to the mandate of improving the livelihood of the most vulnerable in society. 

We all have a role to play. 

Malibongwe!

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will attend tomorrow’s sitting of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) to respond to oral questions posed by the members of various political parties represented in Parliament. 

The questions that have been asked relate to the resolution of municipal debt to Eskom and water entities, Government’s response to illegal electricity connections, sabotage of critical economic infrastructure, and shortages in the availability of animal vaccines, among others. 

The Deputy President will therefore reiterate measures that Government has taken thus far to resolve municipal debt to Eskom as well as update the NCOP on developments since he answered questions on the issue in the National Assembly on 23 March 2023.
 
He will also apprise Parliament of Government’s commitment to implementing measures to protect infrastructure critical to the delivery of water, electricity, sanitation, and other public services.

Furthermore, the Deputy President will update Parliament on measures to secure South Africa’s timeous removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list. 

Details of the NCOP sitting are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 20 April 2023
Time: 14h00
Venue: NCOP Chamber, Parliament 

Media enquiries: Vukani Mde - 081 307 9233

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Tuesday, 09 May 2023, undertake a service delivery oversight visit to Jagersfontein, Kopanong Municipality in the Xhariep District, Free State Province.
 
The Deputy President will provide feedback to the community of Jagersfontein on the resolution of service delivery challenges in the municipality, with specific focus on the efficient and equitable supply of water, and the resettlement of community members who were affected by the disaster which occurred when a Jagersfontein Development Project dam wall burst on the 11th of September 2022.

During his oral reply to questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Deputy President Mashatile made a commitment to visit the community of Jagersfontein as part of a series of outreach visits aimed at improving service delivery and addressing challenges faced by some municipalities.

In this regard, the visit will provide a platform for the Deputy President to assess progress made by Government working together with all relevant stakeholders such as Bloem Water and others in restoring water and wastewater infrastructure in the area.

The programme led by the Deputy President will include an engagement with investors in areas of the Xhariep District Municipality and, in particular, the affected community members who were displaced by the dam collapse.  

Deputy President Mashatile will also visit the Jagersfontein Water Treatment Works and conduct a walkabout to the land parcels identified for resettlement, including show houses built through the Jagersfontein Development Project.

Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by Ministers, the Free State Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, Members of the Provincial Executive Council, Mayors and senior Government officials.

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

Date: Tuesday, 09 May 2023
Time: 08h00 (media to arrive at 07h30)
Venue: Jagersfontein, Kopanong Municipality, Free Sate

Media Programme

• 08H30 - Photo Opportunity

Arrival of the Deputy President at Jagersfontein Hospital Boardroom
 
• 09H30 - Engagement between Government and Jagersfontein Development Project - Jagersfontein Hospital Boardroom
 
• 10H30 - Engagement with investors in key strategic areas of Xhariep District Municipality - Jagersfontein Hospital Boardroom
 
• 11H40 - Visit to the land parcels identified for resettlement and show houses, and the Jagersfontein Water Treatment Works
 
• 12H40 - Engagement with community members who have been affected by the slurry dam breakdown and representatives of the Jagersfontein community - Jagersfontein Community Hall
 
For more information and accreditation please contact Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251

Media enquiries: Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to Deputy President Mashatile, on 081 307 9233

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

His Excellency Deputy President Paul Shipokosa Mashatile will on Friday, 12 May 2023, host his counterpart Her Excellency Mrs Francia Elena Márquez, Vice President of the Republic of Colombia for an Official Visit to South Africa.  

The objective of the Official Visit to South Africa is to strengthen political relations and define a roadmap for mutually beneficial economic as well as social relations and multilateral cooperation between the two countries. 

Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Colombia were formally established in April 1994, with Colombia opening its Embassy in Pretoria during 1995. Since the establishment of the South African Embassy in Venezuela in 1998, the South African residential Ambassador in Venezuela is accredited as the non-residential Ambassador of South Africa to Colombia. 

Bilateral relations between South Africa and Colombia are cordial and the shared values of democracy, peace, sustainable development and multilateralism provide a basis for the strengthening of bilateral and multilateral relations between the two countries. Cooperation with Colombia is also in line with South Africa’s foreign policy objective of the South-South Cooperation.   

Colombia is the 5th largest economy in Latin America after Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. Colombia is also the 6th largest trade partner of South Africa in Latin America after Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. There is a steady growth of Colombian investors in the food, beverages and confectionery industries and South African investments in Colombia in mining and agribusiness. 

The focus areas for discussions between the two governments will include trade, investment, and technical cooperation (in agribusiness, mining and energy, environment, science and innovation, tourism, and transport) as well as cooperation in higher education; sport, arts and culture, and exchanges on regional and multilateral issues. 

Vice President Márquez will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Minister of Culture; Deputy Minister of Tourism; Senior Government Officials; Parliamentarians; Business, Chambers of Commerce, and Industry of Colombia and some of the country’s Artists.

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

Date: Friday, 12 May 2023
Time: 09h00 
Venue: Sefako M Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse (off Dumbarton Road), Pretoria
Dress Code: Formal/Smart Casual/Traditional

Members of the media covering the visit are requested to confirm their attendance, for accreditation purposes, with Ms Linah Ledwaba on 066 240 7635 by 11 May 2023 at 16h00. 

Media enquiries: Mr Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 081 307 9233

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Thursday, 18 and Friday, 19 May 2023, lead a two-day oversight visit to the KwaZulu-Natal Province in both the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and uMgungundlovu District Municipality to engage with various stakeholders in sectors such as education and training, agriculture, commerce and industry, amongst others.

On 18 May 2023, the Deputy President will lead an outreach programme to different sites in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and uMgungundlovu District Municipality, as part of assisting in the roll-out of the District Development Model DDM, through effective coordination of the different spheres of Government with the aim of improving the functioning of municipalities and addressing the challenges facing communities.  

In this regard, the Deputy President will visit the Ntshongweni Catalytic Project site, where a smart city is being constructed between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, alongside the N3 road and the Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistic and industrial corridor.
 
The project highlights the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality’s partnerships with various stakeholders in the implementation of programmes that support local community members to obtain critical work skills. It is envisaged that the project will revitalise and increase economic activity in the area, contributing about R15 billion worth of investments in the next 10 – 15 years.  
 
Deputy President Mashatile will then visit the Cedara College of Agriculture to showcase the collaborative activities and programmes such as production of cannabis, seeds and seedlings, animal feed, livestock breeding, and indigenous chicken production, amongst others; jointly with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Agricultural Research and Training Institutes.  
 
During his visit to Cedara College, the Deputy President will engage with young and emerging farmers on the Government initiatives and programmes to provide support to the sector.
 
On the second day of his visit to KwaZulu-Natal, Deputy President Mashatile will chair the Human Resource Development Council meeting, which will be hosted at the uMgungundlovu TVET College, Plessislaer Campus in Pietermaritzburg.
 
The College has managed to build partnerships with Government departments, municipalities, non-governmental organisations and private sector companies, to deliver on its mandate, which includes among other programmes the placement of students for work-integrated-learning.
 
Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande; Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Thoko Didiza; Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Noxolo Kiviet; Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela; Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Nomalungelo Gina; KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube; Gauteng Premier Mr Panyaza Lesufi; North West Premier Mr Bushy Maape; members of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council; Municipal Mayors and senior Government officials.
 
Members of the media are invited to cover as follows:

Date: Thursday, 18 May 2023
Venue: Durban, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
 
Media Programme

• 10h30 - Deputy President visits the Ntshongweni Phase 1A Project, uMgugundlovu District
 
• 12h30 - Site visit to Camperdown Smart City Project
 
• 13h45 - Visit to Cedara College of Agriculture
 
• 15h00 - Interactive session between Government and Young farmers
 
Date: Friday, 19 May 2023
Venue: uMgugundlovu TVET College, Plessislaer Campus

Media Programme

• 07h30 - Walkabout at the uMgugundlovu TVET College Plessislaer Campus

• 08h55 - Deputy President delivers opening remarks at the Human Resource Development Council meeting 

• 09h20 - Signing of the three (3) Social Compacts

• 12h30 - Media Briefing on outcomes of the HRDC meeting

For more information and accreditation, please contact Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251

Media enquiries: Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to Deputy President Mashatile, on 081 307 9233

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

On 19 May 2023, Deputy President Paul Mashatile held a dialogue with business leaders, hosted by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The engagement focused on the role of Government and business in addressing the socio-economic challenges facing our country. 

The session was attended by CEOs and senior executives, as well as business associations, including Business Unity South Africa, Business Leadership South Africa and the Black Business Council, amongst others. The dialogue focused on issues affecting and hindering the private sector’s ability to play a meaningful role in working with government to create a conducive environment for economic prosperity.
                                                                                                             
The event provided the Deputy President an opportunity to speak to the major deliverables of his portfolio, policy reforms as well as steps being taken to enhance investor confidence, which touches on energy security, the economy, social compacting, crime, corruption, foreign direct investment and international relations and trade.

The captains of industry raised issues of concern affecting their constituents, particularly those relating to their ability to operate efficiently. They urged Government to work with a greater sense of urgency in attending to the current energy crisis, crime and corruption, and processing of applications relating to statutory obligations hindering their ability to conduct business effectively. 

Leila Fourie, JSE Group CEO, said: “Business, and society at large, is dealing with challenges on several fronts, most obviously energy security and the deteriorating reliability of the logistics system. Collaboration, mobilisation of capital and execution is required to rebuild business and investor confidence. The JSE, as a conduit for capital, can play an important convening role in solving for many of these challenges.”

Deputy President Mashatile emphasised Government’s commitment to working with the private sector to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the country. The Deputy President informed business leaders in attendance that a comprehensive social compact between the two partners would go a long way towards putting South Africa on the right track. It was agreed that such a meeting between Government and the business community should be convened in the next six months. 

Deputy President Mashatile welcomed these resolutions as a progressive step forward:

“As a means of moving forward, engagement with the JSE-listed companies will be institutionalised for future engagement and as a platform to expedite the implementation of the commitments made,” he said.  

To this end, a follow-up meeting with Western Cape-based JSE-listed companies will be scheduled for the near future.

Media enquiries: Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 081 307 9233 / Vukani@presidency.gov.za and Pheliswa Mayekiso on 084 486 0502 / PheliswaM@jse.co.za

Issued by: The Presidency and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Friday, 26 and Saturday, 27 May 2023, undertake a two-day oversight visit to the Eastern Cape Province in both the O.R. Tambo District and Buffalo City Metro municipalities, as part of efforts to improve the functioning of municipalities and providing solutions to challenges facing communities through the District Development Model (DDM).  
 
As part of his delegated functions, Deputy President Mashatile is assisting the President in the roll-out of the District Development Model, a flagship mechanism adopted by Government to drive effective coordination of different spheres of Government for impactful service delivery.  
 
On the 26th of May, the Deputy President and delegation will be in the O.R. Tambo District Municipality, at Lusikisiki in Ingquza Hill Local Municipality. He will provide feedback to the communities on the implementation of the District Development Model since its launch in 2019, focusing on progress achieved to improve service delivery, reduce crime, and fight gender-based violence in the area.

The Deputy President will also engage with the Local Business Forum, with the aim to strengthen partnership between Government and the private sector to further unlock economic opportunities in areas such as eco-tourism, the oceans economy, agriculture, oil and gas development, and mining, among others.

On the 27th of May, the Deputy President and delegation will proceed to the Buffalo City Metropolitan municipality to engage with business representatives, small-scale farmers and farm workers.
 
The engagement with the farming community will take place at the Ncera Macadamia Farming Initiative, which produces and sells macadamia nuts on the open market. The visit to the Macadamia project by Deputy President Mashatile will highlight the importance of this initiative in building sustainable socio-economic development opportunities for the surrounding communities, through multi-stakeholder partnerships, since 2005.
 
The Deputy President will then pay a courtesy call on the Rharhabe Kingdom, to further engage with Eastern Cape Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, where he is expected to provide feedback on the implementation of commitments made through the work of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
 
Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu; Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Ms Boitumelo Moloi; Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Nokuzola Capa; Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Sisisi Tolashe; Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale; Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe; Premier of the Eastern Cape Province, Mr Oscar Mabuyane; Members of the Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Council; Municipal Mayors and senior Government officials.

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

Date: Friday, 26 May 2023
Venue: O.R. Tambo District Municipality, Lusikisiki, Ingquza Hill Local Municipality

Media Programme

09h00 - 11h00: Engagement with the Local Business Forum
Venue: Lusikisiki Health Resource Centre

11h15 - 11h45 Visit to Lusikisiki Village Clinic (National Health Insurance facility)

12h30 - 13h00: Visit to Hombe White Door Centre of Hope

13h45 - 16h30: Community Engagement on Government response in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide
Venue: Zalu Sports-ground

(For more information and accreditation please contact Bongani Majola on 082 339 1993 or Linah Ledwaba on 066 240 7635)
 
Date: Saturday, 27 May 2023
Venue: Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, East London

Media Programme

07h00 – 09h00: Engagement with the Local Business Forum
Venue: East London International Convention Centre

10h30 – 12h30: Courtesy call on the Rharhabe Kingdom
Venue: Mngqesha Great Place

14h00 -17h00 Visit to Ncera Macadamia Farm
Venue: Imidushane Great Place

For more information and accreditation please contact Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251 or Tshiamo Selomo on 066 118 1505
 

Media enquiries: Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to Deputy President Mashatile on 081 307 9233
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria