Category: Republic of South Africa

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director, COSATU President Ms Zingiswa Losi;
Minister of Employment and Labour, Mr Thulas Nxesi;
Honourable Ministers present;
NEDLAC and PCC Executive Directors;
Honourable Members of the Portfolio Committee;
Leadership of Labour here present;
Distinguished Guests;
Members of the media;
Good Morning:

It is a distinct honour and pleasure for me to be here today to address the 28th National Economic Development and Labour Council, the NEDLAC Annual Summit, focusing on social partnership in the current context.

In the scholarly publication authored by Wolfgang Streeck and Anke Hasse, titled “The crumbling pillars of social partnership”, they define partnership as “stable relations of mutual recognition, institutionalised co-operation and regulated conflict between organised labour, organised business and government”.

This definition underlines the intricate relationship between organised labour, organised business, and the government, highlighting the crucial role that each entity plays in fostering a harmonious and productive social ecosystem in the midst of challenges.

We believe that it is through our collective efforts, united in purpose and driven by our shared values, that we hold the power to influence and determine the trajectory and direction of our country.

Since I became the Deputy President earlier this year, I have interacted with social partners in many different contexts such as the recent National Dialogue on Coalitions, an interaction with business at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Human Resource Development Council which I chair, in an endeavour to strengthen our relations and find solutions to the challenges we face as a country.

Today I am pleased to be here at the apex body of social dialogue, the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), which is the place where the government, businesses, labour unions, and community groups try to work together through problem-solving and negotiation on economic, labour and development issues as well as related challenges facing our country.

The NEDLAC has a long history of fostering social partnerships in diverse national landscapes, shaping the labour market since the dawn of democracy.

It was instrumental in the talks that resulted in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Labour Relations Act and the Employment Equity Act.  All these pieces of legislation were enacted to give effect to the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights in our Constitution.

You have also promoted inclusion, consensus, and sustained socio-economic development in South Africa through your persistent efforts. However, our labour market has experienced several obstacles.

The current condition of the labour market is indicative of the abiding legacy of our apartheid past which presents a significant challenge today. We have inherited a labour force characterised by racial and gender inequities, skills shortages and high unemployment rates particularly among Africans.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified economic setbacks, resulting in increased unemployment and loss of jobs affecting various groups differently and causing a complex and multi-dimensional phenomenon that affects different groups of people differently.

Nevertheless, we are pleased to note that the unemployment rate has declined to 32.6% in the second quarter (Q2) of this year, down from 32.9% in the first quarter (Q1). The best that can be said here is that the trend is heading in the right direction, albeit at a slow pace. Serious concerns such job losses in manufacturing remain.

In this regard, organised business, labour, government and the community sector at NEDLAC have turned to each other to seek ways of turning our economy around, reversing unemployment and building inclusive growth.

This happened at the Presidential Jobs Summit in 2018 and most recently in the development of an Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan in 2020, where social partners came together to commit to actions, both individually and collectively, in response to the impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods.

It is further encouraging that NEDLAC social partners have taken collaboration to a new level, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, a rapid response task team was set up, which moved beyond the traditional role that NEDLAC has continued to play.

Arising out of the partnerships forged in recent years, President Cyril Ramaphosa called for a social compact between the government and the social partners in his 2022 State of the Nation Address.

However, the deadlines for the establishment of a written declaration of commitments and actions have not been met. Nonetheless, since assuming the position of Deputy President, I have witnessed encouraging moves towards social compacting, such as the recent commitment of more than fifteen CEOs to work with the government to reconstruct the economy.

In the area of skill development, we have signed three social compacts through HRDC in the following areas:
•    Building the Foundation for Transformed Economy and Society
•    Building the Skills for a Transformed Economy and Society.
•    Building a capable and developmental state.

These compacts support our country’s most important social compact, the National Development Plan, which outlines growth and development goals as well as timelines.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow me to talk about four dimensions of social partnership and compacting, namely the ‘’what’’, ‘’how” “who” and the “why”.

What should we be partnering about? 

NEDLAC has historically sought to partner about the big policy choices that face our country. We have sought to follow the example of social democratic countries elsewhere that agreed to trade off wage increases for job stability.

However, in South Africa, where unemployment is so high and those who work support many of those who do not, this type of trade-off may be difficult to attain. The most pressing challenge appears to be one about ideological positions among social partners in respect of the path to growth, which have not shifted despite the enormous crisis the country faces.

We must summon enough bravery to discuss this matter openly in order to prevent the ticking time bomb of poverty, inequality and joblessness from going off. This is not impossible to achieve.  

Through the Presidency, Business for South Africa has initiated an important partnership with the Government. With its focus on three critical areas of energy, logistics and crime, it has offered to bring in resources and expertise to accelerate progress and address the current impediments to economic growth. The government is pleased with this development, as it is a direct result of the successful partnership and collaborative efforts of NEDLAC.

Which brings me to the “who” question. Who should form social partnerships and social compacts? I do not believe that there is a finite list of stakeholders that can be eligible, nor that all social compacts must be tripartite, or tripartite plus one.

For example, the sector master plans on sugar, agriculture, clothing, retail and more recently the renewable energy sector often has many signatories, including partners that are not national or not in NEDLAC but can bring something or gain something from committing to a common plan.

The more important question to answer is whether the parties to the social compact can obtain a mandate from their constituents and whether they have the capacity to fulfil their commitments.  When this does not happen, social compacts amount to nothing but “talk shops,” something we must at all costs avoid.

On the ‘how’ question: Recently, in the National Dialogue on Coalitions Government in the Western Cape, several countries shared their experiences with us on coalition building. A coalition agreement is not dissimilar to a social compacting agreement where there needs to be a give-and-take, and roles and responsibilities are defined and agreed to.

These comparative experiences referred to the need for principles, trust-building, transparency, pragmatism and patience. These are principles which are codified in the work of NEDLAC. There is an opportunity for NEDLAC and its social partners to share these across society while also recognising that they cannot be taken for granted and in fact need to be reinforced in each and every social compact.

NEDLAC has a responsibility to demonstrate to the nation that there can be win-win situations and that we can proceed with the best potential or least worst outcomes.

We are facing a changing world where the impact of climate change is increasingly felt by all of us whether it is the possibility of flooding in KZN or persistent drought in the Eastern Cape, whether it is high temperatures in Upington, making it impossible to cultivate fields or poor air quality in Mpumalanga, climate change is here.

The Government’s response has been to prepare for a just transition from the world as we know it, to one which is friendlier to the environment and ultimately gives our children a safe future. 

We have been ably assisted in this task by the Presidential Climate Commission which has provided key recommendations to the President to implement and has worked tirelessly to build social compacts with stakeholders at national, provincial and local levels. 

It will only be through partnerships that we can ensure that everyone is supported to transition to new employment or better livelihoods and provided with the necessary social support mechanisms. If not, those that are negatively affected now will resist this transition, to the detriment of future generations. 

I am sure that the traditions of social partnerships from NEDLAC are being carried forward by the PCC while focusing on new issues that require new tactics that can be shared by social partners and stakeholders.

Participative policy initiatives that search for and build consensus with key players in society have a good chance of sustainable implementation.

It is important for NEDLAC social partners to seize the opportunity of commemorating thirty years of democracy to reflect on past achievements, assess the current situation, and voice their opinions on how the government should tackle major policy issues in the next decade.

In addition, social partners should focus on preparing for and building resilience in the face of challenges, especially health crises, natural disasters, deteriorating infrastructure, and rising levels of disruptive crime and vandalism.

The reality is that some terrible aspects of our country cannot be wished away. Instead, we must indeed prepare for these crises to preserve lives and livelihoods and then address systemic challenges such as climate change and improved water access. 

In closing, Martin Luther King once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenges and controversy”.

I hope that arising from the deliberation later this morning, you will all emerge wiser and more resilient to stand and deal with the challenges of our era.

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association, Ms. Andisiwe Makinana;
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni;
Members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association;
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good Evening, Ndi Madekwana, Riperile,

I wish to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Leadership of the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association for extending this gracious invitation to engage with us. 

The significance of your work to my responsibilities as the Leader of Government Business, as delegated by the President, is of great magnitude.

Your role in reporting on the intricate workings of our parliamentary processes cannot be overstated because you are the conduit through which vital information is disseminated to our citizens, ensuring executive accountability to Parliament.

Challenges and progress

Ladies and gentlemen, we are currently in the 3rd term of the 6th Democratic Parliament and nine months away from the end of the sixth administration. We are also approaching a critical milestone of thirty years of our democracy.

For many of us who lived through the transition from apartheid-to-democracy, we cannot forget the events that led to the 1994 elections. 

The attainment of free and fair elections was made possible through the involvement of several stakeholders, including the media.

Some media outlets played a major role that framed issues in such a way as to encourage negotiation, reconciliation, free and fair elections, and the formation of an all-inclusive government. 

By contrast, the media discouraged violence, belligerence, and separatism.
Collectively, we have demonstrated that we can overcome any obstacle. As we look back on the past few decades, it is evident that we have been a nation of immense resilience, overcoming numerous obstacles on our path towards progress.

Working together with various stakeholders under the umbrella of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC), we have made substantial progress in the fight against the HIV/AIDS and TB epidemics.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, South Africa had one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world. We are currently implementing the National Strategic Plan (2023-2028), which highlights bold strategic objectives that aim to reduce barriers to accessing health and social services. It promotes a new and urgent focus to reduce inequalities for all people living with HIV, TB, and STIs who are not benefiting from treatment and care services.

In this regard, we can proudly say that South Africa is making progress in the fight against HIV, TB, and STIs, as envisaged by the National Development Plan 2030.
In terms of the economy, 

South Africa has made remarkable progress in attracting foreign investment and promoting economic growth, despite the challenges that came with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our country’s evolution from a primarily resource-based economy to a diversified one has led to the expansion of sectors such as finance, manufacturing, and tourism. However, challenges such as unemployment, income inequality, and load shedding still persist.

As government, we are currently implementing targeted measures to deal with these and other challenges that are hampering the economic growth of our country. Efforts have also been made to address historical injustices by implementing land reform initiatives to rectify the imbalances resulting from the apartheid era.

We are at work reversing the 1913 Native Land Act, which forced thousands of African families out of their property. 

We are focusing on utilising unused land for agricultural output through the Land Reform programme, with 1.5 million hectares acquired for redistribution, restitution, and tenure reform.

In 2020, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Agriculture and Land Reform released 700,000 hectares of state land, with 896 farms designated for the Agricultural State Land Allocation Project, with 11,749 allocated to women and 2,634 to youth.

In a nutshell, our government has evidently made strides in reversing apartheid’s spatial, social, and economic challenges. For example,
• More than 84% of South Africans have their homes electrified
• 4.5 Million South Africans living with HIV receive ARVS
• 1.2 Trillion invested in national infrastructure projects over ten years
• 17.5 Million South Africans benefit from social grants
• 88.6% of South Africans have access to clean drinking water
• 3.2 Million free houses have been built since 1994 and
• 94.35 South Africans can read and write.

In addition, despite having gained material prosperity, we have achieved the most important freedom, which is the freedom of movement for our people as well as their dignity.

Our role as Leader of Government Business.
Fellow compatriots, as I have mentioned, one of my delegated responsibilities is that of Leading Government Business in the National Assembly, as provided for by Section 91(4) of the constitution.

Through regular reports (LoGB) to the Cabinet, we are able to monitor and track executive accountability to Parliament. This we do by presenting reports on outstanding responses by Members of the Executive to questions for written reply in both the National Assembly and the NCOP.

Commendable work has been done in this area to reduce the number of questions endorsed as unanswered and thereafter lapsed at the end of each Parliamentary session from 403 in 2019 to 83 at the end of the 2022 Parliamentary session.

However, much more needs to be done to ensure that Members of the Executive prioritise their parliamentary responsibilities by appearing before various Committees of Parliament when required and submitting reports and other documentation within stipulated timeframes as provided for by the Rules of Parliament.

 In line with the responsibilities of the Leader of Government Business in Parliament as defined by the Joint Rules of Parliament, I have undertaken to perform the following important tasks:
• Monitor the implementation of the Legislative Programme by Parliament.

• Introduce measures to effectively monitor and improve the quality of legislation submitted by the executive for Cabinet approval.

On March 29, 2023, Cabinet approved the 2023 Legislative Programme with 42 Executive Bills. Cabinet further instructed Members of the Executive to advise the Leader of Government Business about priority legislation that needs to be approved by Cabinet and introduced to Parliament before the end of the 6th Administration.

In this regard, we are working tirelessly to expedite the processing of priority legislation by Parliament before the end of the 6th Administration. As of August 31, 2023, eleven (11) out of 42 bills in the 2023 Legislative Programme had already been introduced to Parliament.

Members of the Executive with priority bills have been able to submit their legislative proposals for introduction to Parliament before the September 4 deadline, as agreed to by the Speaker of the National Assembly.

In terms of our plan, critical legislation like the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, and the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Bill, to mention a few, will in all likelihood be processed by Parliament before the end of the Sixth Administration.

Esteemed Members, 

We must all be dedicated to the principle of building a democratic government that is stable for the benefit of our communities. It is for these reasons that we have recently convened the National Dialogue on Coalition Governments to ensure that together we build strong, stable, and resilient governments, especially at the local level.

Other delegated responsibilities to the Deputy President 
As part of addressing the skills shortage required to advance economic growth in our country, President Ramaphosa has entrusted me with the leadership of the Human Resource Development Council. This council serves as a collaborative platform, engaging multiple stakeholders from diverse sectors, including government, the private sector, academia, and representatives of civil society.

To give effect to this vision, the council has developed a strategy that focuses on building the human resources required for an improved and competitive economy. The strategy focuses on the following programmes:

• Strengthening basic education and foundation programmes in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, languages, and life orientation and skills;
• Higher Education and Training, Research, and Innovation;
• Developing the skills needed for the economy and society
• Building a developmental and capable state.

Having established consensus with our social partners through the signing of three social compacts, we have now agreed to move with the necessary speed to improve the discipline of execution in order to strengthen existing programmes and develop an appropriate and tangible action plan. 

The first signed social compact focuses on intensifying economic and social transformation efforts. 

The second seeks to focus our energies on creating the skills necessary to get the country on a positive economic trajectory, whereas the third compact focuses on developing a capable and progressive state.

These compacts are crucial because they symbolise our country’s collective commitment to addressing the skills crisis, increasing the economy, and building an inclusive society through strengthening collaboration between government and social partners.

In this regard, since assuming the position of deputy president, I have engaged with various social partners, including JSE, and tomorrow we are going to meet with NEDLAC.

The collaboration among business, labour, community, and government, facilitated by the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in overseeing the execution of the framework agreement.

Furthermore, we are currently engaged in ongoing discussions with social partners to expedite the implementation of the framework agreement, including the Eskom Social Compact that was signed in 2020. The objective of this agreement is to stabilise Eskom, ensuring the provision of an efficient, reliable, and affordable energy supply.

This, in turn, will facilitate sustainable job creation and foster inclusive economic growth. These compacts support our country’s most important social compact, the National Development Plan, which outlines growth and development goals as well as timelines.

In terms of service delivery, the government seeks to increase non-governmental organisations, (NPOs) and the private sector’s participation in local development and service delivery programmes. This work also includes tailored training and skill-building programmes to make sure that people can access their basic social and economic rights. In addition, the government keeps running a number of projects that are meant to make the lives of ordinary South Africans better. 

Part of our delegated responsibilities include, amongst others, the implementation of rapid response interventions in service delivery and troubleshooting in service delivery hotspots.

Since we assumed office in March 2023, we have engaged in outreach programmes in various provinces and municipalities as part of our responsibility to troubleshoot service delivery hotspots. This area of work is coupled with our efforts to assist the President in the roll-out of the District Development Model (DDM) through effective coordination of the different spheres of government in order to improve the functioning of municipalities.
Moving forward, it is essential for all of us, as government, civil society, the private sector, and the media, especially the PGA, to work together as we navigate solutions to address the remaining challenges and construct a more prosperous, inclusive, and equitable South Africa.

As the world rapidly evolves and expands, your role as a media professional becomes increasingly vital. This is evident in the halls of Parliament, which is where democracy and governance intersect.

As journalists and media professionals, you are obligated to reaffirm your commitment to the truth and ethical standards. It is important for us to remember that journalism is not mere entertainment or clickbait; it is a powerful tool for educating the masses, fostering dialogue, and building bridges between communities.

Journalists must uphold the highest ethical standards, maintaining accuracy, independence, fairness, and accountability in their reporting. 

Therefore, I urge you to tirelessly pursue journalistic excellence.

Hold our elected officials accountable, reveal the truth, and provide the public with impartial information.

In conclusion, a well-known poet named Lord Byron once said, “Words possess a tangible impact, as even a small droplet of ink, akin to dew upon a thought, has the power to inspire countless individuals, perhaps even millions.”

As journalists and editors, it is your responsibility to share accurate information with the public so that people can make decisions based on accurate information. Together, let us shape a brighter future for South Africa and its democracy.

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Prince of KwaPhindangene, Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation, and the Founder and President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party.

Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been an outstanding leader in the political and cultural life of our nation, including the ebss and flows of our liberation struggle, the transition which secured our freedom in 1994 and our democratic dispensation.

Prince Buthelezi, who served as the democratic South Africa’s first Minister of Home Affairs, passed away in the early hours of today, Saturday, 9 September 2023, just two weeks after the celebration of his 95th birthday.

My thoughts and prayers and those of government and our nation go out to the Royal Household who have been blessed to share uMntwana waKwaPhindangene’s extended lifetime with him, as well as to the Zulu Nation and the leadership and membership of the Inkatha Freedom Party.

Announcements will be made in due course, based on consultations between government and the family, on the arrangements to mourn and honour the Inkosi of the Buthelezi clan as a formidable leader who has played a significant role in our country’s history for seven decades.

We shall, in due course, reflect more extensively on his extraordinary life and diverse contributions to the development of our nation.

At this point in time, we embrace the Buthelezi clan in their mourning and pray that the soul of the Prince rests in peace.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, 08 September 2023, arrived in New Delhi, Republic of India to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for 09 – 10 September 2023.

The New Delhi G20 Summit is hosted under the theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.

The President will tomorrow, 09 September 2023, participate in the G20 Working Sessions themed “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.

On Sunday, 10 September 2023, President Ramaphosa will also join Heads of State and Government at the Wreath Laying Ceremony taking place at the Rajghat Memorial.

The President will also on the margins of the G20 have bilateral meetings with Heads of State and Government to strengthen South Africa’s diplomatic, economic and cultural ties.

The New Delhi Summit will focus on the key pillars of the Indian G20 Presidency, namely; 

– Accelerated, Inclusive Sustainable and Resilient Growth; 

– Accelerating Progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); 

– Mainstreaming Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE); 

– Multilateral Institutions for the 21st Century; 

– Technological Transformation and Public Infrastructure; 

– Building Digital Public Infrastructure; 

– Safeguarding International Peace and Harmony; 

– Creating a More Inclusive World, Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and;  

– Creating a More Inclusive World.

The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.

India holds the Presidency of the G20 from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023.

The G20 Summit is held annually, under the leadership of a rotating Presidency.

The G20 has since expanded its agenda to include trade, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, climate change, and anti-corruption. 

South Africa is a member of the G20 and its participation seeks to provide a strategic foresight in establishing an economic and international policy platform that will drive and negotiate the best possible outcomes for the country, Africa and the developing world.

South Africa will assume the G20 Presidency in 2025. 

President Ramaphosa is supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a working visit to New Delhi, India to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled on 09-10 September 2023.

The summit will be hosted under the theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.

The New Delhi Summit will focus on the key pillars of the Indian G20 Presidency, namely; Accelerated, Inclusive Sustainable and Resilient Growth; Accelerating Progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Mainstreaming Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE); Multilateral Institutions for the 21st Century; Technological Transformation and Public Infrastructure; Building Digital Public Infrastructure; Safeguarding International Peace and Harmony; Creating a More Inclusive World, Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and;  Creating a More Inclusive World. 

The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.

India holds the Presidency of the G20 from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023.

The G20 Summit is held annually, under the leadership of a rotating Presidency.

The G20 initially focused largely on broad macroeconomic issues, but it has since expanded its agenda to include trade, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, climate change, and anti-corruption.

President Ramaphosa will during the summit participate in the G20 Working Sessions themed One Earth, One Family and One Future.

The President will also on the margins of the G20 have bilateral meetings with Heads of State and Government to strengthen South Africa’s diplomatic, economic and cultural ties.

South Africa is a member of the G20 and its participation seeks to provide a strategic foresight in establishing an economic and international policy platform that will drive and negotiate the best possible outcomes for the country, Africa and the developing world.

South Africa will assume the G20 Presidency in 2025. 

President Ramaphosa will be supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep condolences at the passing of veteran activist and Esteemed Member of the Order of Luthuli Ms Amy Thornton.

The President’s thoughts are with the family, friends and comrades of the late activist who was born in Cape Town in 1932.

She was honoured in 2016 with the National Order of Luthuli for her excellent contribution and unflinching commitment to the struggle for liberation and equality for all South Africans, and her commendable bravery in the face of an oppressive regime.

As a 16-year-old, Amy Thornton worked with the then Communist Party of South Africa to campaign against the National Party in the 1948 election which resulted in the legislated enforcement of apartheid. 

In 1950 she joined the Modern Youth Society (MYS), a progressive youth movement involving mainly university students. Through MYS, Ms Thornton was involved in night school literacy classes for African workers in the Cape Town docks.

When the Congress of Democrats (COD) was formed in 1952, she was appointed secretary of the Joint Congress Committee (involving the COD, the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Indian Congress and the Coloured Peoples’ Congress).

She represented the MYS as part of the South African delegation to the World Federation of Democratic Youth, held in Bucharest, Romania in 1953.
 
In the same year she was recruited to join the underground SACP. She was active in pamphleteering against the Group Areas Act and the Bantu Education Act. She was also involved in study classes in informal settlements around Cape Town (Blouvlei and Elsies River).

In 1955 Thornton was a delegate from Cape Town to the Congress of the People. However, she was part of the delegation that was stopped by the police in Beaufort West and detained over the weekend, so she was unable to make it to Kliptown.

From the start of the Treason Trial in 1956 she served on the Treason Trial Support Committee. She did voluntary work for the Guardian newspaper (and its successors, as each successive title was banned in turn). She did research for the publication and managed the editorial work.

In 1959 she was banned for the first time initially for two years, but this was extended several times. She eventually served 14 years under banning orders, and lost her job as a nursery school teacher.

In 1976 she began to work part-time for the Food and Canning Workers’ Union.

In 1981, she was a founding member and deputy chairperson of the United Women’s Organisation, which later became one of the key organisations in the formation of the United Democratic Front (UDF).

In 1983 she was appointed as a patron of the UDF and was among those detained during the two states of emergency.

Ms Thornton was also a member of the Cape Town ANC regional leadership and served on the National Coordinating Committee for the Return of Exiles between 1990 and 1993.

President Ramaphosa said: “Amy Thornton lived a life of principled resistance, bravery and perseverance so that we could live in freedom today.

“She was one of many white South Africans who sustained the non-racial character of the liberation struggle.

“Her contribution and the risks she took on also disproved the often stated claim that white South Africans didn’t know what was unfolding in the country or that they had no agency to change policy or conditions in the country.

“Amy Thornton served our nation with great courage and tireless energy. May her soul now rest in peace.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the passing of Pick n Pay founder and philanthropist Raymond Ackerman, who was also an Esteemed Member of the Order of The Baobab.

President Ramaphosa extends condolences to Mrs Wendy Ackerman, children Gareth, Kathy, Suzanne, and Jonathan and the extended family.

Mr Ackerman, who has passed away at the age of 92, was awarded the Order of The Baobab in 2014 for his commitment to uplifting the lives of South Africans by providing scholarships to young people and conducting socially responsible retail business.

Raymond Ackerman was one of the first retailers to fight on behalf of the South African consumers against the apartheid state’s monopoly on basic goods.

He drastically reduced the cost of essentials such as bread, milk and chicken. He also spoke against the inclusion of value-added tax (VAT) on basic food lines, a course that they fought and won on behalf of the poor.

Mr Ackerman was one of the first executives to promote black South Africans to senior positions and to acknowledge black trade unions. This was at the period when such unions were banned from operating in this country.

He also abolished race classification on the company’s human resources payroll.

Since the 1970s, the Ackerman Family Trust has supported hundreds of young people to become graduates across a broad range of professions.

President Ramaphosa said: “We mourn with the Ackerman family as they bid farewell to a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather whose name resounded as comfortably in millions of households around the country.

“Raymond Ackerman was an outstanding business leader and entrepreneur who placed people first and stood up to the injustices and discrimination which the apartheid regime sought to outsource to the business sector.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on the conclusions of the Independent panel appointed in May to enquire into the circumstances of the docking of a Russian vessel, known as the Lady R, at the Simonstown Naval base.

Herewith is an Executive Summary of the report.

Due to the classified nature of the evidence that informed the report, the government will not publicly engage further on the substance of the report.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined to suspended Public Protector Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane the constitutional processes that pertain to her suspension or potential removal office and which therefore prevent her from reporting for duty.

President Ramaphosa set out the conditions preventing the suspended Public Protector’s return to office in a letter to Adv. Mkhwebane dated 4 September 2023.

The President was responding to a letter he received from Adv. Mkhwebane earlier on the same day and in which she expressed her intention to report for duty today, Tuesday, formally 5 September 2023, until the expiry of her term of office on 14 October 2023 or any lawful removal in terms of Section 194 of the Constitution, whichever happens first.

The President has pointed to Adv. Mkhwebane that her intention to return to work is misconceived.

This is due to the fact that the proceedings initiated by a Committee of the National Assembly which has inquired into Adv. Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office have yet to be completed.

Now that the Committee has adopted its report, the proceedings which were initiated by the Committee will be finalised either when the National Assembly does not adopt a resolution calling for the removal from office of Adv. Mkhwebane, or if the National Assembly does adopt such a resolution.

In his letter, the President said: “It is therefore patently clear that the process initiated by the Committee is not completed, (as your letter suggests) when the enquiry by the Committee has been finalised.

“In the circumstances, you have no right or entitlement in law to return to office pending the decisions to which I refer above.

“In the circumstances, while I thank you for your courtesy in informing me of your intention, your interpretation of the Presidential Minute and my letter is wrong, and your intention to return to office is misconceived.

“Your letter states that you were advised on 24 August 2023 that the Committee had completed its part of the process, and that its report would be tabled in the National Assembly. You waited until today to inform me of your intention to return to office tomorrow. Such precipitate action is unjustified on any basis.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will outline progress on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, in the implementation of lifestyle audits for members of the executive and the enhancement of service delivery to communities.
 
The President will outline the government’s approach on these and other matters in a Questions for Oral Reply session in the National Assembly, Cape Town.
 
President Ramaphosa will provide an update on the progress of lifestyle audits in line with his commitment to transparency and accountability.
 
The President will also set out the significant economic benefits South Africa has derived from its participation in the BRICS group and how this is contributing to the implementation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
 
The President will address questions around unwarranted attacks on the judiciary that go beyond reasonable criticism and the importance of preserving the integrity of the administration of justice.
 
The President will also shed light on efforts to enhance cooperative governance among the three spheres of government.
 
Building on the success of the Presidential Izimbizo held across provinces, the President will outline how the engagement between government and communities can be used to expedite the delivery of essential services to communities.
 
Date: Tuesday, 05 September 2023
Time: 14h00–17h00
Venue: National Assembly, Cape Town
 

Media inquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria