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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 25 May 2016, during a question and answer session brief the National Assembly on his recent visit to South Sudan to consolidate unity within the ranks of the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) and to create peace and stability in the country.

The briefing to the National Assembly by Deputy President Ramaphosa comes against the background of celebrations of Africa Day on Wednesday, 25 May 2016 across the continent under the theme 'a better Africa in a better world”. 

In this regard, the African Union and regional economic communities have made peace central to the attainment of sustainable development as part of efforts aimed at the political and economic renewal of the continent of Africa. 

In pursuit of this objective, Deputy President Ramaphosa in his capacity as Special Envoy of President Jacob Zuma and working alongside Abdulrahman Kinana, the Secretary-General of Tanzania's ruling party have worked tirelessly to unite the various factions of the SPLM as part of efforts to end the conflict that had engulfed South Sudan.

As a consequence of these efforts all major-role players in various factions of the SPLM have now returned to South Sudan and a new transitional unity government is now in place. These developments create a positive climate for an advance towards the post-conflict reconstruction and development of the South Sudan.

Deputy President Ramaphosa visited South Sudan on Monday, 16 May 2016 where he held political discussions with the South Sudanese President Salva Kirr, First Vice President Riek Machar, Foreign Minister Deng Alor to consolidate unity within the SPLM.

South Africa's participation in the World Economic Forum (Africa)

Deputy President Ramaphosa is also expected to brief the National Assembly on the recent participation in the World Economic Forum (Africa) held in Kigali, Rwanda. Deputy President Ramaphosa led a high-level government and business delegation to the Forum convened under the theme "Connecting Africa's resources through digital transformation”.

The South African Team utilised the various platforms of the World Economic Forum, to reassure regional and global investors attending the forum that South Africa remains open for business and still is the preferred destination for foreign direct investments. Team South Africa also reiterated South Africa's commitment to the full implementation of the National Development Plan as a cornerstone of South Africa's economy.

Powers of Ministers vis a vis MEC's

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also respond to issues raised by members of the National Assembly regarding the powers of Ministers vis a vis Members of Executive Councils (MEC) in various provinces. The Deputy President will also address the report of the Public Protector on the distribution of food parcels during elections.

Issued by the Presidency