President Zuma to engage media, stakeholders and communities in the month of August
President Jacob Zuma has a busy month of public activities during the month of August engaging stakeholders, the media and communities.
Today, Friday 7 August 2015, the President has convened the Presidential Business Working Group at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.
President Zuma announced last year during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) that he would constitute and convene the Presidential Business Working Group, to promote collaboration towards implementing an inclusive growth strategy to support the National Development Plan.
The following work streams, through which the Working Group does its work, will report back at the session: Education and skills; Infrastructure; Regulatory Impact on investment, Labour Regulations Environment and Inclusive Growth.
The National Women's Day commemoration will take place on 9 August 2015 in Sasolburg in the Free State province under theme: "Women United in Moving South Africa Forward”. On the day, President Zuma will release the first Government Report on the Status of Women in the South African economy.
The national event will take the form of a rally, with an estimated 20 000 people from all nine provinces. It will begin with a symbolic march aimed at reliving the experience of 1956 Women's March against the Pass Laws and will be followed by an official programme where President Zuma will convey the national message and release the report.
On the 11th of August, the President will brief the media at the Union Buildings on progress made since the delivery of the 2015 State of the Nation Address. He will focus primarily on the nine point plan to boost economic growth and jobs that he announced at the SONA.
Later in the day, the President will receive letters of credence from Ambassadors and High Commissioners-designate at a credentials ceremony at the Sefako M Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.
Diplomats from twelve (12) countries will present their credentials to the President, the representatives of the Republic of Kenya, Kingdom of Denmark, Commonwealth of Australia, Republic of Hungary, the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Republic of Malawi, United Mexican States, Republic of Chile, Republic of Singapore, Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of Ecuador and the Republic of Lithuania.
On Tuesday 13 August, President Zuma will brief the media and stakeholders on progress made since the launch of Operation Phakisa, the National Development Plan fast delivery methodology. He will track the progress made so far in the oceans economy and in the country's development of ideal clinics as per the inception of these programmes last year.
Inspired by the "Big Fast Results" methodology that was successfully applied by Malaysia, Operation Phakisa - from the Sesotho word meaning "hurry up" - aims to fast-track the delivery of priorities outlined in the country's National Development Plan.
On 16-18 August 2015, President Zuma will lead a South African delegation to attend the 35th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government in Gaborone, Botswana.
On the 21st of August the President will visit Eersterust in Pretoria east for an Imbizo to promote the fight against drugs and substance abuse. The President has been alerted to societal problems in the community by religious leaders in the area and will be joined by Ministers and Deputy Ministers to listen to the community and to report back.
On the 25th the President visits Mvezo, near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape to open the Makgatho Lewanika Mandela Primary School.
The President will close the month with a massive launch of a programme that he mentioned in the State of the Nation Address, that is, War on Leaks. Government intends to train young people as artisans and plumbers to curb water leaks and wastage in communities. The programme will create training opportunities and jobs for the youth while also inculcating in the communities a culture of saving the scarce resource that is water.
Enquiries:
Bongani Majola
Cell: 082 339 1993
E-mail: bonganim@presidency.gov.za
