Speech by the Hon Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, MP, and Minister in The Presidency on the occasion of The Presidency Budget Vote 2023/2024 National Assembly

Madame Speaker
Your Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa,
Deputy President of the Republic, The Honourable Paul Mashatile, Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Honourable Chief Whip
Honourable Members of the House, Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests,

Madame Speaker,

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) offers its sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of broadcaster, writer and political commentator who passed away suddenly on Tuesday, 30 May 2023.

GCIS Acting Director-General Michael Currin said: “This is a deeply sad moment for the communications sector in our country, including government communicators with whom Eusebius McKaiser interacted on many platforms.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in partnership with Agape Youth Movement, the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities will host a webinar on Disability and Inclusion in schools.

The webinar forms part of the Child Protection Week commemorated annually from the 28th of May to the 4th of June. The purpose of the webinar is to raise awareness about the importance of protecting and accommodating children with disabilities in schools.

Good day members of the media, please be informed that the KZN Presidential Imbizo is postponed to 30 June and will no longer happen on 09 June as previously communicated on the media advisory below. The new deadline for accreditation will be communicated as soon as possible.

Introduction

Operation Vulindlela is focused on accelerating the implementation of 35 priority reforms,  which have been identified for their impact on economic growth and job creation. It remains a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury and its role is to provide oversight and support to the relevant line departments that remain responsible for the implementation of the reforms and ensuring that the targets are met. 

Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni will host a media briefing to give an update on the progress made in the implementation of Operation Vulindlela.

Operation Vulindlela is a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms and support economic recovery. It aims to modernise and transform network industries, including electricity, water, transport and digital communications. Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the media briefing.

Details are as follows:

Proposed interventions by Minister Ntshavheni

General trends in international relations: New opportunities and threats

As I am taking the floor for the first time, let me congratulate the Russian Federation for hosting the 11th INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURITY MATTERS and the hospitality extended to me and my delegation. On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, we welcome the opportunity to share our views and insights on this important topic which requires both our individual and collective action.

The Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa will tomorrow, Friday, 26 May 2023 brief members of the media on the progress regarding the implementation of the Energy Action Plan.

Members of the media are invited to attend the briefing as follows:

Date: Friday, 26 May 2023
Time: 14h00
Platform: Ronnie Mamoepa Press Room, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Francis Baard Street, Hatfield, Pretoria

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) will embark on a two-day youth engagement program at KaMaqhekeza township in Nkomazi Local Municipality, Mpumalanga province, between 25 and 26 May 2023.

The event forms part of government’s commitment to ensure that South African citizens are empowered through access to government information. 

A.    Issues in the Environment