Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya on Wednesday rejected the narrative that President Cyril Ramaphosa is not engaged with his job, saying the President remains deeply motivated with leading reforms and resolving the many challenges facing the country, particularly those facing the economy.

Magwenya was briefing the media on the President's weekly agenda, where he explained that the Presidency had noted with concern the ongoing narrative that sought to suggest that the President was not fully engaged with his job and the task of leading South Africa.

Magwenya said the Presidency rejected this impression, and called it cheap political point-scoring and an attempt to distract from the difficult task of reforming the economy.

He noted that over the last six months Ramaphosa had focused on resolving multiple challenges and advancing the economic growth agenda.

Magwenya highlighted that on Tuesday government finalised the partnership with organised business on three joint work streams – electricity; logistics; and crime and corruption.

He went on to explain that ongoing interactions with business in different sectors, organised labour and the disability sector, continue.

Magwenya highlighted that Ramaphosa had convened the fifth South African investment conference, which exceeded its five-year investment target.

He said on employment the President had established and continued to champion the Youth Employment and Service initiative, which Magwenya said had placed about 1 000 youth in one-year work experience opportunities.

“The Presidential Employment Stimulus created 1.2-million public employment opportunities since 2020," he added.

"On electricity, President Ramaphosa has taken a hands-on approach to solving the crisis by chairing the National Energy Crisis Committee which was established last year in July,” he continued

Magwenya noted that reforms had led to a pipeline of over 100 private sector projects totalling 10 000 MW.

He noted that the President was also actively involved with Operation Vulindlela, which had driven reforms in water, electricity, ports and rail, telecommunications and visas.

Magwenya said Ramaphosa had met with the Presidential Coordinating Council (PCC) three times between June 2 and June 20.

The PCC is the President’s platform for consultation and crucial engagement with provinces and organised local government to raise matters of national interest, coordinate alignment of priorities, strengthen strategic priorities, and discuss performance.

The PCC transcends local boundaries and coordinates responses in a transversal and holistic manner.

SOUTHERN AFRICA CUSTOMS UNION

Ramaphosa will, on Thursday, participate in the eighth Southern Africa Customs Union (Sacu) Heads of State and Government Summit in Eswatini. 

The President‘s working visit at the Sacu Summit is at the invitation of the current Chair of SACU, King Mswati III, and the iNgwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini. 

Ramaphosa will lead a delegation comprising Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza; Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana; and South African Revenue Service commissioner Edward Kieswetter.