DP Ramaphosa in Lesotho for post-election talks

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is today paying a working visit to Lesotho to attend the landmark Post-Elections National Dialogue.

The Deputy President is attending the national dialogue taking place in Maseru in his capacity as Southern African Development Community (SADC) facilitator. 

“The National Dialogue, which will be held under the auspices of the Lesotho Council of NGOs (LCN), will be officially opened by the Deputy Prime Minister of Lesotho, Monyane Moleleki. Deputy President Ramaphosa will deliver a message of encouragement to delegates,” said the Presidency on Wednesday.

The dialogue follows calls by SADC for a multi-stakeholder dialogue that will address, in an inclusive way, security, constitutional, media and public service reforms.

The SADC Oversight Committee, the SADC Council of NGOs and the United Nations will participate in the two-day event. Those invited to the dialogue include opposition party representatives, parties in government, heads of churches, the College of Chiefs, civil society organisations, academics, media and the Independent Electoral Commission.
 
The main objective of the LCN is to provide supportive services to the NGO community in Lesotho through networking, leadership, information dissemination, capacity building, human rights, advocacy and lobbying, and representation when dealing with the international community and government.

During a working visit to the landlocked country on 9 August Deputy President Ramaphosa, the coalition government in the Kingdom, opposition parties, NGOs, religious leaders and the College of Chiefs respectively expressed their commitment to a multi-stakeholder dialogue directed towards long-term peace and stability.

All these constituencies will participate in the dialogue today.
 
The dialogue will facilitate discussion on, among other issues, the complexities of the Lesotho electoral process; issues associated with securing national peace, political stability, reconciliation and transitional justice. It will also facilitate discussions on pre-conditions for undertaking successful reforms, and key considerations on the process, structures and leadership that should accompany the reform process in the Kingdom.

Last month, Cabinet joined President Jacob Zuma in condemning acts of violence in the neighbouring country.  The recent violence saw the assassination of Lesotho Defence Force Commander, General Khoantle Motšomotšo, and three other officers.

Deputy President to answer questions in the National Assembly

Meanwhile, Deputy President Ramaphosa will answer questions in South Africa’s National Assembly on Thursday.

“In view of the significance of the Lesotho National Dialogue and the role of the Deputy President as SADC Facilitator, Parliament has granted Deputy President Ramaphosa special permission to respond to questions for oral reply in the National Assembly,” said the Presidency.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will answer the questions a day later than originally scheduled by Parliament.
 
Questions for oral reply submitted to Deputy President Ramaphosa address, among other issues, perceived and real corruption in State-owned entities; enhancing the competitiveness and investor friendliness of the South African economy; poverty alleviation programmes and the state of South Africa’s youth. – SAnews.gov.za