Ramaphosa to skip UN meeting

Naledi Pandor will now lead the delegation to UN General Assembly

President Cyril Ramaphosa will not attend 2019’s UN General Assembly and is staying in SA so that he can “concentrate on critical issues” in the country, the presidency said on Thursday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will not attend this year’s UN General Assembly and is staying in SA so he can “concentrate on critical issues” in the country, the presidency said on Thursday.

“The president has decided to remain in SA to attend to the implementation of government’s urgent measures on genderbased violence, the restoration of order and stability in areas affected by public violence, and to oversee initiatives to turn around the economy,” said spokesperson Khusela Diko.

International relations and co-operation minister Naledi Pandor will lead the delegation attending the assembly in New York from September 23 to 26.

This would have been Ramaphosa’s first UN General Assembly as president of SA after the May elections.

Last week, the country was hit by a wave of violence and looting in Gauteng and highprofile incidents of genderbased violence, which overshadowed the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting held in Cape Town, where SA was hoping to showcase itself and attract much-needed investment.

Ramaphosa had to abandon his duties at the WEF to address protesters against gender-based violence. He also addressed the nation about the incidents.

Prior to this there was criticism levelled at the president, accusing him of failing to act on xenophobic violence in Gauteng and the attacks on women.

On Thursday, the presidency said that over the next few days and weeks, Ramaphosa would meet communities, civil society and structures of government to discuss concrete action to tackle the problems.

“This is a time for leadership from across society to mobilise their respective constituencies in support of economic progress and rebuilding the social and moral fabric of society.

“Government is stepping up its own contribution to this collective effort,” Ramaphosa said.

The president together with the deputy president, cabinet ministers and the justice, crime prevention and security cluster will focus on the implementation of the plans outlined in the state of the nation address and the presidency budget vote, Diko said.

/AFP In solidarity: Protesters take part in a march against gender-based violence at North Beach in Durban on September 7. A march to the Cape Town International Convention Centre days earlier forced President Cyril Ramaphosa to interrupt World Economic Forum meetings to address the protesters.