Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, Chairperson of the proceedings and chairperson of the portfolio committee, Deputy Minister, hon members, honoured guests, friends and comrades, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen. I stand before you today, on the first day of June, which also marks the historic commemoration of Youth Month. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Soweto and related youth uprisings. June 16, 1976, has been engraved in the minds of all South Africans and reminds us to take command of the values enshrined in our Constitution and in our daily lives. This day was denoted by the horrific murder of the 12-year-old Hector Pieterson. It is this harsh reality that reminds us of the oppressive past that allows us to appreciate our current democratic dispensation, where today we once again hail that South Africa belongs to all who live in it.
South Africa's liberation struggle was marked by its success in mobilising people even under strenuous environments for the better good. Over 17 years into democracy, it has become necessary for people to once again be mobilised for the national good. Despite the challenges that came after 1994, South Africa has the muscle of a legitimate government supported by a people-centered government communication system.
This Budget Vote presentation takes place against the background of the positive mood that prevailed during the successful third democratic local government elections that saw millions of South Africans participating in it. It is against this background that we are tabling the budget of an organisation that not only gives expression to the rights in the Constitution, but one that is also key to developing each South African into an active socioeconomic agent that contributes towards the functionality of our democracy.
In my address, I will focus on the work done by the Government Communication and Information System, GCIS. The Deputy Minister, hon Dina Pule, will address you on the work of the International Marketing Council, IMC, of South Africa and the Media Development and Diversity Agency, MDDA.
At a Cabinet lekgotla in January, the President declared that communication should be prioritised. We were also mandated by Cabinet to assert the presence and voice of government in a highly contested communication environment. We were further mandated to energise all government departments in this effort, and our ability to inform society should continue to be at the centre of our work.
The resounding mandate given to government by two-thirds of our people highlights government's communication as a critical link between government's implementation of its programme and the empowerment of citizens through the dissemination of relevant government information and initiatives. This gives life to government's theme: Working together, we can do more.
Hon members, we have developed a national communication strategy for 2011 to 2014 which provides implementation support to government's change agenda which in turn uplifts the five national priorities into five key communication campaigns. This strategy is before Cabinet. These key campaigns centre around the delivery of improved quality of basic education, provision of health care for all South Africans, decent work to ensure sustainable livelihoods, reduction of crime and rural development.
We have in the past led campaigns, working together with the relevant departments, without necessarily taking over the day-to-day functions of their communication units. I will briefly highlight the energy efficiency campaign and the inclusive economy campaign. The GCIS successfully partnered with the SABC to promote economic opportunities created by government, which mainly targeted the living standard measure, LSM, between 3 and 7 as potential beneficiaries. In this 13-episode series called Rize Mzansi, government reached over 1,6 million viewers.
Following the national electricity crisis of 2008, we led the energy efficiency communication on behalf of government. For the 2010-11 financial year, the campaign focused mainly on strengthening direct stakeholder relationships and internal communication programmes. An electronic newsletter was launched, and a number of media round tables were held on various key national energy issues. A four-part educational series ran on e.tv and a microsite on energy efficiency was created, which is fully operational. In addition, the national advertising campaign was implemented, with heightened awareness on energy efficiency.
In heeding the President's call for a professional cadre of public servants, we have developed communication platforms which are designed to attain a higher national interest of an empowered citizenry. One such platform is the Public Sector Manager magazine, which is edited, laid out and designed internally. This platform provides an opportunity for the Public Service to share best practices which support government's outcome- based approach of developing a performance-oriented Public Service. The magazine is also available online.
We continue to implement capacity-building programmes for government communicators and political principals. This programme empowers government messengers with the tools to effectively develop and disseminate government messages. We have also conceptualised, on request, a series of tailor-made communication sessions, including media engagement training, communication strategy development and development communication.
To date we have delivered over 25 media training sessions to national, provincial and local government communicators and conducted two workshops with government communicators from 26 departments on how to develop successful communication strategies.
In making government communications more professional, we have put in place plans for the implementation of a national training and capacity-building programme. We also successfully organised forums where best practices and issues of common interest were discussed by communicators in the system with the aim of improving the quality of our communications. In its quest to provide strategic leadership in communication and co-ordinating a responsive government communication system, GCIS is strengthening existing programmes and putting in place key interventions.
Hon members, we will support national, provincial and local government in developing and aligning government-wide communication strategies. This includes alignment of the cluster communication strategies which provide a basis for visible and tangible outcomes of government's implementation of its programme. We also monitor the implementation of these strategies.
Government's share of voice in the media is not something that happens by chance, but is informed by a deliberate strategy of being both proactive and reactive. During the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup we piloted a dynamic mix of communication which proved to be extremely effective in terms of monitoring salient issues and responding rapidly. This model ensured that communicators remained aware of the environment and were prepared to engage, argue and defend government.
We are in the process of rolling out a model of a proactive and responsive media management system which amalgamates policy and communication expertise in setting the public discourse agenda. This will ensure that accurate and prompt responses from government hold the media or public discourse space for the given issue.
We have also centralised government's advertising unit to realise bulk media discounts. Success has already been recorded in the realignment of media buying from an outsourced to an in-house model. For this financial year, a total of 147 campaigns to the total value of R163 million have been booked. We plan to make the media buying system more professional through an enhanced client management system and operational guidelines.
We are also in the process of establishing a professional events and exhibitions unit. This will contribute towards executing government events professionally, from planning to look and feel. We have distributed over 11 million units of print information material. However, due to the poor uptake of our centralised distribution system by national departments, we plan to implement a client education and relationship management strategy to assist clients and departments in understanding the benefits of centralised distribution.
To ensure that the corporate identity for government is adhered to, we plan to conduct workshops with all three spheres of government to build a uniform government brand. This is as per the Cabinet resolution of 2004 for the establishment and roll-out of a uniform corporate identity for government.
Documenting the work of government is critical in raising the awareness of citizens and, more broadly, the international community. While we appreciate that content is key, we also know that a picture tells a thousand words. The Government Communication and Information System continues to successfully document and handle the increase in video and photographic coverage of the President and Deputy President as they lead the country. We are in the process of acquiring the technology to transmit footage directly to broadcasters from abroad and locations in and around the country. There are also plans to move towards high-definition full digital recording capabilities.
Hon members, for us to be effective, various techniques and styles must be adopted. In facilitating a targeted and measured communication approach that addresses the diversity of the South African population, we are designing and managing a segmentation research project to better understand the make-up of the South African population. Such understanding is important to determine what to communicate, how to communicate and through which platforms to communicate. We base our communication programme and platforms on empirical evidence acquired through scientific communication research.
The state of the nation address by the President is not just any other speech, but sets the agenda for government's programme of action for the coming year and also highlights key achievements and challenges. I am pleased to see that the number of people who viewed the speech increased year on year from about 2 million in 2009 to almost 4 million in 2010 and over 4 million in 2011 since it was changed to the evening. A total of 68 big screen events or communal viewing areas of the speech were arranged. Tertiary institutions, hospitals and correctional institutions were targeted as venues in some provinces. A total of 256 communal viewing outreach events took place which included activities before, during and after the events. A highlight activity was the screening event and service outreach at the Efata School for the Blind and Deaf in Mthatha, which brought the President's address to this important segment of our society.
In supporting and unpacking the programmes announced by the President, the GCIS successfully organised and facilitated post- state of the nation address ministerial media briefings which featured all the government clusters. These briefings provided a critical platform for Ministers to articulate strategies and plans in the implementation of government's programme of action.
The cluster briefings were also accompanied by a community radio phone-in programme on the 66 community radio stations. The collective reach of the 66 community radio stations targeted was 7 million listeners.
As a government for all South Africans, we have to ensure that, regardless of limitations and challenges, we serve all our people. In this spirit, we intend to reposition the bimonthly Vukuzenzele magazine, within the existing budget, into a monthly tabloid format that will enhance its reach and frequency. Vukuzenzele promotes access to information about government programmes and how to access the benefits of democracy. It has also brought about an important addition to government's communication platforms, especially for people with the least access to media.
Currently, we produce 1,6 million copies of the magazine on a bimonthly basis. By using the existing budget for the magazine, we can publish a monthly tabloid and increase the print run to 1,7 million copies. The elimination of the one-month gap will allow for continuity as readers are better able to develop loyalty to the publication. The plan is to increase the print run to 2 million and go fortnightly as from 2012 onward.
Research shows that radio remains a media platform with substantial reach. Information reaches audiences quickly, and to a large extent, in their homes. The Government Communication and Information System has established the practice of hosting community radio phone-in programmes on community radio stations for major campaigns on Thursdays at 6 pm. It has been found to have an impact because it allows the community to interact directly with government officials and political principals.
We are mindful of the impact of social media on the world. Social media democratises communication and enables people to provide up-to-the-minute feedback. Indeed, the democratisation of the media marketplace places an even greater onus on government to ensure that its voice is heard and understood.
To ensure that we remain relevant to the youth and indeed to the adult population that is active in the social media world, we have developed guidelines for government communicators to take advantage of these platforms. These guidelines are necessary to ensure that government does not lose its authority, voice and legitimacy to become just another voice in the social media space. We want to encourage Members of Parliament and the executive to also take advantage of these platforms as led by the President.
As government, we will also continue to engage with the South African National Editors' Forum to discuss issues of mutual interest.
Turning to the budget, the spending focus over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period will continue to contribute to the creation of an informed, efficient, effective and development-oriented public service by building communication partnerships with stakeholders. The Government Communication and Information System will also support the International Marketing Council's, IMC, rebranding projects that focus on marketing South Africa to the general South African public, as well as the efforts of the Media Development and Diversity Agency, MDDA, to enable access to the media by historically disadvantaged communities.
Expenditure for the department increased from R380,9 million in 2007-08 to R550 million in 2010-11, at an average annual rate of 13%. This was mainly due to funds devolved from the Department of Public Works for office accommodation; from departmental activities in preparation for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup; from government's initiatives in the inclusive economy; additional capacity at provincial offices; from the Energy Efficiency Campaign; and from the increase in transfer of payments to the IMC for the 2010 World Cup and CNBC Africa communication programmes.
Over the MTEF period, the expenditure is expected to increase from R550 million to R552 million at an average annual rate of 0,1%. The marginal growth is as a result of completion of activities in 2010-11 related to the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup, the Energy Efficiency Campaign, as well as the lack of adequate funding for the CNBC Africa communication programmes in the same year.
At the end of the financial year, R522 million - that is, 95% - was spent. The bulk of the saving of R27,9 million relates to the following: An amount of R16,5 million was allocated to the new GCIS head office building as part of the Re Kgabisa Tshwane Project. This project was cancelled by the Department of Public Works and the money has been rolled over in terms of the agreement with National Treasury.
Earmarked funds of R6 million, in respect of the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup, were saved, mainly due to some activities that we did not realise by year-end, such as the expansion of the international research to other countries; a final technical report that needs final approval and which will have financial implications; as well as the production of a coffee table book and a DVD.
The annual Government Communicators' Awards Ceremony was given a cash sponsorship of R100 000. A saving of R3,52 million was realised in respect of Compensation of Employees; and a saving of R1,696 million can be broken down as follows: R608 000 in respect of communication activities around the state of the nation address; over the medium term, the department receives additional allocations of R5,3 million, R5,5 million and R5,7 million for improved conditions of service; R1,5 million, R1,6 million and R1,7 million for video and photography support to the Presidency; R1,4 million and R1,5 million for media relations for consecutive years; and R1,9 million, R2,1 million and R1 million for developing communication personnel and the communication curriculum for communication personnel in government. The ratio of administrative costs to line-function programme costs is 1:4 and is expected to increase to 1:2.
The GCIS has once again closed its 2010-11 financial year with a record of 95% of budget spent. This is a well-managed budget execution. The GCIS budget for the 2011-12 financial year is R496 million, with the IMC receiving an allocation of R140 million and the MDDA an allocation of R19 million.
The essence of "Working together, we can do more" has begun to permeate all government work. The GCIS has adopted a more measured approach to government communication, which will allow reflective baselines to be established.
Government communication will continue to pursue a people-centred approach in partnership with various sectors of society in ensuring that all citizens become active participants in a functioning democracy, towards a better future.
Let me also take this opportunity to thank the outgoing chief executive officer of the GCIS, Mr Themba Maseko, for his sterling work at the helm of this organisation, and to wish him well with his future plans.
I offer a word of warmest congratulations to Mr Jimmy Manyi and his GCIS team for the impressive way they have run this crucial government operation.
I thank you and recommend that you approve the Budget Vote. [Applause.]
Chairperson, Minister in the Presidency: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration, and your Deputy, leaders from both the Media Development and Diversity Agency, MDDA, and the International Marketing Council, IMC, the CEO of the Government Communication and Information System, GCIS, Mr Manyi, and your staff, hon Members of Parliament, colleagues, comrades and friends, the ANC-led government has recognised that freedom of expression is an entrenched tenet of our new democratic society. But it has done so within the context of a society with an inheritance of severe deprivation with regard to information and dialogue with their government.
We are also mindful that many of the progressive and democratic principles of our Constitution can only be effectively implemented when we have active organisation and participation of all our people.
The ANC takes as its starting point the Freedom Charter clause which says, "the people shall govern". Democracy is more than electing public representatives once every five years; it is all about the participation of our people in decision-making in all processes, which ultimately change their lives.
The vision of the Government Communication and Information System is government communication that empowers and encourages citizens to participate in democracy and improves their lives to achieve their aspirations.
The Government Communication and Information System remains central in developing communication strategies and programmes for government's transversal campaigns and co-ordination of cross-cutting projects driven by it on behalf of other departments. These cross-cutting communication programmes include specific campaigns and events to develop departmental communication structures.
Hon Minister, yesterday when you introduced the budget, there was an indication that the GCIS will be approached in taking forward the campaign of making our people aware that they must Rica before the end of June. We are reliably told that currently we have over 10 million South Africans with cellphones that have not been Rica'ed. So, if you are part of those, you must make sure that after today you go straight to one of the outlets and Rica, because at the end of June you will be disconnected. I hope you have done so, Minister and Deputy Minister.
Concentration of ownership and control remains a matter of concern for all governments. In the case of the media, there is an additional concern; lack of diversity allows for control of information and opinion. Hence media diversity remains vital to our democracy.
The research conducted by the MDDA reveals that in our country the situation has not changed much. The question we must ask ourselves is: Have we done enough to deal with the legacy of monopolistic control, particularly in the area of distribution and printing? If the answer is negative, the question is: What needs to be done to deal with this legacy?
At the Caledon Colloquium in October 1996, the breaking down of the newspaper distribution monopoly was welcomed. It was also felt that there was a need to regulate the mass distributors of newspapers so that they would be able to give access to the up and coming people who want to participate in newspapers. That was in 1996. This was going to enable smaller and emerging newspapers to be dealt with fairly and equitably by these distributors.
A case in point is in the Eastern Cape, where one of the small newspapers was forced to have their newspapers printed in Durban, because they couldn't afford the prices charged by the dominating newspaper in that region. I cannot mention its name, but it is a dominating newspaper in the Eastern Cape.
The ANC in its discussions has already taken a view that nothing much has changed as confirmed by this research. We hold the view that there should be at least a process whereby the Competition Commission enquiry can come into this space to investigate whether there is no anti-competitive behaviour in the print media value chain.
Hon members, the MDDA, as we know, has been doing very well. Over the past year it has funded close to 400 different community media projects. I will not mention all of them, but it amounts to R153 million. The projects' vision of realising a dream of documenting the everyday lives of communities while creating emerging media entrepreneurs at community level includes the Ziwaphi newspaper in Mpumalanga. I can only talk about that one because yesterday there was a lot of talk about the North West.
However, I must also mention that there is a community development for children which is found in KwaZulu-Natal at Ngwavuma, Nondaba. We want to congratulate the MDDA on the fact that, to this end, it has been getting unqualified audited financial statements for the past six years. However, in our conference we reaffirmed the need to accelerate the roll- out of community radio stations to reach a target of one per district, the target at which the MDDA is doing very well.
The budget presented by the MDDA before the committee indicates a decline in the voluntary contribution by the print media. The call by the movement of the people, the ANC, that there should be a substantial increase in the funding of the MDDA to fulfil its strategic task remains key, particularly at the point when people decide to reduce their contribution to funding the media.
The current funding model of the MDDA limits the potential of the MDDA to execute its mandate. It is perhaps time for us to engage in robust discussion with both the print media and the broadcasting industry to this effect.
Our engagement should focus on what needs to be done by government, the print media and the broadcasters. Must we change the funding model for the MDDA? Is the voluntary contribution working or must we go to mandatory contribution by the print media, and look at the possibility of government funding MDDA projects? The Media Development and Diversity Agency will be presenting the findings of their research to the committee, with recommendations on what needs to be done as a way forward. It is very important to take this opportunity to remind those who hold the licence for community radio and broadcasting that they do so on behalf of the communities.
When we go out during oversight work we find communities where they don't even know that that licence existed, but that licence was issued under the community radio. Those individuals privatise those licences and we must remind them that they hold those licences on behalf of the communities and nothing else.
The communities have got a right to participate and have a say in how those community radio stations should be run. And general meetings should be called accordingly so that they comply with the requirements of those licences. Otherwise, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, Icasa, might be forced to withdraw some of those licences so that such people should apply for commercial licences other than the community ones.
We noted that the progress made by the department on the issue of Thusong centres is on course. However, we are also aware of the challenges, that part of the problem is that Thusong centres have now become service points.
Departments are battling in terms of how to staff those service points in order to be able to provide our people with the services. But we hope that we will continue, hon Minister, to engage them and make sure that those centres become active amongst our people.
The committee has noted that there is a Cabinet decision which requires centralisation of advertising budgets allocated to various departments. Notwithstanding what you say, Minister, we must state that we are disappointed that the Cabinet decision has not been implemented by most departments. To this end, we urgently request departments to implement this Cabinet decision as soon as possible and have progress reports with regard to how far departments are co-operating with the centralisation of the advertising budget.
On the same note, we also urge government across all spheres to start the discussions regarding the means and ways of apportioning part of their adspend to the community media. This process should be spearheaded by the GCIS. We cannot say that government uses community radio or community media, for government does not do so. Government must lead by example. We must use those community media so that private care centres would also follow suit.
The committee, in November 2002, held public hearings in relation to the transformation of the advertising industry. Undertakings were made by the advertising industry in relation to transformation. However, to date, when we do oversight, there are still a lot of complaints emanating from the behaviour of advertising industry.
To this effect we are calling on the advertising industry appearing before the committee during this month to come and tell us how far they are in transforming the industry. It cannot be correct that advertisements can only be apportioned or be directed to the main media to the disadvantage of the community media - that cannot be correct. They should be able to indicate to us what steps they are going to take to ensure that there will be enough for everyone to have a slice.
The committee was generally satisfied with the GCIS Strategic Plan and its entities. To this end, the committee recommends that the GCIS should be given more power and authority over government spokespersons in order to intervene when necessary. Heads of communications and spokespersons of government departments should be allowed to attend high-level departmental meetings in order to speak from an informed perspective and with authority.
Attendance of the Government Communicators' Forum must be attached to the performance agreement of all government communications personnel. Speeding up the process of appointing a service provider for the communications curriculum is urgent.
The committee also recommends that the MDDA and the regulator, Icasa, should urgently attend to the issue of tariffs. We are told when we conduct oversight that some of the community radio signals have been cut off because they cannot afford to pay their developmental centres.
The Electronic Communications Act makes provision for differentiation between community media with community, etc, so that the rates and the tariffs are accordingly determined, but that is not done. We urge the MDDA and Icasa to attend to that particular matter.
In closing, the committee acknowledges the work done by the IMC in terms of branding and marketing the country, and the spirit of oneness, unity in diversity shown during the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup.
Of course, the ANC will support this Budget Vote. [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, Minister and Deputy Minister, members of the Portfolio Committee on the Government Communication and Information Service and distinguished guests, many South Africans remain unsure as to what the role of Government Communication and Information System, GCIS, is, as well what the role the Minister in the Presidency plays within the GCIS.
The Minister in the GCIS is responsible for performance monitoring and evaluation, to which the GCIS is accountable. The GCIS exists to provide communication, leadership and support to government departments and government in general, and its operational requirements are to keep the public informed about policies, legislation, programmes and activities of government.
With the above explanation taken into account, I am sure the public was just as concerned as I was to see the Director-General of the GCIS, Mr Jimmy Manyi, effectively abandon his given mandate and attempt to take up a new career as South Africa's director-general of Sociore-engineering. It takes one comment, such as that made by Mr Jimmy Manyi, to set South African race relations back years and start a race debate second to none, not only in the public, but in Cabinet too. The South African government endured the embarrassment of racial slurs between high-ranking political office-bearers. The general embarrassment endured by the GCIS was painful to watch. What is probably the hardest pill to swallow is the fact that Jimmy Manyi completely disgraces the GCIS and is then rewarded for his racial divisionary action by being appointed government spokesperson to Cabinet. One has to ask the question: Where is the accountability in that?
I do, however, have a constructive suggestion on how to save the ANC quite a bit of money. Gwede Mantashe and the ANC's national management need not launch a post-election investigation into why they lost so much of the minority vote. All they have to do is question Jimmy Manyi's actions.
Let us now have a look at the GCIS budget as a whole. We have Programme 1, communication and content management; Programme 2, government and stakeholder engagement; and Programme 3, the administration programme.
While all these programmes have their place, we have no choice but to question the amounts of money allocated to them and the necessity of spending millions of rands on repeated strategic plans and programme support that could be shared and which are spreading what can only be described as government propaganda.
Millions and millions of South Africans could benefit greatly from the over R496 million that will be spent by the GCIS. Think of the roads, houses, schools and hospitals that could be built. Instead, South Africans will hear about plans - read Budget! I challenge the GCIS that I am correct in my assumption that perception is not effectively changed by propaganda, but by actions.
The role of the GCIS includes public protection of government performance relating to authorities. The highest negative perceptions were around the following departments: Health, on HIV and Aids; Police, on crime; Social Development, on grants; Labour; Economic Development; and Rural Development and Land Reform.
I enjoy receiving and reading the Vukuzenzele magazine, but I do not enjoy receiving more than one copy in my pigeonhole simply because a certain number has been printed and now they need to be distributed. What I cannot understand is why the publication never arrives at or gets distributed in my constituency. Why does this publication only enjoy circulation in certain areas? I have asked why the publication is not brought to my constituency and I am yet to receive an appropriate answer.
Yesterday I received a lovely gift from the GCIS. A beautiful leather-bound notebook with a matching stainless steel pen was delivered to my office in a very sturdy and attractive gift box, wrapped in a South African flag ribbon. While the gift is certainly lovely, why was it given to me? I am still not sure!
I am a Member of Parliament and earn more than enough to buy my own stationery. I am a Member of Parliament and as such do not need my government advertised to me. I do not want to be ungrateful in any possible way, but I implore the Minister, let us not waste our money on these frivolous niceties. Winter is here, and may I make a suggestion that, instead of giving Members of Parliament fancy notebooks, we should have perhaps distributed blankets to the needy, with the GCIS logo, on behalf of the Members of Parliament.
A clear distinction needs to be made between the state and the ruling party. Until this decision becomes clear, and the propaganda ends and the administration improves, it will be difficult to fully appreciate the GCIS's mandate.
I am a South African. I am proud of my country and I am proud to be a Member of Parliament. I wave my flag with pride in my heart. I cheer with all my might for Bafana Bafana, the Springboks and the Proteas. I do this because I love my country, and I do this not because the ANC tells me to, but because my country is my home, and my fellow South Africans my family. I thank you. [Applause.]
Chairperson, hon Minister, members, members of the public, as well as departmental staff of the Government Communication and Information System, GCIS, and others, the GCIS is no doubt a well- structured department under the leadership of an experienced team headed by deputy chief executive officers with vast experience and a very skilled and resourceful financial officer. A truly experienced and professional leadership team. Not surprisingly, Chairperson, it is a strong team of women that is rally forming the backbone of the GCIS. [Applause.] So truly, proverbially, it is the reverse: not the woman behind the man, but the man behind the women. They really structure and give a backbone to this department.
Although the strategic plan is an excellent document and in many ways sets a good example for other departments to follow, and I thank the Minister for that because ultimately he has to set the example ... [Applause.] ... in many ways. We have to mention some concerns as they relate to the confusion of roles between an organ of state, the GCIS, and the ruling party. I will come to that in a while.
As we as Cope understand it, the role of the GCIS is correctly captured on page 41, and I quote from the document:
The GCIS is primarily responsible for providing strategic leadership and co-ordinating a government communication system that ensures the public is informed and has access to government programmes and policies that benefit them.
They need to know where to turn to in order to access state-funded services.
Chairperson, the problem is, Sun Tzu, a fabled Chinese strategist, said many moons ago, and in fact I think it was about 3000 years ago, that "he who controls communications shall control the battlefield". If it was true 3000 years ago, how much more so today, the main difference being that in our case we have a modern democracy, with a Constitution, with constitutional rights, with constitutional principles, with Parliament and supposedly a professional Public Service, as well as freedom for the media and freedom of access to information.
No government in the world can control access to information. Even former Egyptian President Mubarak had to learn the hard way, and he has to pay for it now. News and information move at the speed of lightning. It doesn't matter if you try to turn down communication with the short message service, SMS, or Twitter; it moves.
Government communication is, therefore, a highly sensitive operation that requires the highest standards of professionalism to ensure relevant proactive and reactive communication and dissemination of information. But, when the impertinent hot head in the ruling party blows a fuse deep in Luthuli House, it does not stay there; it is world news within nanoseconds. Events and utterances are recorded, and there is no place to hide.
The Government Communication and Information System is a vital department, which should create positive perceptions as a platform to facilitate investor confidence trade and tourism for the country and as a primary department promoted by the relevant departments and agencies, as well as the private sector. It is also intended to inform the broad public about government services, as indicated before. Whatever the target audience, the message should be consistent and authentic; otherwise, government loses credibility that it can never regain.
As said earlier, the GCIS has a solid financial and administrative record for which it is commended. It operates like a well-run ship, ready to take on the challenges of wind and weather. However, the performance of the most efficient battleship is determined by the quality of leadership on the bridge. If the captain is prone to emotional reactions, or becomes involved in crew politics and internal brawls, or engages arrogantly with the media, the ship could be heading for the rocks. Unfortunately, in recent months, under the leadership of the chief executive officer, some disconcerting signals started to flash. It is common wisdom that when the chief spin doctor needs a spin doctor, or when the newsbroker becomes the newsmaker, things go from bad to worse.
One such a signal is to be found on page 9 of the strategic report in a seemingly innocent little paragraph where the department states that government communications must support the delivery of government's electoral mandate by intensifying communication to key stakeholders in this area. This is a clear indication, Chairperson, of the tendency to use state communication to become a taxpayer-funded mouthpiece for the ruling party. This is not what the Constitution is about. In fact, Chairperson, I would like to ask the Minister to again look at the fundamental principles of public administration which should be unbiased. It is in section 195 of the Constitution, basic values and Principles governing the administration of the Constitution.
Together with plans to establish a state-funded newspaper, the bulldozing through Parliament of the Protection of Information Bill and plans to co- ordinate communication right down to municipal level, the signals are clear that the intent is to turn the "Good Ship Government Communication" into the "SS Goebbels", and it is there for all to see.
While we welcome, in particular, Cosatu's strong voice joining in against the severe impact on freedom of information if their election partners ram through the Protection of Information Bill, it will be up to a vigilant opposition, an active citizenry and unabated support from the powerful fourth estate and ultimately the Constitutional Court to ensure that SS Goebbels never gets launched in the waters of our democracy. Cope wishes the department all the best for the task ahead. Thank you.
Hon Chairperson, hon Minister and Deputy Minister, colleagues, distinguished guests, one of the renowned American motivational speakers, Anthony Robbins, once said, "The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives." I wish to add and say it indeed determines the lives of others as well. It is with this maxim in mind that I think the responsibilities of the Government Communication and Information System, GCIS, are often, and in most cases, unwittingly underestimated. Before I discuss some of the issues pertaining to the GCIS, let me begin by congratulating Jimmy Manyi on his appointment as the new head of GCIS. [Applause.] I do so because this is the first Budget Vote debate in which he is at the helm of the GCIS. We wish him well and hope that he will continue reflecting on the achievements of his predecessor and take the GCIS even higher.
It is precisely the manner in which we communicate with the people of our country that we so often find ourselves in situations that we surely did not intend. As the GCIS has as its main aim the provision of a comprehensive communication service on behalf of government to facilitate the involvement of the majority of South Africans in governance, reconstruction and development, nation-building and reconciliation, it is imperative that a communication strategy is employed that will ensure that unambiguous messages are communicated and that we ultimately achieve social cohesion. It is therefore imperative that we are calculated and considerate about not only what we communicate, but also about how we communicate.
A case in point relates to the manner in which GCIS' intention to publish Vukuzenzele in newsprint format was misconstrued to mean that GCIS intended establishing a government newspaper in competition with the established newspapers. It is for this reason that this newspaper then caused an unnecessary public concern.
Communication technology in the 21st century is one area in human endeavour that has seen the most advancements and begs of us to optimally utilise it or be left behind. I respectfully submit to this House that the IFP is not quite convinced that the GCIS has fully exploited technological advancements to the full benefit of the people of this country.
A current budget of R500 million cannot - in my humble opinion - be sufficient to achieve the aims of the GCIS. We have to be mindful that we are engaged with a discipline that requires technical expertise, and I do not think that we are making the most of the available human and other capital out there. I consider it a positive move that the GCIS acknowledges the lack of skills and capacity within the government-wide communication system. I have pointed out in the past that a lot remains to be done at provincial level and even more so at local government spheres. This acknowledgement allows the GCIS to make an honest assessment of challenges and to develop appropriate remedial action.
It is also important for the GCIS to ensure that every South African understands and is aware of what government can do for them to improve their lives. Therefore, up-scaled communication is needed to ensure that all South Africans benefit in government programmes on offer without making citizens totally dependent on government, because that is undesirable and unaffordable.
Finally, I wish to encourage the leadership of the GCIS to do its outmost to streamline government-wide communication so that it is aligned in an effective and uncomplicated manner so that we can achieve the objective of an informed citizenry and the public at large. With these short remarks, the IFP supports this Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, chairperson of the portfolio committee, Minister Collins Chabane, hon members, hon guests, students, educators, Government Communication and Information System, GCIS, International Marketing Council, IMC, and Media Development and Diversity Agency, MDDA, officials, friends and comrades, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen, today I would like to focus on the critical component of our communication, which is direct communication at provincial and local government levels. I would also like to speak about the work we are doing in diversifying media at community level and the international marketing of our country's brand. As most of you are aware, the Government Communication and Information System has provincial offices in all nine provinces. These offices provide support to provincial departments and the Thusong Service Centres in various municipalities.
The centres, formerly known as multipurpose community centres, provide a critical service at the coalface of delivery to our people. The centres were initiated in 1999 as one of the primary vehicles for the implementation of development communication and information, as well as to integrate government services into primarily rural communities.
Government's vision for these centres is to provide every South African citizen with access to information and services within their place of residence and in each local municipality by 2014 with the purpose of improving the quality of their lives through integrated service delivery. To date there are 165 centres operational, making a crucial contribution to the expansion of infrastructure for access to information and services that citizens can use. This network of centres is complemented by over 40 joined- up mobile units.
Over the past year, GCIS has recorded servicing over five million South Africans through this extended network. To address the challenge of underreporting on statistics from centre managers, Gcis has managed to train 999 government employees who serve in these centres.
In April I visited the Manne Dipico Thusong Service Centre in the Northern Cape as part of service delivery monitoring and evaluation. I was impressed to observe that the centre was indeed bringing services closer to our people. Upon arrival I interacted with a number of officials, including the programme manager, who informed my delegation that the centre provides services to a minimum of 200 people a day.
Key services rendered at this particular centre include, amongst others, those from the Departments of Home Affairs, of Social Development and of Health, the Government Communication and Information System, as well as the local municipality.
During the visit I also observed that the centre is doing a great job in meeting the needs of the community. We must encourage the establishment of more centres such as these in all municipalities. This is a great example of how government departments can work together seamlessly and take services to the people.
As government, it is important to work together and co-operate with one another in all spheres of government, whether provincial, national or local, in order to make an impact and achieve results for the benefit of our people.
The Government Communication and Information System continues to strengthen provincial and local government communication by ensuring concrete communication initiatives for effective provincial and local government communication. This includes intensification of face-to-face and unmediated engagements with communities, localising national content and prioritising the local government turnaround strategy.
The Government Communication and Information System co-ordinated a communications approach and strategy for the recently held local government elections, which created awareness among citizens to exercise their democratic right to vote. This communication strategy was implemented by communicators at national, provincial and local levels.
The Government Communication and Information System remains cognisant of the lack of vigour with which municipalities are institutionalising their communication functions. This does not meet the communication demands locally, despite guidelines for communication in municipalities being adopted by the Special Presidential Co-ordinating Council in 2006. However, we will work hard to improve the situation.
The Government Communication and Information System partnered with ward councillors, traditional leaders and their accompanying structures, civil society, community-based organisations, organised formations of local business, religious groups, women, youth and the disabled in some of the remotest areas of the country. That was to collaborate towards putting in place systems and mechanisms to ensure that the public has consistent access to information on programmes, policies and opportunities. When we communicate effectively with our communities, we will be able to address issues and concerns, therefore minimising what we call service delivery protests.
Hon members, I would humbly like you to imagine this for a few seconds - each community has a ward councillor. If a councillor can visit each household, I believe that in five years we would know the challenges faced by each of those households. When we planned our service delivery and budgets we would be guided by true information received from our citizenry.
Concerning the Media Development and Diversity Agency, government remains committed to a strong and diverse media. This will support nation-building, as well as efforts to deepen, consolidate, defend and strengthen our democracy, social cohesion and good governance. This Parliament, in recognising the exclusion and marginalisation of disadvantaged communities and persons from access to the media and the media industry, resolved to establish the Media Development and Diversity Agency.
The MDDA is an agency created in terms of the Media Development and Diversity Agency Act, Act 14 of 2002, in partnership with the major print and broadcasting media industry. It helped to create an enabling environment for media development and diversity that is conducive to public discourse and reflects the needs and aspirations of all South Africans.
The Government Communication Information System, through the MDDA, will continue to push for the transformation of the media in South Africa. The MDDA has recorded successes which include providing support to more than 343 media projects across South Africa. It focuses on historically disadvantaged communities which use indigenous languages. This was done with the budget allocation of R128,8 million accumulated since 2004.
Since its inception, the agency has trained over 1 300 people. It provided 143 bursaries to different radio and print media students. It also created approximately 200 direct and indirect job opportunities through beneficiary projects which empowered more people with skills. Those skills enabled them to participate in the broader media and broadcasting industry.
In sustaining beneficiaries, the MDDA held seminars promoting media literacy and the culture of reading. In addition, the MDDA also conducted workshops on its advertising and marketing toolkit. And that was to develop the marketing plans of beneficiaries in order to empower them to access available advertising revenue in their areas.
In addressing capacity challenges, the MDDA also held training sessions with its beneficiaries on financial management, compliance with funding agreements and other core competencies to ensure effective and efficient use of funds transferred by the agency.
Future plans for the MDDA include the following: continued support to at least one community radio, one community media and magazine, one commercial newspaper and magazine at each district municipality. Further, the agency plans to support at least one community television station in each province.
The MDDA plans to conduct a study on the social impact of the community radio, which will assist in better understanding the value of this media and the need to continue supporting it. There will be increased focus on the media transformation discourse which includes media diversity, ownership and control, and elimination of gender discrimination in the media. It will promote gender equality and promote all languages, with particular reference to indigenous languages. It will also promote access to information by all, improvement in respect of child-friendly content and other key dynamics.
The agency will also look at media accountability mechanisms that complement and strengthen self-regulation, enhance media credibility and accountability, discourage irresponsible reporting, promote high standards in the media, encourage professionalism and strengthen our democracy.
It gives me great pleasure to introduce two groups of learners that have joined us this morning. The Moeketsi Graves Senior Secondary School in Matatiele, Eastern Cape and the Zisize Educational Trust in Ingwavuma, KwaZulu-Natal. They have been invited so that they can have a better understanding of the role and processes of Parliament. [Applause.] Thank you for coming.
We seek to create an exchange learning platform for the learners and educators to share their media literacy project with parliamentarians. The media literacy programme targets learners and seeks to create media awareness and consciousness through bringing the media to the classrooms. It offers an opportunity for young people to learn critical consumption of the media and to raise their awareness of the role of the media in a democratic society.
The Moeketsi Graves Senior Secondary School participated in the media literacy and training project conducted by the MDDA, in which 5 schools with 10 learners each and educators participated. The launch of the project was done at the council chambers at the Alfred Nzo District Municipality. It was attended by politicians, and amongst them was the Deputy Minister of Basic Education, media owners, editors and the learners. After training, this group produced a newsletter cover page which beat the other five schools and was supported by the MDDA to participate at the Highway Africa Conference in Grahamstown in 2009.
The Zisize Educational Trust at Ingwavuma is one of the MDDA funded projects which empowers learners at the Abaqophi Children's Radio Project to produce radio programmes in different genres and broadcast the same through the local community radio station - Maputaland Community Radio. In 2009, the group from Ingwavuma was awarded the Unicef International Children's Day of Broadcasting Awards for the Abaqophi Children's Radio Project.
I now turn to the work of the International Marketing Council. Given the resounding success of hosting the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup, the first on African soil, last week the IMC met with President Jacob Zuma. And it was proposed and agreed in principle that the organisation's name be changed from International Marketing Council to Brand South Africa. This will be tabled at the Cabinet meeting in July.
The name change is to make clear what the IMC does, which is to internally market and manage perceptions of South Africa globally. The government fully supports the IMC in its role as a custodian of our country's brand.
The IMC's job is to work with and through stakeholders to attract investment and enhance trade in ways that will stimulate employment and grow our economy. The mobility of capital and talent in the global economy makes it imperative for nations to manage their reputations effectively.
Our successful second term for a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council, our inclusion in the Brazil, Russia, India and China, known as the Brics bloc, as well as various other key international developments would not have been possible without the contributions of Brand South Africa. In the mandate to build South Africa's brand reputation in order to improve South Africa's global competitiveness, the IMC remains key as the country repositions itself locally and internationally.
In observing the Cabinet-endorsed call for better co-ordination and adherence to protocols and procedures during international engagements, the GCIS is in the process of finalising draft guidelines for international engagements that will ensure a more composite communication approach to international engagements.
It will also place development at the epicentre of the international developmental agenda, where South Africans will be kept informed about how the international agenda contributes towards the attainment of domestic priorities. Presentation is as important as substance, because people are able to access information and form perceptions in seconds as they Google a particular issue or location.
These perceptions soon drive the way people take serious decisions about places they have never visited or people they have never met and even influence investment by foreign companies and influential people. In the end, perception and reality become two sides of the same coin!
South Africa remains ranked as the most competitive country in Sub-Saharan Africa in the World Economic Forums and Global Competitiveness Index. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, hon Minister and Deputy Minister, hon members and guests, I rise in support of Budget Vote No 9. In his closing remarks to the Cabinet lekgotla in January 2011, President Zuma stated that communication should be a primary task in 2011.
The core mandate of the Government Communication and Information System, GCIS, is to meet the communication and information needs of government and the public's need to be informed about the activities of government. This mandate requires the GCIS to consistently ensure that the public has access to information on programmes, policies and opportunities created by government so that the widest number of people is adequately informed about how they can improve their lives and what government services are available to them.
The ANC believes that access to information and communication technologies improves the speed at which government delivers to the public, and generally empowers communities to interact with one another and the world at large. However, is government information accessible to the people of South Africa? That's the question I have to ask today. A survey was conducted by All Media and Products Survey with a total sample size of 25 160 adults in South Africa, aged 15 and above.
The results of the survey showed that radio has a high listenership in the rural areas, especially amongst the top five radio stations, and that the SA Broadcasting Corporation, SABC, African language stations specifically had a higher listenership compared to community radios.
The GCIS uses 65 community radio stations to broadcast at least twice a month, covering a listenership of 5,5 million, as well as 66 community radio stations to flight the state of the nation address, the Budget debate and the reply to the debate on the state of the nation address.
During the state of the nation address, which is the agenda set for government programmes, activities include 68 big screens used for this event. Viewing was done in various communities, tertiary institutions, hospitals and correctional institutions. These were all targeted as venues for the state of the nation address.
The events take the form of big screens, public viewing sites and panel discussions. Some of these events were linked to direct service delivery drives by the Department of Home Affairs, the SA Social Security Agency, Sassa, and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
The GCIS outreach activities include briefings by districts and local municipality officials, district communication forums at taxi ranks, shopping complexes, schools, churches and flighting promotional advertisements on community radio stations. All of the above activities are to make sure that the public is informed about government policies, plans and programmes.
The GCIS currently prints about 405 copies of the Vukuzenzele black magazine in braille, which are distributed to various schools and organisations for the blind. However, I am not sure of what is provided for those who cannot read, so I am asking the GCIS to make this facility available in audiovisual media as well.
Around 2007, South Africa's parliament ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. On 3 April 2008 the 20th country signed the convention, and on 3 May 2008 this convention became an international law. Through the Office on the Status of Disabled persons, which at that time was in the Presidency, South Africa was very active in working on this convention.
The purpose of this convention is to promote, protect and ensure full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities. The reason why I am mentioning this is to inform the GCIS that there are people with disabilities, for example, deaf people and people who are deaf and blind, who cannot have full access to government services if it is not made accessible.
I would like to encourage the GCIS to take note of accessibility in Article 9 of the convention and to highlight Article 21, which talks about the freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information. I am a deaf person, and I do not have full access to government information, especially via the medium of television.
When the GCIS talks about information being broadcasted via the radio, a large percentage of deaf people do not have access to this medium. When the GCIS broadcasts the state of the nation address, we are sometimes fortunate to have subtitles or sign language interpreters. But when politicians, political parties or political analysts are making comments or giving input into the state of the nation address, there is obviously no access for this minority group.
Earlier in April this year, a group of deaf people attended a Portfolio Committee on Communications, hoping to meet the SABC about their need for access to all information, including government information via television. A result of that meeting and a follow-up meeting with the SABC resulted in all election programmes being made accessible via sign language interpreters, and this is being continued on SABC 2. I would like to thank them for their continued work.
I would like to inform the GCIS that Parliament has six sign language interpreters present here. I would like to encourage them to work with Parliament and form a partnership with it, and also for Parliament to use them, especially when we have Ministers' briefings, to make that more accessible.
It is also important that we as the community be informed of what the government is doing. It is not a personal request, because people in my constituency ask me: What is government doing for us as disabled people? What is happening in government? Therefore, this is important.
While I was preparing for my speech on this debate, I watched two DVDs from the GCIS - The Use of AV Technology within Government, and Your Government 2011. It is sad to note that neither of these DVDs was accessible to me as a Member of Parliament, and when I give presentations to my constituency, I obviously cannot use your DVDs.
Hon President Zuma stated that communication should be a priority task in 2011, and it is my hope that it will be accessible communication for all. In this way, all people in South Africa can have a better life, including people with disabilities. Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Minister, Chairperson, distinguished guests, hon Members of Parliament, ladies and gentlemen, I greet you all.
The celebration and promotion of our native indigenous languages in South Africa is long overdue; thus I applaud the work of the Government Communication and Information System, GCIS, and its partnering agencies, the Media Development and Diversity Agency, MDDA, the and International Marketing Council, IMC, in this national and international promotion and branding initiative.
The department and the GCIS have a hefty mandate of operations, guiding this nation's government departments in communication and in promoting South Africa, and its indigenous languages put the South African brand ahead in many platforms of communication. The Media Development and Diversity Agency has the voice of the nation at heart and we shall explore how it intends to use all its powers to shape and change the nation with it. In my conclusion, I will give a quick overview of the strategies employed by the International Marketing Council in branding South Africa with some strides that the agency has managed to accomplish.
According to section 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, everyone has the right to use the language and participate in the cultural life of their choice, but no one may do so in a manner that is inconsistent with any provision of the Bill of Rights. Each person also has the right to instruction in his or her language of choice, where this is reasonably practicable.
The diversity of the unique cultures of South Africa means that there are 11 official languages, which are: English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, isiNdebele, Sesotho sa Leboa, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga. The Constitution also requires the Pan South African Language Board, PanSALB, to promote the use of Khoi, Nama and San, and sign language.
The least spoken indigenous language in South Africa is isiNdebele, which is spoken by 1,6% of the population. Although English is the mother tongue of only 8,2% of the population, it is the language most widely understood and the second language of the majority of South Africans.
However, government is committed to promoting all the official languages, and the distinctive charm of South Africa comes from its history and moments of great change, also the strides of progress brought about by a people united in a diversity of beliefs, cultures and languages.
The ANC's position is that indigenous languages, and provincial and local issues are poorly catered for and covered by the public broadcaster, and that deaf people in South Africa do not have sufficient access to TV programmes. The ANC further notes that language plays a crucial role in the task of mobilising our people behind the objectives of the National Digital Repository, NDR.
The Media Development and Diversity Agency, MDDA, works primarily with disadvantaged persons and communities, especially in rural areas and historically diminished language and cultural groups and inadequately served communities. The agency focuses on community media projects, small commercial media projects and research, training and development projects.
In general, the MDDA as an agency shall, through all its activities, focus on consolidating and sustaining the current beneficiaries - more so, in respect of the print media, given the limitations regarding print media funding; actively encourage collaborations between different media groups, and encourage collaborations between media groups; and other community entities including telecentres, Thusong Service Centres and nongovernmental organisations, NGOs. It will also focus on actively collaborating with other national development finance institutions, DFIs, such as the Small Enterprise Development Agency, Seda.
The International Marketing Council, IMC, has a mandate to build South Africa's nation brand reputation in order to improve South Africa's global competitiveness to develop and articulate the value proposition and positioning that will drive the long-term reputation of Brand South Africa; and to build pride and patriotism amongst South Africans with the aim of uniting the nation by encouraging all South Africans to live the brand and, in so doing, define South Africaness.
The ultimate aim is to increase South Africa's global competitiveness by developing symbiotic partnerships with all stakeholders who deliver on the nation brand and aligning them to enhance South Africa's reputation.
The IMC was established in August 2002 to help create a positive and compelling consolidated brand image for Brand South Africa. There are many benefits to having a consolidated brand image. With the most important consistent Brand South Africa's message, it creates strategic advantages in terms of trade and tourism for the country in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The primary objective of the IMC is to develop and implement a proactive marketing and communication strategy for South Africa to promote South Africa internationally.
The IMC's role is to act as an advisor on nation brand and to develop strategic frameworks for Brand South Africa in terms of positioning and messaging. The IMC co-ordinates nation branding efforts across stakeholders, including corporate South Africa and the government, in order to maximise brand equity, while managing the local and international perceptions of our country.
The value proposition has its basis within our five positioning pillars of ubuntu, diversity, sustainability, possibility and creativity. These attributes are what makes South Africa unique and can be found in our people: The way we do business; how we treat others; and how we actively seek solutions to problems faced in our country, on our continent and in the world.
When we speak with one voice, we can be heard. When we stand together as one, we will be seen as a nation. This is why we need to make sure that we work together to make South Africa great.
Our goal is to make South Africa a top 20 nation brand and a top 30 globally competitive nation by 2020. We can't do it alone; we need our government, citizens, organisations, businessmen, investors, exporters, tourists, sportsmen, foreign media, policymakers, media, country analysts and academia to stand together and build a strong reputable nation brand for South Africa. The power of our partnership is what will influence our future as a nation brand.
What this means is that what we say about South Africa must be able to be experienced. The words must ring with truth and the South African spirit of success in a new world. Words can only do so much; there are actions that will speak louder. It is up to us as South Africans to move our country from what is possible to what is actual, and we can do this by working together. When we stand together and work alongside one another, we can achieve our country's goals. [Laughter.] The ANC supports the Budget Vote. Thank you, Chair. [Applause.]
Agb Voorsitter, mnr die Minister, en Adjunkminister, dis vir my weereens 'n voorreg om te kan praat in hierdie debat.
Kom ons begin deur te fokus op die belangrikheid van kommunikasie. Soos wat ons almal weet, is kommunikasie seker een van daardie kerndinge in elke mens se lewe, want elke individu is in 'n besondere verhouding met iemand. In di proses word daar elke dag inligting oorgedra, of dit nou tussen man en vrou is of tussen pa en kind.
Soos wat ons almal weet, loop hierdie oordrag van kommunikasie baie keer verkeerd omdat mense mekaar verkeerd verstaan. Hoeveel keer het dit dalk al in u lewe gebeur waar u man of vrou vir u kwaad was? As jy vra hoekom hy of sy kwaad is, s hulle dat jy dit of dat ges het. Jy s dan dat jy dit nie so bedoel het nie. Dit gebeur elke dag in almal van ons se lewens.
Soveel te meer is dit ongelooflik belangrik dat die regering op 'n sinvolle wyse praat met die mense wat in 'n land woon. Of 'n mens die ANC ondersteun of vir hulle gestem het of nie, is irrelevant. Die regering van die dag is almal se regering. Elke individu verwag van daardie regering om die dienste te lewer wat hy veronderstel is om vir hom te lewer.
Dit is hoekom daar vele staatsdepartemente is. Soos wat ons nou tydens die afgelope plaaslike verkiesing gesien het, het mense gekla oor dienslewering. Daar was 'n oor-en-weer-moddergooiery tussen die verskillende politieke partye, maar dit staan soos 'n paal bo water dat dienste nie na behore gelewer word nie.
Minister, ek sien dat u glimlag, maar kom ons s dit vir mekaar. Kom ons wees eerlik met mekaar. Dit help nie dat die regering probeer om mooi broodjies te bak vir die mense van Suid-Afrika nie, want daardie mense ervaar sekere dinge wat nie reg in hul lewens is nie. As die kraan oopgedraai word, is daar nie water nie en dan moet 'n mens verwag dat mense ongelukkig gaan wees indien sake nie verloop soos wat hulle graag wil h dit moet verloop nie.
Ons het 'n tyd gelede gehoor dat die destydse burgemeester van Johannesburg, Amos Masondo, vir al die mense wat in Johannesburg in Gauteng woon, ges het dat daar niks verkeerd is met die diensterekeninge nie. Nou die dag het die nuwe burgemeester, mnr Tau, as my gedagtes reg is, erken dat daar groot probleme is met die diensterekeninge van mense wat in Johannesburg woon.
Dit maak nou nie vir my sin nie. Die een burgemeester s dat daar niks verkeerd is nie en die volgende burgemeester, altwee van dieselfde politieke party, het 'n ander standpunt oor sake. Ek dink die mense van Suid-Afrika wil nie soos kinders ... [Tussenwerpsels.]. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.) [Mr N J VAN DEN BERG: Hon Chairperson, Mr Minister, and Deputy Minister, once again it is a privilege for me to be able to speak in this debate.
Let's start by focusing on the importance of communication. As we all know, communication must be one of those essential things in every person's life, because every individual is in a special relationship with someone. In this process information is being transferred every day, whether it is between husband and wife or father and child.
As we all know, frequently this transference of information goes awry because of people misunderstanding each other. How many times has this perhaps happened in your life, where your husband or wife is upset with you? When you ask why he or she is upset, they say that you have said one thing or the other. You then explain that you didn't mean it in that way. This happens everyday in all of our lives.
It is all the more incredibly important that the government communicates with the people who live in a country in a sensible way. Whether a person is supporting the ANC or voted for them or not is irrelevant. The government of the day is everyone's government. Every individual expects of that government to deliver the services to him which it is supposed to deliver. This is why there are various state departments. As we have discovered during the local municipal elections recently, when people complained about service delivery, there was mudslinging to and fro among the different political parties, but it is indisputable that services are not being delivered as they should be.
Minister, I see you are smiling, but let us be straight with one another. Let us be honest with one an other. It will not serve the government to try to curry favour with the people of South Africa, because those people are going through certain experiences in their lives which are not in order. When you turn the tap, there isn't water and then it is to be expected that people are going to be unhappy, since things are not proceeding as smoothly as they would like them to.
A while back we heard the former Mayor of Johannesburg, Amos Masondo, saying to all the people living in Johannesburg in Gauteng that there was nothing wrong with the services accounts. The other day the new Mayor, Mr Tau, if I recall correctly, admitted that there are massive problems with the services accounts of people who are living in Johannesburg.
Now this doesn't make any sense to me. The one mayor says that there is nothing wrong and the next mayor, both from the same political party, has a different position on matters. I think that the people of South Africa do not want to be treated like children. [Interjections.]]
Chairperson, on a point of order: Will the member take a question?
Nee, dis nie nou regtig nodig nie en dis nie hoekom ek hier is nie. Dit gaan oor kommunikasie. [Tussenwerpsels.] [No, that's really not necessary now, and that is not why I am here. This is about communication. [Interjections.]]
Please continue, hon member.
As u probeer het om my van stryk af te bring, het u glad nie daarin geslaag nie. [Tussenwerpsels.] Ja, dit kan u weer s.
Die feit van die saak is, en ek wil graag vir die Minister en sommer vir die President en almal, en spesifiek vir Jimmy Manyi s, dat hulle nie moet maak of die mense van Suid-Afrika kinders is nie. Mnr Manyi besluit nou - asof hy die ho priester van die oordrag van inligting is - wat vir die mense ges gaan word en wat nie vir die mense ges gaan word nie. Dit is mos totaal belaglik. Ons beweeg terug na die ou apartheidsera. Daar het die President of die Eerste Minister besluit wie wat mag s en wat ek mag weet. Ons beweeg in 'n totaal nuwe tegnologies kommunikatiewe era waar Facebook alle inligting beskikbaar het.
Mnr Manyi, ek is met u baie eerlik. Ek is 55 jaar oud en ek gaan beslis nie wag vir inligting wat jy besluit ek mag hoor of nie mag hoor nie. Die mense van Suid-Afrika is keelvol daarvoor. As u dit nie vir ons wil s nie, dan kyk ek maar na BBC World News of CCN of Russia Today en dan hoor ek in elk geval wat die inligting is. Ek kan ook ingaan op die Internet. Inligting is so beskikbaar dat dit nie eers meer snaaks is nie.
'n Ander saak wat baie belangrik is, is die beperking van inligting. Ek wil vir u eerlik s, Minister, dat die ANC gaan sukkel om hierdie ding deurgevoer te kry. Dit is absoluut drakonies om dit te probeer doen, want nou mag die mense nie weet wat hulle moet weet nie. Mnr Manyi, weet u hoe baklei 'n mens teen 10 ton papier en 100 gelling ink? Verskriklik moeilik. As die koerante in hul hoofartikels al die volgende begin skryf, "Die regering moet Manyi pos", dan is die skrif aan die muur. [Tusssenwerpsels.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Mr N J VAN DEN BERG: If you were trying to distract me, you haven't succeeded in the least. [Interjections.] Yes, you can say that again.
The fact of the matter is, and I would like to say to the Minister and, while I am about it, to the President and everyone, and specifically to Jimmy Manyi, that you shouldn't act like the people of South Africa are children. Mr Manyi has now decided - as if he is the high priest with regard to the transfer of information - what the people will be told and what people will not be told. Of course, this is totally ridiculous. We are reverting back to the old apartheid era. Then, the President or Prime Minister decided who may say what and what I should know. We are operating in a totally new technologically communicative era where all kinds of information are available on Facebook.
Mr Manyi, I am being very honest with you. I am 55 years old and I will definitely not wait for information that you have decided I may hear or may not hear. The people of South Africa are fed up with this. If you do not want to tell us, then I will simply watch BBC World News or CNN or Russia Today and then I will hear the information anyway. I can also go onto the Internet. Information is available to such an extent that it is ridiculous.
Another matter which is extremely important is the restrictions on information. Frankly, I want to say to you, Minister, that the ANC is going to have an uphill battle to get this thing through. It is absolutely draconian to even attempt this, because now people will not be allowed access to information which they should have access to. Mr Manyi, do you know how one would fight against 10 tons of paper and 100 gallons of ink? With great difficulty. When newspapers are already starting to write the following in their editorials, "The government should drop Manyi", then the writing is on the wall. [Interjections.]]
Chairperson, on a point of order: He is not speaking through the Chair, but directly to an official.
Voorsitter, ek vra om verskoning indien dit so voorgekom het. Ek is jammer. [Tussenwerpsels.] Dit is doodreg. Dit is in elk geval baie belangrik dat ons hierdie goed vir mekaar s, want een ding is baie belangrik - ons moet met mekaar eerlik wees. As jy nie die waarheid vir jou kind vertel nie, kom jou kind dit een of ander tyd agter, want hy is nie dom nie. So wil die mense van Suid-Afrika ook nie aan hulle neuse rondgelei word en die verkeerde inligting kry nie. [Tyd verstreke.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Mr N J VAN DEN BERG: Chairperson, I apologise if it appears that way. I am sorry. [Interjections.] That is exactly right. It is certainly extremely important that we engage each other on these matters because, and this is very important, we have to be honest with one another. When you are not telling your child the truth, the child will realise this at some stage, because he isn't stupid. Thus the people of South Africa do not want to be led by the nose and be given the wrong information. [Time expired.]]
Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Minister, hon members, comrades and distinguished guests, South Africa is going through a process of profound social transformation. In such transformations, many ideas, pragmatic perceptions and attitudes entrenched in people's thinking come under the spotlight. Mindsets are challenged and paradigms are put to the test.
We have undergone profound political and economic transformation over the past 16 years, resulting in new and strong political institutions that underpin democracy and a macroeconomic framework that encourages greater freedom and competition.
Freedom of speech, access to information and a free media are entrenched in the Constitution. The media is operating in an environment which is free of oppression, persecution and the repressive legislation which sought to restrict and control it.
Media freedom, like any other freedom, can be enjoyed for its own sake. The media is facing the danger of consigning itself to social irrelevance if it ignores the national mission as contained in our Constitution. Its value will be defined more as a popular source of amusement - the opium that dulls the senses, an institution that connives in the destruction of the very values that make its existence in freedom possible.
Media and communication sectors are highly important strategic sectors in the process of economic development and reconstruction. The mass media has been identified as having a crucial role to play in extending the process of democratic participation.
In the Reconstruction and Development Programme democracy is conceptualised as being based in large part on widespread popular participation in decision-making processes. This was seen as necessitating a democratic communications and information policy, which envisaged a central role for a transformed media and communication system in the extension of democracy.
Given the history of monopolistic broadcasting and print media in South Africa, the ANC has equated democratisation with the introduction of more competition and the entry of the so-called black economic empowerment capital into the print and broadcasting media.
It is critical to appreciate the broader context to emphasise the significant role media can play in helping different people to communicate with each other in order to strengthen democracy, promote a culture of human rights and enable all to participate fully in economic growth, while speeding up transformation and development.
Information is knowledge, and knowledge is power. This can only be achieved if every citizen, wherever they are located, rural or urban, poor or rich, has access to a choice of a diverse range of media. Media being recognised as the fourth estate, in addition to the legislature, judiciary and the executive, is an important medium for both state and citizens. It informs, educates, entertains and provides a platform for the dialogue necessary for democratic discourse.
For any democracy to be sustainable, it needs free and diverse media. The freedom of the media is protected by the legislative framework, particularly in the Constitution. A democratic state has a responsibility to support and promote a free and diverse media, as this is in the interest of its citizenry and the sustainability of its rule. Diverse views of opinions and of information empower citizens to participate in a democracy. [Interjections.]
Hon chairperson of the portfolio committee, please pay attention.
Media freedom as enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa should be enjoyed by all citizens, including media practitioners and consumers. There can be no real media freedom without diversity in ownership of the media. Especially for the poor, media freedom should be understood to include their participation, not merely as consumers, but also as producers of news and analysis.
There can be no real media freedom if commercial imperatives start to impact directly on the content on a day-to-day basis. Where the bottom line dictates content in the pervasive manner and editors are kept on a leash, the consequence is that advertisers, marketers and some politicians determine news and analysis. Stories are sometimes spiked at their behest.
Again, there can be no real media freedom under conditions of unique manifestations of censorship ... [Interjections.]
Order, order!
... self-censorship and what we would refer to as peer censorship; self-censorship in the sense that the media sometimes tend to defer to powerful interest groups to the extent of avoiding examining complex issues in their contradictory manifestations.
This is the tendency among journalists themselves to seek to dictate to others on how they should cover issues. In the recent past, anyone who dared to acknowledge progress in service delivery and government performance was condemned by peers to be a lapdog - like what my hon members on that side do. [Interjections.]
Hon members, order please!
Sensation is then pursued for its own sake and the balance among education, information and entertainment is missed. An approach is then encouraged where each media house competes with the other in dumbing down. Thus, instead of carefully devised strategies to find and occupy niches ... [Interjections.]
Hon member, can you just stop. Hon members, can you please pay attention? Otherwise I will stop the proceedings because you are fighting amongst yourselves.
Hon members, I am appealing to you, as the committee Whip, that you behave. [Interjections.]
I am not happy with what either side of the House is now doing.
Chairperson, I hope this will not affect my time. An approach is then encouraged where each media house competes with the other in dumbing down. Thus instead of carefully devised strategies to find and occupy niches, competition develops around tabloidisation of content. A pursuit of quantity without quality becomes the new deity.
The media cannot demand respect if it fails to assume its responsibility as a public utility in the popular search for a better life. This does not require sunshine journalism. It needs the media to critique public policies and their implementation, but do so in a manner that adds value to the national endeavour and reflect on the broader questions about how our souls are being poisoned by the spirit of conspicuous consumption in a socioeconomic formation that encourages greed.
The question of self-regulation by the media and the necessity for an independent media tribunal is a matter that should be brought back onto the agenda. [Applause.] Our Constitution and Bill of Rights guarantee the right to information and comment, freedom of speech and that of the media. The freedom of expression and the right to information also implies the right to speak and to be heard. In other words, we should seek mechanisms for those who are disadvantaged to acquire the wherewithal to air their views. They should not merely be recipients of the views of others, but should also have the right to impart their own information and ideas.
Information about social phenomena should not be the preserve of the rich and the powerful. Press freedom is an important human right enshrined in our Constitution. It should be protected and promoted, as developed by the ANC. [Applause.] It is important to note that rights go hand in hand with responsibility, hence the need for a balanced, independent mechanism to adjudicate complaints between the media and society.
The ANC, having regard for concerns raised by a number of citizens, and complaints from a number of people who have been victims of unfairness and unsatisfactory decisions of this self-regulatory body, resolved to investigate a possibility of establishing a media appeal tribunal at its 52nd conference in Polokwane.
If, then, the media occupied such a hallowed position as a contributor to the evolution of nations, what frames of reference should it define for itself? South Africans, there is no other way; the media has to be accountable.
One of the roles of the constitutional state is to balance individual rights versus state power. Our courts have over time upheld freedom of the press, but there are still gaps between the powerful media and the violated rights of the individual. This is mainly caused by unfair and untruthful reporting which can cause irreparable harm to the said person's reputation. This, at times, is a violation of human dignity.
There are times when even journalistic principles are not followed. It is the responsibility of government to ensure that its citizenry enjoy all rights enshrined in the Constitution, including the right to human dignity.
We would like to assure all South Africans that when the media appeal tribunal is introduced all parliamentary processes will be followed, including public participation which is a critical part of our parliamentary democracy.
South Africans do not have any reason not to believe in us as we have a clear record of upholding human rights. Before the other parties were even formed and before the birth of this democracy, which anyway was largely fought for by the ANC, we resolved matters on constitutional principles, for example, the Harare Declaration. In 1991, we resolved to establish the office of the Ombudsman.
It is because of the support of the ANC in the constitutional negotiations that we now have a constitutional state that ensures human rights for all and not for the powerful only. Our transformation agenda did not end with the adoption of the Constitution and the birth of our democracy; in fact, state power is one of the weapons to ensure that there is better life for all our people.
Irresponsible reporting cannot be equated with freedom of press as it violates human rights. History has then taught us that most parties here will oppose us at first, but we know they will end up defending what they opposed in the beginning, like the issue of the Independent Investigative Directorate, the Scorpions as it is popularly known.
We do not have the luxury of acting after the effect; ours is to lead in the creation for a better life for all. As the ANC, we are not asking for favourable reporting, but a fair and truthful one. It is in our interest and that of the transformative agenda to have a robust media, but that robustness cannot be translated into irresponsible reporting. There are many instances where the robustness of the media has helped to uncover wrong things in government and in the private sector.
There are also many instances where the media has reported on the plight of our people, which has mobilised people to act positively. But, we must agree that there are those instances where even the media accepts that there is substandard work by some of the journalists; hence, they have a peer review mechanism. This was shown not to be enough. In many cases violation of human rights by the media is left unchallenged by the poor because they cannot afford the lengthy legal processes in courts. This therefore leads to some suffering in silence. It would be irresponsible of us as an ANC-led government if this remains unattended.
The many tasks we as the ANC have include democratisation of the state and ensuring human rights dignity for all. We know that we are going to gain friends and lose some, but one thing we can not afford to do is to gain a few friends at the expense of many South Africans who continuously suffer human indignity when their rights are violated by incorrect and sometimes malicious reporting.
We now invite all South Africans to play a critical role in engaging with the process when the government introduced ...
Order! Order, please! Order!
... this media appeal tribunal. To quote our former President of the ANC, Thabo Mbeki:
We have sought to advance this vision precisely because we understood that we would fail in the struggle to achieve the national and social cohesion that our country needs, as well as the national unity we require to enable us to act together to address the major challenges we face.
As the current President of the ANC, Mr Jacob Zuma puts it:
Hon members, let us build a nation that remains forever mindful of its history, of those who have sacrificed so much and of the many who put down their lives so we can be here today.
In response to what Mrs Michael has said, the Vukuzenzele magazines that you find in your pigeon holes are sent there for you to distribute to your constituency. As the DA, all you do is to apply rather than going for the democratic processes. But, as the ANC, we understand that we have a responsibility to inform your constituency. You won't understand, of course, because we are right. [Laughter.] [Interjections.]
Order! Order! Order, please!
Hon Van den Berg, I understand that you want to personalise and divide the matter of the chief executive officer, CEO, of the Government Communication and Information System, GCIS. Let me tell you, in the ANC-led government matters are not addressed individually.
The director-general or the CEO of the GCIS represents the GCIS. If you want to remain in the past, it is your business. The comment that you continuously make does not add any value nowadays. [Interjections.]
Hon member, if you have a point of order, raise it.
Chair, I've tried to contain myself, but the noise from this side is making it impossible for some of us to follow the speech after you have said we must all be quiet.
Hon member, conclude please.
Mr Manyi has thus far executed his task with distinction. In fact, he is one of the employees who are excellent, strategic with communication skills and capabilities. [Laughter.] [Interjections.] He is a fit and proper person for the position of GCIS CEO. That's what we, you and I, pay for; you can just haul anything at us; it's not an issue.
Chairperson, I want to make a point of order ...
Is that a point of order? Is it on the speaker?
On the speaker.
She has finished.
I know, but I think it's important. We did not want to raise a point of order, because it is important to know what the ANC is coming forward with. The media tribunal is totally irrelevant for today's debate.
Hon member, please take your seat. When you want to raise a point of order on the speech, do so immediately. You simply raise your hand, stand up, and raise your point of order; I will take your point of order. But when the speaker has finished speaking I cannot take it. Those are the Rules.
Chairperson, most of the comments about money are not related to the budget and I am not allowed to act on that. [Applause.] Nevertheless, I will encourage Mr Manyi in the next election to form part of the list so that he can respond for himself. [Laughter.] In the meantime, I will encourage members to have tea with Mr Manyi so as to understand him better on a one-on-one basis. [Laughter.]
House Chairperson, I appreciate the comments that have been made by members of the House. There have been lots of suggestions made for us to improve the work we are doing. We will follow up on those. With regard to the distribution of Vukuzenzele to the constituency offices, this is an issue that I need to attend to with all the constituencies. There is another matter that we are going to attend to, and that is the two copies which I am sure they say there are. I can give one to someone else within the institution. They are going to be sent directly to the constituency offices so that members are able to service their constituencies.
On the issue of confusing the state and the ruling party, I am not sure we've had that experience; for those who have had this experience will never agree with you. If you move out of the borders of this country, you will find that many countries do not have what we have and I think we need to begin to appreciate what we have.
There is no point where the Government Communication and Information System, GCIS, has ever spoken on behalf of the ANC; that has never happened. Even at the point when government is under attack by the opposition parties we have tried and try to remain neutral, to refrain and not to respond by engaging political parties on that particular issue. Even I myself, as the Minister responsible for the GCIS, I have never attacked political parties, even though I have the right to do so. So we should not confuse you. We are trying to balance this to ensure that the GCIS services the South African government.
Therefore, we have a duty and responsibility to ensure that government information reaches the community as a whole, regardless of their political affiliation, regardless of where they are and regardless of their cultural background in all our diversity; that's what we are trying to do. So, we should not ever say the GCIS is being used by the ANC, because it has the right to be used by all spheres of government. Speakers of the ANC have the right to tackle the GCIS in the committees or anywhere else, using the platforms that we have, because these are publicly utilised funds.
We have the responsibility to support our provincial, national and local governments, regardless of the ruling party in that sphere of government. It is our job to support and to give backup without controlling the content of what they want to do, because our spheres of government are governed by different political parties, but the GCIS has to service all of them. As we go to the elections, another party will come in and the GCIS will continue to provide the services required; if it is within the municipality or any sphere of government, the GCIS will come in to assist in ensuring that the municipality or that sphere of government receives the necessary support. Hon Michael, unfortunately I don't know where that gift came from, but I am informed that it came from the ANC. Some advice: in our culture, even if a gift is given by your adversary, if it is given in good faith, you accept it; but if you don't want it, you can return it to the address they have provided or send it to the ANC. It is part of the promotional materials that the ANC does from time to time give to international communities, businesses and the sporting world to instill interest in South Africa. I think it was done in good faith. It was thought important for them to encourage Members of Parliament, especially those who are involved in their work, to know what they are doing, but if you don't want it, you can bring it to me. I will take it. My office is open. Thank you very much. [Laughter.] [Applause.]
Debate concluded.