(1) (a) & (a) The Department paid SABC an amount of R1,787,750.00 for television airtime for 26 episodes and R1,599,000.00 for radio airtime for 26 episodes, excluding VAT.
(2) (a) Tsalena Media.
(b) R2.714 Million.
(c) 26 episodes of 30 minutes each.
(3) (a) It is anticipated that the programme will reach approximately 2 million people
(b) 1 Million people have already been reached at the shortest time possible
(4) I have asked the MECs in all Provinces to partner with the SABC at regional level and lead discussions in languages that people understand. The same request has been conveyed to all Mayors to partner with community radios to communicate the roll out of the human settlements programmes, the role that communities can play, the socio-economic benefits of owning a house. This information will allow young people to be part of the National Youth Brigade, the Military Veterans to be part of PHP projects. On the other hand, small business people will get to know who the developers are as well as sub-contractors. It is my firm belief that information is central to empowering people.
Further, I am very happy that the Honourable member has taken keen interest in watching the Breaking New Ground television series and I would appreciate it if he could encourage his constituency to also watch these empowering television series. Episodes are also available on our website: www.dhs.gov.za or our APP (The DHS). We also have also distributed copies to public libraries and schools.
The Breaking New Ground Television and Radio series are part of our three-year communication strategy to educate and inform all South Africans about the human settlements programmes. The programme is part of our strategic plans approved by Parliament. It is meant to encourage feedback and dialogue in the implementation of the human settlement programmes. Through this programme we are reaching out to the two Million South Africans who have benefitted from housing programmes. Consumer education is key to ensuring that beneficiaries understand that there is great value in the houses we give them and we want them to appreciate that.
The recording and the production process has provided the Department and the human settlement sector an opportunity to document progress in the implementation of the human settlements priorities including delivering 1.5 Million housing opportunities by 2019.
The first 15 episodes of the BNG Television series covered the following areas:
The radio show allows for listeners to call in, make suggestions, recommendations and also propose solutions. The following topics have been covered on Radio:
The Honourable member can find many other communication vehicles targeted at various beneficiaries in our MTSF and the Parliament approved strategic plan.
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