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.]