Government Communication and Information System: Annual Report

Meeting report

COMMUNICATION PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
25 November 2003
GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS ANNUAL REPORT 2002/3: BRIEFING

Documents handed out
 

GCIS Annual Report 2002/3
GCIS Annual Report 2002/3 Powerpoint Presentation (awaited on website)

Chairperson: Mr M Lekgoro (ANC)

SUMMARY
The GCIS delegation briefed the Committee on the approach the agency had taken to communicate the South African government's agenda locally and internationally. Much concern was expressed about the apparently under-informed sector that included the rural poor, unemployed, learners and disabled. There were high expectations around Freedom Day celebrations planned for 2004.

MINUTES
GCIS representatives, Ms Patricia Raphesa, Director, Secretariat, Ilva Mackay Langa Deputy CEO, Centralized services and Pumla Shabalala, Chief Director, Finance and Mr Tony Trew, Deputy CEO, Strategy and Content Management, accompanied Mr Noel Netshitenzhi (CEO).,Mr Netshitenzhi presented the GCIS Annual Report 2002/3.

The Committee was informed on GCIS communication of the South African Government's agenda locally and internationally.John Battersby was assigned to London as brand ambassador and locally the multimedia approach to reach the masses was being enhanced by the establishment of the Multipurpose Community Centres.

Please refer to attached documents.

Discussion
Ms N Mtsweni asked if more exciting ways could not be employed to communicate community programmes because it was clear that many people displayed ignorance with the kind of questions they asked. Secondly, she asked for clarity around the rollover fund.

Mr Netshitenzhi said they were using a multimedia approach to create greater awareness and informed members that many political agents had expressed appreciation for this. With regards to the rollover fund, he asked members to understand the phenomenon in the light of the nature of their work. Bills, for example, were sometimes received some time after the work was done.

Ms S Vos (IFP) asked if GCIS had any feedback on the numbers they were reaching through the African Language Stations.

Mr Trew said they tried using various sources as feedback but would only give a full report next time.

Mr F Maserumule (ANC) expressed concern about the information-neglect in rural areas.

Mr Trew said the Media Diversity and Development Act (MDDA) gave clear legislative direction for the establishment of a more representative communication environment and gave the assurance the perceived bias was towards the under-serviced, not the urban areas.

Mr Netshitenzhi raised awareness around the lack of infrastructure in many rural areas. Here the Department of Communications could play an intervening role to bring signals to these communities.

Ms W Newhoudt-Druchen asked about the role GCIS could play with informing the unemployed, students and the deaf.

Ms Mackay Langa said budgetary constraints obligated them to employ economic, yet effective ways of communicating information, even if it meant using 'soapies'.

Mr Netshitenzhi explained that the radio was ideal for mass reach, print media for evaluating information and television (TV) to appeal to the eye and listening. They were developing a close partnership with Department Trade and Industry (DTI) to establish how the MPCCs could become a platform to promote opportunities available with DTI. Apparently, because of ignorance, many prospective participants were not aware of funds that were accessible, resulting in transfers to the rollover fund. The school curriculum was catering for the needs of students and the Department of Labour through the Setas would communicate the skills development programmes.

Mr Lekgoro asked how the waning interest in Freedom Day (FD) celebrations could be restored because fewer people seemed to participate in these celebratory events. Although he empathised with the information-neglect in the rural areas, he asked for the plight of the urban poor not to be overlooked.

Mr Netshitenzhi said they were working co-operatively with civil structures to come up with creative ideas that would develop a culture around FD celebrations. Ideas floated included medals for MPs, teachers and others, special parties for children born on 27 April 1994.

Mr Trew added that he anticipated a change in attitude and interest in the upcoming FD celebrations that would surpass the apathy witnessed over the last nine years. Consensus amongst all the parties that everybody should celebrate our freedom would encourage people to be more participative.

Mr Maserumule asked what role GCIS could play in assisting government with their attempts to move whites away from their separateness.

Mr Netshitenzhi said he wondered if anybody had researched the benefits democracy brought to the white community in this country. He believed the fruits of freedom had not been communicated adequately and called on political parties and GCIS to do introspection in this regard. There was evidence that the Proudly South Africa campaign made an impact on the white community, more and more whites wanted to return to South Africa and the new investment opportunities.

Mr P Sithole (ANC) suggested that the country might not derive maximum benefit from the FD celebrations because it coincided with the election campaign that was normally cluttered with badmouthing. He also asked for Departments across the board to be acknowledged and exposed for their achievements, fairly.

Mr Trew said they engaged Departments from time to time when their profiles appeared low. There was no conscious bias towards any one Department.

Mr M Phadagi asked when GCIS were going to invite applications for community radio licencing.

Mr Trew assured him that advertisements would be placed by end November 2004.

Ms Vos asked if GCIS ever considered the use of the press gallery as a mechanism to performance-rate the various Departments.

Mr Netshitenzhi thought this was a good idea but reminded that this was being done in an informal manner.

Ms Mtsweni asked for clarity around the number of MPCCs that were operational.

Ms Mackay Langa said the first phase was expected to deliver 60 by 2004. Currently there were 46, an indication that they were well on track to deliver on their target. They were working closely with the national inter-sectoral Steering Committee to ensure good management and oversight of the programme.

Mr Lekgoro asked what a Satellite Government Information Centre was.

Ms Mackay Langa explained that these centres were basically MPCCs with information centres within them. These information centres were also standalones.

Ms M Morutoa suggested GCIS and the Committee took mutual responsibility to address the exacerbating issue of joblessness through effective communication.

The meeting was adjourned.