ANNUAL REPORT - 2002
Period: January 2002-December 2002
To promote the development and implementation of policy for the telecommunications, postal and broadcasting services, as well as the control of fiscal transfers to the portfolio organisations such as the South African Post Office, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (Nemisa) and the Universal Service Agency.
To ensure that communications services are available to the people of South Africa and that they have access to both traditional and electronic media and communications, and information technology.
To monitor that the administration programme provides for management and leadership of the department, as well as for financial and human resources and other support services;
. To monitor and to ensure whether the Telecommunications Policy programme formulates policy, manages Government’s shareholding interest in Telkom SA Ltd and its subsidiaries, and controls transfers to the Universal Service Agency and the Universal Service Fund;
To monitor whether Postal Services develops policy for the postal sector, manages Government’s shareholding in the South African Post Office Ltd and its subsidiaries, and provides for the Postal Regulator and the licensing authority for postal services;
To monitor whether the Broadcasting Services Policy formulates broadcasting policy, manages Government’s shareholding in the SABC and Sentech (Pty) Ltd, and controls the transfers to Icasa, Nemisa and the SABC;
To monitor whether auxiliary and associated services facilitate and conduct research and provides support services that promote the department’s aims.
Department of Communications
Government Communications and Information System (GCIS)
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)
Media Development & Diversity Agency (MDDA)
National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (Nemisa)
South African Broadcasting Corporation
Sentech
South African Post Office (SAPO)
Telkom
Universal Service Agency (USA)
2.1 Control Committee Secretary: Marc Philander
Period: 1 January 1999 - present
2.2 Committee Secretary: Rita Schaafsma
Period: 1 January 1996 - present
2.3 Committee Assistant: Chantal Paulse
Period: 1 May 2001 - present
2.4 Secretary to Chairperson: Nina Pasensie
Period: 1 October 1996 - present
2.5 Researcher (Research Unit): No dedicated research support
Period:
2.6 Legal Support: Support from Parliamentary Law Advisers
Period: Whenever required
|
Member |
Total Meetings Held |
Number of meetings attended |
% |
Appointment Date |
Discharge Date |
|
African National Congress Dr SC Cwele * Mr JJ Kgarimetsa * Mr NN Kekana Mr MK Lekgoro Mr ES Magashule Miss MN Magazi Ms L Maloney Mr SJ Mongwaketse * Mr AM Maziya Mr FT Maserumule Ms MS Morutua Ms NS Mtsweni Ms I Mutsila Mr AC Nel Mrs WS Newhoudt-Druchen Mr RD Pieterse Mr MG Phadagi |
42
|
2 2 42 25 19 31 1 1 37 27 34 37 24 2 33 39 39 |
5 5 100 59 45 74 3 3 88 64 81 88 58 5 80 93 93 |
30-08-1999 26-03-2001 30-08-1999 26-03-2001 30-08-1999 30-08-1999 30-08-1999 07-09-1999 26-03-2001 30-08-1999 17-09-2002 30-08-1999 30-08-1999 30-08-1999 30-08-1999 17-09-2002 |
16-05-2002
17-09-2002 17-09-2002 17-09-2002
17-09-2002 17-09-2002 |
|
Democratic Party Mr VC Gore Ms M Smuts Mr M Waters * |
32 40 3 |
75 96 8 |
26-10-2000 30-08-1999 26-10-2000 |
|
|
|
Inkatha Freedom Party Mr VB Ndlovu * Dr R Rabinowitz * Ms SC Vos |
0 0 34 |
0 0 81 |
30-08-1999 30-08-1999 |
||
|
New National Assembly Mr JJ Dowry Mr JJ Durand Mrs A van Wyk * |
24 8 5 |
58 21 13 |
11-05-2001 17.09.2002 17-09-2002 |
17-09-2002 |
|
|
United Democratic Movement Mr S Abram Ms ON Mndende * |
29 1 |
69 3 |
25-02-2000 25-02-2000 |
||
|
African Christian Democratic Party Mr LM Green |
1 |
3 |
30-08-1999 |
||
|
Freedom Front Dr PWA Mulder |
4 |
10 |
30-08-1999 |
||
|
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania Mrs P de Lille |
0 |
0 |
08-03-2002 |
Sub-Committee 1:
Convenor:
Task:
Membership:
|
Party |
Name of Member |
Sub-Committee 2:
Convenor:
Task:
Membership:
|
Party |
Name of Member |
4. DELIBERATIONS (Major activities, accomplishment, etc.)
4.1 Legislation dealt with
|
Bill No. |
Short title |
Public Hearing |
No of Submissions |
Amendments |
No of hrs spent |
|
B 2-2002 |
Media Development and Diversity Agency Bill |
Yes |
14 |
Yes |
33: 35 |
|
B 8-2002 |
Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill |
Yes |
58 |
Yes |
72: 28 |
|
B34-2002 |
Broadcasting Amendment Bill |
Yes |
28 |
Yes |
48: 55 |
|
B34B-2002 |
Broadcasting Amendment Bill |
No |
0 |
Yes, NCOP – proposed amendments |
0:15 |
|
Document |
Action to be taken |
Date Discussed |
No of hrs spent |
|
Vote 7: GCIS Briefing |
Presentation included progress MPPC’s and IMC. Visits to MPPCs envisaged |
10 May 2002 |
8:15 |
|
Vote 26: Department of Communications Briefing |
Presentations/Inputs: ICASA, SABC, SAPO, Telkom on budget shortfalls |
26 October 2002 |
4:10 |
|
SABC Board Briefing |
Restructuring of SABC |
13 August 2002 |
3:55 |
|
Committee Programme: Adoption |
12 Feb 2002 |
2:20 |
|
|
Receive Nigerian Parliamentary delegation |
Exchanging experiences with Nigeria’s Communications Committee |
29 October 2002 |
1:35 |
|
Title |
Objective/s |
Result/Outcome |
Office of the President: Dr EG Pahad
A Ngcaba, DG, Department of Communications, J Mjwara, Deputy DG, DoC, J Netshithenze, CEO, GCIS, P Pongwana, DDG; Telecommunications, P Ntombela-Nzimande, DDG: Postal Services, Envir Fraser, and others
Icasa: M Langa, Chairperson, N Nyoka, CEO; Sentech: Dr S Mokone-Matabane; SABC: P Matlare, CEO, Dr V Maphai, Chairperson SABC Board; Telkom: S Nxasana, CEO, V Moche, Group Chief Executive; Transtel: K Socikwa, CEO; SAPO: M Manyatshe, CEO; MultiChoice Africa: N Letelo, CEO; Orbicom: C Kilowan, CEO; Vodacom: A Knott-Craig, CEO; MTN: S Dabengwa, MD, M-Cell/MTN Holdings: P Nhleko, CEO; Cell C: T Laham, CEO; PANSALB: Ms C Marivate, CEO; Brand Leadership Group: T Thebe, CEO; The Agency Group: M Tsepo, MD; Marketing Federation of SA: D Ivins, CEO;
Representatives from the Media and Marketing Industry, Cellular networks, Unions, community radios, press corps, private sector, civil society.
|
Title |
Date of Publication |
Comments/Key Issue |
No of hrs spent |
|
Title |
Date of Publication |
Key Issues |
No of hrs spent |
|
Subject |
Date considered |
Publication Date of Report |
Key Issues |
No of hrs spent |
|
Filling of vacancies on Icasa Board
Appointment: Board of the Media Development & Diversity Agency
Report and Financial Statements of State Information Technology Agency, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2000-2001 [RP 127-2001]. Report and Financial Statements of the Information Systems, Electronics and Telecommunication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority for 2000-2001, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2000-2001. Letter from the Minister of Communications, dated 19 January 2002, addressed to the Speaker explaining the late tabling of the report and financial statements of the South African Post Office for 2000-2001 were delayed due to the vacuum in senior management, the appointment of the new Board, the appointment of the new auditors and the termination of the Strategic Management Partnership with the New Zealand Post. Written explanation, dated 19 January 2002, from the Minister of Communications in terms of section 65(2)(a) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999), setting out reasons why the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority for 2000-2001 could not be tabled in time. Memorandum on Vote No 7 – "Government Communications and Information System", Main Estimates, 2002-2003. Memorandum on Vote No 26 – "Communications", Main Estimates, 2002-2003. Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Department of Communications for 1999-2000. Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Media, Advertising, Publishing, Printing and Packaging Sector Education and Training Authority for 2001-2002, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2001-2002 [RP 105-2002]. Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Information Systems, Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority for 2001-2002, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2001-2002. Report and Financial Statements of Sentech (Pty) Limited for 2001-2002. Letter, dd 4 Oct 2002 from the President of the Republic informing Parliament of the resignation of Councillor Néel Smuts from the ICASA Council – referred to the committee 6 Nov 2002. |
25 April 2002 |
2 May 2002
26 Aug 2002 |
Public Process of nominating Candidates to be interviewed by committee, considered by National Assembly and recommended to President for appointment. Public Process of nominating Candidates to be interviewed by committee, considered by National Assembly and recommended to President for appointment. The remaining written instruments will be noted when the report is adopted by the Committee
|
25:00
27:40
8:15
4:10 |
7.1
|
Subject Matter |
Date |
Number of Attendants |
Venue |
No of hrs spent |
|
Subject Matter |
Date |
Number of Attendants |
Venue |
No of hrs spent |
|
Subject Matter |
Date |
Number of Attendants |
Venue |
No of hrs spent |
|
Subject |
Date |
Public Hearings Held |
Total Submissions |
No of hrs spent |
|
Media Development and Diversity Agency Bill [B2-2002] |
5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18 March |
Yes |
14 |
33: 35 |
|
Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill [B8-2002] |
14, 15, 17, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31 May and 3 June |
Yes |
61 |
72.28 |
|
Broadcasting Amendment Bill [B34-2002] |
16, 17, 18, 20 Sept and 15, 16, 18 October |
Yes |
28 |
48: 55 |
|
Report back on 2001 AAA hearings |
12-13.11.2002 |
Yes |
15 |
13: 50 |
|
Cellular Industry Issues |
05.11.2002 |
Yes |
35 |
8: 17 |
|
Oversight Activity |
Date |
Title of Report |
Date Tabled in the House |
(a) VISITS None
National Visits
|
Period |
Purpose of visit e.g. Fact finding investigations |
Number of Members |
Number of Staff |
Date Report Tabled |
Costs |
International Visits
|
Period |
Purpose of visit e.g. Fact finding investigations |
Number of Members |
Number of Staff |
Date Report Tabled |
Costs |
|
Date |
Legislation |
Report |
Date Tabled |
|
Date |
Department or Entity |
Report |
Date Tabled |
|
Title/Topic |
Publication Date |
Date Reported |
|
Media Development and Diversity Agency Bill [B2-2002] |
12 April 2002 |
18 March 2002 |
|
Filling of vacancies on ICASA Board |
2 May 2002 |
25 April 2002 |
|
Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill [B8-2002] |
4 June 2002 |
3 June 2002 |
|
Appointment of Board of Media Development and Diversity Agency |
26 August 2002 |
22 August 2002 |
|
Broadcasting Amendment Bill [B34-2002] |
18 October 2002 |
18 October 2002 |
|
Broadcasting Amendment Bill [B34B-2002] |
12 November 2002 |
12 November 2002 |
|
Hearings on Advertising and Marketing Industry |
13 November 2002 |
13 November 2002 |
|
Organisation |
Subject Matters |
Date Reported |
|
Donor |
Purpose |
POs Approval Date |
Amount |
In the past year the Committee dealt with telecommunications and broadcasting legislation. The first piece of legislation on electronic transactions became law after thorough debate with continued participation by the industry players for 73 hours.
After long hours of debate and numerous amendments to the Broadcasting Amendment Bill it was passed with the blessing of the Committee and that of the industry.
The first bill tabled by the GCIS was passed with amendments, and after proclamation the Committee proceeded with the process of interviewing and recommending candidates for appointment on the Board of the Media Development and Diversity Agency.These processes were also completed in a record period.
The filling of vacancies on the Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa was dealt with and three new councillors were recommended for appointment.
Consumer issues were dealt with successfully. Hearings on the cellular industry created an opportunity for consumers to participate in the debate and raise their concerns. Service providers were afforded an opportunity to respond on these concerns. The cellular industry will be called upon to report back to the Committee on the steps that they have taken to deal with issues raised at the hearing.
The need for transformation of the marketing and advertising industry, ensuring long term growth that will lead to the upliftment of people who had been previously disadvantaged, and to the creation of wealth and the development of the country’s economy, was debated during hearings on the industry. Representatives from the industry, government, community media, the print media, the advertising fraternity and others debated issues over two days. This is an ongoing process and follow-up meetings are to be scheduled for further report.
The Committee met 42 times totalling 250 hours 23 minutes. It was a fruitful year, and much had been achieved.
15 FORMAL ADOPTION OF ANNUAL REPORT BY THE COMMITTEE
Annual Report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications, having been put to the committee, was adopted by the Committee on
COMMITTEE SECRETARY DATE
CONTROL COMMITTEE SECRETARY DATE
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON DATE