ATC140311: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the follow-up oversight visit to the Eastern Cape from 28 January to 1 February 2013
Communications and Digital Technologies
Report of the
Portfolio Committee on Communications on the follow-up oversight visit to the
Eastern Cape from 28 January to 1 February 2013
The
Portfolio Committee on Communications (the Committee), having undertaken a
follow-up oversight visit to Eastern Cape reports as follows:
1.
Introduction
During
the 2011/12 financial year, the Committee conducted oversight visits to various
provinces, amongst others the Eastern Cape. The objective of the oversight
visit served as a measurement indicator against the service delivery commitment
by the executives. The theme of the oversight was "
Touch, Feel and See" how
technology contributes to better the lives for all
and amongst others
the areas of focus were as follows:
(a)
The
strides made in the progressive realisation of rights as contained in section
16(1) (a) and (b) of the Bill of Rights: (i) Freedom of the media; and (ii)
Freedom to receive or impart information or ideas. To this end the Committee
visited Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) community media projects,
including those community broadcasters supported by Department of
Communications (the Department);
(b)
Efficiency
of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in
licensing community broadcasting, and monitoring compliance of licensees with
license conditions, and other challenges in this sphere of broadcasting;
(c)
The
role played by Sentech in signal distribution for broadcasting and challenges
they are facing in providing services to this Province;
(d)
To
measure progress made by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in
rolling out the low-powered transmitters in collaboration with Sentech and
ICASA; and
(e)
Successes
and challenges: (i) experienced by Universal Service and Access Agency of South
Africa (USAASA) in deploying telecentres for Information Communication
Technology (ICT) services; (ii) experienced by South African Post Office (SAPO)
in rolling out postal outlets, addresses and functionality of Public Internet
Terminals (PITs); and (iii) rollout of telecommunications and broadcasting
infrastructure.
In
January 2013, the Committee embarked on the follow-up visit to the Eastern Cape
in order to ascertain whether there has been any progress made on the
commitments that were made during the 2011/12.
2.
Delegation
2.1
Members
The
following members formed part of the delegation: Mr Sikhumbuzo Kholwane (ANC
Chairperson of the Committee and leader of the delegation); Mr Gregory
Schneemann (ANC Committee Whip); Ms Rosalia Morutoa (ANC), Ms Mina Lesoma (ANC)
and Mr Aaron Steyn (DA).
2.2
Support Staff
Mr
Thembinkosi Ngoma (Committee Secretary)
2.3
Stakeholders
accompanying the Committee
The
Department, SAPO, SABC, MDDA, USAASA, ICASA, Sentech formed part of the
oversight visit delegation.
3.
Committee Visits
Day 1 (29 January
2013)
The
Committee visited Bay TV Studios, SABC Regional Office in Port Elizabeth,
University of Fort Hare (UFH) Community Radio Station, Idekelethu Community
Radio Station and Mdantsane FM.
3.1
BayTV
Studios
Although this was a follow-up to a previous oversight
visit of the Committee, it was agreed to visit BayTV studios for the first
time.
Mr Mothi Mfuleni, acting Board Chairperson welcomed
the Committee delegation. He informed the Committee that the station was made
up of a Board of Directors and Executive Management. The Board of Directors
comprises of four subcommittees, namely: community participation; human
resources; content development; and independent editorial panel.
Mr Geoff Hopskins, Station Manager played a video to highlight
the achievements and programmes of the station. He further presented as
follows:
The station was launched in October 2011.
The first areas of broadcast that BayTV
reached were the Nelson Mandela Bay regions of Uitenhage, Ibhayi townships,
Bethelsdorp, Despatch, KwaNobuhle, Motherwell, Jefferys Bay and Humansdorp.
The station has a viewership of 1, 5 million. It broadcasts in three languages:
60 % in English; 10 % in Afrikaans; and 30 % in IsiXhosa. The stations content
is 60 % talk and 40 % music. BayTV currently employs 48 fulltime interns who
earn a stipend, five to 10 volunteer interns in various positions receive
training in order to be prepared for the future in the television and film
industry.
The station has 90 % local and 10 % international
content. The content consists of news, current affairs shows, entertainment and
documentaries. It covers local news, sport, youth, children, womens issues,
education, music, local culture and the concerns of the people of Nelson
Mandela Bay. The content comes mostly from local producers.
The station has a variety of community outreach
programmes and is used as a platform for local film makers by providing
guidelines to assist local producers to write proposals and sell their
ideas.
It also aims to merge the music
and film industries and assist local producers with content development,
research and marketing intelligence.
3.1.4
Sustainability
and growth
The station started with funding from the Nelson
Mandela Bay Municipality but later partnered with Urban Brew through a five
year agreement.
Urban Brew assisted with
content development, people development and sustainability. Furthermore, the
relationship with Urban Brew led to the station being included in DSTV
channels. Currently, the station does not receive any direct funding from
government.
However, the station remains the hub of the local
television and film industry, providing a platform for filmmakers and the voice
of the Nelson Mandela Bay community.
BayTV highlighted the following challenges: (i) lack
of funding for technical equipment; (ii) high tariff costs by Sentech; (iii) no
direct access to information regarding Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)
migration; and (iv) the station does not receive any form of funding from the
MDDA.
Members raised the following concerns: (i) whether the
station conforms to its licence conditions; (ii) nature of the relationship
between Bay-TV and Urban Brew; (iii) long-term sustainability; (iv) nature of
relationship between Bay-TV and SABC; and (v) its focus on youth programmes.
BayTV management responded as follows: (i) the licence
conditions were being used as a benchmark as none of the management was ever
involved in local television; (ii) the split on revenues is 80 % for Bay-TV and
20 % for Urban Brew - Bay-TV receives feeds from Urban Brew which are most
viewed in other television stations. However, BayTV was working on a strategy
should Urban Brew pull out of the agreement; (iii) no sustainability template
had been developed management was busy grappling with pricing model in terms
of pricing in advertising; (iv) BayTV has a good and sound relationship with
the SABC and some of Bay-TV Board members are employed at the SABC; (v) By-TV
is a community station and not a youth station, however, during campaigns, the
influence of youth played a huge role during the recruitment process.
3.1.7
Committee
recommendations
The Committee recommended that: (i) MDDA must engage
with the station management regarding the issue of funding. Furthermore the
Committee informed BayTV that: (ii) Sentech will appear before the Committee
regarding tariff reduction which was 35 % for community television and 65 % for
commercial and public broadcasters; and (iii) the Department must ensure that
it urgently deals with the access to information regarding DTT.
3.2
SABC
Regional Office (Port Elizabeth)
Mr Zola Yeye, Provincial General Manager welcomed the
Committee and the accompanying delegation. He expressed his gratitude for the
follow-up visit.
3.2.1
Progress
made regarding issues that were raised in the previous oversight
visit
Mr Yeye informed the Committee that all the concerns
that were raised by the staff in the previous oversight visit had been
addressed and resolved except for the issue of Mr Vusi Noveve.
Mr Noveve was asked to make a submission of
his allegations to the Provincial Management.
He never made the submission to management instead he sent it to the
forwarded it to the Committee and management had no clue how the matter was
dealt with.
Since the Committee visit, the SABC had launched three
low power transmitters and will launch another three in Rhodes, Steytlerville
and Krakeelrivier immediately after the African Cup of Nations.
The issue that was raised by a cameraman regarding his
working conditions has been resolved. He has now conducive working conditions.
Management investigated the matter that was raised by
Ms Zola Kaso and found that it was unfounded. However, SABC introduced a parity
exercise after the Committees visit and Ms Kaso benefited from that. There was
an exercise in December 2012 called financial anormalities and Ms Kaso again benefited
from these anormalities. She was further positioned in another area where she
only deals with issues of compliance.
The SABC studios were fully resourced with latest
equipment and it was the only region that broadcasts on Satellite. Management
was in the process of upgrading the few studios that were still operating on
analogue, Mhlobo Wenene being one of those studios. Furthermore, the SABC
regional management has embarked on the process of upgrading and improving
Mthatha studios. Studios will be revamped and digitized. An Outside Broadcast
van will be bought to cover the former Transkei area. Upgrading of facilities
will also be done at TruFM which will include a music recording studio that
will assist communities in recording local talent.
However, licence conditions remained a
restricting factor for extending footage to surrounding areas.
3.2.2
Committee
recommendations
The Committee welcomed the improvements made since its
last visit. Some of the issues raised required intervention at policy level and
the Committee undertook to deal with the matters when reviewing legislation.
3.3
UFH
Community Radio Station
The Committee and the delegation were welcomed by Mrs
Vuyelwa Dazana, Station Manager.
Mr Schneemann provided a brief background on the
Committees previous visit to the station. He explained the reasons for
informing the station management late about the Committee visit. He apologised
for the disturbance in programming. He read out the challenges and
recommendations that were made by the Committee to the station and particularly
MDDA in 2011.
3.3.1
Progress
made in addressing issues that were raised in the previous oversight visit
The following progress has been made since the
Committees last visit: (i) coverage has been extended through frequency
changes and now reaches Port Elizabeth and Mthatha; (ii) USAASA provided a
computer lab; (iii) GCIS places more adverts on the station; (iv) positive
working relationship with the community; (v) Amathole District Municipality
Councillors were in the process of receiving training on how to speak on radio
when invited to programmes.
However, the station had the following challenges: (i)
the University can no longer afford to fund the station due budgetary
constraints; (ii) the computer lab provided by USAASA had no air-conditioning
system; (iii) Sentech high signal distribution tariffs might lead to the
station closing down.
Management
requested the following intervention from the Committee: (i) additional funding
from the MDDA in order to pay presenters stipends; (ii) studios need to be
upgraded from analogue to digital; (iii) government should refrain from
advertising through media brokers; (iv) Department of Public Works (DPW) should
make a building available to be occupied by community media.
3.3.3
Responses by State-Owned Entities (SoEs)
The
SoEs that were accompanying the Committee responded as follows:
3.3.3.1
Sentech
Sentech
was working on a strategy to reduce the community media tariffs. In the
meantime, the Department and MDDA should assist the station with the
outstanding signal distribution tariffs.
3.3.3.2`USAASA
The air-conditioning system will be delivered and
installed by 15 February 2013.
3.3.3.3
MDDA
MDDA will assist the station with its sustainability
mechanism as more coverage means more audiences and more audience means more
charges on advertisers.
3.3.3.4
The Department
The Department undertook to fully fund the station in
terms of payment of signal distribution tariffs.
3.3.3.5
SAPO
SAPO will engage GCIS on the use of community media
for their advertising.
3.4
Idikelethu
Community Newspapers
The
Committee and the accompanying delegation were welcomed by Ms Thembisa Jiba,
the Publishing Editor.
3.4.1
Progress
made in addressing issues that were raised in the previous oversight visit
Since
the Committee visit in 2011, the newspaper had the following achievements: (i)
regularly prints 12 page edition; (ii) created projects that create jobs; (iii)
conducive office space; (iv) increased readership by a wide margin; (v)
circulation increased from 2000 to 5000 copies per month; (vi) able to pay
monthly rental on time; (vii) bought more equipment; (viii) provides internship
to university students studying towards
communications-related degrees; (ix) managed to secure a sponsor with FP
& MSeta; (x) managed to secure office space although the building is
dilapidated ; (xi) good relations with the local municipality; and (xii) joined
an advertising company based in Johannesburg.
Apart
from the achievements above, the following challenges remain: (i) ever
increasing printing prices; (ii) and competing with Daily-Post but Idikelethu
is confronting this challenge.
The
Committee welcomed the progress made by Idikelethu Community Newspaper.
3.5
Mdantsane
FM
The
Committee and the accompanying delegation were welcomed by Mr Xabiso Gqirhana,
a Board Member. This was the first visit of the Committee to the station.
The station licence condition allows it to broadcast
60 % in IsiXhosa and 40 % in English. The content is 60 % talk 40 % music. News
and information is 50 % local news, 30 % national news and 20 % international
news.
The
station highlighted the following challenges: (i) currently paying R12 000 to
Sentech for signal distribution; (ii) could not broadcast after getting the
license as there was no accommodation Mnguni family gave the station a small
space to broadcast at their Hotel in Mdantsane; (iii) unable to invest in the
community currently renting all its broadcasting equipment; (iv) receives no
funding from MDDA; (v) no assistance from the Department and other
stakeholders; (vi) station is not reaching its footprint due problems with the
mounting of its antenna; and (vii) no relations with the SABC.
Apart
from the above-mentioned challenges, the station still broadcasts 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. The station has a good relationship with the Buffalo City
Metropolitan Municipality.
The
SoEs accompanying the Committee responded as follows:
3.5.3.1
MDDA
R1, 5 million has been approved for Mdantsane FM
funding. However, the tax clearance certificate was still outstanding. SABC contributes
to the community radio stations through the provisions made in the Electronic
Communications Act (ECA).
3.5.3.2
The Department
Mdantsane FM was classified as a category B and is
supposed to be getting 70 % subsidy from the Department. The Department will
assist the station with capacity building and will pay for the Sentech signal
distribution tariffs. The Department requested that it be provided with
tangible information so that it can be able to assist the station.
During the tour of the station, the Committee noted
with concern the circumstances under which the stations was broadcasting. The
members were not sure whether the station was broadcasting from a toilet or a
pantry.
3.5.5
Committee
recommendation
The Committee recommended that the Department must
provide more information regarding its role at Mdantsane FM.
Day 2 (30 January
2013)
3.6
Vukani
Community Radio
Ms Mina Lesoma provided a brief background and
recommendations of the Committees previous visit to station.
Mr Xolile welcomed the Committee and the accompanying
delegation. He reminded the Committee of the dire situation the station was in
during its previous visit. Since then, MDDA has worked together with the
station to try and resolve all the challenges that were facing the station.
MDDA met with all the parties that were not satisfied with the operations at
the station.
3.6.1
Progress
made in addressing issues that were raised in the previous oversight visit
Since the Committee visited the station in 2011: (i)
the station held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2011 and a new Board
of Directors was elected. The Board received an induction, also advertised
vacant positions and made the appointments; (ii) it has good relationship with
all relevant stakeholders; (iii) the signal was upgraded and coverage extended
to other areas; (iv) station programmes focus on local content; (v)
listenership grew from 141 000 to 228 000; and (vi) the station receives
assistance from GCIS, District and Local Municipalities.
However, the installation of the computer centre was
only attended to in November 2012 following Mr Kholwanes intervention. The
service providers are still busy with the installation.
Apart from the above-mentioned achievements, the
station presented the following challenges: (i) struggling to get 3G
connectivity in the area and that is hampering with opportunities for
development; (ii) area not economically reliable for ADSL Telkom; (iii)
unable to reach other communities due to landscape challenges; (iv) Sentech
tariff distribution costs too high; (v) no advertising support from the
provincial government; (vi) request assistance to create a strategy to
formalise community radio stations; and (vii) Independent Electoral Commission
does not utilise the station during elections.
The station has seen great improvement since the last
visit by the Committee. The station management requested the Committee to
continue visiting the station. Furthermore, management thanked Mr Kholwane for
the undivided attention he gives to community radio stations.
Ms Nondumiso Mananga, Speaker of the Chris Hani
District Municipality and her team of Councillors joined the meeting. She
thanked the Committee for showing interest in the community radio station and
Cala in general. She wished that other Portfolio Committees could learn
something from the Portfolio Committee on Communications.
The
SoEs that were accompanying the Committee responded as follows:
3.6.4.1
Sentech
Sentech committed to investigate and resolve the issue
of the station being unable to reach its footprint.
3.6.4.2
USAASA
USAASA has signed a contract with the service provider
requesting higher speed connectivity for the station.
3.6.5
Committee
observations and recommendations
The Committee noted with concern that: (i) the last
AGM was held in May 2011; and (ii) nothing much happened after the previous
visit things tend to happen when the Committees preparing to conduct oversight
visits.
Furthermore, the Committee noted: (i) the interest
shown in the station by both the District and Local municipalities; (ii) the
undertaking by USAASA to finalise the connectivity on or before 28 February
2013.
The Committee recommended that: (i) ICASA Consumer
Affairs must visit the area and engage with the Mayors office in terms of
access to ICT services and provide a full report to the Committee; (ii) the
station must amend its constitution, in consultation with MDDA and ICASA in
order to have an acceptable period for the Board.
3.7
Cala
Post Office
The Committee and the accompanying delegation were
welcomed by Ms Noloyiso Xopha, Area Manager and Mr Siphiwo Cetman, Branch
Manager.
Ms Morutoa explained that the Committee had visited
the Post Office in 2011 and was conducting a follow-up visit in order to
determine whether the challenges and Committee recommendations have been
adhered to.
3.7.1
Progress
made in addressing issues that were raised in the previous oversight visit
The Committee expressed its disappointment that
nothing has changed since its last visit. The post office still had one
security guard during pension days; the PIT was not working; post office lost
pensions to SAASA payments; household payments were done over two days; there
was no GCIS stand; the was no business centre; complainants files were lying
behind cupboards and not being used; long queues during pension days; people
working with Expanded Public Works Programme had to queue for two days before
they could be assisted at the post office; computers regularly go down; delays
in mail delivery in Cala as opposed to Elliot which gets deliveries on time.
Councillor Phonoshe stated that he received all the
services from the post office except that during pension days, there were often
long queues which are as a result of staff shortages.
3.7.2
Committee
recommendations
The Committee recommended that the acting Chief
Executive Officer of GCIS and the Minister should respond about the removal of
the GCIS stands in post offices. This was after Ms Xopha had indicated that
GCIS stands were moved to the back as per the request of GCIS.
3.8
Meeting
with the community of Upper Lufutha in Cala
Mr Lunga Kona, a Senior Manager at the Department of
Social Development in Eastern Cape has written to the Committee on a number of
occasions requesting intervention in parts of the Eastern Cape that did not
have access to television and radio. The Committee undertook to meet with Mr
Kona when conducting an oversight visit in the Eastern Cape. The meeting with
the community of Upper Lufutha was as a result of Mr Konas request. He met
with the Committee at Cala Post Office and accompanied it to Upper Lufutha.
The Committee and the accompanying delegation which
included the Speaker of Chris Hani District Municipality and her delegation
were welcomed by Chief Zanoxolo.
Mr Kholwane explained the purpose of the visit to the
Chief and the community and the following issues were brought to the attention
of the Committee: (i) there were no roads or bridges that lead to Upper
Lufutha; (ii) no television, radio or cellphone network in the area due to
topographical challenges; (iii) more communication tools were needed in the
area; (iv) MTN erected an antenna, however one needs to climb the mountain in order
to receive the signal; (v) no contact with the police and emergency services
due to network problems as a result crime in the area is rife and people die
trying to get to hospital; (vi) children in the area have no access to
computers and internet some do not even know how a computer looks like; (vii)
there was no post office or satellite post office in the community; (viii)
schools in the area do not have computer labs; and (ix) 258 community members
work in the Expanded Public Works Programme but have to spend four days queuing
at the post office in Cala before they can get their salaries.
The
SoEs that were accompanying the Committee responded as follows:
3.8.1.1
SABC
Mr Yeye informed the Committee that Sentech and SABC
had conducted an inspection in the area and discovered that there was no
signal. Lower and Upper Lufutha were on the list for a low power transmitter
and it should be erected before 2014.
3.8.1.2
Sentech
Mr Ndleleni indicated that together with SABC and
ICASA, Upper and Lower Lufutha will be prioritised.
3.8.1.3
SAPO
Mr Xiphu undertook to meet with the community leaders
to discuss the issue of a satellite post office and post boxes before the end
of February 2013.
3.8.1.4
USAASA
Mr Lamani indicated that he will have to check and see
if the schools in the area were in the list of schools to be connected.
However, he raised a concern that after schools are connected, community
members are often denied access to the computer labs.
3.8.1.5
ICASA
ICASA undertook to visit the visit the area to
determine if there is signal and will use that information to find a way of
closing the gaps with Sentech, SABC and mobile operators. The visit should
happen before end of March 2013.
3.8.1.6
The Department
The Department ensured the community that all
commitments made during the meeting will be delivered. The Department will
write to the Minister informing her of the agreement to assist the community of
Upper Lufutha to get universal access.
3.8.1.7 District Municipality
The Speaker informed the Committee that this was not a
first visit by government in the area. People come and make promises but no
deliverables. She requested that signal and network coverage be prioritised as
people in the area were dying as there was no contact between them, the police
and emergency services.
The Chief hoped that all the promises made will be
achieved. He appreciated that Members of Parliament visited Upper Lufutha and
held a meeting in his home. He said it was for the first time in 27 years that
he hosted Members of Parliament.
3.8.3
Committee
observations and recommendations
The Committee noted all the undertakings by the
entities and recommended that the Department must provide a detailed report on
all the undertakings made by the end of June 2013.
Day 3 (31 January 2013)
3.9
Unitra
Community Radio (UCR FM)
The Committee and the accompanying delegation were
welcomed by Mr Luvuyo Toni, Station Manager.
Ms Morutoa explained that the Committee had visited
the Post Office in 2011 and was conducting a follow-up visit in order to
determine whether the challenges and Committee recommendations have been
adhered to.
The brand of the station had been tarnished over the
years because of previous mismanagement and internal issues, namely:
non-serviced equipment, historical debts and staff dissatisfaction which had
resulted in the decrease of listenership, the core function of the station.
The current management has since stabilised the
situation by creating strategic plans that focus on developmental programmes
and rebranding the station. This has yielded positive response from the
business community and the listeners.
The station has all the proper governing structures
and has subjected its finances to auditing.
The station has adopted a revival campaign that had
the following achievements: (i) successfully created visual spectacle wherever
given an opportunity to market the brand; (ii) created a perception that all is
well within the brand value chain system; has been able to put a foot forward
in aligning itself with credible institutions to create high levels of its
brand potential; (iii) created a mobile visibility appeal; and (iv) stretched
itself way more to earn the respect of business associations both locally and
nationally.
3.9.2
Areas
of concern and relations with stakeholders
The station raised the following areas of concern: (i)
Media brokers killing the value of community radio airtime as they book
advertising slots with their own rates against the rates that the community
radio stations has; media brokers pay after 60 days and this weakens the
systems and controls of the station; (ii) SAMRO tariffs that are applied
across the board are not fair to the community radio station; (iii) ICASA
understands that the law requires all licensees to pay 0.2 per cent to the
regulator and the station remains committed to comply, however the station
requests that ICASA revise this law and give leniency to community radio
stations; and (iv) Sentech the station requests that the Department pay for
the community radio stations signal distribution tariffs.
3.9.3.1 Tax Clearance
UCR FM owed SARS R1 million for vat and tax returns
that was not submitted over a period of five years. The historical debt had
made the life of the station very difficult as no business wants to trade or
associates itself with a non-compliant radio station. UCR FM has engaged SARS
at the highest levels locally and provisionally trying to look at possible
solutions and arrangements to resolve the matter. In order for MDDA to provide
funding to the station, there must be a tax clearance certificate. The
Department has committed to assist the station with the debt during the2013/14
financial year.
3.9.3.2
Staff retention
The intention of community radio stations is to
develop and groom new talent. However, the commercial and public radio station
abuse the community radio stations by poaching its staff and offer better
remuneration. The station is unable to retain its staff for long and that
impact negatively on the consistency of the station.
3.9.3.3
Government support
The station has not received any form of government
support for the past seven years, with the exception of GCIS, OR Tambo District
Municipality, Nyandeni Local Municipality and Port St Johns Local
Municipality.
3.9.4
Committee
observations and recommendations
The Committee noted with concern: (i) the legacy left
by previous Board members; and (ii) the former Board Chairperson left with a
cellphone and the former station manager left with a brand new Toyota Hilux.
The Committee recommended that the current Board must
take action in trying to recover the missing assets and must forward a detailed
report on what steps have been taken on the previous Board.
3.10 SABC Mthatha
The Committee and the accompanying delegation were
welcomed by Mr Zola Yeye, the Provincial General Manager. During the visit, the
Committee was taken for a tour of the building and noted that the equipment was
old and that the building was being refurbished.
3.11
Mthatha
Post Office
The Committee and the accompanying delegation were
welcomed by Mr George Mothema, SAPO Board Chairperson.
Mr Kholwane explained that the Committee had visited
the Post Office in 2011 and was conducting a follow-up visit in order to
determine whether the challenges and Committee recommendations have been
adhered to.
3.11.1
Progress
made in addressing issues that were raised during the previous oversight visit
The post office reported the following achievements
since the last visit by the Committee: (i) the security of the post office has
improved; (ii) tellers handle different transactions there are queue managers
to direct people to the right queue; (iii) a special section for parcels has
been introduced; (iv) air-conditioning is working; (v) parcel section had been
painted; (vi) customer service area has been enlarged and a wheelchair ramp
built; (vii) the post office has a very good relationship with the provincial
government; (viii) post office no longer utilises labour brokers, even
contracted staff are employed by SAPO; and (ix) a request for renewal of
vehicle licences has been submitted to the Department of Transport.
3.11.2
Committee
recommendations
The Committee recommended that SAPO should consider
assisting government in the delivery of textbooks and that all GCIS stands at
post offices should be put in front until there is a letter from acting Chief
Executive Officer confirming the removal of GCIS stands.
3.12
Mthatha
City Hall
Mr Kona had arranged a meeting between the Committee
and people that are affected by slow delivery of ICT services around Mthatha.
The low turnout by community members was due to an urgent council meeting that
was held at the venue where the Committee was supposed to meet with the
community. .
Mr Victor Letuka from Matatiele raised the following
concerns: (i) no television signal in the Tseda area of Matatiele; and (ii)
people must climb up the mountain in order to access to a cellphone signal..
Mr Thobela Madubela of Southern Tsomo raised the
following concerns: (i) only people with satellite receivers have access to
television signal; (ii) no access to water, electricity and sanitation in the
area; (iii) people with televisions cannot use them but are expected to pay
television licences; and (iv) no Internet connection at schools although
learners write similar examinations with those that have Internet connectivity.
Mr Khuthele Jonas of Ngqamakhwe raised the following
concerns: (i) only areas close to the N2 receive a television broadcast signal;
(ii) in Khwezi Location in Mthatha, only one SABC channel is clear and people
rely on DSTV more than SABC; and (iii) no cellphone network signal during the
festive season.
Mr Gaxeni Fudumele of Ngqeleni raised the following
concerns: (i) no television and radio signal; (ii) no cellphone network signal;
(iii) retired people who had access to television whilst working in the big
cities were still expected to pay television license even though they no longer
had access to television broadcast signal.
The
SoEs that were accompanying the Committee responded as follows:
3.12.1.1 SABC
Mr Yeye explained that all the areas mentioned above
have been identified on the feasibility study that was conducted by the SABC.
He said it does not work paying a television licence if people do not have
access to television.
3.12.1.2 Sentech
Mr Ndleleni reported that all the areas mentioned
above have sites but are unable to receive signals due to the landscape.
Sentech was still waiting for the Department of Environmental Affairs to approve
a site in Ngqamakhe. Matatiele will have to wait for the launch of digital
migration as there are many people involved in the application process for a
site. Sentech will scan and check the signal in Mthatha.
3.12.1.3 ICASA
Mr Mark Ramsay committed to take measurements in all
areas in order to determine what services are available and in what locations.
3.12.1.4 The Department
The Department noted all the commitments made by the
entities and will make the necessary follow-ups.
3.12.1.5 USAASA
USAASA committed to take details of all schools
without connectivity and see where it can assist. However, it will depend
whether the area has electricity before USAASA can install. A number of schools
have already been connected in Mthatha.
3.12.2 Committee observations and
recommendations
The Committee noted the undertaking made by the
Department regarding follow-ups on the commitments made by the entities. The
Committee recommended that the Department must conduct its oversight function
over the entities. The Committee was aware of the situation in Matatiele.
3.13
Khanya
Community Radio
Mr Kholwane explained the purpose of the visit and due
to time constraints; he requested that the presenter focus on the stations
challenges. Mr Mzimasi Zinto, Board Chairperson welcomed the Committee and the
accompanying delegation.
The station raised the following challenges:
(i) Human resources
Department never
assisted in staff training; station cannot retain staff due to lack of
financial resources; and station does not have a tax clearance certificate.
(ii) Equipment
outdated and old equipment; lack of financial resources to purchase new
equipment; and only one studio is functional.
(iii) Signal distribution
business does not advertise on the station as it does not reach all
its footprint coverage; and lack of resources to upgrade the signal.
(iv) Sustainability
local businesses do not advertise on the station; it does not
generate any revenue from the community due to high poverty levels and high unemployment
rate.
(i) Sentech
will meet with the station management to discuss its signal problems.
(ii) MDDA to
meet with the station management to discuss funding and tax clearance
certificate matters.
(iii) SABC
will assist in terms of staff training.
3.13.3
Committee
observations and recommendations
The Committee recommended that the Department must
provide a full report on the state of affairs regarding coverage for community
radio stations. The report must contain a strategy on how to monitor coverage
for community radio stations.
Day 4 (1 February 2013)
3.14
Sentech
TCC (East London)
The Committee and the accompanying delegation were
welcomed by Mr Skosana, Operations Manager.
Mr Skosana presented a signal coverage map of the
region. More than 60 % DTT coverage has been completed in the province and by
the end of the financial year, Sentech would have covered 80 per cent of the
province.
As part of its CSI responsibilities; Sentech presented
as follows: (i) an I-lap programme will connect fourteen (14) schools per year
in the province; (ii) two (2) schools have already been connected in
Mqhekezweni and Mbenyane respectively; (iii) there was a plan to connect
another school in Amathole Region before the end of 2013; (iv) Fourteen (14)
computers were connected at Mbenyane.
Mr Skosana highlighted the following challenges: (i)
bad roads that make it impossible to reach sites; (ii) technicians have to
sleep on sites; (iii) problem with staff retention; and (iv) old technicians
will be retiring and there was no succession plan.
3.15
Eastern
Cape Development Corporation (ECDC)
The Committee and the accompanying delegation were
welcomed by Ms Noxolo Mtana, the sector specialist. Mr Kholwane explained that
the Committees visit is a response to Ms Noxolo Mtanas request she made
during the MDDA Board interviews.
ECDC is a dynamic economic development agency based in
Eastern Cape. It works with provincial and national ministries, municipalities,
chambers, private business, communities and other development agencies to
implement the economic development policies of the Eastern Cape provincial
government. ECDC reports to an independent Board of Directors representing all
stakeholders in the Eastern Cape. The directors are appointed by the Department
of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism. It was formed in 1996 by an Act
of the Eastern Cape Legislature to plan, finance, co-ordinate, market, promote
and implement the development of the Eastern Cape Province and its entire
people in the fields of industry, commerce, agriculture, transport and finance.
ECDC is wholly-owned by the Eastern Cape government.
ECDC aims to: (i) attract new investors and position the Eastern
Cape as the investment destination of choice; (ii) stimulate exports; (iii)
facilitate economic development; (iv) derive value from its assets, including a
large property portfolio; (v) build existing businesses; and (vi) facilitate
start-up businesses.
The ECDC profiled three interventions in its
pipeline, which were facing a number of ICT policy, legislative and regulatory
inhibitors, those being: (i) Upskilling of 20 ICT graduates from local Further
Education and Training (FET) colleges; (ii) funding model & moratorium on
the licensing of the Eastern Cape Community TV station; and (iii) local content
generation.
Local ICT SMMEs were accorded an opportunity
to share their views on ICT policies, laws and regulations that are hindering
their ease of doing business. Amongst the issues raised were the following: (i)
Mr Jabu Mangena of Khula Technologies who graduated from the ECDC funded ICT
Incubation Programme pleaded for more visible ICT Policy leadership from the
Department in order to facilitate meaningful business relations between local
players and their regional and international business counterparts; (ii) Mr
Mark Gray of Easttel, a division of Amatole Telecommunication Services decried
the unintended consequences of the Policy, Legislative and Regulatory Framework
that gave birth to licensing of Under-Serviced Area Licensees (USAL).
3.15.3
Committee
recommendations
The Committee recommended that the Department
must secure a date for a follow up visit to the Eastern Cape by all entities
accountable to it and assist the ECDC in resolving its ICT-related challenges.
The Department must provide the Committee with
a detailed report of the follow-up visit.
Report to be
considered.
Documents
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