Minister of Communications Budget Speech & Responses by DA and IFP

Minister of Communications, Ms Faith Muthambi, gave her Budget Vote Speech on the 15 July 2014

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Honourable Chairperson
Honourable Members
Honoured guests
Chairpersons and board members of SABC, Brand SA, MDDA and ICASA
Councillors ICASA and management of all entities present
Members of the media 

It is a very special honour for me to present my first Budget Vote as Minister of Communications in the Fifth Administration of a democratic South Africa.

In the year in which we are celebrating 20 Years of Freedom, we must all pause – in this esteemed Parliament of the People and in every corner of our country – to reflect with pride and a sense of accomplishment on the road we have travelled as a nation.

This is a road we have travelled on our own since December 2013 when we paid farewell to our beloved founding President and leader of our Struggle, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

In two days’ time, South Africa and the world over will be celebrating Mandela Day.

When we observe the birthday of our departed leader, we have a special opportunity to reflect once again on the life and influence of Madiba and to recommit ourselves to keeping his legacy of humanity, humility, generosity of spirit and firmness of principle alive. Let us dedicate the 67 minutes informed by these values and keep the legacy alive.

This very democratic Parliament is where the vision and principles of Nelson Mandela found expression in the policies that were developed here to formally consign apartheid to its deserved grave.

Honourable Chairperson

As we introduce the GCIS Budget Vote for 2014/15, it is worth noting that this is the last Budget Vote of the department. As you will be aware, the President of the Republic of South Africa, the Honourable Jacob Zuma, has signed a proclamation to de-establish the GCIS and establish the Department of Communications.

This new department combines what we can call the “old” GCIS with Brand South Africa, the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation(SABC) under our ministry. Our mandate is that of overarching communication policy and strategy, information dissemination and publicity as well as the branding of the country abroad.

New Department of Communications: New possibilities

This House will also be aware that the new Department of Communications additionally forms part of the new Inter-Ministerial Committee on Information and Publicity established by President Jacob Zuma to provide multi-disciplinary guidance and support to this important portfolio of government.

As we approach this reconfiguration, we are excited by the new possibilities this opens up for more effective and meaningful communication with citizens and with our partners and stakeholders internationally.

We wish to pay tribute to our predecessors, Minister Collins Chabane and Deputy Minister Obed Bapela, for the sound legacy they have entrusted to us.
We also look forward to a productive and constructive relationship with the Portfolio Committee on Communications as led by the passionate and vigorous Honourable Joyce Moloi-Moropa.

Entering a new era in government communications

Honourable Members

In South Africa, lives are being changed for the better every single day, thanks to the work of this government and its partnership with all sectors of society.

Every day, we are building new homes for people who need them. Every day, we are feeding children at school who may have no food at home. Every day, we are helping mothers give birth in safe and dignified facilities. Every day, we are apprehending criminals and abusers, and dismantling large-scale criminal networks.

The communication programme of government must keep pace with our underlying programme of delivery. There are many times we do not communicate as much as we implement and this creates a lag in public awareness or sentiment about the extensive work we are doing to realise Vision 2030 of our National Development Plan.

The GCIS Budget Vote for 2014/15 is the first phase of a new communication vision for government in which our point of departure will be the overwhelming mandate given to this government by the people of South Africa.

Our communications approach will balance our respect for this clear public mandate, as well as our confidence that South Africans overwhelmingly support our vision of the future. Our communications practice will also be rooted in our understanding that we are engaged in dissemination of Information for Empowerment of Citizens, nothing more and nothing less.

Our mission is to give effect to President Jacob Zuma’s expectation that – and I quote – “Improved communication and marketing will promote an informed citizenry and also assist the country to promote investments, economic growth and job creation.”

I wish to give you the assurance and comfort that GCIS will leverage its budget allocation of R437.2 million for this financial year to achieve continuous engagement, consultation and partnership-building with citizens and stakeholders, and sustained sharing of information.

As we do so during this year, our aim is not just to inform South Africans about what is happening around them, but to involve our people in adding to the Good Story our country is able tell.

At the same time, we know that the fight against poverty, unemployment demands intensive communication of socio-economic opportunities created by government, for vulnerable citizens and communities, in terms of the key priorities of government.

Building on our achievements: Addressing our challenges

Honourable Chairperson

The work we will do during this financial year builds on the proud record GCIS has established in the course of a number of years, of working creatively and energetically with its limited resources, to achieve the desired outcomes.
2013/14 was no exception in this regard.

The GCIS complied with all legislative requirements prescribed by the PFMA and other Treasury regulations. It tabled the 2012/13 annual report in Parliament, as well as quarterly performance reports and corrective action plans.

Ninety Four (94) per cent of GCIS staff signed performance agreements in 2013/14, exceeding the 90 per cent target for the year. In addition, 97 per cent of the department’s bi-annual assessments were signed within the legislated timeframe. GCIS has maintained a vacancy rate below the Department of Public Service and Administration’s 8 percent standard.

In terms of Finance, Supply Chain Management and Auxiliary Services, GCIS received an unqualified audit report for its 2012/13 annual financial statements and it adhered to all budget cycle deadlines. During 2013/14, GCIS implemented cost-containment measures in line with National Treasury’s instructions.

During 2013/14, GCIS implemented 2 961 development communication projects reaching more than 36 million people and conducted 3 876 community and stakeholder liaison visits.

These visits have intensified platforms and opportunities where the public can access government information and have been implemented through community and stakeholder engagements, face-to-face activities and community media events. Political principals interacted with communities through 346 public participation events, izimbizo.

GCIS further held 654 marketing events to increase the visibility of the Thusong Service Centres and intensify the use of integrated mobile units.  A total of 736 879 copies of government information materials were distributed in communities and 48 copies of the weekly electronic newsletter My District Today.

The media bulk-buying services have also taken shape and assisted government to realise economies of scale. In the financial year 2013/14, GCIS conducted 150 media bulk-buying campaigns, with a total value of over R220 million and realized R28, 6 million in savings. We intend to grow this work and ensure that government’s limited budget is used effectively.

It is not practical to list all our achievements or challenges in this format or in this forum but I hope the overview I have provided demonstrates how seriously we take our task and how diligently and responsibly we work with the public funds entrusted to us.

Looking ahead

In this financial year 2014/15, GCIS has been allocated R413.1 million which represents less than R10 per citizen for the year, even before we take operational costs into account. This illustrates how hard and innovatively we need to work to reach and interact with South Africans on such a tight allocation.

In the 2013/14 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, Cabinet introduced baseline efficiency saving measures which has resulted in baseline being reduced in 2014/15 by R8.3 million and in 2015/16 by R13.1 million.

The national communication strategy tasks the department with working with other departments to align their communication campaigns and programmes with the strategic priorities of government.

In implementing the national communication strategy, the department will focus on ensuring that the strategy’s framework is adopted at the provincial and local government levels and that their development communication campaigns and programmes are aligned with the government communication programme.

The department will continue to conduct information campaigns, such as the state of the nation address; develop communication activations aligned with the government communication programme; coordinate the government Imbizo programmes; and produce government publications, such as the Vukuzenzele, over this period.

Almost 63.7 per cent of the department’s allocation over the medium term is spent in the Administration and Intergovernmental Coordination and Stakeholder Management programmes. The bulk of the expenses in these two programmes includes governance related costs such as audit fees, Information Technology which is central to the manner in which we communicate and human resources which is central in our provincial and district offices in facilitating the face to face communication.

Spending on goods and services over the medium term is expected to be primarily to the publication of the monthly Vuk’uzenzele newspaper and the South Africa Yearbook. 20.4 million Vuk’uzenzele copies are set to be produced in 11 official languages including braile and distributed monthly over the MTEF period.

In addition, the department plans to issue 42 cluster reports on perceptions of government delivery and performance, conduct 8 250 community and stakeholder liaison visits and align 6 552 development communication projects with the government communication programme over the medium term.

The Imbizo platform is the bedrock of government’s face-to-face engagement with citizens, which creates an opportunity for people from all walks of life to share their ideas, hopes and frustrations with national, provincial or local leadership.

At the apex of this outreach programme is the Presidential Siyahlola programme, which allows the President to monitor and give personal attention to difficulties being experienced in various parts of the country.

With regard to the Media Development and Diversity Agency, R21.8 million has been allocated to enable historically disadvantaged communities and individuals to gain access to the media. The Deputy Minister will provide further details in this regard.

Honourable Members

Our department is new and therefore what we are presenting to you is an interim budget that will be improved once all the ground work to establish a new Department has been concluded. For now we invite you to approve the budget of the Government Communications and Information System.

In this regard, we felt it appropriate to share with you our emerging vision of how we intend tackling the mammoth task that the President has given us to revolutionaries how we use information to empower our people.   

I wish to reiterate what President Zuma said in the State of the Nation Address, we are indeed a nation at work. There are huge opportunities that this government is making available for our people to partake in the rebuilding of our economy. Such interventions will and must result in the empowerment of our people and a clear victory against the difficult challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty. Our job therefore is to answer the question - how do we use information to empower our people? How do we use the very same information to enable our people to partake in the radical economic interventions that are already being rolled out by this government.

We have therefore set ourselves a simple goal - that of information revolution. We must put in place an over- arching communications policy that will guide our work. All of us must answer the question: How is our work contributing to the implementation of the National Development Plan.

All civil servants need to understand that every act of service to the people is an act of information that empowers them and improves their lives. Making available information about jobs and opportunities that this government creates is crucial and must be a central part of what all political principals and all civil servants must implement with vigour.

Honourable Chairperson

The realignment is a work in progress, however we can announce the following:

1) This week is National Imbizo Focus week, this is the beginning of a process to strengthen our interaction with our people. The adoption of the Izimbizo as a mechanism for communication between government and its citizens bears testimony to the Democratic Government’s commitment to transparent and accountable service delivery, and where challenges are encountered, to listen to these and bring solutions.

As we have said before and committed to our people, we will work with them to take South Africa forward. In moving South Africa forward government can never tackle the triple challenges alone - stakeholders in civil society, business and communities will be taken along to shape how we position this country both domestically and internationally.

2) Given the negative publicity we have received internationally Brand SA has provided us with a comprehensive report on how the world perceives our country. The positive positioning of the country is crucial for job creation through the strengthening of our competitiveness as a nation. As we celebrate 20 Years of Freedom, it is inspiring that Brand South Africa tells us that 91% of the population are proud to be South Africans. It further says more than 85% of the population believe that South Africa is competitive, innovative and capable of achieving greatness as a country, and 95% of citizens express a sense of belonging in the country, with a strong desire to remain here.

3) The stabilisation of the public broadcaster is at the top of our agenda. So much is hinging on this public broadcaster being stable that we are leaving nothing to chance. There is of course already a lot interest, correctly so as this is a public broadcaster which must act in the interest of all people. We do not intend to be hands off and allow a deterioration of the public broadcaster. We have instructed the board to ensure that a Chief Executive Officer is in place before the expiry of the three months extension on the acting CEO position that we have granted.  We expect that the filling of both the COO as well as the CEO and CFO positions subsequently will result in clarity of purpose for the SABC.
We wish to assure the people of South Africa that our intention is to make the SABC play its role in the national project of fighting poverty, inequality and unemployment through total citizen empowerment. A new strategy for the funding of the public broadcaster is one of the urgent tasks that we will be putting forward for the leadership of the corporation.

4) The GCIS in its current form has done a sterling job in holding the fort as we establish the new department. To this end we have presented the national communications strategy to cabinet and this will assist us to improve communications to our people. Various interventions in this regard around the theme of Together We Move South Africa Forward have been adopted and will be implemented with the necessary vigour. We will be improving government’s own media by ensuring that more and more information about jobs and opportunities are made accessible more frequently.

Instead of a conclusion

The growth in digital and mobile communications presents government with the opportunity and challenge of engaging interactively with citizens and stakeholders, and to join in social conversations rather than produce one-way communications.

As a government of the people, we will listen closely and share openly but we will also attend vigorously to issues that threaten to undermine the reputation of our government or our country.

We will reach out directly to communities, we will leverage the communication platforms we have created ourselves, we will work with public media, we will create communication partnerships across various sectors and we will project our country with pride internationally.

We will be mindful of our obligations to communicate effectively with people with disability, and to present information in all official languages.

We will further work to make government communications more effective and professional and to secure greater value for government’s considerable spend on advertising, so that our messages and information can reach more people in more places, more frequently.

In view of the limited reach of commercial media, we will work closely with community, commercial and international media as conduits for the extensive range of information that government generates through its transformation programme.

The year ahead will see new departures and new practices in government communications as demanded by this new administration.

The 2014/15 fiscal year is therefore one of transition and one that we hope will inspire South Africans that we are a listening, sharing and caring government that places a high premium on daily and continuous communication with people.

Together We Move South Africa Forward.
I now commend the GCIS budget vote to the house.

I thank you.

 

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Deputy Minister of Communications, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahamas, gave her Budget Vote Speech on the 15 July 2014

Moving South Africa forward through a reliable community media

Honourable Chairperson
Chairperson and Members of the Portfolio Committee on Communications
Minister of Communications
Chairpersons, Board Members and CEOs of State Owned Entities
Senior Government Officials
Captains of industry                                                              
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

Molweni, Dumelang, Avuxeni, Thobela, Ndi Madekwana, Lochani, Good Evening!

Preamble

Brutally beaten, handcuffed and tied to the back of the police van, he was dragged for about 500m and later found dead in a police cell. The Mozambican taxi driver, Mido Macia's incident was exposed by ordinary community members of Daveyton who used their cellphones to capture the video that is evidence of the whole brutal act. As a result of this vigilance through citizen journalism we recently saw nine police officers being dismissed and charged. As we tell the good stories that we have we also encourage you South Africans to "also tell us the stories that are difficult, painful and troublesome" as DP Ramaphosa said. This will help our country move forward.

Ladies and gentlemen

From pigeons to twitter, telegraph to e-mail, communication has come a long way. It is almost implausible to imagine a world without social media, instant messaging and live chatting. Today’s news break on facebook; accidents are reported on twitter and citizens assist authorities to capture criminals. This is the evolution of communication.

Looking back, celebrating 20 Years of Freedom

Join me as i tell this good story!

In 1994 we saw the first community broadcast which was Bush Radio. Today there are more than 150 Radio Stations, five Community television stations and a number of Small Commercial Media newspapers and magazines published in indigenous languages, owned by various media owners and communities. From Musina to Stellenbosch there are over 8.6 million community radio listeners. Community television has grown in numbers and viewership. The support, both financial and non-financial, these stations receive from government is unparalleled in the world. 

These stations have not only added to media diversity in the Republic; they have further provided communities with a platform to hear themselves and listen to their own stories. The stations have actually become the heartbeat of the communities. Almost every District Municipality has Community and Small Commercial Media in the form of community radio newspapers and/or magazines.

Following the establishment of Media Development & Diversity Agency (MDDA) and through its advocacy and lobbying, we have seen a number of changes which have led to the sector's growth and development of a diverse media. These changes include, amongst others, an enabling regulatory environment created by  Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA); reduction of tariffs for community broadcasting signal distribution by SENTECH; and discounts provided by printers for community and small commercial newspapers and magazines. Iyabukeka lonto

When we see all these developments, we cannot hide our excitement. We nod with our heads and say, “indeed there is a great story to tell because 2014 is better than 1994! Bakithi Kuyajabulisa lokho!

Chairperson,

The reality of the matter is that there is still a lot of work to be done with regards to content as we still find radio stations that only play music and not giving attention to other aspects such as news, education and information dissemination which is what community media was created for. As the father of our liberation Tata Nelson Mandela taught us, the African National Congress (ANC) is the repository of the aspirations of the overwhelming majority of our people and we must lead and learn from them. It is this principle that we live by to engage our communities through various platforms such as Izimbizo, radio and TV talk shows, government publications, social network live chats. Rhi khou kandela phanda! (we are going ahead).      

Honourable Members!

As the President Jacob Zuma led administration we cannot be joyful that despite its consistent audience growth in the last five years, community broadcasting (both radio and TV) accounts for only 2% of the total advertising expenditure. Neither can we be content that 20 years into democracy, black participation in the South African print media industry stands at 14% and gender representation is still low. We are still experiencing challenges when it comes to the sustainability of Community and Small Commercial Media. There is a need to ensure that the advertising cake is shared by all and distributed in a manner that supports media diversity.

This is an issue that the Department of Communications will address with all relevant stakeholders.

In addition, the print media partner’s contributions have decreased in the recent years (now only R4 million). This has resulted in a revised strategy regarding the support for print media projects with the focus now on consolidating and strengthening current beneficiaries than funding new projects. A swi tsakisi!

All these issues require our urgent attention because they are at the core of building this country. As the new Ministry of Communications, we therefore undertake to tackle them with great zeal and vigour as part of consolidating the democratic transformation of our country. Dit is belangrik!  

Compatriots,

On the print media side, which is still dominated by the “big four”, we have within government, Vuk’uzenzele, Public Sector Manager, GovComms and My District Today produced by GCIS, as well as a broad range of publications by national, provincial and local departments and entities. We are also seeing the emergence of a number of independent newspapers and magazines throughout the country.

Through the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act we will enforce greater transformation in this industry, throughout the entire value chain, that is, publishing, printing, distribution, advertising and ABC certification. This is an area which we will work earnestly with, amongst others, the newly formed Department of SMMEs.

We will pursue our objectives in line with the goals of the National Development Plan and this administration’s commitment to radical socio-economic transformation and placing the economy in the hands of millions of our people who were previously excluded from participation. We know from our history that the media sector was characterised by economic exclusion and the suppression of content reflecting the experiences and struggles of the majority of South Africans.

MDDA achievements

Honourable Members, in the past financial year, MDDA:

• Supported 29 Community Media Projects to the tune of R22.5million,
• Supported nine Small Commercial Print Media projects to the tune of R5.7 million,
• Trained 516 community and small commercial media practitioners in various skills,
• Launched research into the transformation of print media, and
• Supported the 65 community radio syndicated broadcast of the Nelson Mandela state funeral.

Looking ahead – Moving South Africa forward through a vibrant and diverse media landscape

Honourable Chairperson,

The National Development Plan articulates that by 2030, South Africa’s rural communities should have greater opportunities to participate fully in the economic, social and political life of the country.

Furthermore, it stipulates that South Africa needs to build a more equitable society where opportunity is not defined by race, gender, class or religion.

In this respect, people’s capabilities should be built through, amongst others, enabling access to employment and transforming ownership patterns of the economy. The role of community media thereby becomes critical in taking forward this transformation agenda. Not only is its role in communication, but also in job creation and skills development.

Honourable Members,

In this financial year, we will further engage with the relevant stakeholders to launch sport programming on community radio stations. Furthermore, the department will work together with relevant stakeholders to review the existing media accountability mechanisms; balance the individual's rights to dignity and freedom of expression and freedom of the media; and review the privacy laws as well as those dealing with defamation. We will further forge partnerships with other stakeholders such as traditional leaders and the religious sectors to devise strategies on their role in furthering government’s communication interventions.

Lastly, in the upcoming financial year, MDDA will:

• Support 21 Community Media Projects to the tune of R23 million,
• Support nine Small Commercial Print Media projects to the tune of R6. Million, and
• Train 456 community and small commercial media practitioners in various skills.

 
Concluding remarks

Compatriots,

I would like to assure this House that the Department of Communications will continue to support and increase the work of the MDDA though the transition period.

On this note ladies and gentlemen, we express our sincere condolences to the family of Frans Mehlape, an impressive journalist at Alex FM and whose skills were nurtured through community media. He passed away this past Sunday.

Esteemed guests,

Allow me to acknowledge the sterling work executed by the MDDA Board; as well as the committed employees under the leadership of Mr Lumko Mtimde. I wish the Board members and the new CEO all the best in steering this ship forward.

I further express our heartfelt gratitude to the funding partners of the MDDA who committed to support Government in the implementation of the objectives of the MDDA Act.

Fellow South Africans,

As we continue to tell the good stories that we have built in the past twenty years, we invite you to utilise the platforms we have created to tell us your stories As Deputy President Ramaphosa says, “Tell them robustly and accurately, without fear or favour. Tell them movingly.”

Enkosi!

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Reponses by DA and IFP

Parliamentary Budget Vote Debate 9 Government Communications and Information Services by Ms SJ Nkomo (IFP)

Honourable Chairperson,

As we debate Government's communications arm, the GCIS, and its performance vis-à-vis its spending, we are very aware of the important role it plays in managing the image and messaging of our Government, especially the country's image abroad. We are equally aware of its mandate to mobilise the nation behind the National Development Plan and in celebrating 20 years of freedom.

In previous years, the GCIS budget was reduced but its appropriation is again expected to rise to R430.8 million in 2015/16. It against this background, the pervious Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, acknowledged that there should be better use of GCIS facilities to reduce the state's advertising expenses.

In the past, we have seen excessive amounts for advertising being channelled to the Gupta-owned New Age newspaper for advertising projects, instead of channelling it towards community papers and radio stations, which would be a much more sensible way in communicating government's message, especially to rural communities. Minister Gordhan is also one of the few people in government who recognised that the government communications system can be used more optimally instead of the media and speech release distribution agency it now functions as.

Already the government's 20 years of freedom project seems to have been overtaken by campaigns like LeadSA and the New Age Business Breakfasts. The government communication system has tremendous potential to improve the image of the state and flow of information to and from the public. At present, both the Presidency and GCIS are restrained in its communications, and they seemingly work in silos, which is why the government is constantly battling in a sea of bad publicity. This sea of bad publicity has led the Presidency to mistakenly believing that the media is hostile to it. This is said to have led to President Zuma to establishing an information ministry based on Zimbabwean, Chinese and Russian models, with the intent to re-image his administration and leave behind a legacy not defined by scandals.

The new Communications Ministry, led by Minister Faith Muthambi, is now a reality. The grouping of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the Government Communication and Information Services (GCIS), Brand SA and the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) shows the ANC government's desire to have increasing control of media outlets and propaganda. We therefore fear the new envisaged role for the GCIS and the sinister motives its budget will be used for.

We in the IFP acknowledge the many professionals in GCIS who work hard to publish valuable and credible sources of information about government. This appears on websites, in directories, yearbooks and magazines. They have provided a worthwhile service for years. We also acknowledge the value of the work done by the GCIS entity, the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) that seeks to promote media diversity and development, particularly in rural areas. It's a pity their reputation will now be tarnished with a political agenda.

Honourable Chair, our country is increasingly moving backwards. In fact, the last time South Africa had an information ministry was under apartheid. There can be no clearer sign that the ANC wants to take us off the road towards a mature democracy, and put us on the road to a one-party state. We will therefore abstain from voting on this Budget Vote.

I thank you.

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Veronica van Dyk, Shadow Deputy Minister of Communications (DA)
Agbare voorsitter, lede van die huis, 

Advertensiepamflette van Brand SA sê: Kry die groter prentjie, “the bigger picture”. Die prentjie, geskets in komiteevergaderings - Departement Kommunikasie, is beslis nie oral kleurvol nie.  

Suksesse van Brand SA om beleggers te oortuig om in SA te investeer, word bevraagteken. 

Die toename in werkloosheid met ‘n groeikoers van 25,2 % en ekonomiese groeikoers – die laagste sedert 2009, met die logiese korrelaat tussen investering, versus werkskepping; hoë misdaadvlakke en onstabiele arbeidsmark, is `n spyker in die beleggersdoodskis. 

Miljoene word bestee om moontlike beleggers te lok, met geen meetbare maatstawwe om sukses van uitsette te meet nie.  Die swak rand, dalk die rede vir toeriste.

Kaapstad, onder die top 10 gewildste wêreldstede, in die DA beheerde, Wes Kaap provinsie, het wel `n mooi storie om te vertel- ‘n bewys dat `n skoon regering, wat korrupsie teenstaan en dienste lewer, toeriste en beleggers lok. 

Agbare Voorsitter,

Die blinde oog vir korrupsie, met die aanstelling van Motsoeneng op seniorvlak in die SAUK, ten spyte van die Openbare Beskermer se verdoemende verslag, laat rooi ligte flikker vir demokrasie.  

Onder sy beheer:

 

·         Het die SAUK die swakste verslag van die Ouditeur Generaal ontvang 

·         Is die kontroversiële SAUK/MultiChoice transaksie gesluit, waarin ongeveer 38 jaar se argiefmateriaal aan Multichoice verkoop is. DA parlementêre vrae het uitgewys geen waardebepaling is vooraf gedoen en dat geld grootliks operasioneel aangewend word; nie as `n bate nie.

·         Die transaksie mag strydig wees met Seksie 8 (j) van die Uitsaaiwet van 1999, nl. dat die SAUK  biblioteke en argiewe met relevante materiaal moet bewaar en beskikbaar maak aan die publiek. 

·         Die DA ondersteun ICASA se ondersoek hierin; het verder seksie 4.2.4.1.3 uitgewys as moontlike oortreding van die SAUK mandaat as nasionale uitsaailiggaam.

Gebrek aan ferm optrede van minister Muthambi, SAUK politieke hoof, ter ondersteuning van die OB verslag, stel teleur. 

`n ANC komiteelid het gesê: “Don’t kick the man, kick the ball”, maar Motsoeneng moes die skoen gekry het. Hy is prominent deel van die probleem van `n disfunksionele SAUK, sonder kundige personeel, ook uitgewys deur die OG verslag.

Bogenoemde is `n bewys hoekom die DA model van oop geleenthede vir almal, waar die bes gekwalifiseerde persoon die posisie kry, gebruik behoort te word in werksonderhoude.

SAUK marknavorsing, Projek Kindle, het bevind dat kykers eerder alternatiewe mediabronne raadpleeg vir ware feite rondom nuusgebeure soos Marikana en Nkandla, met geen vertroue meer in die SAUK nie.

Kykergetalle daal a.g.v. 

·         Swak programinhoud en, 

·         voortdurende herhaling van programme

Tereg-geen waarde vir geld nie, met ‘n verwagte styging van 6% in televisielisensies. 

Agbare Voorsitter,

Grondwet-skrywers het voorsien dat die regering taaldiversiteit sou bevorder.Twintig jaar later word daar met erns, op verskeie vlakke, teen Afrikaans diskrimineer-`n taal wat op eie bodem ontstaan het, dus inheems en 3de meeste in die land gepraat.

Die DA het reeds `n ondersoek na die SAUK se voorgestelde programverskuiwing van Afrikaanse programme van SAUK 2 na 3 gevra. Swak grondverbindingsnetwerke in Afrikaanssprekende gebiede soos die Noord-Kaap en Noordwes, kan Afrikaanse gemeenskappe toegang tot programme in hul voorkeurtaal ontneem en moontlik die reg tot inligting skend. 

Elke landsburger behoort die reg tot diverse media en inligting te hê, volgens hoofstuk 2 van die Handves van Regte. As een van die 11 amptelike tale, ondersteun die DA ook Afrikaans.

GCIS, regerings mediaverteenwoordiger, versprei die “goeie storie” van die regering. 

·         Hul loon uitgawes (43,7%) en goedere en dienste (45,5%), wat huur en reiskoste insluit, is oormatig. 

·         Die hoof uitvoerende beampte is na 2 jaar steeds nie permanent aangestel en 

·         GCIS het ook nie kwantifiseerbare doelwitte nie.

·         Bewyslewering dat publikasies wel gelees word vir die mark waarvoor dit beplan word, ontbreek. 

·         76% van New Age advertensies in Nov/Des 2013 het van GCIS gekom, maar geen kontrole is toegepas rondom lees en verspreiding van leesstof. 

Die DA het die OG gevra om hierdie vrugtelose uitgawe te stop.

Op die bestedingspunt- Parlementslede word digitaal bemagtig.

Duisende rande word egter steeds daagliks spandeer op onnodige drukwerk. 

Parlementslede moet die voorbeeld stel –“gaan groen”. 

ICASA as onafhanklike reguleringsliggaam se grootste uitdagings is: 

·         kostebesnoeiing rondom telekommunikasie deur kompetisie in te bring, ontbondeling, asook besnyding op salarisbesteding. 

·         Uitstaande Personeelvaardigheidsverslae en 

·         in die vorige boekjaar, is slegs 18/43 doelwitte bereik. 

Agbare Voorsitter,

Die DA ondersteun kommunikasie uitbreiding in landelike gebiede - dit bemagtig mense. As die regering ernstig was hieroor, hoekom is die leemte na 20 jaar steeds so groot? 

Die Weskaap het binne 5 jaar tegnologie rondom breëband infrakstruktuur implimenteer. Die netwerk gaan Kaapstad binne 5-7 jaar die “digitaal mees gekonnekteerde stad in Afrika” maak.

Vraag, wanneer gaan breëband beloftes deur die President in die res van Suid Afrika realiseer?

Gemeenskapsmedia, onder MDDA, is in baie gevalle die enigste medium wat gemeenskappe bereik en waardeur hulle opgevoed, ingelig en vermaak word in inheemse tale - bv. Radio NFM98.1 in Namakwaland diens 37 000 luisteraars met o.a. Nama en Xhosa.

MDDA, die enigste kommunikasieafdeling met ‘n skoon ouditverslag se uitdagings: 

·         kundige personeel, oorbesteding op konsultante en groter allokasie om hul werk te kan doen, onafhanklik van regeringsinmenging

·         Meer spesiale programaanbiedinge vir 5.3% gestremdes in SA, behoort akkommodeer te word. 

Agbare voorsitter en lede,

Ingeligte burgers, maak ingeligte besluite.

Dit bevorder die proses van demokrasie, want nie net ontvang luisteraars inligting nie, hul kan ook opinies vorm, die regering tot verantwoording roep en die politieke uitkomste beinvloed. 

Verstaanbaar, waarom die ANC die media wil beheer en waarom te meer almal in SA vrye media moet onderskryf.