Committee Programme & 2002 Annual Report: adoption

Meeting report

COMMUNICATIONS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
12 March 2003
COMMITTEE PROGRAMME & 2002 ANNUAL REPORT: ADOPTION

Chairperson:

Committee's 2002 Annual Report
Committee Programmes (Appendix)

SUMMARY
Before adopting both the 2003 Committee Programme and 2002 Annual Report, Members did effect a few minor amendments to them.

MINUTES
Committee Programme 2003
International trips
The Committee agreed that Nigeria, Geneva and Kinshasa would be visited during 2003.

National trips
Members agreed that the Telkom disconnection sites sites would provisionally have to be visited during 2003, as well as the offices of Sentech, the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS), the Department of Communications and the SABC.

A few amendments were effected to the Programme (see Appendix), and it was accepted by the Committee.

Annual Report

Members expressed their disapproval at the inaccurate manner in which Members' attendance is reflected in Point 3.1 of the Report (see document).

The Chair noted that the Committee adopts the Report, subject to the proviso that the "Appointment Date" column in Point 3.1 be deleted.

Adoption of Committee Minutes
The Chair noted that Members agreed to the Committee Minutes of 21 January 2003 and 4 February 2003.

The meeting was adjourned.

Appendix:
DRAFT COMMITTEE PROGRAMME - 2003

1. List of entities/structures over which the Committee exercises oversight:

 

1. LEGISLATIVE WORK (Legislation, Public Hearings, etc):

    

2. 21 Jan - Shortlisting of candidates to be recommended for filling of vacancy on Icasa Council
3. 4 Feb - Interviews of candidates (Icasa), adoption of report containing recommendations
4. 11 Mar - Budget briefing: Vote 27: Department of Communications
5. 12 Mar - Adoption of (a) Programme; and (b) 2002: Annual Report
6. 18 Mar - South African Post Office: Report; and Financial Statements for 1998, 1999 and 2000
7. 25 Mar - Budget Briefing: Vote 7: GCIS

• Postal Services Amendment Bill
• National Address Systems Bill
• Convergence Bill
• Telecommunications Amendment Bill
• Space Affairs Amendment Bill

1. WRITTEN INSTRUMENTS AND PAPERS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE:
2. Letter from the President of the Republic informing Parliament of the resignation of Councillor Neel Smuts from the ICASA Council (ATC page 1721, referred)
3. Report and Group Annual Financial Statements of the South African Post office Limited for 1997-1998 (ATC page 1852, referred 19 November 2002)
4. Report and Group Annual Financial Statements of the South African Post Office Limited for 1998-99 (ATC page 1852, referred 19 November 2002)
5. Report and Group Annual Financial Statements of the South African Post Office Limited for 1999-2000 (ATC page 1852, referred 19 November 2002)

1. OVERSIGHT

 

• SABC

   

   

• Board of Media Development and Diversity Agency

   

   

• Council of Icasa

   

   

• Universal Service Agency (USA)

   

   

• South African Post Office

   

   

• Sentech (visit to Tygerberg site - signal distribution)

   

   

• MTN

   

   

• Vodacom

   

   

• Telkom

   

   

• Nemisa

   

   

• Department of Communications

   

   

• GCIS

   

   

• Print Media

   

   

• Advertising Agency Authority

   

   

• Community radio stations

   

2. Legislation over which the department exercises oversight

Department of Communications

• Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act (No 13 of 2000)
• Broadcasting Act (No 4 of 1999)
• Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (No 25 of 2002)
• Post Office Act (No 44 of 1958)
• Postal Services Act (No 124 of 1998)
• Telegraph Messages Protection Act (No 44 of 1963)
• Independent Broadcasting Authority Act (No 153 of 1993)
• Former States Posts and Telecommunications Reorganisation Act (No 5 of 1996)
• Sentech Act (No 63 of 1996)
• Former States Broadcasting Reorganisation Act (No 91 0f 1996)
• Telecommunications Act (No 193 of 1996)
• Department of Communications Rationalisation Act (No 10 of 1998)

Government Communication and Information System:

• Media Development and Diversity Agency Act (No 14 of 2002)
2. Is the department implementing the legislation fully?
5. BRIEFINGS (by departments, entities, public etc):
6. Department of Communications on its strategic planning
7. South African Post Office
8. South African Research Foundation
9. Budget briefings : (a) Department of Communications, and (b) Government Communication and Information System

(Also state whether report will be tabled)

Annual reports:

• Telkom
• South African Broadcasting Corporation
• Independent Communications Authority of SA
• South African Post Office

 

5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

    

6. Hearings on consumer-related issues
7. Cellular issues - follow up session
8. Advertising and racism - follow up session
7. TRIPS/TOURS TO BE UNDERTAKEN:
   1. National Trips
   2. International Trips
   : (Detailed motivation for each trip)

(a) All structures over which the Committee has had oversight to this year as the heading allows it.