Mahikeng: Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong, who oversees the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), engaged with members of the North West provincial government to underscore the critical role of government communications to the public.
According to South African Government News Agency, the GCIS provides strategic communication leadership and support across all levels of government. This includes guiding government communication through the submission of a National Communication Strategy to the Cabinet. "Your responsibility as the provincial government is to implement the national policy," Morolong stated during his meeting with Members of the Executive Council (MECs). He highlighted that the Cabinet has recently resolved to review the Government Communication Policy and emphasized the need to familiarize provincial government executives with this policy.
Morolong also mentioned the collaboration between the GCIS, the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), and Brand South Africa (Brand SA) in executing its responsibilities. The MDDA plays a significant role in creating an environment conducive to public discourse, reflecting the needs of all South Africans, by supporting community and small commercial media projects. Brand SA, as South Africa's official marketing agency, is tasked with enhancing the country's global competitiveness and international reputation through proactive marketing and communication strategies.
After a closed session with the Deputy Minister, North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi highlighted discussions centered on positioning communications at the core of government interaction with the public. Mokgosi stressed the importance of supporting community media, asserting that government departments must report on their progress in this area. "We are going to up the game in supporting the local media," Mokgosi said, affirming the province's responsibility to bolster local media initiatives.
Sandile Nene, Acting Deputy Director-General for Content Processing and Dissemination at the GCIS, elaborated on the Government Communication Policy's history, tracing its establishment to a Task Group on Government Communications initiated in 1995 by then-Deputy President Thabo Mbeki. Nene emphasized the vital role of effective government communication in improving public access to services.
Morolong, accompanied by senior GCIS officials and representatives from MDDA and Brand SA, concluded his visit with an engagement session at Mmabatho FM, where he interacted with listeners.