Pretoria: The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on Monday welcomed a high-level delegation from South Sudan, who are in South Africa on a media study visit aimed at learning from the country's government communication and media operations. The delegation, led by Mawien Bulabek Chon, Undersecretary in South Sudan's Ministry of Information, Communication, Telecommunication and Postal Services, is undertaking a series of engagements with key government communication institutions.
According to South African Government News Agency, prior to their visit to the GCIS, the group met officials from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) to gain insight into its mandate and operational structures. Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong officially received the delegation and outlined the GCIS's constitutional mandate, which is to coordinate strategic government communication across all spheres of government.
Morolong briefed the delegation on South Africa's communication evolution since the advent of democracy in 1994. He noted that the government inherited a South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) that needed to be transformed into an institution serving all South Africans and undertook major reforms to establish a communication system rooted in openness, accountability, and public service.
Acting Deputy Director-General for Content Processing and Dissemination at the GCIS, Sandile Nene, told the delegates that South Africa celebrates media freedom as a cornerstone of democracy, and that the organisation's work is anchored in ensuring that the public has access to credible government information.
Chon expressed that South Sudan saw a need to learn from South Africa because of shared historical experiences and democratic values. MDDA Chief Executive Officer Shoeshoe Qhu briefed the delegation on South Africa's community media landscape, explaining the role of community radio in social, economic, and political change.
The GCIS was officially launched in May 1998 and aims to empower South Africans through communication excellence. It delivers effective strategic government communication to meet citizens' information needs via various media platforms. Meanwhile, South Sudan's media landscape is characterised by a mix of traditional and digital media outlets, each facing unique challenges.