The GCIS provides strategic communication leadership and support in government communication to government.
If you want to apply for or enquire about one specific service, you will find contact information or an online request form at the description of the specific service listed below.
- Advertising and media placement
- Communication research
- Corporate identity management
- Design and exhibitions
- Directory (database of contact information and profiles)
- Distribution of government statements and documents
- Distribution services
- Lead and plan briefings to the media
- Media liaison support
- Media monitoring
- Photographic services
- Radio production
- Strategic communication programmes and campaigns support
- Video production
- Website support
If you want to request more than one service you have to contact the Project Management Office.
Requesting GCIS' support - where to start
The Strategic Planning and Programme Management Office is the entry point for all requests for assistance from government departments requiring the co-operation and integrated work of more that one GCIS section.
Enquiries regarding the areas in which GCIS can give support to communication-related projects should be referred to the:
Programme Management Office
Tel: 012 314 2293
Fax: 012 323 5196
Email: pmo@gcis.gov.za
Complete the request form (Request for GCIS’ Assistance: Project Scope) [PDF] 22 kb to request assistance with communication campaigns.
Strategic communication programmes and campaigns
GCIS provides support and advice to government departments in planning and managing communication strategies, programmes and campaigns and promotes co-ordination and integration with a coherent government communication programme for a particular year.
GCIS has established the Project Management Unit that serves as the entry point for clients (internal and external) into GCIS. Enquiries regarding the areas in which GCIS can give support to communication-related programmes and projects and queries for assistance should be channeled through the Project Management Office.
Complete the request form (Request for GCIS’ Assistance: Project Scope) [PDF] 22 kb to request assistance with communication campaigns.
Tel: 012 314 2184/2294
Fax: 012 323 5196
E-mail: pmo@gcis.gov.za
Advertising and media placement
GCIS assists government departments with media planning and the placement and flighting of advertisements in print, electronic and outdoor media.
The Directorate: Marketing assists with:
- agency appointment and management for advertising and public relations campaigns
- securing savings for government through centralised media buying.
End-to-end advertising management is done to achieve campaign objectives.
Complete the CSA Briefing Document [PDF] 37 kb to request assistance with advertising and media placement and send it to:
Support Services, GCIS
Fax: 012 324 4452
For attention: Este Koorts
Tel: 012 314 2303
Fax: 012 324 4452
E-mail: este@gcis.gov.za
Guide to media buying at GCIS [PDF] 274 kb
Communication research
Quantitative, qualitative or desk research (or a combination of various research methodologies) is conducted, usually through outsourcing to private research companies. Government bidding procedures are followed.
Staff of the Directorate: Research is involved in the different phases of the research process (e.g. drafting the research proposal or compiling the questionnaire/discussion guide) and the management of research projects (e.g. bid procedure and liaison with service-providers). The focus of these research projects is to ensure that government understands the communication needs of the public based on scientific research.
The directorate renders research advice to government clients. This entails advice and assistance with regard to the compilation of research proposals (background to research, research problem, aim and objectives, methodology, sample, deadlines, costing), evaluation of bid documents, choosing service-providers, designing of questionnaires or discussion guides, attending focus groups and interpreting data and recommendations.
Complete the Research request form to request research services, and submit it online or return it to:
Tel: 012 314 2174
Fax: 012 328 7200
E-mail: marietjie@gcis.gov.za
Corporate identity management
The Communication Service Agency provides ad hoc assistance to departments/ministries with the implementation of government's corporate identity.
Corporate identity guidelines for government were developed to assist government departments/ministries in the implementation and management thereof. A Corporate Identity Manual is available.
Lynette Rippel
Tel: 012 314 2231
Fax: 012 323 5524
E-mail: lynette@gcis.gov.za
Design and exhibitions
The Subdirectorate: Design develops, produces and manages products for campaigns identified by clients, including outsourced products for government campaigns.
A creative team of designers develops briefs for products of transversal campaigns, including government information waves and public participation events. It produces, or facilitates through outsourcing, the production of:
- print adverts
- billboard adverts
- pamphlets, leaflets, publications and other promotional material
- posters
- exhibition panels
- multimedia projects.
An exhibition support service and consultancy is provided to government departments and The Presidency.
Complete the CSA Briefing Document [PDF] 37 kb] to request assistance with design and exhibitions and send it to:
Support Services, GCIS
Fax: 012 324 4452
For attention: Este Koorts
Tel: 012 314 2303
Fax: 012 324 4452
E-mail: este@gcis.gov.za
Directory (database of contact information and profiles)
The GCIS maintains an online database of contact information for government structures and bodies, media organisations, journalists and a selection of other institutions such as political parties, foreign representatives in South Africa, and of political parties and the private sector.
The database also contains a collection of brief profiles of the President, Deputy President, ministers, deputy ministers, parliamentary office bearers, provincial premiers and some former government leaders.
This online directory can be accessed on:
The information contained in the database can also be printed as five separate directories, namely:
- South African Government Directory [PDF] 996 kb
- Local Government Directory [PDF] 828 kb
- Directory of Contacts [PDF] 1064 kb
- Media Directory [PDF] 571 kb
- Profile [PDF] 757 kb
Joanne Cornelissen
Tel: 012 314 2134
Fax: 012 325 6898
E-mail: joanne@gcis.gov.za
Distribution of government statements and documents
The Directorate: Media Engagement distributes government statements and speeches to the media, South African embassies and high commissions abroad and Parliament.
Bongiwe Gambu
Tel: 012 314 2148
Fax: 012 326 0317
E-mail: bongiwe@gcis.gov.za
Distribution services
The Directorate: Distribution is responsible for the distribution of print information products, most notably the Vuk’uzenzele newspaper, the South African Yearbook and Pocket Guide as well as the Programme of Action (POA) publication.
Frank Theunissen
Tel: 012 314 2804
Fax: 012 323 5524
Email: frank@gcis.gov.za
Lead and plan briefings to the media
The Directorate: Media Engagement develops relationships with international media and arranges briefings for the media when required including Programme of Action briefings.
Bongiwe Gambu
Tel: 012 314 2148
Fax: 012 326 0317
E-mail: bongiwe@gcis.gov.za
Media liaison support
The Directorate: Media Engagement ensures a professional and accessible media support service for government by arranging regular press events, briefings and media opportunities.
Media liaison support, and particularly media management support, is rendered for all government-related activities. This support includes:
- developing and implementating communication strategies
- oganising press conferences
- drafting and issuing press statements
- organising interview schedules.
Bongiwe Gambu
Tel: 012 314 2108
Fax: 012 326 0317
Cell: 082 714 9463
E-mail: bongiwe@gcis.gov.za
The Parliamentary Office and the Information Resource Centre at Parliament provide media liaison services and an outlet for information resources and products.
Liezil Cerf
Tel: 021 461 8143
Fax: 021 461 1446
E-mail: liezil@gcis.gov.za
Media monitoring
The Communication Centre monitors media coverage of national and regional print and broadcast media, and selected international media in order to provide the following services and products:
- selected cuttings
- daily news and actuality reports
- electronic press clipping service
- video and audio recordings
- transcriptions of television and radio programmes on request
These products and services are rendered to the Presidency, ministries and government departments.
Annalie Language
Tel: 012 314 2135
Fax: 012 323 3812
E-mail: annalie@gcis.gov.za
Photographic services
The Subdirectorate: Photography undertakes photographic assignments for government departments on request.
The photo library has over 100 000 images consisting of government activities, such as public participation events and government's Programme of Action as well as general scenery pictures of South Africa and its people. All official photographs of Cabinet ministers, MECs and other high-ranking government officials are stored in the photo library.
Complete the CSA Briefing Document [PDF] 37 kb to request photographic services and send it to:
Support Services, GCIS
Fax: 012 324 4452
For attention: Este Koorts
Tel: 012 314 2303
Fax: 012 324 4452
E-mail: este@gcis.gov.za
Radio production
The Communication Service Agency produces radio productions on request. It facilitates the creative brief for the development of radio products assists, government departments in obtaining quotations for radio productions and liaises with the community radio sector on behalf of government clients.
Complete the CSA Briefing Document [PDF] 37 kb to request photographic services and send it to:
Support Services, GCIS
Fax: 012 324 4452
For attention: Este Koorts
Tel: 012 314 2303
Fax: 012 324 4452
E-mail: este@gcis.gov.za
Video production
The GCIS Video Unit provides:
- a production service for video programmes to government clients
- duplication facilities
- the facilitation of service-providers for script-writing, voice-overs, musicians, designers, etc.
GCIS also sells archival material/stock footage from all videos and films produced by GCIS or to which GCIS holds the copyright, and renders a video library service.
Government departments are also assisted in obtaining quotations for video productions.
Complete the CSA Briefing Document [PDF] 37 kb to request photographic services and send it to:
Support Services, GCIS
Fax: 012 324 4452
For attention: Este Koorts
Tel: 012 314 2303
Fax: 012 324 4452
E-mail: este@gcis.gov.za
Website support
Electronic Information Resources (EIR) provides the following services to government departments:
- Updating, maintaining and improving the South Africa Government Online website (www.gov.za) . Government departments or provinces may request GCIS to post specific information and documents on the website, link to their websites or information, and announce prominent events, programmes, press conferences, conferences, seminars and special days.
- Updating, maintaining and improving the South African Government Services (www.services.gov.za) website. Government departments or provinces may request GCIS to post specific information on the website.
Sanita Groenewald
Tel: 012 314 2166
Fax: 012 326 4572
E-mail: sanita@gcis.gov.za
- Advising government departments on developing, maintaining and updating websites. This service is provided irrespective of whether a client develops a site in-house or utilises a consultant. Advice is offered on website best practices, website planning, website content, organising and structuring information, design and layout of websites and web pages, creating HTML pages, etc.
- Evaluating/auditing websites. The implementation of a new website or the upgrading, enlarging or redesigning of an existing website is often preceded by an evaluation thereof. GCIS offers this service to clients who already have websites, or when it is required as part of the website development process. GCIS will provide an evaluation report and recommendations to the client.
To request website advice or evaluation services, contact:
Tel: 012 314 2140/66/38
Fax: 012 326 4572
E-mail: electronic@gcis.gov.za
To request website support from GCIS
- The client must provide GCIS with a formal request for the service/s required.
- The client must provide GCIS with their requirements. (GCIS may request a meeting with the client to clarify needs.)
- Deadlines are determined in consultation with the client. Factors that will influence this include the client's needs, the scope of the request, and the programme /commitments /capacity of the GCIS web team.
- When website evaluation services are requested, it will be the client's responsibility to:
- provide the GCIS web team with electronic access to their website
- keep the site stable during the evaluation period.
GCIS will provide an evaluation report to the client.