Services to government
GCIS renders
communication services and support to government in a variety of
areas, including broadcasting, marketing and distribution, copywriting and editing, corporate identity for government,
design, campaign planning and management, information enquiries,
media support, media liaison, media monitoring and analysis services,
research, training and website development.
Services
offered to government
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Advertising
and media placement
Assistance is
rendered with media planning and the placement and flighting of
advertisements in print, electronic and outdoor media.
The Directorate:
Marketing, Advertising and Distribution 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.
To request
assistance with advertising and media placement, a request
form PDF 37
kbneeds
to be completed.
Tel: 012 314
2399
Fax: 012 323 5524
E-mail: marketing@gcis.gov.za
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Briefings
to the media
The Directorate: International and Media
Liaison arranges briefings for the media when required.
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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 Desk which 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
projects should be referred to the Project Desk. All requests for assistance
should be channelled through the Project Desk.
Tel: 012 314
2184/2294
Fax: 012 323 5196
E-mail: projectdesk@gcis.gov.za
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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 described under functions.
The Directorate:
Research has awarded bids for ongoing (tracking) quantitative
and qualitative research projects, to private service providers. The
projects are conducted countrywide among the general public. The
main aim is to assess and track the communication environment within
which government communication takes place on an ongoing basis over
a 12-month period. Government departments can buy into the ongoing (tracking) quantitative research project.
The directorate
also 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.
To request
research advice, a research request
form needs to be completed and returned to:
Tel: 012 314
2174
Fax: 012 328 7200
E-mail: research@gcis.gov.za
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Corporate
identity management
The Communication
Service Agency provides ad hoc assistance to departments/ministries
with the implementation of government's corporate indentity.
Guidelines for corporate identity 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
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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 tertiary and other institutions, etc.
The database
also contains a collection of brief profiles of the President, Deputy
President, ministers, deputy ministers, parliamentary officials
and provincial premiers.
This online
directory can be accessed on:
The information
contained in the database can also be printed as four separate directories,
namely:
Watson Kamanga
Tel: 012 314
2377
Fax: 012 325 6898
Email: watson@gcis.gov.za
Tel: 012 314
2211
Fax: 012 325 6898
E-mail: information@gcis.gov.za
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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 izimbizo. 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.
To request
design and exhibitions assistance, a request
form PDF
37 kb needs to be completed.
Tel: 012 314
2303
Fax: 012 324 4452
E-mail: csa@gcis.gov.za
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Distribution of government statements and documents
The Directorate: International and Media
Liaison distributes government statements and speeches to:
- the media
Tel: 012 314 2108
Fax: 012 326 0317
Cell: 082 847 9799
Email: harold@gcis.gov.za
- South African
embassies and high commissions abroad
Tel: 012 314 2112
Fax: 012 326 0317
E-mail:sanki@gcis.gov.za
- Parliament
Tel: 021 461 8143
Fax: 021 461 1446
E-mail: colin@gcis.gov.za.
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Distribution services
Assistance is rendered with the distribution of government print products, by obtaining quotations and dealing with service providers.
To request assistance, contact:
Frank Theunissen
Tel:
012 314 2804
Fax: 012 323 5524
Email: frank@gcis.gov.za
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Event
management
The Directorate: Marketing renders assistance with the organisation and logistical
arrangements of special events such as conferences, launches and
festivals.
To request
assistance with events management, a request
form PDF
37 kb needs to be completed.
Tel: 012 314
2399
Fax: 012 323 5524
E-mail: marketing@gcis.gov.za
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Forums
The Directorate:
National Liaison organises the following forums for government
communicators to collectively plan and assess their communication
responsibilities:
- Government
Communicators' Forum (with a web page)
- Communication
clusters
- Pre-Cabinet
meetings
- Media Liaison
Officers' Forum
- GCIS and
provincial heads of communication forums.
The following
is also offered to government communicators:
- a regularly
updated calendar of events for government communicators.
The directorate
assists departments and provinces with the development of their
communication strategies and share with them the National Communication
Strategy.
Tel: 012 314
2125
Fax: 012 321 2305
E-mail: michelle@gcis.gov.za
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Information
enquiries
The Information Centre provides a central
point in government where government and government-related information
can be obtained on request. Information is provided after searching
and retrieving it from internal databases and/or collecting it from
various external sources, or the client is referred to contact persons
at relevant departments or bodies.
Enquiries may
be directed by completing an online request
form, by contacting information@gcis.gov.za or tel:
012 314 2211.
Tel: 012 314
2211
Fax: 012 325 6898
E-mail: information@gcis.gov.za
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Marketing
strategies
The GCIS develops
marketing and media strategies for government departments.
Tel: 012 314
2399
Fax: 012 323 5524
E-mail: marketing@gcis.gov.za
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Media
liaison support
The Directorate: International and Media
Liaison 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.
Tel: 012 314 2108
Fax: 012 326 0317
Cell: 082 847 9799
Email:harold@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.
Tel: 021 461
8143
Fax: 021 461 1446
E-mail: ircparl@gcis.gov.za
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Media
monitoring
The Communication Centre monitors media coverage of national and regional print and broadcast, and selected international media in order to provide the following services and products:
- daily news and actuality reports
- electronic press clipping service
- video and audio recordings
- transcriptions of television and radio programmes.
These products
and services are rendered to the The Presidency, ministries and
government departments.
Tel: 012 314
2141
Fax: 012 323 3812
E-mail: mariette@gcis.gov.za
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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 izimbizo /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.
To request
photographic services, a request form
PDF
37 kb needs to be completed.
Tel: 012 314
2303
Fax: 012 324 4452
E-mail: csa@gcis.gov.za
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Radio
production
The GCIS 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.
To request
radio production services, a request
form PDF
37 kb needs to be completed.
Tel: 012 314
2303
Fax: 012 324 4452
E-mail: csa@gcis.gov.za
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Training
services
The Directorate:
Training Services addresses the training needs of government
communicators.
Contact Leah
Madalane or Maria Rampaka
Tel: 012 314 2300; 012 314 2269
Fax: 012 323 5209
E-mail: leah@gcis.gov.za;
maria@gcis.gov.za
Communication
training courses for 2008
Background
information
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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.
To request
video production services, a request
form PDF
37 kb needs to be completed.
Tel: 012 314
2303
Fax: 012 324 4452
E-mail: csa@gcis.gov.za
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Website
support
Electronic Information
Resources (EIR) provides the following services to government departments:
- posting information
on the Government Information website
- developing, maintaining
and updating the Government Information website and Government Services website: Government departments
or provinces may request GCIS to post specific information on
this site, link to their sites or information, and announce prominent
events, programmes, press conferences, conferences, seminars and special days.
Tel: (012) 314 2166
Fax: (012) 326 4572
E-mail: sanita@gcis.gov.za
- advising government departments
regarding developing, redesigning and maintaining 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, suitable website content,
organising and structuring information, navigation, design and
layout of websites, creating HTML pages, etc.
- evaluating/auditing
websites:
The implementation of a new website or the upgrading,
enlarging or redesigning of an existing site 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
site development process.
To request
website support, advice or evaluation services, contact:
Tel: 012 314
2140 /2166 /2138
Fax: 012 326 4572
E-mail: electronic@gcis.gov.za
Costs
Services are
rendered at no cost to the client. Should the need for this arise,
clients will be informed well in advance of the implementation thereof,
allowing them to plan for resulting budgetary implications.
Process when
requesting website support, advice or evaluation services
The following
process is followed:
- The client
must provide GCIS with a formal request for the service/s required.
This may be done after an exploratory meeting where needs and
options are discussed.
- Where relevant,
the client must provide GCIS with user requirements. These may
be developed in co-operation with GCIS, but will have to be formalised
by the client.
- When relevant,
an agreement on services, responsibilities and processes mutually
agreed upon will be prepared by GCIS. The client must approve
the agreement before the service will be rendered by GCIS.
- Deadlines
are determined in consultation with the client. Factors that will
influence this include the client's needs, the extent of the project,
and the programme /commitments /capacity of the GCIS web team.
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Requesting
GCIS' assistance to government - where to start
Individual
services. Requests for and enquiries about individual services
are handled directly by the individual GCIS service-providers. Contact
information or an online request form is available at the description
of the individual services.
Cross-cutting
projects. The Project Desk 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.
When requesting the GCIS' assistance for cross-cutting projects,
the following steps are followed:
Project initiation
To ensure co-ordination
and efficient tracking, clients need to log a written project request
with appropriate signature(s) of authority with the Project
Desk. The Project Desk assesses its relevance and appropriateness
to the Government Communication Programme, GCIS
Corporate Strategy and Government Communication Strategy before
logging it formally for a decision by top management (GCIS Secretariat).
Determining
the scope of the project
After logging
the request, the Project Desk will liaise with the client department
to determine in detail the scope of the project. This will entail
a clear outline of the project objectives, duration, available budget,
risks, deliverables (output), etc. Once the project scope has been
determined, the Project Desk assesses the capacity and skills required
for the implementation of the proposed project before confirming
if GCIS would be in a position to provide the required assistance.
After checking GCIS capacity in this regard, the Project Desk will
refer the request to a designated project team and subsequently
inform the client department accordingly. The project supervisor
and leader will obtain their project mandate from the detailed scope
of the project document.
Memorandum
of Understanding
Sometimes an
agreement will have to be entered into with the client department
detailing conditions under which services will be rendered by GCIS
to the client department. This agreement clarifies the roles of
the client and GCIS respectively and key target dates for delivery
and other important deadlines. It must be signed by officials with
the right level of authority, preferably accounting officers of
the two departments.
More information?
Enquiries regarding
the areas in which GCIS can give support to communication-related
projects should be referred to the Project Desk:
Tel: 012 314
2293
Fax: 012 323 5196
Email: delia@gcis.gov.za
To request
assistance with communication campaigns, a request
form PDF 33 kb, must be completed.
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