Chairperson: A special welcome on a Friday morning in Cape Town. First of all an apology on behalf of the Minister…we had to postpone our briefing yesterday afternoon, but you all understood that it clashed with a lot of things happening in Parliament and within the precinct yesterday. So, once again, our apologies for the inconvenience to all our members of the media. But, first of all, some of the house rules: All cell phones either mute, and then, if you ask any questions, will you please identify yourself.

In exactly 666 days, thousands of football fans from across the world will descend on South Africa to witness the very first FIFA World Cup™ to be hosted on the African continent.

Since the day FIFA awarded South Africa the rights to host this prestigious soccer showpiece, the nation has been hard at work, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in preparing for what we believe will be the best World Cup ever.

The South African Government continues to be concerned about the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe, particularly the food and humanitarian crisis.

13 December 2010

The Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) has noted with concern media reports in which the Spokesperson of the Premier of Mpumalanga Province, Mr. Mabutho Sithole, is alleged to have bribed a journalist.

The GCIS views the allegation in a serious light, particularly as it relates to a senior official who is expected to embody government’s commitment to clean governance.

9 December 2010

Government has approved the piloting of a new magazine aimed at middle and senior managers in the Public Sector.

 [statement read by Portia Molefe]:

1 December 2010

During this time of the year, some media outlets publish scorecards which claim to assess government’s performance for the period January to December.

The assessments are unscientific and based purely on media clippings and the opinions of individual journalists rather than on concrete evidence of government performance.

22 November 2010

The progress made by Government in fighting corruption in the public sector must be matched by an equally vigorous effort in other sectors of society.

All South Africans should be encouraged by the President’s revelation in Parliament this week that 235 officials have been found guilty of misconduct since the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Hotline, and as a result of successful investigations.

The President pointed out that R100 million had been recovered from perpetrators.