9 July 2004

The Minister in The Presidency, Dr EG Pahad and Vice Minister Wang Guoqing, responsible for the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China, today, Friday, 9 July 2004, signed a Letter of Intent on Friendly Co-operation and Exchanges between the two states.

This signing follows the recent second meeting of the South Africa - People's Republic of China Bilateral Commission in Pretoria.

The Letter of Intent is attached, along with background notes on the visit.

1 July 2004

From tomorrow, 2 July 2004 the Government's Programme of Action arising from the May Cabinet Lekgotla and the President's State of the Nation Address on, 21 May 2004 will be available on the Government website.

13 March 2004

It is with a deep sense of sadness that the government has learnt of the passing away of Minister Abdullah (Dullah) Mohamed Omar.

Having struggled with Hodgkins-Classic, a form of cancer of the lymph nodes over the past 13 months, his body finally succumbed in the early hours of Saturday morning. A patriot has gone to rest, forever. A stalwart has breathed his last breath at his post.

19 February 2004

Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has noted a statement by the Democratic Alliance (DA) that it intends to object to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Public Protector regarding the publication of an updated summary of Government's Ten-Year Review following the President's State of the Nation Address.

28 January 2004

In response to media reports of comments by the Democratic Alliance on the publication of a summary of government's Ten Year Review, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) wishes to clarify the situation.

27 November 2003

The South African government will, on 5 December 2003, acknowledge and honour communicators who have shown commitment, innovation and excellence in government communication. The Government Communicators' Awards (GCA) is an annual event, which seeks to appreciate and encourage excellence and professionalism in government communication.

13 October 2003

The Department of Justice has seconded John Bacon to the Hefer Commission (Commission) as the official spokesperson of the Commission. Accordingly, all media enquiries regarding the work of the Commission should be referred to him with immediate effect.

His contact details are as follows:

Cell: 082 928 8687
E-mail: nnchejane@justice.gov.za

Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)

4 September 2003

Government has examined the statement made by MP Patricia de Lille with regard to the arms procurement process, and we are astounded at the ease with which she elects to question the integrity of the President of our country, Thabo Mbeki.

We would have hoped that, for a Member of Parliament and now a leader of a political party, mere courtesy would have persuaded her to exercise caution and circumspection before levelling these kinds of allegations.

23 April 2003

In response to queries regarding the report of the South African Human Rights Commission on socio-economic rights, government wishes to draw attention to the following summary of progress in the implementation of its programmes:

Freedom has brought progress

30 January 2003

This morning, a committee of the South African Cabinet dealing with security matters received a comprehensive briefing on security arrangements for the Cricket World Cup, which is to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya. The committee noted that, with the arrival of several teams in South Africa, some of the security arrangements are already being implemented according to plan.