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.

29 January 2003

Information and access to information tools for members of disadvantaged communities in South Africa have taken on a new and exciting meaning since July last year, as President Thabo Mbeki signed in to law the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) which is to be up and running at the beginning of this year, 2003.

As we celebrate the birth of the MDDA, it is worthwhile to reflect on some of the challenges it will face, and on the expectations of South Africa's emerging publishers.

31 August 2002

The South African Government wishes to commend the leaders and the supporters of all the protest marches that took place today for the disciplined way in which they conducted themselves.

We are pleased to report that there were no reported incidents of criminal behaviour during the various marches.

The manner in which the marches were conducted and the atmosphere that prevailed, allowed people to express themselves freely and without fear.

12 December 2002

President Mbeki has appointed the nine-member Board which will govern the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), ushering in a new dawn for media development and diversity initiatives in South Africa, especially for the community and small commercial media sector.

The nine members of the Board are:

9 October 2002

Thousands of Atlantis residents are expected to flock to the Multi-purpose Community Centre (MPCC) in Sherwood Park for the official launch of the centre by the Provincial Minister of Social Services and Poverty Alleviation, Marius Fransman.

26 June 2002

The events leading to the Inaugural Summit of the African Union (AU) in Durban commences with ambassadors and ministerial meetings on Friday 28 June. The Assembly of Heads of States will commence from 8 July.

18 June 2002

All government communicators will for the first time have the opportunity to be publicly recognised for a job well done.

In July 2000, the Minister in the Presidency and political head of the GCIS, Dr Essop Pahad, tasked the GCIS to explore ways in which an award mechanism could be introduced to recognise improved delivery, innovation and excellence in government communication.

21 April 2002

The proposal for the creation of the Presidential Press Corps was formalised at the Indaba between editors and senior journalists under the umbrella of the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) and Cabinet in May 2001.