5 June 2001

The views expressed in a letter published in the Cape Argus on 30 May and signed by Mr Al-Ameen Kafaar, Deputy Director: Parliamentary Liaison, GCIS, in no way reflect the views of the government or the GCIS.

Mr Kafaar's letter concerned the antiretroviral therapy programme being implemented in Khayelitsha by Médecins sans Frontières.

Mr Kafaar has since confirmed that he was writing in his personal capacity.

Enquiries
Nad Pillay
Cell: 082 553 7980

1 March 2001

Responses to the Media Diversity and Development Agency (MDDA) draft position paper were received from a wide range of organisations and individuals by the submission deadline yesterday.

The draft paper was published by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on 29 November 2000, and the initial deadline for submissions was extended to 28 February 2001.

23 February 2001

In response to media queries regarding the assessment of the situation in South Africa by The Economist of 24 February 2001, government wishes to state that the Survey is a contribution to discourse on critical challenges facing our country and the efforts of government and all South Africans to tackle these challenges.

7 December 2000

In response to requests from stakeholders, Government has agreed to extend to 28 February 2001 the deadline for public comment on its draft Position Paper on the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA).

This extension will give stakeholders time for more thorough consultations with their constituents. Amongst those making the request were the Association of Marketers and the Freedom of Expression Institute.

23 November 2000

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) today launched this year’s edition of the South Africa Yearbook – the only official source of reference on South Africa and its government.

The South Africa Yearbook 2000/01 – which contains a foreword by President Thabo Mbeki – contains a wealth of information on South Africa, and is a must for researchers and librarians, tourists, businesspeople, students, companies and non-governmental organisations.

17 October 2000

A week ago, the Minister of Provincial and Local Liaison announced the date of the municipal elections. This officially marked the beginning of the formal election period.

During this time, it is normal practice in most democracies that particular attention is paid to ensuring that government communication structures and officers do not act in a way that advantages or disadvantages participants in the electoral contest.

16 October 2000

To: The Editor, The Citizen

This is a request for a correction in the article "by Jameson Maluleke with SAPA" on the debate around the science of HIV/AIDS in The Citizen of 16 October 2000 (p3): "ANC "Confused" over Mbeki AIDS Debate".

The article quotes ANC spokesperson Nomfanelo Kota denying that the President or the ANC National Executive Committee had issued a statement that President Thabo Mbeki had withdrawn from the scientific debate.

13 October 2000

Attached please find guidelines, which are aimed at assisting government communicators and other public servants in determining the parameters within which we should conduct our work during this election period.

The election period follows immediately on the announcement of the election date by the Minister of Provincial & Local Government and ends when election results are certified and announced.

14 September 2000

A great deal of attention has been devoted, locally and internationally, to issues raised by South Africa over HIV and AIDS. To put the issues beyond doubt in the public mind, particularly so that the battle against this scourge may proceed with full vigour, the following statement is issued by the Government.

10 September 2000

In response to media queries arising out of reports on the President’s views on response to HIV/AIDS as expressed in an interview with Time Magazine, we wish to refer those interested to the full transcript of the interview.

In the interview the President raises issues relating to the causes of immune deficiency and responses to it, leading to the conclusion that: