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.
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that the President or the ANC National Executive Committee had issued a statement that President Thabo Mbeki had withdrawn from the scientific debate.
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.
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.
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:
The International Marketing Council held its inaugural meeting yesterday (Wednesday, 30 August) in Pretoria. Whilst the meeting dealt mainly with ‘housekeeping’ matters a number of exciting medium and longer term proposals were tabled, firstly, for a sustained international marketing drive for South Africa and, secondly, to bring the whole country behind this ambitious project. Preparations are underway for a major launch early next year.
The Office of the Presidency has noted reports in some media about the activities of its Communications Chief Directorate. Based on hearsay and unnamed sources, these reports suggest that the Head of the Section, Parks Mankahlana is to be demoted.
I wish to state categorically that such speculation is unfounded and mischievous.
In response to an impression that has been created by various newspaper reports that the spokesperson of the President is restricted from dealing with certain matters relating to the views of the President, GCIS wishes to make clear that this is wholly inaccurate.
On the occasion of the anniversary of the inauguration of South Africa’s second democratically elected government and the Parliamentary Debate on The Presidency, the following information has been gathered from Departments and is being issued for reference purposes.
Enquiries
JK Netshitenzhe
082 900 0083
Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
Members of Parliament will soon have access to finger-tip government information when the Information and Resource Centre (IRC) of the Government Communications and Information System re-opens tomorrow (Friday). The centre will be re-opened by the Minister in the Presidency, Doctor Essop Pahad.
