Government Communication and Information System
The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) is a department of the South African government charged with coordinating, managing, and advising on all government communication with the public, including media liaison. It is a unit in the Office of the President and falls under the political authority of the Minister in the Presidency. The head of GCIS is the director-general of the department and the official spokesperson of the South African government.
 | |
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 18 May 1998 |
| Preceding department |
|
| Jurisdiction | Government of South Africa |
| Headquarters | Tshedimosetso House Hatfield, Pretoria |
| Annual budget | R 757.430 million (2021/22) |
| Minister responsible | |
| Department executive |
|
| Website | gcis |
The corporation was established on 18 May 1998 in terms of Section 7 (subsections 2 and 3) of the Public Service Act, 1994. It replaced the apartheid-era South African Communication Service.[1]
List of directors-general
edit- Joel Netshitenzhe (1998–2006)
- Themba Maseko (2006–2011)
- Mzwanele Manyi (2011–2012)[2]
- Phumla Williams (2020–2022)[3][4]
Criticism
editIn 2023, GCIS was reported to start its own streaming service at a cost of R1 billion.[5] This is in addition to the Department of Social Development spending a portion of its budget on its own streaming service (DSDTV).[6]
References
edit- ^ "History and background of Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)". Government Communication and Information System (GCIS). Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "Government jettisons Jimmy Manyi". The Mail & Guardian. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "Phumla Williams finally gets the nod for top government communications position". Sunday Times. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "Phumla Williams resigns as head of GCIS". Business Day. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "South African government spending R1 billion on streaming service — Report".
- ^ "We tested the South African government's "DSDTV" streaming video channel".