26 March 2020

Government’s classification of media work as an essential service during the COVID-19 national state of disaster and lockdown is a measure to ensure South Africans and the international community have access to vital information during this time.

Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu MP has expressed government’s appreciation for the role media in the country and internationally have played in bringing information to South Africans from all walks of life and geographic locations.

26 March 2020

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) welcomes the agreement reached between Telkom and the Competition Commission which among other provisions, narrows the digital divide in the country by offering zero rated access to essential on line government services.

Telkom’s offer incudes free public access to the GCIS managed www.gov.za the gateway to government information and services

23 March 2020

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation providing updates about COVID 19 in South Africa, members of the national command council will brief the media on the details of government interventions in various sectors in response to the president’s address. 

Members of the media are invited to cover the following media briefings:

Date: Tuesday, 24 March 2020

First briefing: Economic Cluster
Time: 10h00

Second briefing: Social Cluster
Time: 14h00

12 March 2020
Statement on the Cabinet Meeting held on Wednesday, 11 March 2020 at Parliament, Tuynhuys in Cape Town 

A. Issues in the environment

1. Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

11 March 2020

The Inter-Ministerial Task Team (IMTT) on the North West intervention under the convenorship of the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, will conduct stakeholder engagements in the province to assess progress on the section (100) (1)  intervention in the province since the establishment of the IMTT.

11 March 2020

Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu will brief media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 11 March 2020.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date:  Thursday, 12 March 2020
Time:  11h00
Venue: Imbizo Media Centre, 120 Plein Street, Parliament in Cape Town 

NB: There will be a video link up to Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Francis Baard Street, Hatfield, Pretoria.

6 March 2020

Interim Steering Committee on GBVF Committed to the accountable fight against gender-based violence

The Interim Steering Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) has noted the concern expressed by the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities at what the portfolio committee perceives as a lack of accountability to Parliament by the interim steering committee.

6 March 2020

Members of the media who wish to cover the reburial of Dr Alfred Bathini Xuma are advised to submit their details by completing the attached accreditation form and return to tabita@gcis.gov.za or 0723447712 before the deadline of Saturday, 7 March at 12h00.

Dr Xuma’ s reburial will take place on Sunday, 8 March 2020 at Kwa Manzana Village in Engcobo, Eastern Cape. He passed away in January 1962 and was buried at the Brixton Cemetery in Johannesburg

6 March 2020

A misleading article in today’s edition of the Mail & Guardian misinforms readers and the general public about government’s handling of the repatriation of South Africans and goes against the paradigm of responsible journalism. The article casts aspersions on the work of government on the repatriation process of South African nationals from Wuhan, China by an unnamed source.

5 March 2020

A week ago the President announced the decision to repatriate South Africans currently residing in Wuhan.  The decision was prompted by their request to be repatriated back home.  Subsequent to this announcement a multidisciplinary team of Ministers (Health, Social Development, SAPS, Home Affairs, DIRCO and SANDF) was constituted. This team is supported operationally by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) which has commenced with the logistical arrangements.