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.
Government will be opening a total of 20 Multi-Purpose Community Centres across the country in the next year. And the next three years will see a total of 55 MPCC's launched country wide, mostly in rural districts, to ensure that government's services reaches the poorest of the poor.
Today marked the successful launch of the third MPCC in Zwelithemba at Worcester in the Western Cape.
Noting that some journalists are still being misled by a false e-mail, despite reports in the City Press and the Star explaining its origins, GCIS would like to clarify the matter.
The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) will be holding media briefings for Ministers from 7 to 11 February 2000 at the Tuynhuis Goodhope Auditorium, Cape Town. While GCIS, as it did in June 1999, takes responsibility only for briefings by the executive arm of government, other organs of government and political parties represented in Parliament are welcome to use the opportunity, where there are vacant slots, to brief the media.
