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.

Government Communication and Information System
Department overview
Formed18 May 1998; 26 years ago (1998-05-18)
Preceding department
  • South African Communication Service
JurisdictionGovernment of South Africa
HeadquartersTshedimosetso House
Hatfield, Pretoria
Annual budgetR 757.430 million (2021/22)
Minister responsible
Department executive
  • Michael Currin (acting), Director-General
Websitegcis.gov.za

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

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Criticism

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In 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

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  1. ^ "History and background of Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)". Government Communication and Information System (GCIS). Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Government jettisons Jimmy Manyi". The Mail & Guardian. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Phumla Williams finally gets the nod for top government communications position". Sunday Times. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Phumla Williams resigns as head of GCIS". Business Day. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  5. ^ "South African government spending R1 billion on streaming service — Report".
  6. ^ "We tested the South African government's "DSDTV" streaming video channel".
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