Subscribe

DOC gets own budget

Nicola Mawson
By Nicola Mawson, Contributor.
Pretoria, 25 Feb 2015
The Department of Communications, under minister Faith Muthambi, aims to drive transformation in the communication industry.
The Department of Communications, under minister Faith Muthambi, aims to drive transformation in the communication industry.

Budget 2015: Almost a year after president Jacob Zuma's surprise split of the former communications department, the Department of Communications (DOC) has its own budget.

According to the Estimates of National Expenditure document handed out today, as part of SA's annual budget speech, the separation of budgets means the new DOC now has a budget structure that mirrors "the start-up organisational structure approved by the minister for public service and administration".

The DOC is currently reviewing its three-year strategic plan so it can be aligned with its revised mandate. This, the National Treasury documents says, will allow it to set achievable performance indicators and targets, which will be included in the 2016 budget.

The reconstituted DOC's revised medium-term budget is a consolidation of funds shifted to establish the new Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS); funds shifted from the Department of Home Affairs for the Film and Publication Board; funds shifted from the Presidency for Brand South Africa; and funds retained from the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), mainly for management and support staff, and related expenses.

Following Zuma's announcement, the DOC has policy oversight on communications, and is also responsible for entities such as the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation. DTPS handles infrastructure projects, such as broadband and digital migration.

ICASA scores

More than 90% of the department's R1.2 billion budget for the new financial year will go into transfers to the state-owned entities and regulatory institutions it oversees. "The spending is aimed at monitoring the implementation of government communication and branding policies, and of broadcasting and community media policies."

It notes ICASA receives the biggest transfer over the medium-term, which will be used to develop broadband and digital terrestrial regulations, as well as for monitoring operators' compliance with licence conditions.

GCIS receives the second largest transfer, which will go into implementing the national communication policy. "The DOC's main agenda over the medium-term is to address transformation in the communication industry and drive effective performance."

Over the next three years, government's marketing arm will "develop an overarching national communication policy to guide government communication". It also plans to review the 1998 'White Paper on Broadcasting Policy' to enable the broadcasting sector to "contribute to building an inclusive society".

Share