Communications minister Radhaskrishna “Roy” Padayachie's first priority is to meet with his deputy Obed Bapela on how to resuscitate the Department of Communications (DOC) and to solve the myriad of issues surrounding it.
In his first media interview just hours after being told he was to replace Siphiwe Nyanda as communications minister, Padayachie told ITWeb that he and Bapela would first take stock of the situation and then have a plan of action ready during this week.
“Most certainly one of the first priorities would be to stabilise the department and to restore trust in it and the ICT sector as a whole,” Padayachie said.
He said there seemed to be a sense of “dispirtedness” within the ICT sector, especially telecommunications, that had to be dispelled.
“What we need to do is focus on developing a working partnership between the various stakeholders, such as Parliament, industry and, very importantly the public service,” Padayachie said.
Hard spats
The very public spat between its former most senior public servant Mamodupi Mohlala and Nyanda, that served to lower morale and highlight extremely fractious behaviour within the department, has hit the DOC hard.
Furthermore, the public broadcaster, the SABC, is still under severe financial stress and its board has failed to install proper governance procedures as it has been rendered all but paralysed by infighting.
Other issues are the financial concerns around national signal distributor Sentech, the continued suspension of key DOC officials and the continuing erosion of public confidence in the telecommunications regulator ICASA.
Padayachie served as deputy to Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri during her term as communications minister from 2004 until 2009, when he became deputy public service and administration minister after the last general elections.
“I have served as a deputy minister in the DOC and got to know the department quite well. However, I will have to take stock of what has happened over the past two years and then decide what to do. While some very skilled people and a lot of talent have left, I believe there are still good people there who just have to be given an opportunity to show what they are capable of,” he said.
Key concern
Padayachie said he will most certainly be looking at the situation surrounding the SABC and what could be done with it, and that ICASA plays a pivotal role within the sector and “...must be handled with care”.
He will also review draft legislation that will come before Parliament within the next year, such as the SABC and ICASA Amendment Bills.
However, telecommunications pricing, or the cost to communicate, still remains a key overall concern for Padayachie, even though it has dropped.
“Telecommunications is a major driving force for the development of South Africa within the global community.”
Padayachie said he was only told about his new appointment a few hours before it was made public and while he had suspected it may happen, the announcement did take him by surprise.
“Such an appointment makes one want to express a sense of appreciation and what a privilege it is to be able to serve the nation in this capacity.”
He also said he has much confidence in his deputy Balepa, who has been at the forefront of modernising the ICT systems at Parliament.
Padayachie, 60, is married with two adult children, has a BSc degree in chemistry from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a masters degree in economics from the University of London. He has working experience within the non-governmental organisation community and has been a business consultant.
Padayachie has not quite thought out what to do with the two luxury BMW cars that his predecessor bought and caused much public outcry.
“I suppose those cars belong to the department, but I have my own cars. However, I'll tell you, these cars are not my priority.”
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