Budget 2016: The Department of Communications' budget over the medium-term expenditure framework will continue to focus on transfers to the state-owned companies and regulatory institutions in its portfolio.
The DOC noted this in the Estimates of National Expenditure document, which states 93.8% of the DOC's budget will be allocated to its entities, while 6.2% of the budget goes towards operational expenditure.
"The focus of the Department of Communications over the medium-term will be to energise and mobilise South Africans to take an active role in the government's economic transformation programmes to address poverty, unemployment and inequality," it says.
In terms of the budget allocation, transfers amounting to R1.2 billion will support the work of the Government Communication and Information System, which will continue to implement the national communication strategy.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa will over the medium-term receive transfers amounting to R1.4 billion of the DOC's budget. The funds will be used for implementing the broadband and digital terrestrial regulations and monitoring operators' compliance with licence conditions, the estimates document notes.
"Transfers to the authority account for 35% of the department's total transfers of R4 billion."
Meanwhile, struggling state broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation, is planned to receive transfers amounting to R584 million over the medium-term period.
According to the DOC, over the medium-term, it will also develop a white paper on national communication policy, the media transformation policy, and an overarching communications policy to address transformation in the communications sector.
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