The ICT industry reacted with jubilation on Tuesday afternoon upon hearing the news that communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri would not stand for a government post in the 2009 general elections.
In fact, traffic in the Sandton area was almost non-existent on Wednesday morning, as many CEOs and other senior executives stayed home nursing serious hangovers.
However, it now appears these celebrations may have been a little premature, as the Department of Miscommunications subsequently expressed unhappiness with the so-called "false and unfounded" reports about Matsepe-Casaburri's future.
A departmental spokesman pointed out that 70-year-old Matsepe-Casaburri's reference to her age should not be construed to mean she's on her way out.
"After all, Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe is 84, and he can't be prised from power with a crowbar," the spokesman said. "Compared to him, the minister is but a spring chicken and is not done by a long shot."
The reference to Mugabe has sparked fears in some quarters that Matsepe-Casaburri could hijack the election results and demand a round of run-off voting, should she not retain her position.
The reference to Mugabe has sparked fears in some quarters that Matsepe-Casaburri could hijack the election results and demand a round of run-off voting, should she not retain her position.
Martin Czernowalow, news editor, ITWeb
On the other hand, Matsepe-Casaburri's comments did seem to revolve more around her seating position than anything retirement-related, prompting political commentators to speculate that she is hinting for a corner office, with a better view and a more comfortable leather chair.
"I am at an age where I say I ought to go and sit back, but there is a lot of work I could do better outside of where I sit. In particular, with NGOs and children, and teaching about the advantages and disadvantages of ICTs," Matsepe-Casaburri said in Parliament, following her budget speech.
Sources also indicated Matsepe-Casaburri could well have been alluding to a kindergarten roadshow the department has been planning for some time now.
"This is a very clever move by the minister. She believes that, if she could convince children at an early age that local telecoms prices are affordable and South Africans do have access to real broadband, government would save itself many headaches and criticism in years to come. The minister is a true visionary, a forward-thinker," said a source close to the department.
Upon hearing this, an inconsolable CEO of a prominent ICT company pleaded: "Please, keep her away from the children. Let them grow up in a world that does not know the concept of dial-up Internet."
When approached by journalists to clarify whether Matsepe-Casaburri would stay or go after next year's elections, with a simple "yes" or "no", the department responded it would be against its policy to respond in such a manner. "This would not be in line with the department's policy to befuddle and confuse SA citizens with political double-talk. We would never just give a straight answer to anything."
* Disclaimer: This column is largely spoof, but contains various grains of truth throughout, proving once again that truth is stranger than fiction. We trust our readers can tell the difference.
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