South Africa is a much better place now that it was before 1994.
The media, both local and foreign, have contributed to the
progress that South Africa has made in moving from a pariah state
status to a thriving vibrant young democracy.
Before 1994, it seemed impossible that South Africa could make a
successful transition to freedom and democracy and lay a firm
foundation for national reconciliation.
The country's success has come about through the selfless
contribution and commitment of thousands of South Africans to make
this country work.
Working with many other sectors, we have a responsibility to
strengthen and deepen democracy and to make South Africa a
prosperous society with improved living standards for all.
We will not always agree on how to get to that prosperous
society as government and the media or with other sectors too. But
we are closer to consensus, because of the National Development
Plan, which is one of the major achievements of the fourth
democratic administration.
We may differ as well on the implementation of the National
Development Plan and many other things. But that does not
constitute a crisis or a problem.
Freedom of expression is one of the key achievements of our
young democracy, the freedom to disagree and to be free to express
that disagreement.
At the same time, we believe the media has a responsibility as
well in a young democracy and a developing country like ours, to
promote hope, nation building, development and unity.
We appreciate the role that the media is playing in our country
already in this regard.
The Lead SA initiative is one such example. This initiative
founded by Primedia Broadcasting and supported by the Independent
Group of Newspapers aims to create an active citizenry which is in
line with our National Development Plan.
Over the past three years, Lead SA has made a difference and
continues to do so.
Earlier this year, I launched the Stop Rape campaign with Lead
SA and the Department of Basic Education at a school in Cape Town.
Lead SA's Drug Watch initiative between the South African Police
Service and other partners is also making good inroads.
In Gauteng alone, over 20 000 people have been arrested and
almost R12 million worth of drugs have been seized in just over two
months. We need to take this initiative to other provinces.
Other media initiatives driven by Lead SA includes;
Saving the Rhino
Supporting our national sporting teams
Singing Happy Birthday for Madiba
Supporting Mandela Day.
In addition, the Crime Line tip off service is making excellent
inroads in the fight against crime.
Lead SA and the Department of Arts and Culture will launch a
build up to 20 years of freedom on the 20th of September.
One of the activities to be launched is Freedom Friday- with
the call is on citizens to wear anything that makes them feel South
African each Friday.
The SABC also runs a successful nation building programme,
Touching Lives, which has changed the lives of many through
exposing their plight.
Etv/ENCA run popular programmes such as Heroes which has
showcased many hardworking teachers, police officers and many other
South Africans who make a difference every day. Another popular
programme is the show Against all Odds which promotes individual
action to overcome adversity.
These initiatives show the other side of South African society,
the caring, nation building side. They are a welcome addition to
daily hard news offerings.
There is a lot of good work that is being done by many other
sectors to make South Africa better place each day.
On HIV and AIDS we work together as many sectors - business,
labour, government, sports, entertainment sectors and
non-governmental organisations.
The result has been an impressive roll-out of treatment, an
increase in life expectancy and progress that has impressed the
United Nations whose UNAIDS programme continues to mention South
Africa as a dramatic example of a turnaround in the fight against
AIDS.
The media has played an important role in the campaign against
AIDS over many years.
We also wish to acknowledge the contribution of the media to the
campaign against corruption.
While many corruption cases arise from government
investigations, many others came about through the hard work of the
media.
We are satisfied that we have enough instruments in the country
to help us fight this scourge.
We have the Chapter 9 institutions which are among the successes
of our Constitutional democracy, for example the Office of the
Public Protector, the Office of the Auditor General and the South
African Human Rights Commission to name a few, which work hard to
promote clean governance and accountability within the public
service.
To promote coordination we have also established the
Multi-Agency Working Group to investigate supply chain management
practices and also the Anti- Corruption Task Team within the
Justice, Crime and Prevention Security Cluster whose mandate is to
fast-track high-priority and high-profile corruption cases.
This team comprises the heads of the National Treasury, the
Directorate Priority Crime Investigation or the Hawks, the Special
Investigation Unit, the National Director of Public Prosecutions,
and representatives of other institutions, such as the Financial
Intelligence Centre, the NPA's Special Commercial Crimes Unit, the
Asset Forfeiture Unit and the SA Revenue Services.
More importantly, we wish to thank members of the public who
contribute to the promotion of clean governance through whistle
blowing to the National Anti-Corruption Hotline, run by the Public
Service Commission.
A total of 17 110 cases of alleged corruption have been
generated between September 2004 and last Saturday, 31 August 2013
through the Hotline, and there is a gradual increase in the
recovery of money and the number of disciplinary sanctions taken
against the perpetrators[1].
We are pleased that the successful investigation of cases has
resulted in the recovery of 330 million rand from perpetrators
since the inception of the National Anti-Corruption Hotline.
A total of 2 638 officials were found guilty of misconduct
related to corrupt activities between 01 September 2004 and 31
August 2013.
At the provincial level, a total of
1 728 officials were found guilty of misconduct related to
corrupt activities whilst 910 officials were found guilty of
misconduct for corrupt activities at national departments. A total
of 491 officials were suspended and 1 600 were dismissed from the
Public Service.
In other figures, 256 officials were fined a three months
salary, 31 officials were demoted, 541 officials were given final
written warning and 210 officials were prosecuted.
We sincerely thank the public for this contribution to promoting
clean governance.
Ladies and gentlemen
I will this afternoon travel to Russia to attend the G20 forum
meeting.
It is envisaged that the Summit will focus on a set of measures
aimed at boosting sustainable, inclusive and balanced global
growth, including the creation of decent jobs.
During its tenure as G20 President, Russia has focused its work
on three priorities to promote;
Growth through quality jobs and investment;
Growth through trust and transparency; and
Growth through effective regulation.
A BRICS Leaders' meeting will also be held on the margins of the
G20 Leaders Summit.
The meeting will afford BRICS leaders an opportunity to reflect
on the progress made with regards to the implementation of the
Durban Declaration, especially as it pertains to the New
Development Bank and the Currency Reserve Arrangement.
Of course the G20 takes place during a volatile climate
economically and also with regards to peace and security because of
the situation in Syria and Egypt.
We will continue to promote multilateral solutions to
international security challenges and to uphold the supremacy of
the United Nations Security Council in dealing with global peace
and security issues.
Ladies and gentlemen
Today's occasion is more for information sharing between
ourselves. We trust that you will find the discussions fruitful
during the course of the morning.
I thank you.
