Mpumalanga Office of the Premier

Communication Services

Vision

Towards a visible, rapid and responsive Provincial Government Communication System

Mission

Through:

displays, exhibitions, photographs, newsletters, audio visuals and websites
community outreaches and one-stop government service and information centres
sound media relations, effective utilisation of all forms of media for the marketing of activities and achievements of the government, rapid response and effective crisis management for image restoration
creative and cost effective project and event management. We deliver an effective Provincial Government Communications and Information System.

Media, Departmental Liaison and Information Services

The emphasis here is marketing of the provincial government through all forms of media and its role is as follows:

to activate and nurture sound relations between provincial government and the media by maintaining the media on a constant government Information diet conveyed through press releases and media statements/announcements,
to prepare and publish media write-ups that showcase efforts of government,
to organise press briefings, press conferences and accreditation at government events and to distribute press information kits,
to facilitate the Interaction of organsational stakeholders (Premier, Director-General, Program Managers, etc.) with the media,
to compile the newsbriefs, e-clips and transcribe electronic news,
to manage Office of the Premier and Provincial websites,
to conduct media monitoring analysis,
to compile departmental Itineraries and advise the media on events taking place in government,
bulk buying of media such as radio slots, advertising, space on print media, closed circuit television message advertising, message on hold facilities and television advertising.

Community Liaison

This Unit is represented throughout the three district municipalities (Secunda for Eastvaal, kwaMhlanga for Nkangala and Ehlanzeni Office of the Premier – Riverside Complex)

It renders public relations activities such as facilitation of dialogue between the Provincial Government and various communities in the province through:

Co-ordinating the Cabinet Community Outreach Program by identifying venues where the outreach meeting will be held, scheduling of such meetings and deployment of members of the Executive Council, Councillors and other relevant stakeholders, on the day of outreach.
Co-ordinating the Premier's Economic Forums throughout the provincial municipalities.
Co-ordinate urgent people's forum as and when required.
Co-ordinate the establishment of Multipurpose Community Centres (MPPC) i.e. One-Stop Service Centers by identifying appropriate sites where MPCCs should be developed. Also to mobilise relevant stakeholder participation (NGOs and the community) as well as deployment of government services to the centres and the administration there of, through appointment of center managers.
Co-ordinate and manage reception functions as and when the request is made.
Render support to departments and other organs of state on community liaison programmes.
Provides a prolific distribution network for the dissemination of government information.

Administration and Support

The Unit is responsible for all logistical and human resource matters of members of the directorate.

It renders registry functions for the directorate. All correspondence and faxes in and out of the unit are received, registered and distributed at this point.
It is responsible for photocopying, document binding and messenger services.
It is responsible for proper record keeping, storage and archiving of documents.
It is responsible for procurement and payment of accounts, hotel bookings and travel arrangements as well as maintenance of labour saving equipment of the directorate.
It is responsible for the management of the attendance register, leave records, promotion records and personnel files of staff within the directorate.
It is responsible for monitoring spending patterns, the directorate's budget and alignment of expenditure with strategic plans.

Departmental Services

This Unit is commonly known as the commonly known as the Production Unit and the following are services it renders:

design and layout of all print material such as letterheads, folders, complementary slips, business cards, newsletters, brochures, calendars, greeting cards, t-shirt designs, posters and banners
audio-visual and photo-shooting of all government functions and events
Provincial Web Site management for ensuring that Information about the Provincial Government is up to date and the site is both well managed and Informative .
Information Jounalism for the production mouthpiece (Inhlabamkhosi) and the Internal communiqué for the Office of the Premier (Ungasali).

Above all, the unit is responsible for:

Bulk buying on corporate stationary and corporate gifts. The latter will be for sale to the staff and visitors of the provincial government.

Co-ordinate provincial government's exhibitions that should participate in national EXPOs such as Lowveld Show, Pretoria Show, the Rand East Show, Macufe in the Free State and the other expos, which offer an opportunity to market the province.

The unit also offers advice on printing related matters.

Project Management and Planning

This desk does all the miscellaneous yet critical functions with government communications. It is a transversal section, which renders support where necessary, within the directorate. But most important, it forms the link between the directorate and its external clients.

It serves as a Help Desk for external and Interdepartmental clients that require assistance or service from the directorate. All jobs are thus registered and prioritised at this point. The general rule is first come, first serve.
It plans the government's monthly calendar (using departmental Itineraries) and gives advice where possible clashes may occur.
Draws the training needs and the training program for the directorate.
It is the secretariat of the Heads of Communication Forum as well the directorate's management meetings.
It co-ordinates the strategic planning circle of the directorate.

Contact Details

Name	Portfolio	Phone number
Nonkululeko Mbatha	Provincial Head of Communication	+27 13 766 2291
Eustace Jansen	Acting Head: Corporate Communication Services	+27 13 766 2272
Mabutho Sithole	Head: Community Service & Research	+27 13 766 2258
Mokope Taiwe	Media Liaison Officer	+27 13 766 2288
Kagiso Masoeu	Provincial Website Content Manager	+27 13 766 2302