馃嚳馃嚘South AfricaSouthern Africa
GCIS urges government communicators to combat misinformation and disinformation
via The Citizen2 min read
Michael Currin, Deputy Director-General of the Government Communication and Information System GCIS, emphasized the crucial role of government communicators in shaping public understanding, building trust, and supporting effective service delivery. Speaking at the Mastering the Art of Government Communication course in Pretoria, Currin highlighted that communication can either stabilize or destabilize societies, particularly in an era rife with misinformation and disinformation. He cited the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war as examples where false information and narratives significantly influenced public behavior and geopolitical realities. Currin stressed that communicators act as a bridge between government and citizens and must uphold high standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism. The course, a joint initiative by GCIS and the National School of Government, aims to professionalize government communication and equip officials with skills to operate in volatile information environments. Craig Jansen from the National School of Government noted that a pilot program in 2024/25 was successful, training approximately 100 officials, including Media Liaison Officers and Heads of Communication. The program is slated for official launch in May by Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi.
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Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka's investigation report on the informal food industry in Gauteng highlights a critical shortage of environmental health inspectors and a significant decline in food safety compliance. The report, released on Friday, was prompted by numerous food poisoning incidents in late 2024, which resulted in the deaths of at least 23 children in Gauteng. The investigation aimed to determine if the Department of Health, municipal departments, the National Consumer Commission, and food inspectors failed in their duties. The Public Protector noted that Gauteng, with approximately 16 million residents, requires 1,600 environmental health practitioners EHPs based on international and national standards of one EHP per 10,000 people. However, the province's municipalities have an EHP staff capacity of only 30.3% overall, with Johannesburg at 50%, Ekurhuleni at 23%, and Tshwane at 21%. Sedibeng and the West Rand district municipality had the lowest rates at 16% and 18%, respectively. The report also found that while 55% of spaza shops in Gauteng's three largest municipalities are owned by foreign nationals, the overall licensing and compliance levels across the province stand at a mere 28%. This means for every licensed spaza shop, there are almost three unlicensed ones operating. Ekurhuleni had the lowest spaza shop compliance rate at 5%. Gcaleka emphasized that municipalities are responsible for regulating food sales and business registrations. She recommended t
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