The Department Of Telecommunications And Postal Services, the mandate of the Department of Telecommunications & Postal Services (Dtps) is derived from relevant legislation, and is as follows:
“To create a vibrant ICT sector that ensures that all South Africans have access to robust, reliable, affordable and secure ICT services in order to advance socio-economic development goals and support the Africa agenda and contribute to building a better world”.
Consequently the core functions of the Department of Telecommunications & Postal Services are:
- To develop ICT policies and legislation that create conditions for accelerated and shared growth of the South African economy, which positively impacts on the well-being of all our people and is sustainable;
- To ensure the development of robust, reliable, secure, and affordable ICT infrastructure that supports and enables the provision of a multiplicity of applications and services to meet the needs of the country and its people;
- To contribute to the development of an inclusive information society which is aimed at establishing South Africa as an advanced information-based society in which information and ICT tools are key drivers of economic and societal development.
- To contribute to e-Skilling the nation for equitable prosperity and global competitiveness
- To strengthen the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), in order to enable it to regulate the sector in the public interest and ensure growth and stability in the sector;
- To enhance the capacity of, and exercise oversight over, State Owned Enterprises (SOE’s) as the delivery arms of Government; and
- To fulfil South Africa’s continental and international responsibilities in the ICT field.
LEGISLATIVE MANDATES
The mandate of the Department of Telecommunications & Postal Services is further embedded in legislation as well as other policy documents. The legislative framework for the work of the Department is contained mainly in the:-
- Broadcasting Act (Act 4 of 1999);
- Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (Act 25 of 2002);
- Electronic Communications Act (Act 36 of 2006);
- Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act (Act 13 of 2000);
- Sentech Act (Act 63 of 1996);
- Postal Services Act (Act 124 of 1998);
- South African Post Office SOC Ltd. Act No. 22 of 2011
- South African Postbank Limited Act No 9 of 2010
In executing its role, the Department is also guided, amongst others, by:
- The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996);
- The Public Service Act, 1994 (Act 103 of 1994) as amended; and
- The Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999) as amended.
STRATEGIC OVERVIEW
VISION
South Africa as a global leader in the development and use of information and communication technologies for socio-economic development.
MISSION
Building a better life for all through an enabling and sustainable world class information and communication technologies environment.
VALUES
The value system of the Department of Telecommunications & Postal Services indicates the difference between right and wrong in the operating environment in accordance with what is personally and sociably acceptable and expected of the public service cadre of a Development State.
It provides fundamental beliefs that influence individual and organisational decision-making and behaviour as the Department aspires to be the employer of choice in the public service and the preferred place in the ICT sector for intellectual stimulation, leadership growth and national contribution.
The workforce for the Department of Telecommunications & Postal Services considers the values in order to encompass common and paramount strengths, responsibilities, and opportunities.
The Department of Telecommunications & Postal Services Value System are as follows:
- Transparency;
- Respect;
- Accountability;
- Fairness;
- Integrity;
- Excellence; and
- Innovation.
The above-mentioned values are the driving force of the implementation of the Department of Telecommunications & Postal Services’ prorates in a manner that is consistent with the vision, mission and aspirations of the Department as well as the national goals of our country.
STRATEGIC OUTCOME ORIENTATED GOALS
- Strategic Outcome Oriented Goal 1: Competitiveness and economic growth of the ICT industry
Goal Statement: Enable the maximisation of investment in the ICT sector and create new competitive business opportunities for the growth of the ICT industry for socio-economic development
- Strategic Outcome Oriented Goal 2: Accessibility, reliability and affordability of secured ICT Infrastructure
Goal Statement: Ensure that ICT infrastructure is accessible, robust, reliable, affordable and secure to meet the needs of the country and its people
- Strategic Outcome Oriented Goal 3: Building of an inclusive Information Society
Goal Statement: Accelerate the socio-economic development of South Africans and facilitate the building of an inclusive Information Society through partnerships with business and civil society and 3 spheres of Government
- Strategic Outcome Oriented Goal 4: Performance of Dtps and ICT State Owned Entities
Goal Statement: Improve Departmental performance and enhance the role of ICT SOEs as the delivery arms of Government
- Strategic Outcome Oriented Goal 5: Contribution to the global ICT agenda
Goal Statement: Contribute to the global ICT agenda prioritising Africa’s development
MINISTER OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND POSTAL SERVICES
PROFILE OF MINISTER STELLA TEMBISA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS
Ms Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams is the Minister of Communications for the Republic of South Africa; having been appointed to this position on 22 November 2018. The Minister is responsible for executive oversight over the Departments of Communications and Telecommunications & Postal Services.
Born in Sakhela Village, Mthatha in the Eastern Cape; Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams was previously the Deputy Minister of Communications and subsequently of Telecommunications and Postal Services during the period 25 October 2011 to 22 November 2017.
Ms Ndabeni-Abrahams holds a Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Diploma in Telecommunications and Managements Systems, a Certificate in Telecommunications, Policy and Regulation Management (Wits University), an Advanced Certificate in Project Management (Rhodes University) and a Project Management Diploma (Cranefields College).
Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams has been a member of various parliament committees from 2009 to 2011. She is currently a member of the ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Executive and Provincial Working Committees.
Prior to being an MP, Ms Ndabeni-Abrahams was a Project Manager for the Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council from 2003 to 2009.
She is a recipient of the Premier’s Award for her involvement in voluntary activities aimed at improving peoples’ lives.
DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
Deputy Minister P Kekana Pinky
Ms Pinky Kekana was appointed as Deputy Minister of Communications on 27 February 2018.
Positions last held/Career/Memberships/Other Activities
Ms Pinky Kekana is the former MEC of Limpopo Roads and Transport.
Ms Kekana was a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Filling of Vacancies in the Commission for Gender Equality, a position she held since 16 November 2016.
She is also, among others, a member of the Standing Committee on Finance (National Assembly Committees), a post she has held since June 2014. She has been a member of the National Assembly since 21 May 2014.
Pinky Kekana was born in Bela-Bela. Kekana has completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree (specializing in Education and teaching). Kekana was a teacher at Bela-Bela High School.
Kekana experiences as a secondary school teacher fuelled her passion for education and South African’s young people. She is committed to improving opportunities for young South African’s, from all walks of life.
As an agent for change, Kekana is committed to increasing the profile of women on the African Continent, promoting women’s and equality more broadly. She wants everyone, but particularly women and girls to feel empowered.
As the Deputy Minister of Communications and someone from a rural town, Kekana understands and recognises the vital importance of bridging the Digital divide between people living, working and travelling in regional and remote parts of the country and those metropolitan cities.
Our society is rapidly moving towards using cutting edge technology and more people are getting access to the internet year on year. Kekana believes that rural South Africans should have access to 21st century communications to run their businesses, complete their studies and connect with family and friends.
Kekana was elected to the Provincial legislature in 1999 and was re-elected in 2009. She has served as the Executive Mayor of Waterberg District and a MEC for Roads and Transport as well as a MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism.
In her role as a Member of Parliament, Kekana has been a part of a number of committees most notably the Standing Committee on Finance, Defence and the Ad Hoc Committee on the Filling of Vacancies in the Commission for Gender Equality. In March 2018 she was subsequently appointed as the Deputy Minister of Communications.
As the Secretary General of PAWO, Kekana is committed to ensuring that all African women, regardless of where they live, have access to opportunities that will benefit them and their local communities.
DIRECTOR-GENERAL: NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND POSTAL SERVICES
MR. ROBERT NKUNA
Former student leader, including serving in high school and higher education Student Representative Councils as President of the then South African Students Press Union (SASPU) through which he was involved in the formative years of community media.
He served as advisor to the Ministries of Telecommunications, Transport & Energy in the Republic of South Africa. Between 2006 and 2010, Mr Nkuna was a Councilor at the communications regulator, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). He also serves on various boards including South African Post Office (SAPO) and the Media Development & Diversity Agency (MDDA). He was also a member of the Media Sub-Committee of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Mr Nkuna is currently pursuing a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Witwatersrand, researching on the regulation of administered prices in Infrastructure and Utility Industries.
OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENTAL STRUCTURE
In terms of the requirements of the National Treasury, the departmental budget is structured into six (6) programmes. However the then Department of Communications Minister has in principle approved the proposed organizational structure on 07 June 2011, and the then Minister for Public Service Administration approved the proposed organisational structure on 08 August 2011.
Below are the programmes in the department:
Programme 1: Administration
Programme 2: ICT Policy Development and Strategy
Programme 3: ICT Information Society Development and Research
Programme 4: ICT Infrastructure Development
Programme 5: ICT International Affairs
Programme 6: ICT Enterprise Development and SOC Oversight
Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services : Contact Details
Contact
Miscellaneous Information
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
iParioli Office Park1166 Park StreetHatfieldPretoria0001
POSTAL ADDRESS
Private Bag X860Pretoria0001
SWITCHBOARD
Tel: +27(0)12 427 8000Fax: +27(0)12 427 8110
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER
Tel: 012 – 427 8247
Fax: 012 362 6915
Email: [email protected]