
=====================================================================
Opening of new block for SABC radio
=====================================================================

Speeches and Media Releases
 Premier's Office

[         w

EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNEMNT

SPEECH BY PREMIER REV. M.A. STOFILE

(On the Occasion of Opening a new block for SABC Radio’s)

UMHLOBO WENENE – PORT ELIZABETH)

08 JUNE 2000



Section 16 (1)(a) of the Constitution of the RSA (Act 108 of 1996) elaborates on the guarantee for the Freedom of Expression which is the 
heading of this Section of the Bill of Rights. The specific sub-section guarantees “freedom of the press and other media. The question 
which some of you may be asking is : what is the Government doing here?  Are they trying to pressurize us or even to co-opt us in a 
particular way?  Already rumour has it that the Premier of the Eastern Cape instructs Mr Magwa what programmes to run and which 
presenter/journalist should do which programme.  So allow me to address these questions first, so that we are all equal from the beginning 
about why we are here and what our relations to UMHLOBO WENENE are.  Here goes!

The fact is that we do communicate with SABC at all levels.We formally complain when SABC TV’s TOP SPORT continues to use only white men to 
eulogise white rugby players of yesteryear.We do so because this is a distortion of history and a subtle entrenchment of the cultural 
domination of the past.We phone Mr Magwa and congratulate Mr Sekeleni or Mr Bongco when they give a good analysis or commentary of a sport 
event. We write to Mr Magwa and make proposals of how we think certain can be enriched (e.g. live recordings of Eyentsatshana).We criticise 
how certain programmes are handled and propose constructive ways of dealing with them.

Why do we do this?Because we take the functions of the media seriously.Especially those of UMHLOBO WENENE.Not because Mr Magwa was born in 
Adelaide like myself.But because your radio reaches a large audience and has to maintain a high standard.The Constitution guarantees all 
“access to information” (Section 32).This must be quality and veritable information.We also do this because we are proud of the work done 
by this station from our Province.We want it to be the best for all times.That is why we congratulate you for bringing in from time to time 
veterans like Peter Bacela, Linda Gqomfa etc to speak to the nation.This shows that you are a caring station. Lately we hear that Tsidi 
presents her programmes from other Provinces too.  You truly make us proud!  so we can’t be  aloof

Now that we are equal in knowing why we are here (whether you believe these is a different story) let me say my message for tonight.

The principle of the “freedom of the press” is quite old in this country.  It goes back to the likes of Thomas Pringle in the 1820’s.  But 
it was only entrenched in the constitution by our government.  We are passionately committed to its protection.  But we are equally 
passionate about its proper understanding.   In our view, the media must not be fettered by anybody (not just the government) from bringing 
the truth to the public.  Unfortunately in our situation the media cannot be said to be truly free.   Its freedom from the government whims 
is neutralized by its bondage to the whims of those who own the media or those who advertise through it and thus sustain it.  This is sad 
but this is the inevitable truth.

What do we do then?  At the level of the government we believe that we should do two things.  First we must reserve the right to exercise 
our freedom of expression and criticise the media where professional errors are commited.  As elected public representatives we have a 
formal mandate to serve the interest of the largest public.  This is different from being self-proclaimed voices of the people.  Our 
interest is that a message should be clear, undistorted and contemporary.   For this reason we monitor and analyse the media everyday.  We 
do this in the full knowledge that a lot of organizations and individuals spend a lot of money trying to get a good profile from the media.  
I can proudly declare that not a single journalist can honestly claim that my office has ever asked them to build my profile.  If I am 
hated for not buying a good profile, I apologise profusely.  But I can’t do it.

The second thing that we do is to educate each other about the need to keep a good relationship with the media.  Government officials 
should not run away from the media or lie to it.  This tends to lead to a creativity on the part of the media which boarders on reporting 
gossip and rumour.  This is so especially with some of the school-leavers used by some media in this Province.   This second function of 
government is far more difficult than the first.  This is because of the different approaches or objectives between the media and the 
government on issues.

The government will want to concede that there is a problem but that we are on top of it or we are dealing with it.  This, we believe, is 
more important than just saying there is a problem.  The public needs to know what is being done about it and what the extent of the 
problem is.  The media, on the other hand, start from the familiar who, what, when, where and why approach.  They want to know who is to 
blame and what punishment has been meted out.  Both approaches can easily lead to problems.  An overzealous but inexperienced government 
official may, in trying to stick to his/her agenda, be very nasty to the media.  The tell tale prelude to this is : “That is not the 
issue”. Then I know that the media is in trouble.  I must admit that some journalist manage to drive even me to that mood sometimes.  
Especially on political questions they themselves have taken sides on.

Government is also always keen to let the public know about its development programmes.  The media, on the other hand, prefers to highlight 
government mistakes.  They will even reproduce old material if there is nothing new that is “juicy” enough.  This is for the market.

If government fell into the punishment trap which the media (like elders in Church) want us to quickly get to, the media becomes the first 
to cry foul.  They will invoke all legal principles and constitutional sections to show how vindictive government has been.  In all this, 
we believe that the media is our Siamese twin.  They can’t live without government.  Neither can government live without the media.  We 
must learn to live together in our common space.

So what has all this to do with tonight?  We have come to congratulate our twin on this new wing.  We hope it will be used well to improve 
on the already rich history and expertise of UMHLOBO WENENE, the eldest of the vernacular stations of SABC.

The broadcasting field is still largely dependent on imported material, especially from America.  If this continues, we will suffer a large 
outflow of funds.  We will also be bombarded by foreign culture that can marginalize our own cultures.   In this era of globalisation we 
are already losing our children to this invasion.  We are inheriting all the social evils that go with it e.g. drug abuse, gun-violence, 
disrespect for adults etc.  Worse still, even some of our presenters corrupt our languages (e.g. intshukumo as translation to 
response/reaction).  This is very bad.   It is a cultural colonialism of a special type.

The Government is not neutral to such issues.  It is the fotress that must protect the rights and interests of the people.   The nation’s 
treasures must constantly be protected against marauding opportunists.  The concordance of the people’s aspirations and those of the 
government is the crowing achievement of a nation.  We are confident that your station will be a major role player in ensuring that 
concordance.  If we succeed in this, the Eastern Cape and her institutions will be a voice of conscience for the marginalized and oppressed 
in the world

Use this facility well

REV. M.A. STOFILE
 PREMIER : EASTERN CAPE

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Home | About the Eastern Cape | Economy
 Structures | International Relations | Documents
 Premier's Office | Speeches & Media Releases
 Top of Page

---------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Eastern Cape

Premier's Office

Structures

Documents

Speeches & Media Releases

International Relations

Economy



