Why is GCIS silent on Lumka Oliphant?

Social Development spokesperson Lumka Oliphant

Social Development spokesperson Lumka Oliphant

Published Jan 22, 2017

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The GCIS’s silence on Lumka Oliphant’s recent saga is an apt illustration of its ineffectiveness, says Themba Sepotokele.

In his enthralling and entertaining seminal book, Where Power Lies, Lance Price provides a sanguine account of the never-

ending battle between politicians and the media, and the importance of building a relationship between those in power and those with influence in the UK from the era of Lloyd George in 1916 until Gordon Brown in 2010.

What fascinates, intrigues and interests about the book is the relationship between government spokespersons, journalists and the UK government communication machinery on which the South African government based its current communication model, which led to the establishment of the Communication Task Team. It was from the latter that the current Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) was ushered in, an organisation that prides itself on being the pulse of government communication.

As a disclaimer, in my 11 years as a public servant, I was associated with the GCIS for more than a year as chief director: media engagement. This analysis is by no way influenced by my experience while working for the GCIS, but by the reality on the ground and my association with Rhodes University’s Sol Plaatje Media Leadership Institute.

What is interesting about Price’s book is that not only does it chronicle the constant battle between ministers and the media but also how some government communicators have in the process become the news instead of making the news.

Writing in City Press in 2009, Bheki Khumalo, former president Thabo Mbeki’s spokesperson, offering advice to then-incoming presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, said: “The primary reality about effective communication is that the message is paramount, taking precedence over all else.”

This brings me to the saga of Social Development spokesperson Lumka Oliphant.

What is baffling in this entire saga is the deafening silence of the GCIS.

Late last year, there was a discussion on Power Perspective on Power FM with JJ Tabane, where Oliphant was a guest, along with Thabo Masebe, discussing the relationship between government communicators and journalists. As someone who once occupied a senior position at the GCIS, Masebe was bold to say the GCIS does not exist.

Communications Minister Faith Muthambi’s spokesperson, Ayanda Hollo, defended the organisation and spoke glowingly about how well it was doing and how it had attained clean audit reports.

Masebe was brutally honest. I agreed and still agree with him. Unfortunately when such analysis comes from someone like me, it is perceived as sour grapes and some communicators take it personally.

However, it’s no secret that the communications machinery has been limping since Muthambi took office in 2014. To date, the GCIS has had no permanent director-general since Jimmy (now Mzwanele) Manyi’s contract was not renewed after a brief stint at the entity where he spent the entire time dismantling and destroying government and media relations with impunity. To date, nothing has been done to address the damage one man has caused.

The GCIS’s silence on Oliphant’s recent saga is an apt illustration of its ineffectiveness. What happened to the communication policy that the GCIS developed? What is its role? Why are the DDG posts and chief director: media engagement, director: media engagement and others not filled more than a year after they became vacant?

Do all government communicators know that there are communications ethics that they must uphold, be it in public or in their private lives?

The first government communicator to fall on his sword for the reckless use of social media was McIntosh Polela. Polela’s Facebook rant was premeditated, which was a grave miscalculation.

There are other public servants who have paid for their reckless use of social media. There has to be consequence management, unless this is indeed an Animal Farm where all animals are equal but some are more equal than others.

After realising the damage caused by his posting, Polela went back to apologise immediately. Oliphant, on the other hand, took to the airways to defend herself, including an interview with Eusebius McKaiser on Talk 702 where she issued a half-baked apology.

Polela’s case looks like a man who was condemned for stealing bread, while the one who stole millions was allowed to go scot-free.

“When a spokesperson becomes the news, it’s time to go,” advises Price in his book.

* Sepotokele is a journalist, communication strategist and media trainer. He writes in his personal capacity.

** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.

The Sunday Independent

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