Johannesburg: The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Kenny Morolong, will engage with the Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Council (PEC) on Thursday to discuss the coordination of government communication, nation branding, and community media support in the province. This initiative is part of the government's ongoing communication policy advocacy program aimed at creating a coordinated and integrated government communication system across all levels of government.

According to South African Government News Agency, this engagement follows similar sessions held in the North West, Free State, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. These sessions are part of a nationwide rollout designed to enhance communication planning, promote a cohesive national narrative, support community media, and advance South Africa's nation-branding objectives.

Morolong has been visiting provinces to discuss the revised Government Communication Policy with local leadership. The policy emphasizes supporting small commercial and community media, with the government expected to allocate 30% of its advertising budget to these outlets.

The government is intensifying efforts to transform its communication strategies, with the revised policy focusing on coordinated messaging, sufficient funding for communication, and increased support for small and community media. The Government Communication Policy is available for access online.

The Deputy Minister will be joined by delegates from the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), and Brand South Africa (Brand SA). During a recent PEC session in KwaZulu-Natal, Morolong emphasized the importance of communication as a key function that requires enhanced funding. He noted the progress being made in achieving the revised policy's objectives.