Some journalists believe that President Jacob Zuma’s inauguration speech signalled a thaw in his relationship with the media. But actions speak louder than words: look who he appointed as his communications minister.
Of all the surprising cabinet appointments — and there are many – that of former defence force chief Siphiwe Nyanda as minister of communications is the most puzzling. Not only has Nyanda no obvious qualifications for the job, he has an active dislike of the media. He has been one of the most vocal media conspiracy theorists among Zuma’s closest supporters.
In an article in January 2006, when Zuma was facing a charge of rape and the corruption and fraud charges were still hanging over him, Nyanda accused the media of pursuing a vendetta against the president-to-be. Likening media reports of Zuma’s legal troubles to “name calling and scare-mongering”, he argued that the media were part of a giant complot of “forces opposed to Zuma’s ascendancy to high office”, and concluded, somewhat ominously: “With media like this, South Africans should not only be afraid — they should be very afraid. They should fight to reassert their rights to balanced, unbiased news reporting.”
Two years later, after the NPA dropped charges against Zuma, Nyanda again accused the media of “connivance” in “a grand scheme to persecute a citizen and violate his rights”; part of a “grand strategy” to undo the ANC president. (Nyanda himself, it must be noted, was a target of unfavourable media attention some years ago, when it emerged that, while still chief of the defence force, he had allegedly bought a car at a discount from a company which successfully tendered for a chunk of South Africa’s arms deal and again after he had left the defence force and went into business with a shady — to say the least — operator in the defence industry. Whether this is part of the conspiracy he doesn’t say.)
In his new position, Nyanda won’t actually have that much to do with the news media. He has a role in the appointment of a new SABC board, but the power to appoint and fire board members lies with Parliament. He oversees Icasa, but the communications authority is independent from ministerial interference. He will be the political head of the Government Communication and Information System. Arguably his most important job will be to oversee the liberalisation of South Africa’s telecommunications authority. He has no legal authority to exercise control over the news media.
But he will set the tone for the relationship between the media and the government, and if his past utterances are anything to go by, we should not expect a new era of glasnost. While the ANC has shelved its Polokwane proposal for a statutory media tribunal, the kind of thinking that led to it in the first place is still prevalent among some of those who believe Zuma was persecuted. It is the kind of thinking, as media commentator Anton Harber has noted, that “does not discriminate between acceptable criticism, discussion and debate, and the actions of the country’s enemies (whoever they are). It lumps everyone together in a lazy, sloppy and potentially dangerous way. The party’s critics are at one with the country’s enemies”.
You could argue that Nyanda simply got his just rewards for his steadfast support of Zuma and there is nothing intrinsically wrong about appointing your closest allies to the cabinet. That is how politics work. I suspect Nyanda didn’t get Defence — for which he is imminently suited due to his military background — because he has too many business ties with the defence industry. So it may be that Zuma slotted him into the communications portfolio simply because it was available. But it just seems to me that by appointing Nyanda as communications minister, Zuma is saying something different to his ringing endorsement of press freedom in his inauguration speech.
Nyanda may prove me wrong; I hope he does. After all, it was his boss — the victim of the “media conspiracy” — who said on Saturday: “We must defend the freedom of the media, as we seek to promote within it a greater diversity of voices and perspectives.”
(A version of this post also ran on my personal blog.)
we’re all for nyanda. this mnister needs to transform a lot in this industry. nyanda, you only have 5 years to twist things around.
by the way, what happened to media tribunal bill?
because we urgently need it; the sooner it gets implemented the better for the image of this country.
It’s a sinecure.
Well, i’m not really worried as its not directly under his sphere. I just hope he doesn’t mess around with the current trends in fibre-optic communication and broadband. Broad-band prices/rates have been becoming more and more favourable recently.
If Nyanda can nudge that in the right direction and guarantee me lower telecomms rates and donner Telkom back into shape, he can meddle with his shady buddies all he wants.
Robert, we in the ANC believe that a media tribunal is a necessity! The media is incapable of transforming themselves into respectable means of communicating to the people! They unashamedly report blatant lies and put themselves up as in opposition to the ANC! Independent newspapers did not makle any secret of their support for the DA and COPE. The Daily Despatch even went as fasr to report on COPE supporters selling hotdog rolls as a major news event. This is a scandalous disgrace! We believe that this tribunal should be set up without delay and if Nyanda is the person to do it, so be it!
You don’t need to have a Phd in ICT to understand communications, whether in telecommunications or not! Nyanda will have expert advisors at his disposal and indeed the Telkom deal is not in the intterest of the workers! Robert your views are in any case irrellevant and the ANC will not be guided by those who want to retain the status quo! A new era under the leadership of Msholozi has arrived! Faced it!!
This fuzziness towards is going to dwindle as soon as people figure out that his agenda and those to work for him is to suppress those who enjoy our freedom of speech and expression.
He is never abotu unity when he has SACP all over his cabinet with an agenda of their own. He is not calling the shots.
If Zuma was smart- he should appointed a nuetral candidate- Let’s not forget that our president supporters and buddies are willing to do ANYTHING for him, and Zuma is going to have a hard time putting out all the fires lit by his staunch supporters who practice reverse oppression.
Just watch.
Robert Brand,if you didn’t notice the connivance of the media in the Zuma matter, you don’t deserve to be taken seriously. As much as you have a right to criticise the Zuma cabinet you don’t have to act ignorant to strengthen your point. Stop denying the obvious, you might pursuade some of us to listen.We are aware that Zuma cannot sue the media in South Africa and win, thanks to the complicity of the SCA and CC judges. He can win in the lower courts because those have been difficult to mobilise. The print media has always shown unbelievable confidence in the SCA and the CC, I wonder why? You may deny it but we’ve noticed the pattern at the SCA and CC. How can you forget the infamous “Off-the-Record” briefing Mr Brand?
Yeah, I had hoped Ranjeni would be better suited to the position.
“Arguably his most important job will be to oversee the liberalisation of South Africa’s telecommunications authority. He has no legal authority to exercise control over the news media”: Your article is full of contradictions proving the remarks of people indicating that the media seek to undermine and de-campaign President Jacib Zuma!
There is NO-where close where Communications Ministry has jurisdictions over the media in any capacity! Then the question rises what is this: “Nyanda as communications minister? Is this some kind of joke?”
South Africa has a very serious problem relating to the media freedom
Yet the editor allowed such to be published, your undermining the rights of people just because you have the privilage to write on popular newspaper like MG!
WHAT A SHAME!
@ Siphiwo Siphiwo
@ Sipho
@ Bongo
@ Nzuzo
You all decry an apparent media conspiracy to publish lies and defamatory information about Zuma and the ANC. But you always fail to suggest one crucial piece of this weird little puzzle. Why would the media display this alleged bias? What do they stand to gain by it?
To make your case, please explain why a rational newspaper owner in SA would profit by slandering the ANC. This is an especially problematic case to make when we take into account that the vast majority of consumers in SA are ANC supporters and would therefore be more likely to buy a pro-ANC newspaper, so a pro-ANC line would probably be more profitable.
By contrast, the argument you oppose — that the government would profit by creating a media tribunal to bring the media’s messages in line with what the ANC would like to portray (i.e. to facilitate propaganda) — is extremely easy to make. If the ANC controls the news they can manufacture consent and govern indefinitely, which is clearly in their interest.
Please respond with rational argument.
The media deserves everything that is coming to them. It is a pity when government considers curbing media freedom, but then again who can we blame but this partial anti-ANC media for it. The reason there are Mugabe’s in this world is becuase of a media so partial, you only believe 10% of its bile. Who is the winner here? The dictators to be coz even if the media reports the truth who is going to believe anything they write?
Robert, if you really wanted to discuss Nyanda’s portfolio can you at least speak about the things that matter?
Firstly, are you comfortable with the obvious dehumanization of certain targeted individuals like Zuma (e.g. Zapiro’s gang-rape cartoon) perpetrated in the name of freedom of speech. Do you think we should discourage such behavior while we seek rebuild our society that has been largely fragmented and polarized by apartheid?
Secondly, why don’t you discuss the most important aspect of Nyanda’s portfolio – communications? This doesn’t suit the agenda of your article, does it? Bridging the digital divide that is so stark in SA will at the very least provide a voice to the economically disenfranchised and marginalized in our society. Of course the longterm benefit of lower communication costs is to ensure SA’s global competitiveness, and create decent jobs for SAns.
Catch a wake up – Who better to oversee all the Interception and Monitoring activities?
Only when they support the “right course” of course.
Well for starters lets get SA online Nyanda, at an affordable cost to all with a low latency and good bandwidth, prefferably uncapped thanks!
@ Bongo once again I congratulate you on your invaluable contribution. Flying of the handle as has become your trademark. I realised today that the difference between me and people like you and Sipho and Siphiwo is like the difference between fanatical christians/islamists and an atheist. Fanatisists (this is you I ma talking about in case you missed that) blindy follow a leader without needing proof or reason for doing so and even when presented with eveidence contrary to their belief they chose to ignore it, such is their faith. An atheist on the other hand has a belief but its based on fact, reason and evidence and if something was to be proven views would change. Take your blinkers off and try and see the bigger picture, do you really think there was no fire around zuma with all the smoke coming out his ears..of course there was and the media has a right to report on it, just as they will report on all the good that we all hope he will do for the country…media tribunal bill????????? you have got to be kidding, its a step backwards for th country and contrary to academic siphiwos view will not improve our image but make it worse…far worse….
Bongo, Sipho
I assume you both object to the media attacks on Zille’s ‘pale male’ choices then?
Oh Sipho, please wake up. You are in such a rush to abandon your freedoms on the alter of the ANC. You should not wish away your freedom so easily, for so little reward. If I do not support the corrupt people who make up the majority of the ANC cabinet, does that make me an enemy of the state? Does that mean my freedom of expression should be curtailed, or my ability to receive informed opinion censored? All media is biased towards some master, so does the ANC want the media to ignore rampant corruption, poverty, theft, crime and all of the other ills that still plague South Africa. Without critical media the government might begin to think that it is delivering services to the people, even if the people know this to be a lie. Honestly Sipho, you should not wish away an independent and critical media. They are there for your benefit, and to keep corrupt politicians in check.
Sipho: “connivance” of the media with who exactly? The SCA and CC? You can’t be serious. And I fail to understand what the “famouts off-the-record briefing” has to do with any of this.
Bongo: you are out of date with your own party’s policies. Teh ANC has abandoned the idea of a media tribunal.
Robert, you got what you asked for. The blind followers of the ruling party (the modern “ja-baas, nee-baas” crowd) will accept no critical evaluation of any cabinet appointee. “The media” are branded anti-revolutionary (whatever that means as there is no revolution going on). Any attempt to do a little soul searching will be squashed by the Sipho’s and his comrades. Your article? Enjoy the illogical rhetoric from the Malema’s in the making. It seems the new trend in communication in SA. We will wait and see if the new minister fits in.
Robert,
An interesting article, but based I believe on a naive premise – ie that the President Zuma would choose the best qualified and experienced people to head up specific portfolios.
The ministers and deputy ministers are POLITICAL heads of the department.
ZUMA has rewarded some of the people and more importantly, constituencies (eg Patel’s appointment to appease COSATU, Blade’s appontment to higher education etc)with cabinet posts – why do you think that we have the biggest cabinet IN THE WORLD? Co-opting Mulder from FF+ was a masterstroke (shades of kortbroek and the NNP – will the FF+ now go the same way?) – as Lyndon B Johnson said “I’d rather have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in!”.
It is not neccesssarily true that a political head of a ministry needs to have specialist skills, knowledge or training in that specific field in order to successfully manage the portfolio. Trevor Manuel does not even have an undergraduate degree, let alone a PhD or Honours in finance or economics, yet many (most?) commentators would view him as a very effective finance minister (manuel’s tertiary qualifications are a diploma in civil engineering from Pentech).
The political head needs to be a good administrator, with a striong team under him.
The points that you make about Nyanda’a alleged shady business dealings and cohorts are valid and genuine cause for concern.
Our new Finance minister is a pharmacist – are you getting the picture?
@Paddy & Robert
It is not a secret that most business invested heavily in people who were close to the Mbeki inner circle. It’s obvious that Zuma’s resurgence caused problems for those who thought their points men in the power inner circle were gonna linger longer in the corridors of power. Newspapers are businesses that are also owned by other businesses, which explains why a change of the power block threatens their ill gotten contracts, thereby jeopardising their future profits.It’s not surprising that newspapers ceased to report news and started publishing more opinion pieces, where you don’t need facts to back them up.Opinion makers were elevated to demi god status. It goes without saying that most of the anti Zuma rhetoric has toned down because the owners of newspapers have realised that they have to form new strategic alliances with those close to Zuma. It’s economics finish and klaar!
We want to believe JZ’s inaugural statements –
But this appointment speaks to communications being a military operation?
In some ways in our electronic age it is
But how do we balance our constitutional framework – freedom of expression – etc etc -
Sipho,
I sense that your old apartheid drum is starting to loose its impact and you are now opting for a new one.
If your comments (aswell as some others above )are anything to go by SA’s future will make Zim look like a church picnic – but then again according to your logic the media was making the whole Zim issue up – it is actually a prosperous well functioning democracy.
Robert, do you honestly believe that it is pure coincidence that the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court have overturned all verdicts that were in Zuma’s favour from the lower courts? The NPA had always been confident of having lower courts decisions that were for Zuma overturned at the SCA and CC. Even Justice Langa expressed his discomfort about Zuma utilising the courts to defend himself. He desperately wanted trial, irrespective of shenanigans that has happened. What’s more the Deputy Chief Justice is friends with Bulelani Ngcuka who happen to be Zuma’s adversary. At his 60th birthday Justice Moseneke is reported to have expressed anti-Polokwane ANC sentiments.
Peter L: I agree with you and I make the same point in the second-last paragraph.
David Harris: what is your point exactly? Did I say anywhere that I don’t regard the digital divide as an important issue?
Tebogo: whose rights am I undermining by voicing my opinion, and how exactly?
Before this appointment Nyanda was working (when not on the golf course) for Fana Hlongwane – prossibly the single biggest benificary of the arms deal. Among Fana’s cars are R4-million Lamborghini Murcielago + a R6-million Bentley Azure. Before their disbandment the Scorpions were investigating Fana.
Nyanda’s father was a journalist @ (i think) “The World” before it was banned.
Sipho, I don’t even know how to begin to respond to you. No, I don’t think it is a coincidence that the SCA and CC have overturned lower court judgments in favour of JZ – it is because the lower courts got them wrong in law. There were not that many anyway – just two. If JZ “desperately wanted trial”, then why did he do everything in his power to prevent going to trial? Your comments about Judge Moseneke are unfounded – firstly, go and read what he actually said (you refer to it as “anti-Polokwane ANC sentiments); secondly, you are impugning the judge’s integrity without any evidential basis, which amounts to contempt of court.
we need media tribunal, and we need it now. something has to be done about this twisted and euro-centric agenda-driven print media.
you can clamour for all you like, we dont care; nyanda should bring back that debate. in fact he should introduce the bill in its entirety, and censor the whole lot; beginning with negative bloggers right up to youtube video posters.
forward with south africa, down with doomsayers…
@ Robert
Was Mr.Nyanda NOT expressing his opinion on January 2006 and after Pres Zuma trial?
“Not only has Nyanda no obvious qualifications for the job”: Most cabinet ministers do NOT have “exact” qualifications for the portfolio they head, primary instance being former Finance minister Mr.Trevor Manuel has Civil Engineering National Diploma yet led Finance Ministry with distinction!
“So it may be that Zuma slotted him into the communications portfolio simply because it was available”:NO matter how you argued your case,your ambition was to question the credibility of Mr.Nyanda as a person and as a Communication Minister!
You don’t question credibility and NOT expect a reaction (not a response), people’s rights are NOT limited to the constitution, as you seem to perceive! RESPECT is NOT coded, neither limited to the reflection before us!
The criticism of Mr.Nyanda towards the media do NOT warrant the contradictory stories you wrote, and worst of all mere speculations…simply due to privilege to publish your so-called opinion!
If yours is the defense of the media, then tell us about “generally corrupt statement” and the secret meeting former Scorpion Boss had with some senior newspaper editors?!
@Robert
Talking about impugning the judges’ integrity, you’ve done exactly the same to the lower courts judges. Is it pure coincidence that the lower court judges get it wrong in law twice and the SCA and CC get it right in law twice on the same matter? So what about the thousands of people whose cases never go to the SCA and CC, do you just say tough luck. My proposition is that we should never have permanent judges sitting at the SCA and CC, judges should be assembled for every case, to avoid entrenching buddy buddy decision making. I think it is unfortunate that Judge Nicholson will never get a chance to defend his verdict, Judge Louis Harmse had the last word on the matter. Is it not alarming to you that decison of the CC cannot be overturned? Would you also support Judge Hlophe when he ascend to the CC as you expect us to support your choice of Justice Pius Langa?
@S.P. van Niekerk
I never mentioned apartheid nor did I mention Zimbabwe. Deal with the points I raised rather than introduce stuff I never talked about.The Zimbabwe thingy is your own nunu, that you use to scare your fellow travellers, unfortunately it does not work with everyone. People in squater camps may tell you that they’ve had their Zimbabwe long time ago.
The challenge for me and you is to move beyong seeing things in terms of racial solidarity.
@ian
Me thinks Ms Zille should conduct her politics with dignity and avoid personalising issues. I would have respected her more if she had defended his all white male cabinet without involving Zuma’s sex life. I suppose she also does have a sex life and I would find it just as distasteful if the ANC would refer to it in defence of their political short comings.
Robert, once again your contribution to this forum is just simply anti-ANC! The heroic SCA even based their judgement on newspaper reporting. Judge Squires wrote a letter even to the newspapers to deny that he referred in his judgement about “general corrupt relationship between Shaik and Zuma”! Judge Louis Harmse of the SCA should do the honourable thing and resign becauise not once did the SCA and the CC ruled in JZ’s favour. We as taxpayers and citizens have a right to question their impartiality!
Robert all ANC resolutions are reached through conferences and the media tribunal is an accepted policy of an ANC conference! You forgot that Mbeki’s demise came as a result of neglecting the ANC branches who are responsible for electing leaders. The current ANC leaders must implement policies that we took at Polokwane and if the media tribunal is one of those policies, then it must be implemented! Jesse Duarte got no powers to overrule a policy that was adopted by the copnference!
Siphiwo you speak like a true fascist – “censor the whole lot”. You have a lot in common with the dogma that once oppressed you. Pity its such a tragic old story – the freedom fighter becomes a fighter against others freedoms.
here is what Einstein said “It is in fact nothing short of a miracle that the modern methods of instruction have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry; for what this delicate little plant needs more than anything, besides stimulation, is freedom. It is a very grave mistake to think that the enjoyment of seeing and searching can be promoted by means of coercion and a sense of duty.”
“We must not only tolerate differences between individuals and between groups, but we should indeed welcome them and look upon them as an enriching of our existence. Without tolerance in this widest sense, there can be no question of true morality.” I think you will find these ideas resonate with many people regardless of geographical position
Bongo: the case you are referring to is the Shaik case, not one of the Zuma cases, and the misquotation had absolutely no bearing on the outcome. Also, decisions of the SCA are reached by bench of five judges, so don’t blame Judge Harms. As to the media tribunal, bring it on. It is one thing adopting resolutions at a party conference, but quite another implementing them.
Sipho: you clearly do not understand how the legal process works. The reason why we have an appeal system is to ensure that matter are adjudicated correctly in terms of law. Many, many cases are appealed to the SCA and CC, and dismissed – in other words, the lower courts’ judgments acknowledged as correct. In these two cases, if you can point out to me where exactly the higher courts erred in overturning the lower court judgments, then we have a debate. Lastly, to say the Judge Nicholson had no chance to defend himself is absurd. He made his argument in his judgment.
@Robert
If JZ “desperately wanted trial”, then why did he do everything in his power to prevent going to trial?
Asseblief Robert, was Mr Zuma not within his constitutional right to engage the state the way he deemed fit.He did not do anything legal, he just explored avenues in law to challenge the ever changing charge sheet which was leaked to the media before presented to him. The Sunday Times published a litany of transactions which included R10 payment for a car valet, R50 for dryclean, really would you honestly see these transactions as bribery. Is it pure coincidence that Zuma is said to have asked for R500K bribe from Thint, and Blade Nzimande stole R500K from Willie Madisha? Why is the bribery figure for the Zuma brigade R500K in your informed, racial solidarity devoid opinion?
President Zuma is completely innocent of all charges which were manufactured against him by racist white policemen, judges, and proscecutors. He is a shining example of African benevolence and squeeky clean, accountable leadership. His colleagues in the ANC are likewise. They are all honest people who would never dream of enriching themselves through acts of corruption. They seek only to better the lives of those less fortunate souls who have slipped through the social safety net. The media’s feeble attempts to depict our beloved president as corrupt have backfired. The people know the truth and will defend it with their lives. And so say all of us, hey Sipho?
@SiphiwoX2 – Any blind person can see where you’re
coming from
People like you always end up as victims of their own misplaced loyalties and endeavours.
To quote: “Every marriage of an intellectual with the communist party, ends up in adultery” (Nicolas Gomez)
Robert I don’t need to be a lawyer to see that something is incorrect. The law is not meant to serve academics only, it’s suppose to mediate societal conflicts.
Robert it’s basic, Judge Nicholson is not afforded the right to reply by the system. You probably find it perfect just because those you dislike are at the receiving end. And it is false to claim that most cases proceed to the SCA and CC, just go to the nearest prison and find out how many prisoners took their cases to the SCA and CC. Accusing people of ignorance of systems is always an easy way out of difficult situations.If law is an exact science as you conveniently believe, why would two judges have different interpretation of the statutes in the same case. The number of judges who participate in decision making at the SCA and CC is irrelevant, as verdicts in lower courts are taken with the assistance of assessors who happened to be trained lawyers. Doesn’t Judge Harmse’s seniority at the SCA count for something, Mr Brand?
Robert, my point is that your article does a disservice to our society. Rather than speaking about what Nyanda should be focusing on and how we can hold him accountable as a Communications Minister, you have an agenda to use innuendo to cast him as bogeyman and a danger to our freedom of speech. Furthermore, you haven’t addressed either of my questions, so it seems like you don’t really want to engage in a real discussion after all.
on second thought i shouldnt … am i the only one who knows the general was a journalist – pl salute your own kind? Whatever happened to honour amongst hacks or was it?
Let’s leave Siphiwe to do his job, there are many who thought they were eminently qualified for the post, even DA’s Dene Smuts in a recent interview with a magazine. The point has been made above, he is a political appointee and has staff that are qualified to support him. I wonder how many ministers in the apartheid government were ‘qualified’ for their post, let alone how many of them had business interests, that would be an interesting comparison.