Phase 2: Strategies
C. DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
C.6 Human Resources Strategic Goals .1 Employment Equity
C.6.2 Communication Unit and its Strategy
The establishment of a functional unit with three members was done in January 2007 and continues to be strengthened.
Preamble
Business goal 1: to increase awareness and understanding of our services through an accountable and transparent way.
Business goal 2: to give guidance and advice and so improve district and local authority services Good external communications are an essential part of what we do. This strategy covers our approach to internal, external and developmental communications. Apart from communications in connection with particular complaints, the principal areas of external communication are:
increasing awareness of the services we provide;
receiving feedback from our customers so we can improve our services;
providing general advice so local government and other bodies in our jurisdiction can learn from mistakes others have made, and improve administrative practice.
Our approach to communications needs to reflect the fact that we deal with some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in South Africa; they may have particular difficulties in accessing information and expressing themselves. Other audiences have different but equally important needs for tailored and targeted information using suitable channels of communication. This strategy sets out our key objectives, with a programme of developmental activity over the next three years.
OBJECTIVES
` To ensure intergovernmental relations/stakeholder relations
` To be a portal of coordinated information representing all departments in their unique statue.
` To be more proactive in setting council agenda
` To ensure collective, consultative and participative planning and strategizing to serve our communities.
` To inform and educate our diverse communities on district municipal services.
` To make internal communication a priority to foster inter-departmental unified approach.
` To coordinate district communications through collective messaging
Dr Kenneth Kaunda DM | 2007-12 IDP Review: 2009/10 Page 65 of 311 Dr Kenneth Kaunda DM – Events Programme
` The DM will develop an events calendar that aligns itself with the commemorative and special events in the national calendar.
` There will be only six major events that will address each department strategic goal.
` Sub – events will be based on commemorative, special mayoral events and hosting of national and provincial events.
` All events will have to reach the events committee chairperson by the first week of every quarter.
` All actions should be allocated resources and a responsible department/person and timeframes.
` The Section: Corporate Communication (Municipal specific) will be responsible for:
o All Corporate, Mayoral and Special Council Events and will be responsible for managing the total event in line with the Municipal Event Management Policy.
o All other special events organized by individual Departments should involve an inter- departmental steering committee (with all relevant departments) chaired and managed by the owner department. The Section: Corporate Communication will in these instances play a supportive and advisory role.
Dr Kenneth Kaunda DM Core Message
` To promote physical infrastructure development and services
` To ensure economic development and services access
` To ensure integrated policy framework.
` To ensure intergovernmental relations/stakeholder to enhance corporate governance.
` To promote capacity development services.
` To provide environmental health management.
` To ensure disaster risk management.
` To ensure internal municipal excellence.
Strategies
Implementation of communication, media, events, public participation, e-government and branding policies .
Effectively branding and positioning the SDM.
Media update and monitoring
Website development and update.
Launch a district radio station
Dr Kenneth Kaunda DM | 2007-12 IDP Review: 2009/10 Page 66 of 311
Launch a district internal and external official newspaper.
Setting up a council events management committee.
Revive the Southern District Communicators’ Forum.
Media relations
Weekly press statements and releases
Once in two months press conferences
Media monitoring and analysis
Once in two months national radio interviews
Monthly local radio station interviews
Events/Deelopmental Comms
Municipal events can be described as infrequently occurring occasions outside the normal activities of the organization.
The most important core attributes of a special event can be listed as:- (a) Being out of the ordinary
(b) Having some, or even significant economic impact (c) Attracting media attention
(d) Raising awareness of the region or the Municipality, aimed at enhancing its image or profile (e) Being of limited duration
(f) Offering a social experience
(g) Attracting tourists or stimulating tourism development The establishment of an events coordination comprising:
Head of communication, head of department of specific event, public liaison coordinators or seconded officials from all departments of council.
Budget Allocations
Activity Description General
allocation
Allocation to date –communication vote Annual cost
Print Council internal newsletter R40 000 R80 000
Council official newspaper R250 000 R600 000
Notices, vacancies, objections, bi- laws, drafts inputs, adverts etc local media adverts
R554 000 Nil R600 000
National magazines and publications, books, magazines and corporate gifts
R145 000 R200 000 (sowetan soccer, equinox, african decisions, portfolio munis, govern digest, sawubona,governance, local)
R220 000
Recruitment of freelance journalists and radio stringers at least 2 per local municipality for period of 1year
Possible Special mayoral project
Nil R288 000
Dr Kenneth Kaunda DM | 2007-12 IDP Review: 2009/10 Page 67 of 311 Budget
Activity Description General
allocation
Allocation to date – communication vote
Annual cost
Electronic National radio ads R100 000 R200 000
Star FM nil R40 000 R60 000
Website R50 000 R80 000
Telephone voicer R20 000 R25 000
Corporate video R50 000 R100 000
Bulk Sms R20 000 R15 000 R20 000
Branding Promotion and marketing R50 000 R350 000
Operational Training, stationery, conferences,office furniture and equipment,
R100 000
Departmental Special Events/Projects
Activity Description Start date Towards Coms Cost
Events Special national events/commemorative celebrations
At least 4 annually R100 000 R1 000 000 Moral regeneration Mini fest in different LOC M R40 000 Whip- R400 000
Cultural Festival Annually R150 000 R1,500 000
Mayoral Imbizo Annually R30 000 R150 000
Summits Annually R25 000 R250 000
Awareness Campaigns Annually R100 000 R350 000
Sporting events Annually R100 000 R1 000 000
Arts, culture, heritage projests Annually R100 000 R750 000
Projects launch At least quarterly R40 000 R200 000
PR activities At least quarterly R40 000 R200 000
Service delivery road shows Annually R40 000 R150 000
C.6.3 Internal Audit Unit