INTRODUCTION
Honourable House Chair, I have had the privilege over the past week to attend various budget votes, some of which were for departments headed by DA ministers. I could not help but notice the collegiality that exists between the Ministers/Deputy Ministers and the department, as well as a good working relationship with their Portfolio Committee. as we reflect on this critical budget vote debate, we must confront the harsh reality that, under the DA Minister, our communication department has become an area of contention between those who seek genuine transformation and those who are determined to maintain the status quo of exclusion and inequality.
SUCCESS OF THE 6th Administration
The ANC’s vision of a digitally inclusive South Africa, where every citizen has equal access to opportunities under the digital economy, stands in stark contrast to the DA’s agenda of protecting monopoly interests and foreign corporations at the expense of black economic empowerment. Today, we must confront how the DA, through Minister Malatsi’s leadership, has systematically undermined transformation efforts while presenting itself as a champion of progress.
Before we confront the shortfall of the Minister under the 7th administration,
Let us reflect on the work done under the 6th administration,
It is undeniable that the ANC-led 6th DCDT Administration has laid a solid foundation for South Africa’s digital transformation, Under the ANC’s leadership, 1.8 million households were connected to broadband which was a historic leap in closing the digital divide. On top of that over 5 million citizens were equipped with digital skills, empowering a new generation for the jobs of the future. Critical interventions were made to stabilise SITA, including governance reforms and the Ministerial Task Team, ensuring improved efficiency in state ICT functions. Furthermore, the digitisation of over 136 e-government services has revolutionised service delivery, earning global recognition as South Africa climbed 25 places in the UN E-Government Index (2024) which stood as proof of our world-class digital governance framework.
The SA Connect programme expanded internet access to rural and underserved communities, while the Digital Broadcasting Migration initiative provided 1.3 million indigent households with subsidised decoders and supported 1,279 installation companies, boosting job creation. These milestones demonstrate the ANC’s unwavering commitment to digital public infrastructure (DPI) and inclusive growth.
The work done is undeniable, and the momentum must not be lost.
We are seeing regression under the current administration,
Post Bank
The Minister’s silence on leveraging Post Bank’s infrastructure to establish a State Bank is a glaring omission in the department’s transformative agenda. A State Bank is not just a financial institution but a critical tool for economic inclusion, particularly for marginalised communities that remain underserved by commercial banks. The ANC has long championed the creation of a State Bank to democratize access to credit, and stimulate grassroots economic development. The Ministers reluctance to advance this initiative reveals a deeper ideological resistance to state-led interventions that challenge entrenched monopolies. Post Bank’s existing infrastructure provides a ready-made foundation for this venture. Yet, the Minister’s inaction suggests either a lack of will or an alignment with interests opposed to public banking.
SAPO
The Minister’s failure to articulate concrete plans for SAPO’s financial turnaround and operational efficiency is deeply concerning. The entity could play a pivotal role in e-commerce, digital financial services, and last-mile logistics, yet the Minister’s performance plans lack bold reforms to unlock these opportunities. Instead of proactive measures, we see regressive targets and a passive approach to SAPO’s collapse, which disproportionately affects rural and township communities reliant on its services.
SABC
The SABC’s alarming 85% license fee non-compliance rate has pushed the public broadcaster into a dangerous reliance on advertising revenue, that could severely undermine its editorial independence and public mandate. The Minister’s failure to prioritize the SABC Bill, which proposes alternative funding models, is a glaring omission in the Annual Performance Plan. This delay leaves the broadcaster in financial peril.The SABC Bill must be fast-tracked and without it, the broadcaster’s future is may be uncertain.
Honorable members it is important to point out that it was the Minister who pulled out the SABC Bill after it had been submitted. He made a “concious” decision to withdraw the SABC Bill, lets rather say he made a decision, the consciousness of the decision is still yet to be determined as not sufficient and concrete reason was given for the withdrawal.The SABC, as a public broadcaster, must also be revitalised to serve as a true platform for nation-building. Financial capacitation of the SABC alone will not be enough in the long term to ensure this stability, the need for the revitalised SABC Bill will also play a crucial role in the sustained empowerment of the national broadcaster
ICASA
The ANC’s position on ICASA’s role in this matter is unequivocal. Our independent regulator must be allowed to perform its duties without political interference, applying the law equally to all market participants. Attempts to undermine ICASA’s authority in the Starlink case may set a dangerous precedent that could unravel years of careful policy development aimed at creating a more inclusive digital economy.
We cannot allow our regulatory framework to be cherry-picked based on which companies have the most political connections or international backing. The Ministers approach to Starlink reveals the fundamental disregard for the principle of equality before the law, a principle that is foundational to any democratic society.
SITA
The betrayal of our sovereignty doesn’t end there, there is a systematic effort to dismantle SITA through policy directives aimed at ensuring private sector entities handle the procurement of sensitive ICT equipment. This is not only a way of undermining the state agency, but also the long-term privatisation of key state entities.
We must confront the reality that under the DA Minister, critical policy reforms have been deliberately stalled. The modernisation of our ICT laws, which is essential for South Africa to compete in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, has been hampered by a combination of ideological resistance and sheer incompetence.
ECA
The Minister must prioritise the ECA Amendment Bill process without further hesitation, ensuring it aligns with South Africa’s transformative agenda of equitable access and digital justice. We cannot afford to keep kicking this legislative reform down the road, South Africa’s digital future depends on bold, decisive action now.
As the ANC, we remain committed to digital transformation, which is rooted in the Freedom Charter’s promise that “the people shall share in the country’s wealth.” In the digital age, this means ensuring that the benefits of technological progress are distributed equitably, rather than being hoarded by a privileged few. It means protecting and promoting local content in our indigenous languages, thereby preventing our cultural sovereignty from being eroded by global platforms.
Despite the DA’s obstruction, the ANC remains committed to advancing transformative policies that will create a genuinely inclusive digital economy. We will continue to push for modernised ICT laws that prioritise black economic participation. We will fight to protect ICASA’s independence and ensure it regulates without fear or favour. We will demand urgent action on rural connectivity and digital literacy programs. We will also expose and oppose any attempts to sell our digital sovereignty to foreign interests.
NATIONAL DIALOGUE
The upcoming National Dialogue represents a critical opportunity for South Africans across all sectors to shape the future of our nation collectively. Yet, the DA’s petulant decision to boycott this process reveals their true character as nothing more than crybabies who would rather sulk on the sidelines than engage in meaningful solutions.
House Chair, this budget vote comes at a critical juncture for our digital future. We can choose the path of genuine transformation, where technology serves as a bridge to equality, or we can continue down the DA’s road of exclusion. The ANC chooses transformation. We choose justice. We choose a future where no South African is left offline and no entrepreneur is left behind.
As the ANC, we support this budget on the condition that the recommendations and oversight of the Portfolio Committee, under the Competent leadership of Hon. Chairperson Khusela Sangoni-Diko, are met, and that the Portfolio Committee continues to play a central role in the administrative oversight of the department and its entities.
Thank you.