The Minister Bathabile Dlamini on SABC 3’s Real Talk with Anele
The Minister Bathabile Dlamini on SABC 3’s Real Talk with Anele
This is not how the wheels of democracy are supposed to turn. Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini was subject to a glowing two-hour profile with SABC during the ANC’s Elective Conference last month.
However, nothing was earned on merit. As reported by the Daily Maverick yesterday, they had their queries confirmed by Dlamini’s spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant. Rather than backing down, she stuck to her guns and said that the department ‘are entitled’ to pay for interviews with the press.
Erm. You shouldn’t be? That’s an incredibly irresponsible way to treat the free press. If you can buy your way into soft news pieces for PR purposes, then it is defeating the object of holding all of our politicians accountable.
What has Bathabile Dlamini done wrong?
Bathabile Dlamini has come under some serious fire in recent times. She has overseen a calamitous handling of social grants, which fell into serious trouble as Dlamini had no replacement lined up when a CPS contract came to an end in March 2017.
She’s also been accused of erroneously spending R47 million on ‘work streams’. The vague concept has bore not fruit, and doesn’t seem to have made a difference to the Social Development department.
Taxpayers fund PR-friendly interview with government minister
But was Dlamini probed on any of these questions that needed asking? Was she hell. Now that’s was R500,000 can buy you. The golden ticket of silence. I’m sure us taxpayers are collectively delighted to see our money is being used to buy puff-pieces for embattled ministers.
The 120-minute ‘whole lot of nothing’ occurred on Monday 18 December. She appeared on SABC 3’s Real Talk with Anele, hosted by Anele Mdoda. Right in the middle of the ANC’s Elective Conference, the Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma supporting minister was given a rather rosy platform to share her views unchallenged.
That’s democracy – and public funding – in action for you, folks
