Note: This the parliamentary reply on which the City Press article of January 20 2013 was based. It can be read here.

DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 3412
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 November 2012

3412.  Mr K S Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

Whether (a) his department and/or (b) any entity reporting to him sponsored any (i) event and (ii) promotion hosted by The New Age newspaper since its establishment; if so, in each case, (aa) what was the nature of the event or promotion, (bb) on which date was it held, (cc) what amount was paid, (dd) for what purpose, (ee) from which budget were the funds derived, (ff) what were the expected benefits to his department and (gg) what actual benefits were derived from the sponsorship?     NW4327E

Reply:

(a-b) The Department of Public Enterprises and the following State Owned Companies (SOC) Alexkor, Broadband Infraco, SAFCOL, Denel, SA Express and South African Airways have not sponsored any event or promotion hosted by The New Age (TNA)  newspaper since its inception. However, Eskom, Denel and Transnet have sponsored events hosted by TNA newspaper. The details are listed below.

According to Eskom:

(b)(i-ii)(aa) Yes, Eskom had a sponsorship agreement with the TNA newspaper to sponsor 6 breakfast sessions during the 2012/13 financial year.

(b)(i-ii)(bb) The dates on which the breakfast sessions were held:

16 April 2012; 14 May 2012; 28 May 2012; 31 July 2012; 3 September 2012; and 21 October 2012.

(b)(cc) The sponsorship package was for 6 breakfast sessions at a cost of R1 197 609.79 per breakfast. The total amount is R7 185 658 74.

(b)(dd) The amount paid covered a package which included the following:

• SABC 2 Morning live coverage of the event from 07:00 to 09:00;
• Radio slots on SABC promoting the events;
• Advertisements in TNA newspaper;
• Two free tables of 10 for Eskom Stakeholders;
• Two seats at the main table with the guest speaker;
• Branding at the events; and
• Sponsors speech before the key note speaker

(b)(ee)The events were paid from the approved 49M campaign budget as all the breakfasts were branded 49M.

(b)(ff-gg) The main benefit for Eskom and the Department of Public Enterprises was brand awareness and highlighting the need to conserve electricity. Furthermore, the breakfasts created opportunities for engagement between Government and the private sector.

According to Transnet:

(b)(i-ii) Yes, Transnet participates in the TNA newspaper /SABC business briefing sessions.

(b)(i-ii)(aa) The TNA newspaper /SABC business briefings are televised on SABC 2 Morning Live show.  Guest speakers who have taken part include leading public figures such as President Jacob Zuma, the Leader of the Democratic Alliance and sports personalities (soccer and cricket).

(b)(i-ii)(bb) Dates on which the company participated are as follows:

• 18 November 2011 Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre;
• 05 December 2011 - Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre;
• 12 January 2012 - Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre;
• 10 February 2012 - Cape Town, Market Hall;
• 16 March 2012 - Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Training Centre; 
• 12 April 2012 - Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre;
• 23 April 2012 - Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre;
• 21 May 2012 - Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre;
• 11 June 2012 - Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre;
• 06 July 2012 - Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre;
• 06 August 2012 - Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre;
• 16 August 2012 - Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre;
• 11 September 2012 - Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre;
• 21 September 2012 - Johannesburg, Monte Casino;
• 04 October 2012 - Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre;
• 11 October 2012 - Midrand, Gallagher Convention Centre;
• 06 November 2012 - Johannesburg, Monte Casino; and
• 13 November 2012 - Johannesburg, Monte Casino.

(b)(i-ii)(cc and ee) The amount is R17 499 970.00 (to date). The funds were derived from branding or advertising budget.

(b)(i-ii)(dd)(ff-gg) The purpose of Transnet's participation, the expected benefits as well as actual benefits are as follows:

• Brand building;
• Brand exposure on the SABC TV - Morning Live show;
• Advertising;
• An opportunity to send key messages to South Africans about Transnet;
• To interact and engage leadership from various industries; and
• To drive and encourage thought leadership.

Issued by Parliament, December 14 2012

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