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Date : 11/09/2003
Source: Ministry of Communications
Title: Matsepe-Casaburri: Presentation of Postal Services Amendment Bill, NA


SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, DR IVY MATSEPE-CASABURRI, DURING THE PRESENTATION OF THE POSTAL SERVICES AMENDMENT BILL, National Assembly, 11 September 2003

Chairperson
Honourable Members

We are presenting this Bill today just a few weeks before the World Post Day, which is celebrated each year on 9 October. This international event marks the anniversary of the formation of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1894 in the Swiss capital, Bern.

On this day the world community assesses the new conditions under which postal services are delivered to meet the universal access mandate. As part of this world community we should gear ourselves to make our mark by doing what is relevant to our own local conditions in meeting this mandate.

In our country where millions of our people, especially the historically disadvantaged, still depend on postal service to interact and communicate, the centrality of the South African Post Office (SAPO) cannot be undermined. Thus the challenges the postal administration face become real national issues and demanding that they be treated as such.

In line with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) theme for this year's anniversary celebration - Think globally and act locally - we have to approach the postal services sector accordingly. Our local conditions dictate that we pursue the fulfilment of the universal mandate though the international trends might indicate otherwise. For us as South Africans this is the overriding imperative.

It was against this backdrop that as early as 1997 a new policy process was initiated for the provision of a universal service. This policy found concrete expression in the Postal Services Act No 124 of 1998.

The legislative framework has made it possible for the SAPO to increase service levels and to embrace technology in the way they deliver services. Crime levels at SAPO have reduced which has resulted in high staff morale.

SAPO is also engaged in Southern African Development Community activities to try and improve our neighbours' infrastructure. We are part of Africa and these linkages with the continent through SAPO are important. At global level we participate in fora such as Universal Postal Union and the Pan African Postal Union.

The Rural Postal Strategy is now being implemented through Citizens' Post Offices and providing postal infrastructure to Multi-purpose Community Centres (MPCCs) in Partnership with Government Communication and Information System. Co-operative business services are slowly increasing and we are working with Direct Marketing Association, which is now Marketing Federation of South Africa and the National Postal Forum in discussing future postal strategies that will improve efficiencies of business.

The Regulator has developed regulations and a monitoring framework for service delivery.

This Bill will not only encourage competition in the postal sector but will clarify the regulatory framework for the delivery of universal service. Government would like to fulfil universal service obligations while at the same time encouraging competition in this industry. It is through competition that we will lower prices and improve service level delivery. This Bill will also clarify the competition landscape of the sector and will provide continuity in the sector as well as allow for all operators to focus in harmonious business of this industry.

In line with the policy of fulfilling the universal service mandate, the license was granted with a clear obligation:
* to ensure that all citizens of our country have access to basic letter service
* that is reasonable accessible irrespective of physical location
* at a uniform postage rate
* at an affordable price
* that offers a reliable service.

To facilitate an environment for SAPO to accomplish this monumental national task the institution was given a period of exclusivity to provide services up to one kilogram, a provision reviewable every three years. During this period of exclusivity no other postal operator would be authorised to operate in the reserved area.

If SAPO is to meet its obligations to the benefit of millions of our people the exclusivity has to be retained. Let's think globally and act locally! till conditions changed or universal access is achieved.

The introduction of this Bill is aimed at doing exactly that. The repeal of this said Section will protect the exclusivity given to SAPO in respect of reserved postal service.

It will also eliminate the multiplicity of interpretations emanating from this Section.

I would like to thank the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications, and all other members of this Committee for processing this Bill.

Special thanks to the Department of Communications, Director-General and the Deputy Director-General for co-coordinating the process that culminated in the presentation of this Bill to Parliament.

I request that the House accept this Bill.

Thank you.

Issued by: Ministry of Communications
11 September 2003

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