Thank you.
The ANC is aware, so we are trying to educate you. [Interjections.] And this happened at a time when the SABC was faced with unprecedented financial challenges which were mainly the result of mismanagement, corruption and an outdated funding model. Government understands these challenges and commits itself to finding lasting solution - and of course our Minister has come up with those, which includes working with the SABC and other stakeholders.
In this respect, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has commissioned the Government Technical Advisory Centre, Gtac, at National Treasury to assist with the development of the corporate strategy of the SABC to ensure that it is sustainable and forward looking. It is within this context that the Minister of Finance has charged his Director- General, Mr Dondo Mogajane, to determine how the SABC can be assisted from within Treasury's contingency reserves as indicated in the Minister of Finance's February 2019 Budget Speech. We are truly indebted to the board, management and staff of the SABC who have continued to steer the ship through stormy seas which were not
of their own doing. We will be working studiously and speedily with Gtac, the SABC current lender, and National Treasury - as the Minister has outlined, to ensure that the SABC gets the assistance it desperately needs in the interim whilst parliamentary processes are being finalised.
The department has also identified policies that need to be amended to create an enabling environment for the turnaround and complete recovery of the SABC, taking into account the changing market and technological advances. This will entail amendments to the Broadcasting Act and the Electronic Communications Act, amongst others.
We call upon all government departments and state-owned entities to use the SABC as a platform to educate, inform and entertain about specific areas of work, cutting across various sectors such as health, sport, transport, etc. This will enable us to position the SABC as your home, within the homes of South Africans. This can and should happen, if we get all government departments and its entities to understand that the SABC is a fundamental platform for public content. I have no doubt that we
can build a public broadcaster which makes the paying of TV licences worthy. I expect all members to really lead by example. [Applause.]
A good and viable broadcaster is central to the development and growth of the audiovisual content and creative industries. The creative industry was identified by World Economic Forum as a high priority industry, and our current discussions on the renewed industrial policy has affirmed it as one of the future economic growth sectors for South Africa. In this regard, the department will prioritise the development of an audiovisual and digital content strategy. Engagements with the creative industry are ongoing and the department has already committed funds to support this initiative.
In support of the development of more local content, as required by section 38 of the Broadcasting Act, the Ministry will appoint members of the public and industry to serve on the SA Broadcast Production Advisory Body which will advise on strategies and plans towards the creation of a South African local content industry. This will take into account efforts towards
positioning South Africa as a significant player in the global digital economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Financial inclusion is an important pillar of any economy. Over the years government has positioned the Postbank to become a trusted bank for many in our country, especially those who cannot access current banks. Currently, the Postbank has about 5,8 million clients with R5,3 billion in deposits, excluding SA Social Security Agency, Sassa, which amounts to 7,8 million grant recipients. Our competitive edge remains rooted in decades of building trust in communities, and in supporting South Africans who would not normally have access to banking by giving them a form of economic emancipation. So, I hear that the EFF is aligning with the ANC in this regard.
A significant number of South Africans started their banking with the Postbank and still do ...