According to GCIS Deputy Chief Executive Officer: Content, Vusi Mona, snapshots of government's extensive programme of action and how this improves the lives of individuals and communities, will remain the core of the news agency of the South African government.
Mona explained that the GCIS recently rebranded the longstanding BuaNews online news service as the South African Government News Agency - www.sanews.gov.za - in order to update the agency's identity and enhance online searches.
The South African Government News Agency succeeds BuaNews, which was formed in 1998.
"SAnews.gov.za services the right of all South Africans to information about the policies of government and activities of political principals and senior officials in the administration," he said.
SAnews.gov.za offers a free news feed to media in South Africa and internationally, and the agency has reciprocal agreements with a range of government news agencies in other parts of the world to strengthen the flow of information between South Africa and its international partners.
From one of the smallest newsrooms in the country, SAnews.gov.za produces hard news and human-interest features, carries video content on YouTube and can be joined on Facebook and Twitter.
Mona further explained that while news agencies and other media producers have been the core market for the South African Government News Agency until recently, SAnews.gov.za will be marketed to the broader public as a complement to South Africa's rapidly diversifying news and information mix.
"This is particularly important to those South Africans who - by virtue of where they live or what they earn - do not have ready access to mainstream, commercial news media, and depend on opportunities and services created by government to improve their lives," he said.
SAnews.gov.za is posted online and emailed and faxed to community radio stations and print media, government communicators, freelance writers, non-governmental organisations, diplomatic missions and international media.
Users wishing to alert the agency to community initiatives arising from or supporting government programmes are invited to email SAnews.gov.za at newsfiles@gcis.gov.za.
