Pretoria - Government spokesperson and CEO of Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Themba Maseko has thanked the media, his colleagues and Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane for their support over the last four years.
Speaking at his last post-Cabinet briefing this morning, Maseko said: "This is an opportunity for me to thank you for your cooperation. I think I have had a very good innings with yourselves as members of the media for the past three-and- a half years. I have really enjoyed it and I think that you are a great crowd - troublesome from time to time but generally I think you are a great crowd."
Maseko has been redeployed to the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) with immediate effect. He will be replaced by Jimmy Manyi as the new Government Spokesperson and CEO of GCIS.
The media in turn thanked Maseko for bringing professionalism to the job, saying he was a natural communicator. He brought calm and credibility in tough times. They also welcomed Manyi, saying while he had very big and well crafted shoes to fill, they looked forward to working with him in the future.
Maseko further thanked Minister Chabane, who he said had been a pillar of strength.
"He has been a pillar of strength for me ever since he was appointed. He welcomed me with open arms and I welcomed him with open arms. I want to publicly thank you for supporting me during these years," he said.
Maseko also took the opportunity to correct media reports which claimed he had been fired because of the lack of communication from government when former President Nelson Mandela was hospitalised last week.
"I was not fired. We can say, in the presence of the minister here, that the concerns around the communication around the former President were simply coincidental. The fact that the discussions around my future were taking place even before the weekend is a clear indication that it was pure coincidence. There is nothing to it," said Maseko.
A statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday said that Maseko requested to be moved within government following his four- year tenure in GCIS and as the Cabinet Spokesperson.
"I have had a great, great, great innings. I thank you all for your support," added Maseko.
Regarding Manyi's suspension from his position as Director General of the Department of Labour, Chabane said that the department had not proceeded with the case against him and therefore it was no longer an issue.
On whether he will continue to keep his position as the President of the Black Management Forum (BMF), Chabane said as far as he was concerned, he did not see a conflict of interest in that, as the two roles were different.
