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The Government Communications Information Service (GCIS) Information Server which records the most important speeches, statements and comments by the nine provincial premiers of South Africa on its information website shows some remarkable statistics.

According to the GCIS statistics the Western Cape Premier, Mr Gerald Morkel, who is said to be "invisible" by some of the Western Cape media, makes more public-speeches and statements in one month than some of the Premiers of other provinces have made in a year. On the public appearances front, GCIS statistics reflect a 30% higher work rate for the Western Cape Premier than his nearest rival.

For example, the GCIS (which ranks speeches/statements in order of relevance) lists 22 relevant speeches/statements by the KwaZulu-Natal Premier since 1996 to date - 4 per year. These "relevant" speeches reflect the entire number of recorded speeches and statements made in this time.

The Western Cape Premier is credited with 129 speeches and statements considered to be of relevance by the GCIS since taking office in May 1998 - 40 per year. In reality, this only reflects some 20% of the Western Cape Premier's total number of statements and speeches per year.

The Premier of Gauteng Province with a legislature of 79 - nearly twice the size of the Western Cape legislature (42) and with twice the population - is credited with 90 relevant speeches/statements since 1999 or some 30 per year.

Enquiries: Chris Koole at (021) 483 4705 or (082) 774 3462

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape, 5 October 2001