Sechaba ka’Nkosi and Thuli Nhlapo Evening Post editor Lakela Kaunda is set to join the government to help drive a major shake-up of the presidency’s communications department.
Sources said Kaunda has been approached by Deputy President Jacob Zuma’s office to fill the vacant post of a communications director in that department. However, it is believed her brief extends to other departments within the presidency – including the offices of President Thabo Mbeki and Minister in the Office of the President Essop Pahad. Neither Mbeki’s office nor Zuma’s office could be reached for comment at the time of going to press. It is believed that negotiations between Kaunda and the office are at an advanced stage and if she accepts, she is expected to take over towards the end of the year. Kaunda was also not available as she was said to be off sick. At the moment, Mbeki’s office is operating without a director of communications. The incumbent, Parks Mankahlana, is reportedly in his second month on sick leave. Mankahlana has particularly caused unease in ministerial quarters with his recent public statements which have, in most instances, flown in the face of government attempts to win public sympathy for its policies. A likely contender for his position, Ronnie Mamoepa, was deployed to take over the communications directorate in the Department of Foreign Affairs. While government insiders argue that Mankahlana – who has incurred serious criticism for his performance – is unlikely to be fired from the presidency, he is likely to make way for Kaunda in a different capacity.
Said a senior government official: ”There is very little happening in the presidency at the moment because there is just no one driving the communications strategy. What we know is that they are trying to get someone to captain the ship.” Kaunda is not new to government communications, having worked as Zuma’s representative for two years in KwaZulu-Natal during his term as economics MEC in the province.
Last year Kaunda hit headlines when she became the first African woman appointed as editor of a South African newspaper.