Writing Speeches

I always wondered who actually writes these speeches being read to us by our president Jacob Zuma and the members of his cabinet:

Rob Turrell


• He reviews submissions and papers going to the Minister, drawing attention to any aspect that has party political implications. He also gives assistance and advice on any aspect of cabinet cluster documents;

• He prepares speculative policy papers to generate long-term policy thinking within the Department;

• He contributes to policy planning within the Department, including ideas that extend the existing range of options available to the Minister;

• He liaises with the Presidency and Treasury to ensure that the Department’s own policy reviews and analysis are in line with government thinking;

• He undertakes speechwriting and related research, including adding party political content to material prepared by permanent civil servants;

• He represents the views of the Minister to the media

• He provides expert advice as a specialist in economic, education, science and migration policy