Unveiling of the new Funding Partners

Issued by Media Development and Diversity Agency

3 Aug 2009

The Agency has had a successful five years. As of 31st March 2009, we have supported 239 projects and awarded grants amounting to about R77m cumulatively. You have seen the different community and small commercial media products available in the different District Municipality, a number of people have been trained, just in the year 2008/9 we have trained about 553 people from the community and small commercial media projects.

The last five years was thanks to the Government, the broadcast and print media partners, SABC, etv (Pty) Ltd, Primedia Broadcasting, MNET, Kagiso Media, Media 24, Caxton (Pty) Ltd, Independent Newspapers and AVUSA Media Ltd. In the next life of the MDDA, the Agency continues to enjoy support from:

1. Independent Newspapers
2. Caxton (Pty) Ltd
3. SABC
4. MNET
5. Media 24
6. AVUSA Media Ltd
7. Kagiso Media
8. Primedia (Pty) Ltd
9. etv (Pty) Ltd
10. Capricorn FM
11. OFM
12. Algoa FM
13. Multichoice

We are in discussions with other broadcast service licenses, who have expressed willingness in signing the funding agreements with the MDDA but we are still finalising the paperwork.

I take this opportunity to thank all the MDDA partners, Government, broadcast and print media, and all stakeholders in the industry who ensures that the efforts of the MDDA in pursuit of its mandate are successful. Lastly, many thanks to the hard work of the Management and staff, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lumko Mtimde, the Board, the former Ministers in the Presidency (Dr. Essop Pahad and Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang), the former Presidents (Honourable) Thabo Mbeki and (Honourable) Kgalema Motlhante, the Chief Executive Officer of the GCIS, Mr. Themba Maseko, Parliament, the Minister in the Presidency, Mr. Collins Chabane and His Excellency President Jacob Zuma.

Lastly, I would also like to thank all the previous Board members, previous CFOs, previous CEO Ms Libby Lloyd and previous CEO of the GCIS Mr. Joel Netshitenzhe.

Together all your contributions and support have made this MDDA story a success.