AVUSA - level 3 B-BBEE contributor

By Lumko Mtimde, issued by Media Development and Diversity Agency

4 Nov 2010

The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) welcomes the verification of AVUSA Ltd by Emex Trust (IT 4383/05) a SANAS Accredited BEE Verification Agency on the 27th October 2010, as a level 3 B-BBEE contributor. Accordingly, the verification certificates notes a black ownership of 51.38% prior to the acquisition of UHC, which is effective from the 01st November 2010. This acquisition will further improve the current level recognition.

Further, the MDDA congratulates AVUSA's decision to introduce Sunday Times in IsiZulu from November 2010. These development are in line with Section 3 (b) (i) of the MDDA Act which requires that the MDDA in giving meaning and effect to Section 16 (1) of the Constitution Act No. 108 of 1996, encourages the ownership and control and access to media by historically disadvantaged communities as well as by the historically diminished indigenous language and cultural groups. The media landscape is changing for the better and AVUSA's commitment to media diversity strengthens the efforts of the MDDA in its pursuit of its mandate to promote media diversity as enshrined in Section 3 of the MDDA Act.

The Agency look forward for more of these positive developments in the media industry, including the introduction of The New Age. South Africans will going forward have access to a choice of a range of diverse media in their own language. This transformational trajectory must be supported by all as it ensures that all citizens enjoy the rights enshrine in the Constitution Act of 1996.