Pretoria – As the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) celebrates 13 years of facilitating access to diversified media for all, Communications Minister Faith Muthambi will formally introduce the agency’s newly appointed CEO to stakeholders at an event in Parktown, Johannesburg, today.
Mr Themba TC Dlamini was appointed as CEO of the agency as of 1 January 2017. According to a statement by the MDDA, Dlamini's former roles include that of Managing Director of the Black Management Forum and the Independent Communications Authority. Other positions he has held include Deputy Director General responsible for Corporate Services and Governance at the Department of Science and Technology and Special Advisor to the Minister of Labour. Dlamini is a member of the National Planning Commission.
Minister Muthambi will give a keynote address at the celebratory event, where she will use the platform to affirm support for the work of the MDDA to ensure the sustainable development of vibrant, innovative and people centred media.
“Government will continue to create a network of dedicated support for community media such as grassroots radio, television and independent community newspapers,” said Minister Muthambi.
One of the primary focuses of the MDDA is to empower community media, which is for, by and about the community, and whose ownership and management is representative of the community.
“This month is an important one for the MDDA. The agency started providing funding to community media projects on the 29th of January 2004. It is humbling to see that 13 years later, the MDDA is still going strong,” the Minister said.
Since inception, the MDDA has funded over 1 000 community media projects, which includes provision of broadcasting equipment, signal cost and media training.
It has also provided assistance to many community print media to help set up their operations. – SAnews.gov.za
