Deputy Speaker, the term of office of the four board members of the media development and diversity agency comes to an end in December this year. In terms of the Media Development and Development Agency Act of 2002, the NA must call for nominations from the public to fill these vacancies. It must compile a short list of candidates and this House must recommend the appointment to the President.
The Portfolio Committee on Communications has complied with these legal prescripts. It had received 23 public nominations and interviewed eight of the candidates. Having done that, the committee is pleased to recommend the following list of candidates for appointment by the President to the media development and diversity agency - MDDA board: The first person that we are recommending is Professor Guy Berger. He is the head of the school of journalism and media studies at Rhodes University. The second candidate is Ms Nomonde Gongxeka, of Yizo Yizo fame, actress and currently employed at the SABC. The third candidate is Mr Siviwe Minyi, a media trainer and facilitator from the Western Cape. The last one is Ms Gugu Msibi, former political journalist and now a media consultant.
The committee believes that the candidates that have been recommended bring with them a range of skills, which will contribute positively to the MDDA. The committee also wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the four outgoing members of the MDDA board. By all accounts, they have discharged their responsibilities diligently, and efficiently.
We wish to thank Ms Khanyi Mkhonza, the current chairperson of the board; Dr Gibson Boloka; Ms Kerry Cullinan; and Prof Govin Reddy, for the enormous contributions they have made to the MDDA board and the agency itself. They have played a significant role in promoting media diversity and in terms of content in the media, the ownership of media institutions, language, cultural diversity in the media and presenting varied perspectives to contemporary social and political issues.
Finally, the committee hopes that members of this assembly will encourage local community radio stations and local newspapers, in their constituencies, to apply for funding from the media development and diversity agency. These funds are there for the development of local media and I am hoping that members of this assembly will encourage their constituencies to take advantage of this opportunity. I thank you.
Question put: That the following candidates be recommended for consideration for appointment to the Media Development and Diversity Agency Board: Ms Gugu Msibi, Ms Nomonde Gongxeka, Prof Guy Berger and Mr Siviwe Minyi.
Question agreed to.