Interviews of candidates for the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) Board: day 1

Meeting report

Candidate 1: Mr Yengwayo Kutta

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce himself and to elaborate on his skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media.

The Chairperson: What do you know about the MDDA Act? What are its strengths and weaknesses?

Mr M Kekana (ANC): What can you do to ensure that media diversity is nurtured and guided within the board?

Mr M Ndlozi (EFF): How important is media literacy and e-literacy and what could the MDDA do to promote these? How would you define the current environment of community media in the country? How will the community media be affected by Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)?

Mr W Madisha (COPE): Do you have capacity to ensure that members of the board are held accountable?

Ms D Tsotetsi (ANC): What is your general understanding of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) in relation to the MDDA?

Mr Ndlozi: Are you currently involved in any political organisation?

Mr G Davis (DA): Are you an officer bearer of any political party? What are the instances where press freedom should be limited?

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from 00:00-24:00

Candidate 2: Dr Peter Rowland

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce himself and to elaborate on his skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media. In adition, she asked about the strengths and weaknesses of the MDDA Act?

Mr Kekana: What can you do to ensure that media diversity is nurtured and safeguarded within the board and the Agency?

Mr Ndlozi: How is media literacy and e-literacy important for equality of citizenship? What could be the role of the MDDA in promoting community media? How do you define the current community media environment in the country? What are the strengths and weaknesses?

Mr Tseli: What is the distinction between print and electronic media? Are the two serving the same purpose?

Mr Davis: What are the instances where press/media freedom should be limited? What are the best mechanisms to hold media accountable?

Mr Madisha: Do you have enough capacity to ensure that there will be correct appropriation of funds within the MDDA?

Ms Tsotetsi: How will you ensure that people in remote rural areas are aware of the existence of the MDDA?

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from 30:00-1:03

Candidate 3: Mr Radithoana Motsepe

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce himself and to elaborate on his skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media. In adition, she asked about the strengths and weaknesses of the MDDA Act?

Mr Kekana: What can you do to ensure that media diversity is nurtured and safeguarded within the board and the Agency?

Mr Ndlozi: How is media literacy and e-literacy important for equality of citizenship? What could be the role of the MDDA in promoting community media? How do you define the current community media environment in the country?

Mr Tseli: What is the distinction between print and electronic media? Are the two serving the same purpose?

Mr Davis: What are the instances where press/media freedom should be limited? Are you currently politically active?

Mr Madisha: Do you have enough capacity to ensure that the members of the board are properly accountable?

Ms Tsotetsi: Do you have any good story to tell about the MDDA? How would you ensure that there is a continuation of the legacy of MDDA?  

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from 1:17-1:57

Candidate 4: Adv Kwena Ntsewu

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce himself and to elaborate on his skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media. In adition, she asked about the strengths and weaknesses of the MDDA Act?

Mr Kekana: What can you do to ensure that media diversity is nurtured and safeguarded within the board and Agency?

 Mr Ndlozi: How is media literacy and e-literacy important for equality of citizenship? What could be the role of the MDDA in promoting media literacy and e-literacy in the country? How do you define the current community media environment in the country? What are the future projections?

 

Mr Tseli: What is the distinction between print and electronic media? Are the two serving the same purpose?

Mr Davis: Do you think your current involvement with the ANC makes you eligible for the post? Do you not think your Chairmanship of Moletjie FM creates a conflict of interest if you are appointed to the board?

Mr Madisha: Will you be able to implement policies that would ensure the proper management of funds?

Ms Tsotetsi: What in your opinion is the benchmark of the right person for the post?

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from 02:00-02:35

Candidate 5: Ms Palesa Kadi

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce herself and to elaborate on her skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media.  In addition, she asked if Ms Kadi was familiar with the MDDA Act and what were its weaknesses and strengths.

The Chairperson: How would you define the current community media environment in the country? What are its strengths and weaknesses?

Mr Kekana: What can you do to ensure that media diversity is nurtured and safeguarded within the board and the Agency?

Mr Tseli: What is the distinction between print and electronic media? Are the two serving the same purpose?

Mr Davis: What are the instances where press freedom should be limited? What are the best mechanisms to hold the media accountable?

Mr Madisha: Do you have enough capacity as far as administration is concerned?

Ms Tsotetsi: Are you implying in your responses that journalists and researchers are more interested in making money than development?

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from 00:00-37:00 (Part 2 recording)

Candidate 6: Mr Olwethu Siphuka

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce himself and to elaborate on his skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media.  In addition, she asked if Mr Siphuka was familiar with the MDDA Act. 

Mr Kekana: What can you do to ensure that media diversity is nurtured and safeguarded within the board and Agency?

Mr Tseli: What is the distinction between print and electronic media? Are the two serving the same purpose?

Mr Ndlozi: How is media literacy and e-literacy important for equality of citizenship? What could be the role of the MDDA to promote media literacy and e-literacy in the country? How would you define the current community media environment in the country? What is the critique of the current community media environment in the country?

Mr Davis: What are the instances where press freedom should be limited?

Ms Tsotetsi: Are you a non-partisan?

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from: 43:00-1:12 (Part 2 recording)

 

Candidate 7: Ms Vuyelwa Mdazana

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce herself and to elaborate on her skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media. In addition, she asked if Ms Mdazaana was familiar with the MDDA Act and what were its weaknesses and strengths.

Mr Kekana: What can you do to ensure that media diversity is nurtured and safeguarded within the board and Agency?

Mr Tseli: What is the distinction between print and electronic media? Are the two serving the same purpose?

Mr Ndlozi: How is media literacy and e-literacy important for equality of citizenship? What could be the role of MDDA to promote media literacy and e-literacy in the country? What would be the impact of DTT on community media? What is your critique of the community media today?

Mr Davis: What are the instances where press freedom should be limited? What are the best mechanisms to hold the media accountable?

Mr Madisha: Do you have enough capacity to deal with the management environment?

Ms Tsotetsi: What is your opinion on media censorship?

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from: 1:17-1:47 (Part 2 recording)

Candidate 8: Ms Pearl Maseko

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce herself and to elaborate on her skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media. In addition, she asked if Ms Maseko was familiar with the MDDA Act and what were its weaknesses and strengths.

Mr Ndlozi: How is media literacy and e-literacy important for equality of citizenship? What could be the role of MDDA to promote media literacy and e-literacy in the country? What would be the impact of DTT on community media? What is your critique of the community media today?

Mr Tseli: What is the distinction between print and electronic media? Are the two serving the same purpose?

Mr Davis: What are the instances where press freedom should be limited?

Mr Madisha: Do you have enough capacity in the management of finances?

Ms Tsotetsi: Are in involved in any voluntary work?

Mr Ndlozi: What is your political background?

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from: 1:47-02:29 (Part 2 recording)

Candidate 9: Mr Jabulane Bloose

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce himself and to elaborate on his skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media. In addition, she asked if Mr Bloose was familiar with the MDDA Act and what were its weaknesses and strengths.

Mr Ndlozi: How would you describe the community media environment in the country in terms of its strengths and weaknesses? How would DTT transform community media? What is the significance of electronic literacy for attainment of equal citizenship particularly for people with disabilities? 

Mr Kekana: What can you do to ensure that media diversity is nurtured and safeguarded within the Board and Agency?

Mr Tseli: What is the distinction between print and electronic media? Are the two serving the same purpose?

Mr Madisha: Do you have enough capacity in the management of finances?

Mr Davis: Is it justifiable to place limits on the press?

Ms Tsotetsi: Are you not going to be biased towards those people with disabilities at the expense of those who are able?

Mr Ndlozi: Are you politically active?

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from: 2:30-03:08 (Part 2 recording)

Candidate 10: Mr Keabetswe Modimoeng

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce himself and to elaborate on his skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media. In addition, she asked if Mr Modimeng was familiar with the MDDA Act and what were its weaknesses and strengths.

Mr Kekana: What can you do to ensure that media diversity is nurtured and safeguarded within the Board and Agency?

Mr Ndlozi: How would you describe the community media environment in the country in terms of its strengths and weaknesses? How would DTT transform community media? What is the significance of electronic literacy for attainment of equal citizenship particularly for people with disabilities? 

Mr Tseli: What is the distinction between print and electronic media? Are the two serving the same purpose?

Mr Madisha: Do you have enough capability to deal with the management of finances within the MDDA?

Mr Davis: Is it justifiable to place limits on the press? Are you politically active?

Ms Tsotetsi: Who do you have in mind as the possible funder of the MDDA? Do you see that possible funder playing a role in transformation?

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from: 3:08-3:18 (Part 2 recording)

Candidate 11: Mr Mahmood Sanglay

The Chairperson asked the candidate to introduce himself and to elaborate on his skills, expertise and any particular experience in relation to the media. In addition, she asked if Mr Sanglay was familiar with the MDDA Act and what were its weaknesses and strengths.

Mr Madisha: Do you have enough capability and skills to manage the structure of the MDDA?

Mr Kekana: What can you do to ensure that media diversity is nurtured and safeguarded within the Board and Agency?

Mr Ndlozi: How would you describe the community media environment in the country in terms of its strengths and weaknesses? How would DTT transform community media? What is the significance of electronic literacy for attainment of equal citizenship particularly for people with disabilities? 

Mr Tseli: What is the distinction between print and electronic media? Are the two serving the same purpose?

Mr Davis: Are there instances where it is justifiable to place limits in the free freedom?  Are you politically active? How would you deal with the conflict of interestas mentioned that you also own a community publication?

Ms Tsotetsi: How would you make a decision to distinguish between fundraising for your business and MDDA?

Please refer to audio for responses. Interview conducted from: 3:22-3:56 (Part 2 recording)

 

The Chairperson indicated that this was the last interview for the day and the Committee would then continue and finalise the two outstanding interviews the next day.

The meeting was adjourned.