Question NW2362 to the Minister of Communications
08 December 2016 - NW2362
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Communications
(1) Whether there are any limits on the number of times that funding is allocated to a small community print media project through the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many times can funding be allocated to one small community print media project, (b) what are the further relevant details in this regard and (c) how are the specified projects which receive funding more than once monitored; (2) Whether the MDDA has allocated more funding to small community print media projects than what the applicants requested (a) in the past five financial years and (b) since 1 April 2016; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) why and (ii) what (aa) are the names of the small community print media projects, (bb) amounts were (aaa) requested and (bbb) allocated and (iii) motivation was provided for the variance in each case?
Reply:
1. There is no limit on the number of times funding is allocated to a small community print media project through the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA). Funding is allocated after a detailed assessment has been conducted on the basic needs of the applicant and a situational analysis by the MDDA. Consideration is taken based on available budget in each financial year.
a) There is no limit on the number of times funding is allocated to a small community print media project through the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA). The current funding cycle is allocated to cover a period of 12 months, however the grant agreement is signed to cover 18 months in order to allow ample time for reporting, capacity building and compliance.
b) Details are covered in the grant in aid agreement and a sample of an existing agreement can be made available on request. Funding is allocated in tranches to ensure compliance and monitoring.
c) Projects that are recommended for additional support must have demonstrated good management practices and have complied with the previous grant agreement. Monitoring is an ongoing process taking place in various forms, including desktop and telephonic assessment, validation of reported information and site visits.
2.
a) Yes, the MDDA has in instances in the past five financial years allocated more funding to small community print media projects than what the applicants requested.
b) Yes, the MDDA has in instances since 1 April 2016 allocated more funding to small community print media projects than what the applicants requested.
(i) The MDDA Board considers and approves additional support to that requested by the project based on an in depth assessment of the needs of the applicants, and taking consideration amongst others the socio economic challenges of the applicant.
(ii)
(aa) For Q1 and Q2 of 2016/2017, the MDDA did not allocate more funding to the small community print media projects than what the applicants requested. However, the Board approved increases to the recommended budgets submitted by the project team in the following cases: Seipone News, Ikhwezi News, Seipone Times, Glimpse Magazine, Disability Magazine, Amandla Magazine, and Lekunutu News. The Board approved these increased amounts based on needs assessment during adjudication.
(bb) The amounts (aaa) requested and (bbb) allocated and (iii) motivation for the variance in each case are provided in the table below.
|
Project Name |
District Municipality |
Province |
Amount Requested (aaa) |
Amount Approved (bbb) |
Board Motivation for the variance in each case (iii) |
|
|
Small Commercial (Strengthening) |
Seipone News |
Capricorn District |
Limpopo |
R1 306 000 |
R 663 400 |
|
|
Small Commercial (Strengthening) |
Ikhwezi News |
OR Tambo District Municipality |
Eastern Cape |
R645 695.04 |
R 557 312 |
|
|
Small Commercial (New) |
Seipone Times |
Thabo Mofutsanyane District |
Free State |
R818 000 |
R 659 600 |
|
|
Small Commercial (New) |
Glimpse Magazine |
Ngaka Modiri Molema District |
Northwest |
R1 307 340.01 |
R 414 176 |
|
|
Community Print (Strengthening) |
Rise & Shine Disability Magazine |
Buffalo City |
Eastern Cape |
R758 430 |
R 427 700 |
|
|
Community Print (Strengthening) |
Amandla Magazine |
City of Cape Town |
Western Cape |
R1 495 000 |
R 547 000 |
|
|
Community Print (New) |
Lekunutu News |
Waterberg District |
Limpopo |
R1 056 600 |
R 467,561.64 |
|
|
Small Commercial Print (New |
Ganyisa |
Dr Ruth Mompati District |
North West |
R778 6000 |
R536 600 |
|
|
Small Commercial Newspaper (New) |
KZN Community Newspaper |
City of Ethekwini |
Kwazulu Natal |
R 1 582 620 |
R 843 000 |
|
|
Community Print (New) |
Malatsi Media |
City of Tshwane |
Gauteng |
R 2 000 000 |
R 700 000 |
|
|
Small Commercial Newspaper (Strengthening) |
Winelands Echo |
Cape Winelands District |
Western Cape |
R1 219 524.74 |
R 723 696 |
|
|
Small Commercial Newspaper (Strengthening) |
Nthavela News |
Capricorn District |
Limpopo |
R1 169 300 |
R 765 600 |
|
MR NN MUNZHELELE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE