Question NW140 to the Minister of Communications
27 February 2017 - NW140
Motau, Mr SC to ask the Minister of Communications
With reference to the increase in available funding to support more projects as indicated in the Media Development and Diversity Agency’s (MDDA) 2015-16 annual report, how did the MDDA manage to achieve only (a) 24% in Programme 1.3 and (b) 43% in Programme 2 of its targets of disbursing funding during the specified period; (2) (a) what are the full details of (i) the 21 direct jobs created through the specified funding and (ii) where the direct jobs were created and (b) are the specified direct jobs all permanent positions; (3) (a) what are the full details of (i) the 155 indirect jobs created through the funding and (ii) where the indirect jobs were created through the funding and (b)(i) are the indirect jobs all permanent positions and (ii) by what method was it determined how indirect jobs were created?
Reply:
1. The increased availability of funds enable more projects to be approved but will not necessarily speed up the rate of disbursement, which is dependent on projects meeting compliance requirements for the release of funds. The disbursement of funds is directly related to the MDDA’s tranche release process which is a monitoring and control measure.
(a) The 24% disbursement of funds in Programme 1.3 reflects the accumulated amount of funds disbursed to all active projects over time; i.e. it is not limited to disbursement of funds to projects approved in 2015/2016. This slow disbursement of funds was due to the MDDA tranche release process and noncompliance in project reporting.
(b) The forty-three percent (43%) of funds reflected in Programme 2 were disbursed to community broadcast projects approved in 2015/2016. Projects are approved at quarterly Board meetings and therefore, due to the MDDA tranche process, projects do not receive the full amount approved in the year of approval.
(2)
(a)
- Direct jobs are those for which funding is approved as part of a grant approved for a project. These are critical anchor jobs that enable each project to be operational in order to generate income beyond grant funding. Such positions include station manager or publisher.
- The projects at which the direct jobs were created and the location of these projects are listed in the 2015/2016 Annual report from pages 52 -54 of the report.
(b) Yes, the direct jobs are permanent jobs. MDDA funding of these positions is for the duration of the grant.
(3)
(a)
- Indirect jobs are those positions created as a result of a project being approved, for example labourers who are employed during construction of broadcast studios or volunteers, such as volunteer reporters.
- The projects at which the indirect jobs were created and the location of these projects are listed in the 2015/2016 annual report from pages 52 -54 of the report.
(b)
- No, the indirect jobs are not permanent positions.
- The method used to arrive at the number of indirect jobs created is based on engagement with the broadcast equipment suppliers in terms of the workforce they hire to construct studies and an ongoing engagement with projects on the average number of volunteers per station.
MR NN MUNZHELELE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE