Media diversity body boosted

More than a month after a recommendation from the National Assembly, President Jacob Zuma, pictured, has announced the appointment of three new board members to the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA).

They are Ronald Lamola, Martina Della-Togna and Nombeko Mbava.

Lamola, a former ANC Youth League leader, is a member of the finance committee at Tshwane University of Technology.

Della-Togna is a former multimedia manager at parliament.

Mbava serves on the board of the South Africa Monitoring and Evaluation Association.

MPs from the opposition Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters rejected Lamola because of his political background. However, the ruling party used its majority in the National Assembly to include him.

The MDDA has been beset by infighting with only three board members having being present at one stage, making it inquorate.

The board has also been at loggerheads with acting chief executive Donald Liphoko.

In September, then Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo said the infighting had caused the agency to perform dismally.

The board now has members.

Last month, Zuma added two new members to the board.

Tasneem Carrim joined the board as the communications department’s representative while Nkgakga Monare of Tiso Blackstar Group, formerly known as Times Media Group, was appointed to represent the commercial print sector. – ANA eight

The MDDA has been beset by infighting with only three board members present at one stage.