Media Development and Diversity Agency Board Candidates: finalisation

22 August 2002
MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSITY AGENCY BOARD CANDIDATES: FINALISATION

Chairperson: Mr N Kekana (ANC)

SUMMARY
The Committee could not reach consensus on the final six candidates, but sufficient consensus was attained and the final names were placed in the Report. The Committee thanked Mr Dowry for his service to the Committee and wished him well in his new position as MEC for Provincial and Local Government.
The six candidates who received the most votes are now on the MDDA Board and the President will choose a further three board members.

MINUTES
The Chair stated that political parties have reflected on the choice of candidates, and he hoped that there would be absolute agreement. He noted that absolute agreement may have been reached on one or two, and if there was no general consensus then sufficient consensus could always be relied on. He said it was a pleasant surprise to have so many nominations from the public.

Ms S Vos (IFP) stated that the IFP has chosen:
Mr GM Boloka
Ms KJ Cullinan
Mr CJ Moerdyk
Ms K Mkhonza
Mr G Reddy
Ms N Ntshingila

Mr A Maziya (ANC) stated that the ANC agrees with the list proposed by the IFP.

Ms M Smuts (DP) stated that the DP proposes:
Mr PM Damoyi
Mr D Moyane
Mr KB Sibiya
Mr WN Schreiner
Mr G Reddy
Ms N Ntshingila

She noted that the DP would also have liked to include Mr A Harber, as he is one of "South Africa's brightest children" and should be appointed.

Mr J Dowry (NNP) stated that the NNP elects:
Ms K Mkhonza
Mr CJ Moerdyk
Mr G Reddy
Ms N Ntshingila
Ms KJ Cullinan
Mr GM Boloka

He added that the DP would have wanted to include both Prof PJ Fourie and Ms A Fillies, but this could not be so.

Mr M Lekgoro (ANC) stated that the ANC list has to be read out in any event, and if it does match the list proposed by the IFP, this would merely be a coincidence.

Ms N Mtsweni (ANC) read out the ANC list. She contended that she understands Ms Smuts' reasons for wanting to include Mr A Harber, Mr KB Sibiya and Mr D Moyane, but they are industry players and will be accommodated when the President chooses three directors from the industry itself.

Ms Smuts contended that this is the first time she has heard the ANC argument regarding concern with industry representation on the board, and informed Ms Mtsweni that Mr Harber is not an industry player but an academic.

The Chair listed all the names provided by the parties, and noted the number of votes received:
Mr G Reddy: ANC, NNP, DP, IFP
Ms N Ntshingila: ANC, NNP, DP, IFP
Mr D Moyane: DP
Mr WN Schreiner: DP
Mr KB Sibiya: DP
Mr PM Damoyi: DP
Ms K Mkhonza: NNP, IFP, ANC
Ms KJ Cullinan: NNP, ANC, IFP
Mr CJ Moerdyk: NNP, IFP, ANC
Mr GM Boloka: IFP, ANC

Those candidates that have received the most votes are:
Mr G Reddy
Ms N Ntshingila
Ms K Mkhonza
Ms KJ Cullinan
Mr CJ Moerdyk
Mr GM Boloka

The Chair read the Report, and it was agreed to by Members. He informed the Committee that the advertisements for the ICASA councilor position have already been placed. The Broadcast Bill will probably be discussed from Monday 16 September through the following week, and it should be finalised then. On Tuesday 29 October the Committee will be hearing the Report from AAA on Racism in South African Advertising, and the "Tel.com Afrika" matter will be addressed from 23-25 October. SAPO will also be addressing this Committee, probably on 12 November and the various consumer-related concerns with regard to the cellular telecomms could take place on 5-6 November, but these dates are not cast in stone. There is also the ITU Telecomms Africa Convention from 2-7 November, which Members have to pencil in.

This was Mr Dowry's last meeting as Member of the Committee before being sworn in as MEC for Provincial and Local Government, and he thanked the Committee for the camaraderie, support, friendship and good work done since he has been a Member.

The Chair thanked Mr Dowry on behalf of the Committee for his contribution to the work done by the Committee and the manner in which he has conducted himself in his capacity as a Member, and wished him the best of luck in his new position.

The meeting was adjourned.