WE SUPPORT NEW MDDA BOARD MEMBERS

18 January 2012

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip fully supports the appointment of all the new members of the Board of the Media Development and Diversity Agency, announced by President Jacob Zuma recently. All the new board members possess the necessary skills, expertise and qualifications required to accelerate the Agency's implementation of its mandate.

The Presidency must therefore ignore and reject with the contempt it deserves ill-informed and nonsensical clatter from the DA regarding the suitability of one of the candidates. The DA MP's statement, questioning the suitability of Mr Jimmy Manyi for board membership of the MDDA, displays shameful ignorance of the law and is therefore unworthy of serious attention.

The claim that only candidates recommended by Parliament can be appointed to the MDDA board is devoid of any truth, as the law stipulates that the President directly appoints three of the nine members of the MDDA board. To imply that the President acted contrary to the law is just plain silliness or ignorance. 

A suggestion by the DA MP that Mr Manyi's suspension at his previous employment disqualified him from the board membership is utter nonsense, as he was never found guilty of any misconduct. There is a world of difference between a guilty judgement and suspension. 

Another ignorant claim in the DA MP's statement is that the appointment of government spokesperson to the MDDA board "jeopardises its independence". How absurd! The core mandate of the Agency is to promote development and diversity in the South African media throughout the country, by forging partnership with stakeholders such as business, communities and government. The board of the Agency should therefore also reflect this partnership, hence government media officials have always served on the MDDA board since its formation. These include former GCIS Deputy CEO, Mr Tony Trew; former GCIS CEO for Strategy and Content, Ms Baby Tyawa; and former Deputy CEO for Provincial and Local Liaison, Ms Nebo Legoabe. 

The DA must desist from undermining the public's intelligence with these lies and cheap publicity stunts. It is embarrassing for a lawmaker to demonstrate such blatant ignorance and disrespect for the law and legal processes.

Statement issued by The Office of the ANC Chief Whip ANC Parliamentary Caucus, January 18 2012

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