MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AGENCY LAUNCHES REPORT ON IMPACT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND
MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AGENCY LAUNCHES REPORT ON IMPACT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND
06 May 2025
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On 6 May 2025, the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), launched the Economic Development Fund (EDF) Report, an account of the criteria, distribution and impact of the funds collected by the Competition Commission and administered by the MDDA. This follows a probe into anti-competitive behaviour in the media and advertising sectors.
The EDF was established in 2017 as a result of findings uncovered from historical exclusionary practices and imbalances that limited the participation of independent, small commercial and community-based media entities in the mainstream market. Consequently, the Competition Commission sought remedial measures to promote fair competition, inclusivity, and transformation in the sector.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Hon. Kenny Morolong, who gave a keynote address at the event said, “It is important to acknowledge anti-competitive behaviour a growing threat to media freedom in our country. This form of economic exclusion restricts the public’s access to a broad range of perspectives and compromises the media’s ability to hold power to account. In calling on all citizens to defend media freedom, we must also commit to ensuring a fair and competitive media landscape that allows all voices to be heard.”
The report details the initiative’s criteria and key achievements which included funding of black owned small to medium and micro enterprises (SMME’s) with an annual turnover of between R500 000 to R5 million and which had been operating for at least two years. The EDF also targeted black students in tertiary institutions across the country enrolled in media, communications or journalism courses.
Ms. Karabo Motaung, Principal Consultant at the Competition Commission said that the Competition Commission is proud of the impact of the EDF which impacted over 37 SMME’s (60% of which are youth-owned) and over half of which were women-owned. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment, and that of the funders of the EDF, to promoting fair competition in the media. We are delighted by the change it has brought about to the lives of young people pursuing education and careers in the media sector and the black owned enterprises who benefitted immensely from the support of the fund.”
Beneficiaries of the EDF Mr. Mpho Disemola of Cardinal Blakq Inc. and Mr. Suprise Sekgota and Touch SA Marketing Solutions expressed their gratitude to the MDDA and the Competition Commission. “The fund has made a significant contribution to the operations of our business. We cannot thank the EDF enough.” said Mr Sekgota.
The MDDA is currently in the process of concluding the project. The full report is available for on the following link
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