The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms Thembi Siweya (MP) together with the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) visited UNIVEN FM on Thursday, 17 March 2022. The purpose of the visit was to conduct the monitoring and evaluation to determine the extent in which MDDA funding is utilised as per funding policy, and to determine the challenges faced by the broadcast media on daily basis. MDDA was represented by the Senior Manager Communications and Strategy, Mr Rudzani Tshigemane.
Above photo L-R: UNIVEN FM Station Manager, Ms Tshilidzi Shirinda and Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Ms Thembi Siweya
Later on, the same day, the Deputy Minister and MDDA representative Mr Rudzani Tshigemane met with the University management represented by the University Registrar, Adv Edward Lambani and Dr Takalani Dzaga who facilitated the meeting. The Deputy Minister briefly shared the good deeds that she has noticed and the gaps she has identified at the station. She said these gaps need immediate attention. The Deputy Minister was pleased with the work that UNIVEN FM is doing. She even bragged that UNIVEN might be a community radio station, but it is at the level of other national radio stations. She advised the University to utilise UNIVEN FM to its maximum operations. She also spoke about the issue of Gender Based Violence (GBV) that should be addressed through UNIVEN FM as a vehicle with the capacity to reach communities in their own languages. Ms Thembi Siweya promised to come back for further monitoring and evaluation and to check the progress in addressing the identified gaps.
Above photo L-R: Mr Rudzani Tshigemane, Tshilidzi Shirinda, Dr Thizwilondi Mudau, Adv Edward Lambani, Ms Thembi Siweya (MP), Dr Takalani Dzaga and Mr Heavy Mbedzi
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Adv Lambani appreciated the Deputy Minister’s visit to the University and the station. He informed the Deputy Minister that the University is playing its part to make sure that the station runs well and fulfil its mandate. Adv Lambani indicated to the Deputy Minister that UNIVEN FM serves as a hub that supplies the country’s radio and television stations with experienced presenters.
Above photo L-R: Ms Thembi Siweya (MP)and Mutshidzi Rambau during the visit to the studio
The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) is a statutory development agency for promoting and ensuring media development and diversity, set up as a partnership between the South African Government and major print and broadcasting companies to (amongst others) assist in developing community and small commercial media in South Africa, in terms of the MDDA Act No 14 of 2002.”
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding & Communication University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525 /8710
Date: 22 March 2022
