Money boost for local media
Tshwane metro handed over more than R2 million to local media at the Sheraton Hotel on Tuesday.
The Tshwane metro has donated more than R2 million to local media houses.
Addressing their representatives at a handover of R2 250 000 in grants at the Sheraton Hotel in Arcadia on Tuesday, mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa said this was the beginning of the metro assisting community media houses.
Ramokgopa said the grants were not a trick to censor local media.
“Let me caution that this is not a conditional grant… we give you this money so that you are able to invest in areas that require funding,” Ramokgopa said.
The money was only for community media houses described as previously marginalised.
Among them were Tuks FM, TUT FM, Mams FM, Soshanguve Community Radio and Nelmams Times.
Rekord newspaper was not among the recipients.
The metro said it believed community media houses were key to an informed citizenry.
Ramokgopa said they were also vital to giving locals a voice in society.
“You are giving a voice to the voiceless.”
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The metro revealed it had reached an agreement with the University of Pretoria to develop and sharpen the skills of staff in community media.
Chief director of the government’s department of communications, Themba Sepokele praised community media for reporting on governance matters of a local nature.
The community media sector should be taken seriously, he said.
Mams FM assistant station manager Fana Makgato said the station was proud to be one of the beneficiaries.
“We will invest the money in assets. We are in dire need of modern equipment to be up to date with the latest technology. The grant we have received will make a huge difference.”
Tuks FM station manager Dewald Noel van Niekerk said his station was excited about the support it received and was grateful to be working with the metro.
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