Mahikeng – The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) is hosting a three-day Pre-Grant Call Workshop and Governance Training in Mahikeng, North West.
The workshop on Monday, 2 June 2025, followed last month’s engagements with Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong and community media in the province.
The deputy minister used the occasion to celebrate African excellence and inspire others to reach the “top of the mountain” rather than being content to be “best hewers of wood and drawers of water”.
He reminded the audience that Monday was the end of Black History Month, when achievements were celebrated.
In that regard, Deputy Minister Morolong remembered and lauded the late struggle stalwart Mama Albertina Sisulu for her sacrifices that enabled others to reach the “top of the mountain”.
He referred to the achievements of mountain climber Sibusiso Vilane and Oscar Award-winning actor Presley Chweneyagae, who died of natural causes last week.
Deputy Minister Morolong recalled the words of Vilane when he summited Mount Everest in 2003.
“I dropped to my knees and thanked the Lord for taking me to the top of the mountain. Then I wept. Then I stood up and smiled… I was grateful there was an African standing on top of the world”.
The deputy minister also recalled how South Africans were filled with pride when Chweneyagae shot to international fame in 2005 when he starred in the Oscar-winning South African film, “Tsotsi”.
Chweneyagae was born 40 years ago in Phola village, a stone’s throw away from the venue, where the deputy minister was speaking.
As a mark of respect, the audience stood for a moment of silence to remember Chweneyagae.
The workshop aims to bring the community media closer to relevant sector bodies to respond to their expressed needs.
The workshop aims to empower community media leaders, including board members, and the public with critical skills in leadership, ethics, media management, and governance.
Attendees will benefit from a pre-grant call training as part of the three-day workshop in preparation for the grant call, which the MDDA will announce in July 2025 for community media projects nationwide applying for funding in 2025/2026.
