• Forte Community Radio (based in Bisho, Eastern Cape),

• Sekhukhune Community Radio (based in Sekhukhuneland in Limpopo Province)

• Kgalagadi Community Radio (based in the Kgalagadi district in Northern Cape)

• Ngungutshe Community Radio (based in the Eastern Cape)

• Vibe FM (based in KwaMashu in KwaZulu Natal)

• Senqu Community Radio based in Barkly East in the Eastern Cape

• Ubuhlebeshowe Community Radio (based in Eshowe in KZN)

• Seed funding support for newly licensed community radio services

The MDDA has earmarked support for up to 10 newly licensed community radio stations in nodal development points. The MDDA support would be for six months to assist new stations to go on air. ICASA is currently holding hearings into licence applications.

• Eastern Cape Community Radio Hub. The National Community Radio Forum (NCRF) has established regional hubs aimed at facilitating networking and thus increasing the capacity of individual stations within each province. The MDDA has provided initial support to the hub in the Eastern Cape. The support provided is focused on increasing capacity in the hub to provide ongoing support to individual stations.

• Barberton Community Radio. The MDDA initially provided support for the development of a business plan and marketing strategy and has subsequently provided support for implementation of the marketing plan. The station broadcasts in XiTsonga, SiSwati, isiNdebele and English.

• Community Television - The MDDA is providing support to community television groups in South Africa to conduct research into sustainable business models for community television.

• Graaff-Reinet Community Radio is based in the Eastern Cape Province. The MDDA is providing mentoring support to assist in developing a sound business plan and a marketing strategy.

• Greater Middelburg FM has been provided with mentoring support to assist them in developing sustainable business plans. They are based in Middelburg in Mpumalanga.

• llitha Community Radio is based in Maclear in the Eastern Cape. The MDDA first provided support for mentoring and has approved a second grant to assist in marketing of the station as per the mentor's recommendation. The station broadcasts in IsiXhosa, English, Afrikaans and SeSotho.

• Indonsakusa Community Radio (ICORA) is based in Eshowe in KwaZulu Natal and broadcasts to the surrounding community in IsiZulu and English. The MDDA support includes assistance for salary costs.

• Institute for the Advancement of Journalism - Kids Radio The MDDA has provided support for development of a manual and hosting of a workshop on production of radio by children.

• Maputaland Community Radio Support for this rural based station (North Eastern KwaZulu Natal on the border between South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique) includes the purchase of a generator to supply alternative power during electricity black outs and assistance with operational costs over a year. The station broadcasts in IsiZulu, English, XiTsonga and SiSwati.

• Mohodi Community Radio is based in Manthata village in Limpopo province and broadcasts in SiPedi, English and Afrikaans. MDDA has provided a mentor to assist the station in developing sustainability plans. Further support for a management development programme and purchase of basic office equipment has been provided.

• Mokopane Community Radio is based in Mokopane in Limpopo province. The MDDA has provided mentoring to assist in strategic planning.

• Moletjie Community Radio is a geographic community radio station in the Moletjie area outside Polokwane in Limpopo. The MDDA has entered into a contract to build a new studio on land provided by the Chief of the area.

• Mosupatsela Community Radio is based in Botshabelo in the Free State. The station broadcasts a range of programming in SeSotho, SeTswana, IsiXhosa and English. The MDDA has provided support for training in management and governance, journalism skills and marketing and advertising. Support to the station includes relocation to a more central area.

Moutse Community Radio is based in the Greater Sekhukhune District municipality. The station was established in 1995 by the Rural Women's Movement. The MDDA is providing capacity building and mentoring to develop a strategic and operational plan. The station broadcasts in SiPedi, IsiZulu, English and XhiTsonga

• Newcastle Community Radio is based in KwaZulu Natal. Support for community research training and mentoring has been provided.

• Orange Farm Community Radio is based in Orange Farm informal settlement outside of Johannesburg. This is a new station recently gone on air. The MDDA has provided coaching and mentoring support, as well as some support to cover start up costs.

• Takalani Community Radio Mentoring support was provided at this station in the Ukhahlamba District in the Eastern Cape (Sterkspruit and surrounds). The mentoring was aimed at assisting the station to strengthen its organisational and governance structures. The MDDA is currently providing them with research and management support. The station broadcasts in isiXhosa.

• Radio Teemaneng This station is based in Kimberly in the Northern Cape. The MDDA provided a lightning conductor for the transmitter to ensure that the station did not go off air during storms. The station broadcasts in Sesotho, Afrikaans and English.

• Radio Unique broadcasts in Burgersdorp and surrounding areas. The MDDA sent a mentor to the station to assist it in strengthening the station and developing sustainability plans. They broadcast in isiXhosa and English.

• Unitra Community Radio has been provided with mentoring support to assist them in streamlining plans. They are based at the University of Transkei and broadcast to Umthata and surrounding communities.

• Vaaltar Community Radio has been provided support for mentoring to assist them in developing sustainable three year plans. The station is based in the North West Province

• Vukani Community Radio The MDDA is supporting operational costs for this radio station based in the Cala district in the Eastern Cape. The station will then use any other income to build cash reserves and assist it in developing sustainability plans. They broadcast predominantly in isiXhosa.

• Workers World Media Productions produces radio programmes for community radio stations across South Africa on labour issues. The MDDA provided support towards a radio production workshop for community radio stations and unions.

• In addition managers from six different community radio stations were awarded bursaries to attend a Wits University radio management course. The stations are: Letlhabile Community Radio (North West), Naledi Community Radio (Free State), Qwa Qwa Community Radio (Free State), Radio 786 (Western Cape),

Support was suspended for Khathorus Community Radio and Radio Mams (Mamelodi) after the decision by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) was challenged. Both have been informed that the MDDA will re-look at support once there is clarity about the licences and on air dates.

Community Print

• Agenda Feminist Media Project The MDDA has provided support for Agenda Feminist Media Project to produce one edition of the journal a year for three years. Agenda is a Durban based feminist media project which produces a range of media and provides training for women writers across the country. During the financial year under review the MDDA support covered the production costs of a journal focusing on gender and religious issues. The MDDA has further provided support for development of a web site based training programme as well as for the upgrading of equipment.

• Amazwi Writers is a new writing skills development project based in Hluhluwe in KwaZulu. The MDDA has provided seed funding to the project to develop the organisation and provide training to apprentices in the area in basic writing skills and layout and design.

• Asenze Youth Development Initiative is a youth based community organisation in Inanda in KwaZulu Natal focusing on unemployment, poverty, HIV and substance abuse. The organisation is planning to develop a newspaper focusing on development issues in Inanda and surrounding areas. The MDDA has provided support for mentoring to assist the project develop plans.

• Big Issue magazine is a non profit making organisation based in Cape Town, Western Cape province. The magazine focuses on a range of issues and is sold by homeless people in cities around South Africa to assist in generating income. The MDDA is supporting a readership survey as well as training in journalism skills over a two year period.

• Challenge Magazine is an ecumenical magazine established to cover issues of moral reconstruction and provide a platform for debate on ecumenical and other issues. It was established 14 years ago. The MDDA has provided two year support for production, marketing and advertising and distribution, as well as for the purchase of equipment. The support is aimed at assisting the magazine to become self sustainable.

• Excellor was first published as a community newspaper for one village (New Eersterus outside Winterveld) in English and SeTswana. They expanded in 2003 to cover all communities in the Eastern part of the North West province (including Hammanskraal, Winterveld, Temba, Lebotlwane, Moretele and Makapanstad). MDDA is assisting the publication by providing them with a mentor to develop a viable three year business plan. The MDDA has further earmarked support for the purchase of equipment.

• George Community Media Centre is based in the Southern Cape. It was established by young people in George to develop a range of community media. The MDDA is providing support for development of a community newspaper - Uvutho Ndaba. The support includes strategic planning and organisational development assistance in order to develop a viable business plan.

• Homeless Talk is a Johannesburg based newspaper produced and sold by homeless people in the area - thus providing self employment opportunities. The MDDA support to the project relates to improving the general health of the project through amongst others providing training to Homeless Talk writers, sales team and management.

• Just Jy Magazine (AMAC School Media Project) The MDDA provided ongoing support for training workshops for youth in media production. Just Jy is a community newsletter for youth and high school students produced by high school students. It is distributed to about 60 schools in disadvantaged communities in and around Cape Town.

• Karabo Youth Development Organisation is a multi media centre based in Sasolburg in the Free State. The project wants to establish a community newspaper, radio station and information and communication centre. The MDDA is assisting the project to conduct a feasibility study, and develop a strategic plan.

• Khululeka Community Media Project is a new multi media centre established in East London. The MDDA is providing mentoring/coaching support to assist the project in developing a newspaper.

• Labour Bulletin The MDDA is assisting the journal to develop a database of subscribers (to improve efficiency), create a new web site, conduct market research and produce one edition of the journal. Labour Bulletin is based in Johannesburg and produces a journal focusing on labour issues.

• Masegoed is a fortnightly newspaper produced by a youth development organisation in Upington in the Northern Cape. The project was established during 2005 and is aimed at covering stories about change makers and "social entrepreneurs". The MDDA has provided support with production and running costs for one year. The publication is published primarily in English and Afrikaans.

• Mier News is based in the rural community of Mier in the Northern Cape (about 270km from Upington). The MDDA is providing training and mentoring support to assist the publication to establish a newspaper that will be distributed around the Kgalagadi Frontier Park. There is limited access to media in the area.

• Nababeep Advice and Development Centre is an NGO in Nababeep in the Northern Cape focusing on addressing development challenges (including substance abuse) in Nababeep. They run a newsletter produced monthly. The MDDA has provided support for equipment, training and to cover operational costs for a year.

• Newtown Express is an initiative to establish a community newspaper in the Newtown and Fordsburg areas of Johannesburg. The MDDA is supporting a feasibility study into the concept.

• Ngulu News is a new community based newspaper based in Sephaku Village in the Sekhukhune district of Limpopo. The MDDA provided support to Ngulu News to cover running costs, equipment costs, training and production costs for one edition.

• Positive Magazine is an initiative to produce a publication for people who are infected and affected by Aids. The MDDA has provided support for a feasibility study. The project is based in Johannesburg but aims to produce a national publication.

• Satyagraha is a newspaper based in Durban aimed at reinforcing the principles of Ghandism. The paper is distributed in Durban and surrounds. The MDDA is providing support for market research.

• Sosh Times is a new newspaper initiative planned by the Zakheni Training and Development Centre in Soshanguve outside of Pretoria. The MDDA has provided mentoring support in newspaper management and production. A further grant has been provided to cover costs for six months.

• The Voice of Nkomazi The MDDA provided support to the Voice of Nkomazi, a community newspaper produced by Thembalethu Home Based Care which is situated in Schoemansdal in the Nkomazi District of Mpumalanga province. The MDDA support included printing and production costs for 26 editions.

• Two Missions Newspaper - is a new initiative in Cala in the Eastern Cape. The

MDDA is providing mentoring support to assist in establishing the project.

• Umsinsi Press is an NGO in KwaZulu Natal aimed at developing literacy and a love of reading amongst children. They produce news letters /booklets of children's stories and run creative writing courses in a range of languages. They produce a magazine which is distributed to writing club mentors for use by children. The MDDA has provided support for further training of mentors, increasing the print run and introducing colour into the magazine.

• We Are Capable is a new magazine produced in Johannesburg by people with disabilities covering issues about disability. The MDDA support to the magazine included providing support to cover operational costs for a limited period, covering the costs of printing as well as for the purchase of office and computer equipment. The magazine is distributed nationally.

Sangonet is an internet service provider and IT support group for NGOs. The project wants to explore the development of a publication for NGOs and CBOs in South Africa similar to publications which have previously closed (such as Reconstruct). The MDDA has provided support for a feasibility study.

Womensnet was established in 1998 to promote gender equality in South Africa in ICTs. It has been involved in a range of internet based projects including publishing information through a web site, training women's organisations to develop their own web sites, development of Girls Net and training young girls in media and ICT skills to produce their own web site and s(h)e - Bytes supporting gender focused programming for community radio stations. The MDDA has provided multi year support to Womensnet aimed at strengthening their institutional capacity.

Big News is a monthly publication targeting small business owners around South Africa. The MDDA provided support for research aimed at assisting the publication in meeting readers needs and increasing access to advertising. The MDDA has further agreed to provide support for marketing and training of staff.

Bravo/WestXpress is a new knock and drop newspaper focusing on factory areas around Cape Town (Kensington, Maitland, Ysterplaat, Sanddrift, and Rugby Factreton). The MDDA has provided support for printing - thus enabling the project to build up advertising and develop cash reserves.

Free State News is a fortnightly small commercial newspaper based in Bloemfontein and distributed throughout the Free State. The MDDA has purchased equipment and software to assist the publication. Training of the newspaper is ongoing.

Genuine Magazine is a family magazine based in Durban and targeted at families throughout KwaZulu Natal. The magazine started publishing regularly some years ago, but stopped printing due to financial problems. The MDDA has assisted the owner to develop business skills and provided mentoring in formulating a viable business plan.

Gavaza Communications (a communications SMME) has been provided support to conduct market research into the viability of a political journal aimed at the youth.

Grassroots Media Hub Four publications in the Western Cape (both profit and non profit) have grouped together to develop a grassroots media hub to share costs and increase impact of marketing and advertising. The MDDA has provided support to assist in establishment of the Hub. The Hub also applied for support of purchase of a printing press. A decision into this was deferred pending further information being submitted by the project.

Ihlokohloko is a new newspaper in KwaMhlanga. The MDDA is providing support for development of a business plan through mentoring and coaching.

Imvo Zabatsundu/Dumile Mateza Associates The project is wanting to conduct a feasibility study into the relaunching of Imvo Zabatsundu - an isiXhosa newspaper that used to distribute in the Eastern Cape. The MDDA is support the feasibility study.

Isibani News was established in 1999 as a community newspaper to help communities around KZN to access information. It is based in Durban. The MDDA has provided mentoring support and assisted the newspaper to purchase equipment and software.

Kasi2Kasi is a new newspaper aimed at supporting and providing information to micro business entrepreneurs in the Northern Cape. The project is based in Upington. The MDDA has allocated a mentor to assist the publication in developmg a business plan.

Kraft Media produces a newspaper distributed to high schools around Durban. The MDDA is covering the costs of printing 10 editions of the newspaper to assist them in becoming sustainable.

Kruger Park Times was established in 2004 to inform visitors and local communities in and around the Kruger National Park about conservation and other issues related to the Park. The newspaper is produced bi weekly. The MDDA has provided support for printing for six months and for the purchase of equipment in order to assist them in increasing their print run and building cash reserves.

Leseding News was first published in 2003 in Rustenburg in the North West Province. It is a local newspaper in English and SeTswana distributed in Rustenburg, Mafikeng, Zeerust, and the district municipalities of Moretele, Moses Kotane and Dikgetlheng. The MDDA has provided support for research.

Maputaland Mirror is based in Maputaland in KwaZulu Natal. The newspaper is distributed from St Lucia Sanctuary to Kosi Bay. A key aim of the publication is to publish in languages of the area - including reviving the culture of the Thongas. The MDDA is assisting the publication to develop a viable business plan through mentoring.

Phumelela Express is a new SMME publishing a newspaper in isiZulu, SeSotho and English for the Phelea Municipality in the Free State (including Vrede, Memel and surrounding farms). The MDDA has provided the newspaper with support for training in newspaper publishing. Subsequent to the training, the MDDA has provided further support to cover operational costs for six months and to purchase equipment.

Seipone/XivonilTshivhoni is a tabloid size newspaper that publishes in SePedi, Xitsonga and Tshivenda and is distributed throughout Limpopo. The newspaper is based in Polokwane. The MDDA has provided the publication with support to conduct market and readership research.

Sesa Media is a new BEE magazine company established. The MDDA is providing support for market research for an entrepreneurs magazine. The magazine has already received support from the National Empowerment Fund. The company is based in Johannesburg.

Shine the Way is an emerging magazine produced by a new company based in East London (Ideals Media Company). The company plans to produce a range of media, including a family magazine for the Eastern Cape. The MDDA has provided support for development of a feasibility study.

Taxi Talk is a newspaper based in Bizana (Eastern Cape) and distributed from Umtata to the Wild Coast and Port Shepstone. The publication has been in existence for seven years. The MDDA is providing support in developing sustainability plans to assist the newspaper to grow. The MDDA will also provide equipment and assist in covering of printing costs for a short period.

Tembisa Mail is a monthly newspaper distributed in Tembisa in Ekhuruleni near Kempton Park in Gauteng. The MDDA has provided the project with equipment and software enabling them to do their layout and design internally - thus cutting costs.

Umgidi/5FabG The MDDA is providing support to 5Fab.G Publishing cc to conduct market research into launching a magazine targeting African men aimed at reviving African manhood and respect for women.

Umqekethi is a new newspaper being published in Newcastle in KwaZulu Natal in isiZulu. The MDDA is providing mentoring and training in management and marketing.

UxhumanolZiwaphi is an SMME based in Nelspruit which was established to provide communication services (including digital publishing, web creation and graphic design). The company plans to develop a newspaper Ziwaphi - focused on providing developmental news. The MDDA is assisting them to develop a three year business plan.

Winelands Echo is relatively new newspaper project in Paarl in the Western Cape which is published twice a month. It is circulated around the Boland District and is published in Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa. They state that they are focusing on covering community development issues. The MDDA is providing support for printing for six months as well as for training and marketing aimed at increasing the income of the publication.

Note that the MDDA also sent 12 of the print managers on a one week course on management of newspapers at the Sol Plaatje Institute at Rhodes University.

Support for two projects (Dobsonviller and Siyaya), has been suspended pending clarity on use of funds.

Capacity Building/MDDA initiated projects

AMASA/AMF MDDA advertising workshops The MDDA hosted in 2004/2005 four workshops together with AMASA/AMF on advertising and marketing in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and East London.

Advertising and Marketing tool kits The MDDA will develop tool kits on advertising and marketing utilising the materials collected in developing the advertising and marketing workshops.

Resource Mobilisation Workshops The MDDA hosted workshops in all provinces for small commercial and community media projects aimed at assisting projects to gain skills on mobilising resources from donors as well as from their local communities. The MDDA commissioned research into potential funders (international, local donors as well as corporate funders).

Advertising researchlroundtable The MDDA will be hosting a roundtable on advertising in first quarter of new financial year in order to develop a strategy on how the MDDA and the sector can together assist in increasing advertising in the sector/so The MDDA is supporting research into the current status of advertising in the sector the findings of which will assist in developing such strategies

Print Roundtable The MDDA is currently supporting research into challenges facing small commercial and community print projects relating to distribution and the costs of printing. The MDDA has received numerous individual requests by publications to purchase printers and in research has identified distribution of newspapers and magazines as a key challenge facing grassroots publications. The research will focus on identifying strategies for the MDDA and sector to resolve challenges. It will culminate in a roundtable with representatives of the sector to discuss strategies.

Small media management course The MDDA is currently exploring the possibility of adapting existing unit standards to develop a specific management course for small media (radio and print, SMME and non profit). We are working together with the MAPPP Seta to explore this further.

Research

• Association of Independent Publishers (AlP) AlP is a: newly formed network organisation for grassroots publishers across South Africa (both non profit and SMME's). The MDDA has provided support to the Association to develop a comprehensive database of publishers, including detailed information on printing and circulation, target reader demographics and revenue and business models.

• Gay and lesbian Archives (GALA) The MDDA is providing support for research

into representation of gay and lesbian issues in the media.

• Harambe Concepts (based in Johannesburg) is conducting research into indigenous language newspapers and their relationship with readers, advertisers and funders. The MDDA is funding the support.

• llitha Research (based in Johannesburg): The MDDA is supporting llitha to

conduct research into the best ways to address issues around disability in the media.

• Media Institute of South Africa (MISA) the MDDA is supporting research into viability of the establishment of community television in Johannesburg through a study of Soweto TV. A case study and manual will be produced.

• National Community Radio Forum (NCRF) The NCRF is a national network of community radio stations. The MDDA has provided support to the NCRF for a range of different research projects.

• A feasibility study into the development of means to develop sustainable revenue opportunities for the NCRF and its members.

• Research into signal distribution aimed at investigating ways to address challenges.

• Research into convergence and new technologies

• Rhodes University Sol Plaatje Media leadership Institute

The MDDA has provided support to the Institute to develop case studies of successful print media projects. The aim of the research is to analyse the factors contributing to success of these newspapers in order to assist other independent newspapers to develop strategies to become viable.

• University of the Witwatersrand

The MDDA has provided support for research into the effect on content diversity of increased competition between major media players and grassroots publications. The study will be completed at the end of 2006.

The MDDA is supporting 97 different media projects-and has set aside funds for assisting up to a further ten community radio stations

In addition, the MDDA has provided capacity building support to the sector as a whole,hosting advertising workshops, resource mobilisation workshops and assisting in developing curriculum and course materials.