Ms Pather was the Projects Director for three years (2006 - 2009) leading the projects team of the MDDA responsible for the grant making, capacity building, technical support, advocacy, research and training. The Agency appreciates the service and contributions of Ms Pather to the work and success of the Agency. Her mark in the MDDA and her technical expertise will always be remembered. We hope that she will take a well deserved break as she plans ahead for her new endeavours. Ms Pather served the MDDA with distinction. “I have personally worked well with Ms Pather and will miss her humbleness and commitment to the success of the MDDA. I wish her all the best in her future career path and as she joins the many Ambassadors of the MDDA,” said Mr Mtimde, in his farewell message.
The Agency welcomes Mr Harry Letsebe who has been promoted from being a Programme Manager (Community Media) to fill the shoes of Ms Jayshree Pather as the new Projects Director. Mr Letsebe has been with the MDDA from its inception, was part of the process of setting up the Agency, its systems and procedures. He brings a wealth of experience in grant making, leadership and knowledge of the media industry. He has been involved in media development for more than 10 years; include Khanya College, Up Beat Magazine, South African Students Press Union (SASPU), Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) and the Heinrich Boell Stiftung as a Programme Manager for the Media Programme for Southern Africa region. Academically, Mr Letsebe, has several certificates ranging from project management, social policy, ICT for development, strategic management and financial planning. These were received from Regenesys Business School, Wits Graduate School of Public and Development Management and UCT.
He is warmly welcomed by the Board, Management and the staff of the MDDA. With the Agency's five-year history of unqualified audit reports (including again in the last financial year, 2008/9), Mr Letsebe will definitely feel at home joining the leadership and running the Agency's projects division.
