The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) on Friday said it had appointed Hlopheke William Baloyi as its new chief executive.
In a statement, the MDDA said Baloyi was a communications professional with experience in media relations with government and internationally.
“He has served as director of media relations in the Presidency and was the first head of communications and spokesperson in the newly established City of Tshwane,” the statement said.
“He gained experience in the economic development environment as head of media relations of the Gauteng Economic Development Agency (GEDA), and in his capacity as head of communications for the Arms Procurement Commission, he dealt extensively with international media on judiciary processes.”
The MDDA is a statutory body aimed at creating an enabling environment for media development and diversity.
Over the past few months, the MDDA had made headlines for infighting within the board of the organisation which led for former acting chief executive Donald Liphoko at one stage being locked out of his office.
On August 29, the shambolic state of affairs at the MDDA was laid bare in Parliament, when board chairwoman, Phelisa Nkomo, took the portfolio committee on communications through a presentation of the progress made by the agency, which was eventually rejected by the committee.
During that meeting Liphoko said he was prevented by security from entering the building.
Liphoko had said despite his reinstatement the relationship between him and the board had continued to deteriorate “because of the leadership style of the board chairperson”.
MPs from across the political spectrum were left flabbergasted, with the Democratic Alliance calling for a parliamentary inquiry, while the Economic Freedom Fighters accused the MDDA board and executive of schizophrenia, saying both sides should be held responsible for the mess and be fired.
Since then, President Jacob Zuma has appointed several new people to the board after recommendations from Parliament.
The MDDA said recruitment of a permanent chief executive officer was underway.
– African News Agency (ANA)
