Media Funding for LGBTI+

While some celebrate new jobs and new opportunities as 2023 commences, an LGBTI+ educational and lifestyle publication celebrates its opportunity to be the first and only media project to be funded by the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA). MDDA recently approved thirty-three (33) community media projects and small commercial media for the 2022/23 grant funding cycle where UniQ Magazine SA learnt that it is the first and only LGBTI+ project to be funded since the Agency’s inception.

UniQ Magazine says this historic move by the MDDA serves as a symbol of pride and a beacon of hope for all future generations within marginalised groups. It took the publication more than three applications over three grant cycles to get the Agency to warm up to the idea of a LGBTI+ project.

“We are thrilled to finally make it to the list of the media projects funded. We pride ourselves for being persistent and not giving up. This financial support received, is a milestone to us and a tool to contribute immensely towards the media diversity of this country” says Indlovukazi Mapule, The Project Manager.

Mapule further said the publication was not chosen as the beneficiary out of pity, but it worked hard to present itself as a unique and worthy project. She commended the agency for demonstrating the importance of promoting the educational projects of the marginalised groups such as the LGBTI+ Community.

All the doubts and fading dreams are reinstated by the agency that has proven its commitment towards enabling “historically disadvantaged communities and persons not adequately served by the media” to gain access to the media.

As per a statement shared by the Agency, its mandate contributes to citizens of the country by ensuring the historically disadvantaged communities and historically diminished language and cultural groups; and inadequately served communities gain access to public information that can empower their lives.