Siyabonga Mkhwanazi
In a major new media deal signed in Beijing yesterday, Independent Media executive chairman Dr Iqbal Survé has signed a partnership with CCTV of China to create a new media platform for the continent.
The co-operation agreement was signed during President Jacob Zuma’s state visit in China this week. Dr Survé entered into the deal with his counterpart from CCTV, Xue Jijun, in the Great Hall.
The ceremony to conclude the partnership took place when several ministers in South Africa also signed co-operative agreements with their colleagues from China.
Zuma was in China to strengthen bilateral trade and investment deals with the Chinese government.
Speaking ahead of the deal, Dr Survé said it would be the biggest media platform in Africa to showcase the stories of the continent’s development.
The new channel will be set up in the next few months with several bureaus across the continent.
Sekunjalo Holdings and Independent Media have committed money into the project, while CCTV has also invested a lot of money. Dr Survé described the partnership as a multibillion-rand project that would shape the continent of Africa, where people would tell their own stories.
CCTV will provide the technology for the new 24-hour news channel.