Message from the Chairperson of the Trust FundS Board Message from the ChaiRperson of the Regional Governing Council T F he year 2013, being the final year of MISA’s Third Strategic Partnership Programme (SPPIII), was a year of introspection, consultation and planning – both internally within MISA’s structures, as well as with our long and trusted development partners. MISA undertook other projects during the year funded by Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (OSISA), Save the Children, Privacy International and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF). Details of these projects are provided in this annual report. Despite being affirmed as the leading advocate for media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information in southern Africa following a regional impact assessment of development support to media development in southern Africa over the last 20 years, MISA cannot become complacent – certainly not when there is ample evidence that media freedom is increasingly under threat in our region. MISA - EU Engagement Governance Some changes to MISA governance were also effected resulting in the constitution of the AGM being a meeting of its national chapters as its members, with each national chapter having one vote. To re-align its structures, the term of office of TFB members was reduced to 3 years, renewable only once. A TFB members’ retirement process has already been agreed that will see long-standing members retiring at the end of this year. These trustees will be replaced through an appointment process involving recommendations by the RGC. Financial Performance & Operations The total grant income of the MISA Trust for 2013 was USD1,833,071 with the basket funders namely the governments of Denmark, Norway and Sweden contributing USD 1,371, 418 constituting 74.82% of the grant Income. The access to donor funding continues to pose challenges as the effects of economic recession that affected the world economy in the last 5 years are now being felt in Africa and Asia. The total expenditure for the period under review was USD1,731,936 that resulted in the MISA Trust realising a net surplus of USD112,075. The effective use of the budgetary monitoring system helped management to keep costs within budget. 6 During 2013 the EU instituted an audit of a grant implemented by MISA between April 2008 to March 2011.This grant had contributed 24,9% to the overall budget of MISA’s Second Strategic Partnership Programme (SPPII) which concluded in December 2010. Based on the outcome of the audit it immediately became apparent that MISA had erroneously treated - and accounted for - the grant as budget support, while the EU expected MISA to follow the agreed grant budget. The TFB and regional secretariat then engaged both the EU Delegation in Namibia and the EU Commission in Brussels in its attempts to resolve this matter, leading the EU to institute a full audit of the grant during August 2014. At the time of this report, MISA is still awaiting the outcome of the full audit, which will lead to further engagements with the EU. Needless to say, the matter has had a debilitating effect on the organisation as a whole and, if taken on board along with the changing dynamics in the media development assistance environment, will certainly require MISA to change its modus operandi in the region. Looking Ahead While the last few years have been quite challenging, the future looks more promising. Having undergone serious introspection the MISA TFB is ready to lead the institutional transformation that is required to secure the future of MISA as a relevant, effective and efficient organisation. reedom of expression and media freedom remain under threat in southern Africa: the media alerts issued by MISA during 2013 are indicative of the restrictive and stifling atmosphere impacting on the media. MISA will continue to lobby and advocate for an improved media environment by engaging stakeholders, governments and legislators to ensure that citizens’ right to media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information are protected and respected. MISA will intensify advocacy and constitutional reforms, media policy and law reforms. MISA will continue to promote public broadcasting and community media models throughout the region, while garnering support to provide capacity to such ventures and support their sustainability. Governance Reforms Governance reforms within MISA have been implemented at a rapid rate, with Constitutional amendments effected in 2010 and again in 2012. These changes have been slow to take effect within the Regional Governing Council, with the election of the new Regional Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson only taking place in 2012. The Treasurer was co-opted in 2013. Nonetheless, elected officials were keen to assume their positions and serve the organization. Galvanising MISA’s members MISA is a membership-driven organization and the seeming inactivity of members in some chapters and dwindling membership numbers in other countries are causes for concern to MISA. There has been a lull in membership in the last few years and this is a challenge that MISA must address through the National Governing Councils. In conclusion, tribute should be paid to staff at the Regional Secretariat and National Chapters who have worked tirelessly and under difficult conditions in the pursuit of fulfilling MISA’s obligations, belief and values. May the values and beliefs we share as a family be the guiding principles that drive MISA into the future Anthony Kasunda Chairperson MISA Regional Governing Council Facing Chapter Challenges The RGC is mindful of the capacity deficiencies of some MISA Chapters. Interventions have been necessary in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and South Africa to deal with issues such as financial sustainability, activity implementation and governance performance. In Tanzania, MISA Governors and Trustees had to address issues such as financial accountability and governance performance. Luckson A Chipare Chairperson MISA Trust Funds Board (TFB) 7