Former minister in the Presidency, Essop Pahad, has been praised for playing a leading role in facilitating the development of South African media.

"I would like to thank you Dr Pahad for your contribution towards facilitation of development and diversity in the South African media and to the promotion of the right to freedom of expression and access to information as enshrined in our Constitution," said Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) CEO, Lumko Mtimande on Wednesday.

At a farewell lunch in Johannesburg attended by representatives from major print media companies, such as Avusa and Independent newspapers, Mtimande lauded Pahad's "unfailing support and advocacy".

He said this had seen the agency cross many milestones and enabled it to reach into communities who had no access to media prior to democracy.

"It's (our) hope that Dr Pahad will continue to support this noble cause of promoting media development and diversity which gives meaning and effect to the Constitution Act of 1996 (in particular Sections 16 and 32)," Mtimade said.

In his speech, Pahad thanked the funders, print and broadcast for their commitment in working with the government to help the agency meet its objectives of enhancing the development of community media.

He saluted the founding contributors to the realisation of this agency, and the support of the former President Thabo Mbeki.

Mtimde said the MDDA looked forward to working with the new Minister in the Presidency, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.

"We rely on her support in growing and developing the media including promoting media diversity," he said.

The MDDA was established in 2004, to support alternative and community media.

Sapa