Shortlisting to begin for new SABC board

PARLIAMENT will today start the process of shortlisting candidates to be interviewed to serve on the permanent board of the SABC.

The appointment for the permanent board has to be done before September, when the term of the interim board led, by Khanyisile Kweyama, expires.

The communications portfolio committee had received 362 applications by the end of June deadline It now faces the daunting task of sifting through the piles of applications and deciding on a 12-member board to recommend to Parliament to serve at the public broadcaster for five years.

The number of applications received has impressed the public representatives, who have ascribed it to the interim board renewing interest in the SABC.

At its meeting, the committee is expected to first outline the process to be followed in handling the interviews, amid calls that these should be transparent and open.

Committee chairperson Humphrey Maxegwana declined to comment when approached by the Independent Media yesterday, referring questions to the national legislature’s communications division.

The DA’s Phumzile van Damme said South African citizens should participate in the process to find the best possible candidate.

“We intend carefully considering each application to ensure the best candidates are selected to continue the work of steering the SABC from the red to the black,” she said.