Revenue a major source of concern

CANDIDATES interviewed for the positions on the SABC board have suggested how the public broadcaster could generate more revenue to overcome its financial woes.

Some highlighted the need to look into television licences if there was to be more revenue.

Appearing before the communications portfolio committee, advocate Lufuno Nevondwe said SABC had some challenges on finances.

“This relates to unfunded public mandate. If appointed, I will try to ensure we have a good strategy when it comes to advertising as a source of funding and try to improve content on what SABC offers on programming,” Nevondwe said.

He also said there was a need for the public broadcaster to review the model of television licensing.

“If I have a television licence I can buy as many and even buy for my family and friends.”

Nevondwe said it was high time that everyone who owned a television paid an annual fee.

He said there should be a way to make those who subscribed to MultiChoice’s DStv to cough up if they were not paying for their television licences.

Another candidate Chief Livhuwani Matsila said it should not be business as usual for the SABC if it is to turn around its finances.

“We have to look at the principle of return on investment. We need to improve the internal controls and put in austerity measures,” Matsila said.

He said there was a need to look at a “differentiated fee structure” for television owners and the need to create an awareness on the importance of paying for the licences.

Former SABC group chief executive Lulama Mokhobo said the funding model for SABC made it impossible to operate it appropriately.

She said the public broadcaster was a critical institution and at the centre of programmes was money.

Mokhobo said the unfunded mandate of the SABC was largely broadcasting work of the government such as state funerals and national sport codes.

“There has to be an agreement between SABC and government that they have to come to the party to help pay for those items,” she said.

Mokhobo said it was important that if government decided matches involving national teams were to be broadcast, that the government paid for them.

During her interview, Mokhobo said she could not take the report of former public protector Thuli Madonsela’s finding against her on judicial review.

Madonsela had recommended disciplinary action against Mokhobo for her role in the salary increments effected by former SABC group executive Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

“I have not taken steps to challenge it directly. It costs a lot of money. I do not have the finance to take on the challenge.”

Matsila was grilled on his affiliation to the ANC, but said one had to put national interests first when serving on the board.

Of his criminal record Nevondwe said: “I admitted that I had a traffic offence. It is still there. I believe it is not material for the job.”