Zuma checks qualifications

President Jacob Zuma’s office yesterday responded to criticism of his failure to date to confirm the appointment of new board members of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) by saying he needed to consider their fitness for the position and verify their qualifications.

Parliament’s portfolio committee on communications submitted 12 names to Zuma, pictured, on September 5 for approval and appointment as nonexecutive members of the SABC board.

“He now has to satisfy himself that they are fit and proper persons to serve on the board and that they possess all the qualifications they claim to have,” his spokesperson, Bongani Ngqulunga, said.

He pointed out that the SABC had previously seen controversy about misrepresentation of qualifications. “It should be recalled that we have had instances in the past in which there were misrepresentations about qualifications and other matters.”

The best-known incidence of this did not involve the board, but pro-Zuma former chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng, who was found by the public protector to have lied about having passed matric.

Ngqulunga said the presidency and the department of communications were also checking that those recommended for appointment to the board had security clearance and SA citizenship.

The last board was dissolved in March and the term of office of the interim board expired on Tuesday.

Parliament recommended that the president appoint Michael Markovitz, Khanyisile Kweyama, Mathatha Tsedu, Nomvuyiso Batyi, Rachel Kalidass, Victor Rambau, John Matisonn, Jack Phalane, Krish Naidoo, Febe Potgieter-Gqubule, Dinkanyane Mohuba and Bongumusa Makhathini as new board members. – ANA