‘Fit and proper’ folk sought to run SABC

MPs are urgently looking for five qualified “fit and proper” candidates to run the SABC and be part of its interim board for the next six months.

Those who apply must have an understanding of broadcasting and the legislation governing it.

Parliament’s communications portfolio committee met yesterday for the first time this year to discuss the appointment process of a new SABC interim board.

Parliament could have the names of preferred candidates by the end of the week.

They will be sent to the National Assembly for confirmation and finally to President Jacob Zuma.

The interim board will have its work cut out stabilising the embattled public broadcaster.

Communications portfolio committee chairman Humphrey Maxegwana said: “We are not discussing names. We don’t have names.

“But we need people with qualifications that are relevant. People with legal expertise and people with knowledge of human resources.

“This is a space where issues of governance are very critical. Those are things that messed up the SABC.”

Maxegwana said this was a process that did not require them to advertise.

ANC MP Lerumo Kalako said an interim board process was not the same as when a permanent board was put in place.

He said the matter was urgent because the SABC was functioning without a board.

He called on parties to look for people with broadcasting experience who understood the Broadcasting Act to “avoid problems that happened in the previous boards”.

DA MP James Selfe agreed with Kalako and other MPs on the criteria.

“We need to think about fit and proper people to serve on the board,” he said.

He said action taken by the executive without a board may be illegal.

“I urge this committee to proceed with appointment as rapidly as possible.”

EFF chief whip Floyd Shivambu agreed that the committee must appoint an interim board as soon as possible.