Shortlisted SABC candidates set to impress
‘We are ready for the gruelling interviews’
FOUR of the 24 candidates who were shortlisted to fill eight positions on the SABC board know a “huge and burdensome responsibility” lies ahead, but they are up for the challenge.
The parliamentary portfolio committee released the shortlist of 24 names on Thursday, with gruelling interviews set over three days. It is expected to finish on Thursday.
Bernedette Muthien, who serves parttime for the Constitutional Commission for Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights, where she is responsible for parliamentary liaison, research, policy development and public education, said she had been driving when she heard the news.
“My phone had been buzzing non-stop with congratulatory messages, but I told them not to get too excited as the process was far from over.”
Muthien hoped the new board, whoever they might be, would work as a cohesive unit on some of the challenges facing the cash-strapped national broadcaster.
She said the SABC, which saw four board members resign in December, experienced problems that were not unique compared to other public institutions in the country.
“It is just a reflection of the general state of the country.”
She said she agreed with President Cyril Ramaphosa that it was time for a clean-up, time to renew the country and renew faith in its people.
“A new spirit needs to be adopted. For the past nine years, we were challenged with a particular way of doing things. But now we want to acknowledge the spirit of 1994, a rainbow nation with values and outputs that reflect our multicultural, multilingual society.”
Muthien said the new board members should contribute to social cohesion.
“Our society is deeply disturbed and I believe working together with a renewed optimism will help in mending the brokenness.”
Dr Sathasivan Cooper, the vice-president of the International Social Science Council and president of the International Union of Psychological Science, said a new incumbent would carry a huge and burdensome responsibility.
He said the SABC was a key source of information and needed to continue playing its role in keeping people updated on news and current affairs.
According to StatsSA, nearly half of the country’s citizens have no access to the internet and a vast number don’t have access to television sets, only radios.
The SABC has 19 radio stations and five TV channels.
The clinical psychologist and anti-apartheid activist said if he was selected, one of the options he would consider would be to possibly relieve some of the pressure at the national broadcaster and to look at and understand the corporation’s financial operations.
“From that point, a sustainability programme could be implemented to help keep the institution afloat. The SABC needs to survive and to be a beacon in providing optimum information to the country.”
The South African National Editors’ Forum’s media freedom chairperson, Mary Papayya, said she was passionate about the role the media played in a democracy and believed there was room for growth and contribution.
She said a cohesive board was imperative to maintain its role as a public broadcaster and a board that was fully constituted.
“The SABC is defined and legally enshrined to deliver on the freedom of its expression mandate.”
The chief audit executive at the University of Limpopo and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa, Jasmina Patel, was also among those shortlisted.
More than 300 applications were received before the ANC, DA and the EFF reached an agreement on who to shortlist.
The EFF is said to be backing former SABC chief executive Lulama Mokhobo, while the ANC’s 17 nominees include Muthien and Papayya. The DA put forward six names.
Eight vacancies are to be filled after a spate of resignations, including that of deputy chairperson Khanyisile Kweyama, Mathatha Tsedu, Krish Naidoo and John Matisonn.
The board already had four vacancies after the earlier resignations of Rachel Kalidass, Febe Potgieter-Gqubule and Victor Rambau. Nomvuyiso Batyi was nominated by the portfolio committee on communications but withdrew her application.
Among the current board members are chairperson Bongumusa Makathini, general chief executive Madoda Mxakwe, chief operations officer Chris Maroleni and chief financial officer Yolande van Biljon.