Activist’s vision for the SABC
GENDER activist Bernedette Muthien said clean governance and accountability was of critical importance to the SABC.
Muthien who shared her illustrious career in senior executive management positions in academia, civil society and the public sector in South Africa and abroad said she spent 20 years ensuring ethics, justice, accountability and (good) governance.
“Education, community development and creativity are some of the varied skills I bring to the SABC.”
She was asked about her understanding of the Broadcasting Act and also asked to advise the SABC board on how it should tell the story of South Africa in keeping with its 25 years of democracy.
“The Broadcasting Act speaks to a number of themes and values like democracy.”
She described democracy as a “fluid dynamic” and believed it was at a fragile stage like others around the world.
She said the country needed to continue working at democracy and added the SABC was critical in fostering and guarding democracy.
“We have come out of extreme depredation. Many years of brutal colonialism, horrific slavery and 50 years of apartheid.
“The Constitution speaks about healing us from the past.”
She said a very important factor to healing people from traumas of the past was tackling poverty.
Muthien said she grew up poor in the Cape Flats, under apartheid, and poverty stripped one of human dignity.
She said poverty needed to be looked at practically in the Broadcasting Act.
Committee member, Mziwamadoda Kalako said the board needed people who were strong and had integrity, credibility and those who would withstand any pressure from political parties, business interests and someone who would always stick strictly to the Broadcasting Act.
He asked if Muthien was able to perform those duties.
“I was forged in fire in the 1980s when I was imprisoned under apartheid as a student activist.
“So if that didn’t show my mettle and courage, I don’t know what will.”
She said she “spent a lifetime” fighting for justice for people in various spheres and was always concerned for the interests of people.