Tough job ahead for SABC candidates

Praise and criticism for those on the final list

DESPITE praise and criticism, four of the candidates that made the final list to fill the vacancies on the SABC board are Mary Papayya, Jasmina Patel, Bernedette Muthien and Professor Sathasivan Cooper.

After much deliberation, their names, and four other recommended candidates, were adopted by the Portfolio Committee on Communications on Thursday.

Papayya is a former journalist and founding member of the South African National Editors’ Forum. Patel is the chief audit officer at the University of Limpopo. Muthien is a gender activist and Cooper a psychologist and Struggle veteran.

The others are Dr Marcia Socikwa, acting principal and vice-chancellor at Unisa, Mamodupi Mohlala-Molaudzi, chair of the Gauteng Rental Housing Tribunal, advocate Benjamin Motshedi and researcher David Maimela.

Cooper said he was humbled to have made the final list and vowed to play his part in ensuring the credibility at the SABC was restored.

“The SABC is a national legacy institution and is the biggest source for news, information, and entertainment. The incoming board is faced with enormous challenges to ensure the SABC rises from its deficit situation and continues to offer meaningful programmes, and information without fear, favour or prejudice.”

Muthien described the selection as the most diverse. “I am aware of the enormity of the challenges for the board – to make it financially viable, to resolve its human resources challenges and to ensure its political independence, as a beacon of hope for South Africa and the continent.”

Papayya said: “This is a call to service for my country. I look forward to working with all colleagues on the board, existing and new, each with differing skills and areas of expertise.”

She said her immediate task was to ensure the financial crises was averted, implement a turnaround strategy, make sure the SABC stayed on-air and delivered on the elections and to stabilise the SABC.

During last week’s meeting, committee members put forward the names of the preferred candidates.

Speaking on Papayya, the ANC’s Mziwamadoda Kalako said: “She has experience as a journalist both in the community and the TV space. In her interviews, she talked through what changes can be made in the SABC. She is very independent and strong, and those are characteristics we need.”

The DA’s Phumzile van Damme said Papayya had come across as someone who would bring fierce independence to the SABC, as well as her experience from the media.

Kalako, meanwhile, said Patel had a wealth of experience in the accounting field and thought her positions in internal auditing would add value to the SABC.

Van Damme concurred but expressed concern on her ability to be fearless.

“Does she have that grit that is required to serve on the SABC board? Given her qualifications, I am willing to support her but I don’t think she has what it takes to survive the board.

“I do hope that after she is appointed she will build the courage it takes to serve.”

Kalako said Muthien’s experience with community issues would make her contribution indelible.

“She will be able to steer the board and ensure the SABC will be able to deal with community issues.”

However, Van Damme thought Muthien would be a walk-over.

“She does not have any experience in broadcasting and did not bring anything that was new or fresh. I think there were better candidates than her.”

Kalako praised Cooper. “People who know him know that he cannot be made a lackey. He is credible and has experience, even in the field we are putting him in. He is not a walk-over and that is why he crosses swords with many people. He stands for what he believes unless he is convinced otherwise.” Van Damme thought differently. “He was belittling to the committee. He is not going to be a person who feels he needs to be accountable to this committee.”

She said she had read a report where Cooper had said people who did online dating were retarded.

“Another report found him guilty of serious transgressions. He did not challenge that report. We also heard rumours that he was going to be appointed chair. Let it be known that we are going to be quite tough on Cooper. He does not belong on the board. He will destroy the board. He will make people resign because of his character and his arrogance. So Cooper, hell no.”

She called for the committee to review the report before a decision was made on him.

The EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi called Cooper a tragedy.

The report will be tabled in the National Assembly for debate and final adoption.

It will then be forwarded to the President for appointment, in terms of Section 13 of the Broadcasting Act.