Mixed bag apply for posts on SABC board

Hundreds put their names in for 12 spots

An Isidingo actor as well as a kwaito music producer and a former ANC Youth League leader are all in the running to be on the next SABC board.

They are part of 363 individuals who have applied to fill the 12 vacancies on the permanent SABC board once the current interim board’s tenure comes to an end in September.

This list was submitted to the portfolio committee on communications which met yesterday to discuss the process it would follow. It’s, however, not clear whether applicants applied personally or were nominated by a second party.

Jack Devnarain, Rajesh Kumar in popular soapie Isidingo, is listed as one of the applicants. He’s not the only actor on the list. He is joined by Tony Kgoroge.

Others include music producer Gabi le Roux, former ANC Youth League deputy president Ronald Lamola, ex SABC executive Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s lawyer Zola Majavu, 2010 World Cup spokesman Rich Mkhondo and former SABC head of news Snuki Zikalala.

Former board members Desmond Golding and Rachel Kalidass are also on the list.

Communications portfolio committee chairman Humphrey Maxegwana said members had not seen the CVs of all those who had applied.

“We can’t short-list today because I don’t have the CVs yet,” said Maxegwana.

He said all short-listed candidates will be vetted by an independent organisation contracted by parliament. He said the committee would sit for three days to interview 36 candidates who will then be shortlisted. Each interview will take 45 minutes.

DA MP Phumzile van Damme said they first wanted to do their own research on each candidate. She also said parliament should publish the CVs of all those short-listed.

“Civil society must also be able to comment on those candidates,” said Van Damme.

The ANC’s Lerumo Kalako said he agreed with proposals on time limits and the number of short-listed candidates.

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (EFF) objected to holding interviews for days as this would disadvantage those being interviewed first and benefit those coming last.