SABC board 'fantastic four': many are called, few are chosen

According to media reports, the following individuals have been shortlisted: Lumko Mtimde (MDDA), Vishnu Padayachie (UKZN), Govin Reddy (former SABC executive), Sadhasivan Perumal (UKZN), David Mosoma (UNISA), Peter Druchen (DeafSA), Xoliswa Florence Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw (Eskom), Maureen Makole Manyama-Matome (SAFCOL), Fawzia Moodley (former journalist SABC), Sethe Makhesha, Sembia Danana, advocate Cawekazi Mahlati, Vusamuzi Mavuso and Kenneth Herold.

"Some strong people on the list"

"There are certainly some strong people among the list. We are very happy to see that Vishnu Padayachie, head of the school of development studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, has been chosen," SOS Support Public Broadcasting spokeswoman Kate Skinner said yesterday, Thursday, 13 January 2011.

"The Media Monitoring Africa and the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI), both SOS members, put forward his name. There are people with financial skills from a public service perspective. This is critical, given the financial troubles at the SABC," Skinner said.

Another high-profile candidate many observers believe will emerge victorious is Mtimde, current CEO of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), ANC media sub-committee member and a supporter of the proposed media appeals tribunal.

Approached for comment

Approached for comment yesterday about his nomination, Mtimde told Bizcommunity.com: "All I can say now is that I have been nominated by many people and organisations who felt I can add value in the governance and leadership of our public broadcaster, having regard to my experience in the broadcasting industry value chain, policy, regulation and operator level."

Mtimde is the former CEO councillor of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).

Some, however, are wondering what he would do in case he is appointed at the SABC board as he already has his hands full piloting the under-funded MDDA. Mtimde said: "There is no requirement in law that a CEO of MDDA cannot be a board member of SABC.

'No requirement to vacate MDDA'

"Therefore, there is no requirement for me to vacate MDDA if I am appointed. The SABC board members that are being sought are non-executive members.

"You seem to already want to interview me even prior to Parliament interview. South Africa is required by law through the Electronic Communication Act, and Broadcasting Act to support and protect the public broadcaster. The board needs to lead the corporation and ensure that, among others, it fulfils its mandatory obligations of provides public broadcasting services according to its license terms and conditions.

"It must also ensure that it complies with relevant laws, including the Public Finance Management Act. It should also serve the public of SA whether it is rural, urban, poor, rich, whatever language, etc. And, organisationally, the corporation is run smoothly. That is what, I assume will be expected of me, if I am appointed."

Replace those who resigned abruptly

Upon their appointment, the four board members will replace David Niddrie, Barbara Masekela, Felleng Sekha and Makgatho Mello, who abruptly resigned last year amid internal power struggles, allegations of political interference and disagreements with board chair Dr Ben Ngubane over his autocratic behaviour.

Although the SABC board is still meeting and taking decisions despite being short in numbers, Skinner said these four posts need to be fulfilled urgently.

"The new chair of the parliamentary portfolio committee, Eric Kholwane, is obviously aware of the urgency. He has been pushing for this to happen swiftly and he has been true to his word," she said.

'Need to ensure board operates effectively'

"We need to ensure that the SABC board operates effectively. Getting good people onto the board is critical. The tasks facing the SABC in 2011 are enormous - particularly around the turnaround strategy and digital migration."

The short-listing and nominations procedures, which some observers believe were tainted with hypocrisy and mystery in the past, have been said this time around to be fair and democratic, and have even satisfied the sceptics, including opposition MPs.

The interviews will take place next week, with the final four choices presented to Parliament on Thursday 3 February, Kholwane was quoted as saying.

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Correction of ICASA CEO to ICASA councillor made at 1.38pm on 17 Jan 2011. Bizcommunity regrets the error.