Mokoetle out: SABC moves on, but...

Many observers said the onus now lies on the SABC board to prove to the nation that it can quickly find someone competent and armed with a strong will to help heal the public broadcaster's wounds and make it walk tall again.

Kate Skinner, spokesperson for SOS Supporting Public Broadcasting, told Bizcommunity.com last night, Wednesday, 19 January 2011: "It is good that the SABC can now move on. It is critical that this post is filled. The disciplinary process has dragged too long. The SABC desperately needs strong, visionary leadership. It is now a chance for the board to find someone that they can work with."

Will it truly bring some stability?

While many observers continue to wonder whether Mokoetle's departure will truly bring some stability in Auckland Park, Skinner believes the move is one tiny step in the right direction - although the big issue is now to find the right person for the job.

"The challenges are huge," she noted. "The person will need a strong public service vision. They will need to build a strong team around them. Their biggest priority is to ensure that the turnaround strategy delivers quality public service programming and particularly local content.

"The clock is ticking. The turnaround strategy was supposed to have been delivered early last year. This time around let's find someone who can deliver it, but not at the expense of quality programming."

Broadcast union BEMAWU has lauded Mokoetle for resigning, saying the move will help stabilise the public broadcaster. "The irreparable breakdown in the trust relationship between Mr Mokoetle and the board has caused low staff morale with a negative impact on productivity."

Ngubane still remains

Mokoetle's resignation did not, however, calm certain nerves, as there is a belief that the SABC's current leadership problems will not be dealt with completely as long as one man, board chairperson Dr Ben Ngubane, still remains at the helm.

The Democratic Alliance has said Ngubane must also pack his bags and follow Mokoetle.

Ngubane, a former cabinet minister, sided with Mokoetle during the suspension saga and initially declined to sign his letter of suspension.

"It would perhaps serve the SABC better if Dr Ngubane were to resign too," DA MP Natasha Michael was quoted as saying by a SAPA news report carried on News24.com.

"Got off to the worst possible start"

"Mokoetle got off to the worst possible start when appointed at the end of 2009 by saying that he was accountable first to [former] communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda and not the SABC board," Michael added.

Some say Dr Ngubane's 'dictatorial' leadership - making decisions without consulting the board - paved the way to a showdown with his fellow members and pushed four board members to resign abruptly last year one by one.

Board member Cedric Gina bragged yesterday that board members and their chair have smoked the peace pipe. Some insiders, however, argue that the waters have calmed down, but remain uneasy, as the former cabinet minister could no longer be trusted.

"We are hopeful that the other problems between the chairperson and the board, and in particular the allegations of breach of corporate governance, will also be addressed soon. Once it has been sorted out, the SABC will be able to return to stability and prosperity," BEMAWU said.

For more:

• Bizcommunity: Suspended SABC CEO resigns, payout shrouded in secrecy
• Ministry of Communications: Full statement