Mokoetle payout very high, given SABC's financial troubles - SOS

"We need to know if that amount was in fact reasonable. The trouble with high payouts is that it makes citizens disillusioned - it seems that all the wrong people are being rewarded," Kate Skinner, spokesperson for SOS Support Public Broadcasting, told Bizcommunity.com yesterday, Sunday, 23 January 2011.

A history of paying huge handshakes

The SABC board, which has a history of paying its departing CEOs huge handshakes, paid former CEO Dali Mpofu R11 million in 2009 as part of the deal to leave peacefully and withdraw all pending legal actions against the corporation.

The board initially declined to reveal the amount of the payout. But it bowed to pressure after calls from members of the general public and the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF), and an urgent order from minister of communications Roy Padayachie.

"This is yet another example of the government's increasing desire to cloak state activities in secrecy as has been exhibited in the appearance of several draft laws," SANEF said in a statement, "the latest being the Companies Amendment Bill, which have provisions restricting access to information, the holding of parliamentary committee hearings in secret and the refusal of government departments to answer legitimate questions from journalists."

"We have a right to know what is happening"

Skinner added: "I think it is essential that the SABC is transparent about its operations. The SABC's tendency is to be secretive but it is our public broadcaster and we have a right to know what is happening. We need to keep calling for greater openness and transparency. That is the starting point for good corporate governance."

The SABC board, which was dismayed by 'exaggerated' media speculation last week around the package of its former CEO, said it decided to reveal the amount in the interests of transparency and to put an end to negative and incorrect media reports. The New Age newspaper reported last week that it was believed that Mokoetle had received R30 million handshake as part of the deal to leave Auckland Park voluntarily.

Mokoetle's voluntary departure seemed to have delighted many souls in the industry of independent film and TV production, which is said to be severely affected by the SABC's ineffective and poor leadership.

Appropriate experience, visions and leadership skills

Commenting on Mokoetle's resignation, the South African Screen Federation (SASFED) said it looks forward to a swift and transparent process in appointing a new CEO who has the appropriate broadcasting experience, vision and leadership skills to lead a turnaround at the national broadcaster.

Meanwhile, the SABC board has been told by the minister of communications to move swiftly in advertising and filling key vacant positions, including that of the group CEO,

The minister, who was briefed by the board on Friday 21 January about details of the settlement reached by the two parties (SABC and Mokoetle's lawyers), urged the board - led by controversial chairperson Dr Ben Ngubane - to speed up the process of recruiting a CEO and other candidates to fill outstanding positions.

"Having received a detailed report on matters pertaining to the corporations reporting obligations to Parliament, the execution of the turnaround strategy and preparations for the upcoming local government elections, I'm confident that the SABC board and management are making progress and things are looking positive for the public broadcaster," Padayachie said.