Wanted: Independent and capable candidates for the SABC Board
1 October 2015
The Portfolio Committee on Communications is requesting nominations for suitable candidates to fill three vacancies on the SABC Board. As the attached advertisement
The vacancies arose from the resignations of Thembinkos Bonakele, Bongani Khumalo and Ellen Tshabalala.
With more political pressure on the SABC Board than ever, it is vital that independent and suitably qualified candidates apply in their numbers.
If there had been a critical mass of independent Board Members in July last year, Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s appointment as SABC Chief Operations Officer (and the ridiculous salary increase that went with it) would not have been approved.
To be sure, being an independently minded SABC Board Member is no picnic. The Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi, connived to have three such Board Members – Hope Zinde, Rachel Kalidass and Ronnie Lubisi – unlawfully removed because they did not support Motsoeneng’s appointment.
Nevertheless, it is time for all good people with strength of character and expertise in broadcasting to stand up and make themselves available. We need an SABC Board that fights for its own independence in the face of political pressure.
Nominations and enquiries regarding all these positions should be addressed to the Committee Secretary, Mr Thembinkosi Ngoma, Portfolio Committee on Communications, 3rd floor, 90 Plein Street, Cape Town, 8000 or emailed to [email protected]. Telephonic enquiries can be made to 021 403 3733 or 083 709 8407.
Statement issued by Gavin Davis, DA Shadow Minister of Communications, 1 October 2015
