(Subcommittee) SABC Board vacancy: shortlisting

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Communications and Digital Technologies

31 August 2021
Chairperson: Mr B Maneli (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

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In a virtual meeting, the subcommittee met to shortlist candidates to interview for the vacancy on the SABC board.

Meeting report

The Chairperson opened the meeting noting it was a subcommittee meeting appointed by the National Assembly. It is permitted that Committees may establish subcommittees to deal with specific matters.

He apologised for the delay of the starting time of the meeting. The Chairperson took participants through the policy for virtual meetings – all microphones were to be muted when not speaking and the chat function is to be used for points of order.

A letter dated 22 July 2020 was received from the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies informing the National Assembly of the resignation of Ms Bernedette Muthien from the Board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and requesting the National Assembly to recommend, in accordance with the provisions of the Broadcasting Act, 1999 (Act No 4 of 1999), a suitable candidate to fill the above- mentioned vacancy.

The subcommittee had adopted a programme on 24 August 2021. The subcommittee was meeting in terms of that programme. The subcommittee looked at the shortlisting process of the SABC vacancy, informed by the decisions and agreements of the subcommittee to look at five candidates per vacancy. There was one vacancy to be filled.

Advertisements were sent out. Names were received, and a list was compiled with CVs, after the adoption of the programme. The subcommittee has now come to the shortlisting process. There would be five candidates that will be shortlisted for the one vacancy on the SABC Board. The Chairperson will give each party an opportunity to present the names they have considered. The names had to be people that qualify to be shortlisted for the vacancy. The process included looking at names that are common from all the parties with the motivations they gave, to look for names that appear in the majority, and where parties can come to an agreement on a candidate. This process was deliberately decided on as it was persuasive using motivations instead of merely making use of a voting process.  

The Chairperson called on Members to propose names.

Mr Z Mbhele (DA) expressed his political party’s input and that he will be keeping an open mind in the process to get satisfactory candidates. He did not have a definite list to contribute but will engage with the names proposed by the Members of the subcommittee. He expressed he would be guided by the following guidelines: firstly for gender equity, to have women candidates as possible, secondly to ensure a considerable youth mix, for younger candidates who can bring a new voice and perspective, thirdly, the board of the SABC is the apex of the governing body to concern itself with issues of compliance and ensuring adherence to standards and protocols that will be measured and assessed by the Committee in their oversight in the course of AG inspections and ensuring the central mandate is adhered to. He expressed he was less inclined to candidates who have a strong public sector background – he believed the candidate needs to a background of experience outside of the state sector. This will help to reinforce the independence of board members. He is open to hear and engage with the names other Members put forward.

Ms Z Majozi (IFP) expressed the five names she proposed were numbers 17, 31,25,66,58

Ms N Khubheka (ANC) expressed she supports the move for youth inclusion and women. She expressed that she was happy that the list of candidates drawn were people who were qualified. This is seen through each candidate’s qualification and experience. Her five names were numbers 66, 25,31,58,17.

Mr V Pambo (EFF) proposed Ms Senamile Masango - he expressed that she is a woman and a youth.  

Mr Mbhele said he was comfortable with most of the names proposed. He was open to persuasion and different perspective. The name that makes him uncomfortable or is a cause for inquiry was candidate 25 because looking at what is presented in her CV, there is a heavy state or public sector background, which is something that he would want to move away from. Mr Mbhele expressed he worked in public government for two years so he was aware of the particular mindset one has if one has worked in the public sector which mitigates against the kind of state independence and vigorous scrutiny and challenging of the status quo that they will expect SABC board members to possess. The SABC Board needs someone who will take things on face value, not accept the conventions or norms of how things work in state enterprises. Someone who will push management to do better, and not cut corners and not sink to the common denominator. He is not aware of this candidate’s skills sets, merits and experience they may bring. He suggested the substitution of number 25 with number 26.

The Committee decided to shortlist the following candidates to interview for the vacancy on the SABC Board:

66 Mr Tesdu, Mpho

25 Ms Maharaj, Nalini

31 Dr Mbava, Nombeko

58 Ms Sangweni, Barbara

17 Dr Horne, Renee

26 Ms Senamile Masango

The Committee agreed to meet the following day to adopt its report on the shortlist.

The meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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