Chairperson, hon members, after days of hard work by the subcommittee for the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, together with the staff of Parliament that contributed long hours of work supporting the committee to do its work in relation to recruitment, shortlisting and appointment of the Public Service Commissioner, we are honoured today to introduce the matter before this House.
Let me clearly indicate upfront that all constitutional requirements, in terms of section 196 were followed thoroughly during the recruitment and appointment process by the members who were given that responsibility. The advert calling for the candidates interested in the post of Public Service Commissioner was published in one of the national newspapers on 15 December 2013. One hundred and ninety six applicants responded to the advert.
On 5 February 2014, the portfolio committee appointed a multiparty subcommittee from its members to conduct the shortlisting and interview applicants. The subcommittee consisted of the following members: hon Moloi- Moropa from the ANC - myself; hon Mohale from the ANC; hon Williams from the ANC; hon Nyekembe from the ANC; hon Du Toit from the DA; and Prof Msimang from the IFP. The interviews were conducted by four of the subcommittee members who were hon Moloi-Moropa, hon Mohale, hon Du Toit and Prof Msimang as hon Williams was hospitalised.
The subcommittee went through a rigorous process of screening all candidates prior to shortlisting the most suitable candidates. One hundred and thirty candidates met the required criteria according to the advert; 66 candidates were disqualified due to lack of experience and knowledge as per constitutional requirement because these requirements are governed by the Constitution. The subcommittee considered knowledge of the Public Service, experience, race, gender, age across board and disability during the process of shortlisting. I must indicate that it was a job well done by all parties who were nominated to do the work.
On 14 February 2014, the subcommittee sat for the shortlisting of the suitable candidates. The following candidates were shortlisted. I will just call their surnames: Monakedi; Khwela; Moonsamy; Mokate; Ledwaba; Nkosi; and Els. Most candidates performed exceptionally well during the interview process. We had very interesting interviews. After consideration of the subcommittee's report, the portfolio committee recommended Mrs Sellinah Sitane Nkosi for appointment to the vacant position as the National Public Service Commissioner.
The two additional candidates who came in the second and third positions during the interview and who were recommended, in case the first candidate declines the appointment, in chronological order, are Mr Godfrey Mokate and Mr Joseph Ledwaba.
Therefore, we request the House to endorse the recommendation for the appointment of Mrs S S Nkosi who is currently a sitting commissioner for the Public Service Commissioner post and further allow the President to duly appoint her as the National Public Service Commissioner with the Public Service Commission. I really wish to thank all the parties that were involved in this process for the good work that has been done. I appreciate all the support that I got from all members. Thank you.
There was no debate.
Question put: That the House approves the nomination of Ms Sellinah Sitane Nkosi to fill the position of commissioner on the Public Service Commission and approves Mr Godfrey Mokate, Mr Joseph Ledwaba, Mr Selemo Republic Monakedi, Ms Elaine Moonsamy and Ms Anneke Daleen Els as supplementary nominations in the order that they appear.
AYES - 263: Adams, P E; Ainslie, A R; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bapela, K O; Beukman, F; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, F; Bhengu, P; Bhoola, R B; Bikani, F C; Bogopane-Zulu, H I; Bonhomme, T; Booi, M S; Borman, G M; Boshigo, D F; Botha, Y R; Botha, T; Bothman, S G; Burgess, C V; Carrim, Y I; Cebekhulu, R N; Cele, M A; Chikunga, L S; Chili, D O; Chiloane, T D; Chohan, F I; Coetzee, T W; Cronin, J P; Dambuza, B N; Daniels, P N; Davies, R H; De Freitas, M S F; de Goede, J; De Lange, J H; Diale, L N; Diemu, B C; Dikgacwi, M M; Dikobo, K J; Ditshetelo, I C; Dlakude, D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlomo, B J; Dlulane, B N; Dreyer, A M; Dubazana, Z S; Dube, M C; Dudley, C; Duma, N M; Dunjwa, M L; Farrow, S B; Frolick, C T; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gaum, A H; Gcwabaza, N E; Gelderblom, J P; George, D T; Gigaba, K M N; Gina, N; Gololo, C L; Goqwana, M B; Greyling, L W; Gumede, D M; Holomisa, S P; Huang, S B; James, W G; Jeffery, J H; Johnson, M; Kalyan, S V; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Kholwane, S E; Khumalo, F E; Khunou, N P; Kloppers-Lourens, J C; Kohler-Barnard, D; Koornhof, G W; Kopane, S P; Kotsi, C M P; Kubayi, M T; Kwankwa, N L; Lamoela, H; Landers, L T; Lekgetho, G; Lesoma, R M M; Lishivha, T E; Lorimer, J R B; Lotriet, A; Lovemore, A T; Luyenge, Z; Maake, J J; Mabasa, X; Mabedla, N R; Mabudafhasi, T R; Mabuza, M C; Madlala, N M; Madlopha, C Q; Magagula, V V; Magubane, E; Magwanishe, G; Makasi, X C; Makhuba, H N; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Makwetla, SP; Malale, M I; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, J M; Manamela, K B; Mandela, Z M D; Manganye, J; Mangena, M S; Marais, E J; Marais, S J F; Martins, B A D; Maserumule, F T; Mashiane, L M; Mashigo, R M; Mashishi, A C; Masilo, J M; Mathale, C C; Mathibela, N F; Matlanyane, H F; Matshoba, J M; Maunye, M M; Mavunda, D W; Mayatula, S M; Maynier, D J; Maziya, A M; Mbalula, F A; Mdakane, M R; Mfeketo, N C; Mfulo, A; Mfundisi, I S; Mgabadeli, H C; Michael, N W A; Mileham, K J; Mjobo, L N; Mkhize, H B; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlambo, E M; Mlangeni, A; Mmusi, S G; Mnisi, N A; Mocumi, P A; Moepeng, J K; Mohai, S J; Mohale, M C; Mohorosi, M M; Mokoena, A D; Molebatsi, M A; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Moloto, K A; Moss, L N; Motau, S C; Motimele, M S; Motsepe, R M; Motshekga, M S; Mpontshane, A M; Msimang, C T; Msweli, H S; Mufamadi, T A; Mushwana, F F; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndebele, J S; Ndlazi, A Z; Nelson, W J; Nene, N M; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngonyama, L S; Ngubeni- Maluleka, J P; Ngwenya, W; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njikelana, S J; Njobe, M A A; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntuli, B M; Nwamitwa-Shilubana, T L P; Nxesi, T W; Nxumalo, M D; Nyalungu, R E; Nyekemba, E; Nzimande, B E; Oliphant, M N; Oliphant, G G; Oosthuizen, G C; Pandor, G N M; Petersen Maduna, P; Phaahla, M J; Phaliso, M N; Pilane- Majake, M C C; Pilusa-Mosoane, M E; Pule, D D; Rabie, P J; Radebe, B A; Radebe, G S; Ramatlhodi, N A; Ramodibe, D M; Ross, D C; Saal, G; Sayedali- Shah, M R; Schafer, D A; Schneemann, G D; Segale-Diswai, M J; Sekgobela, P S; Selau, G J; Shabangu, S; Shinn, M R; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibiya, D; Sindane, G S; Singh, N; Sithole, S C N; Sithole, K P; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Smalle, J F; Smuts, M; Sogoni, E M; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Steenhuisen, J H; Steyn, A; Stubbe, D J; Suka, L; Sulliman, E M; Sunduza, T B; Surty, M E; Swart, M; Swart, S N; Terblanche, J F; Thibedi, J D; Thobejane, S G; Thomson, B; Tlake, M F; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tshabalala, J; Tshwete, P; Tsotetsi, D R; Twala, N M; Van Der Linde, N J; Van Der Westhuizen, A P; van Rooyen, D D ; Van Schalkwyk, H C; van Wyk, A; Waters, M; Watson, A; Wayile, Z G; Wenger, M; Xaba, P P; Xasa, T; Ximbi, D L; Yengeni, L E; Zikalala, C N Z; Zulu, B Z.
Question agreed to.
Nominations accordingly agreed to in accordance with section 196(8)(a) of the Constitution.
Consideration of recommendation for appointment to fill a vacancy on the South African broadcasting corporation Board
House Chairperson, hon members, indeed, Minister Gigaba, you should not get worried, because I am not dissolving any board. I am just here on behalf of the portfolio committee on communication since we received an indication from the President that one of the board members resigned in November last year.
As a committee we advertised, calling for nominations from the public to nominate a suitable person to serve on the board. We received 11 nominations and subsequently we short-listed five of those candidates. Seeing that we have eight men and three women on the SABC board, it would be preferable if the candidate were a woman in order to address the lack of balance in terms of gender on the board.
We had short-listed Ms Leah Khumalo, Ms Vuyelwa Qinga-Vika, Ms Chose Choeu, Ms Ntombenhle Khathwane and Mr R B Sekgala. After deliberations in the committee it came down to two candidates: Ms Leah Khumalo and Ms Ntombenhle Khathwane. Indeed, they were both very capable women and as parties we debated around the two names. Finally, the committee recommended that Ms Leah Khumalo be appointed to fill the vacancy on the SABC board.
However, before I ask the House to approve the recommendation of the committee, we want to place on record that, as a committee, over the time dealing with the SABC board, we also feel that the information and communication technology, ICT, policy review process must also look at the process of the appointment of the SABC board and the clarification of roles between the executive within the SABC and that of the Minister in relation to SABC board issues. With that in mind, I therefore request this House to approve the appointment of Ms Leah Khumalo to serve on the SABC board. I thank you.
There was no debate.
Question put: That Ms Leah Thabisile Khumalo be recommended for appointment to the board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
Declarations of vote:
Hon colleagues, many times during the lifespan of this Parliament you have endorsed the names of many ANC cronies to serve on SABC boards and the public broadcaster, which has been in crisis for eight years, is none the better for it. This House, because it is ANC majority and values personal royalties over appropriate skills and experience, is complicit in perpetual chaos in the management of the SABC's operations.
The SABC board, is no longer a sought after position. This was evident from the list of people who applied for the current vacancy. While some of these people are no doubt worthy citizens, few had the relevant experience or showed a passion, vision or independence of mind, which is critical at this juncture. This is not to say that Ms Leah Khumalo will be ineffective on the board, she just was in the DA's view not the best choice, and we do not support her nomination. She becomes just another member of mediocre board. Last September, this House recommended to the President the names of the current board. They were forced on this House by Luthuli House.
The ANC members of the communications committee refused to motivate the names on their list, which differed from the one that we had been negotiating in the days before the decision had to be made. Since then, the board has been thin on presence where it counts, much of this may be due to the weak leadership of President Zuma's choice for the nonexecutive chairperson of this multibillion Rand corporation.
Under Ms Ellen Tshabalala's leadership, the SABC's financially suspect and ethically dubious deal with MultiChoice for the flighting of two 24-hour channels was hurried through the interim board - much to MultiChoice's advantage. On taking office, the new board was offered an opportunity by Minister Carrim to review this decision. They declined to interrogate it. Since then, the chairperson who is a spokesperson for the board has automatically left to the defence of the SABC management when the skills audit and Public Protector's reports showed endemic corruption and incompetence among the top management. She publicly showed no willingness to consider the criticism that is so blindly obvious to the rest of the nation. The Public Protector bewailed this attitude and had a collegial chat with her to explain the responsibilities and power limits of her post. Ms Tshabalala seemed to be grateful for this lesson.
This illustrates what is at the heart of the ANC's deployment of cronies to government boards. It sees them as training grounds for pals needing experience in the business environment. This gives them a leg-up to more lucrative jobs in the private sector and a chance to get on to the ANC's business network.
Until the ANC approaches these board appointments with an open mind and have an eye on inappropriate experience and quality of leadership, the SABC board and others will continue to fail and we will share the blame. [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, in terms of section 14(b) of the Broadcasting Act, which makes provision that the members of the SABC board, when viewed or assessed collectively, must be persons or a person who is committed to fairness, freedom of expression, the right of the public to be informed, openness and accountability on the part of those holding public office.
I must also continue to say that, in line with the ANC policy resolutions and other government targets which promote gender equality and a generational mix, the ANC recommends the appointment of Ms Leah Khumalo as she is the best and most suitable candidate to be appointed to the SABC board. Her qualifications speak for themselves. Her experience and expertise in the ITC sector, particularly in broadcasting, which includes serving on the risk and audit committee of Sentech and acting as the Sentech chairperson of the committee.
She was also instrumental in the rolling out of the low power transmitter to allow citizens access to both radio and television services offered by the SABC. She also contributed to direct-to-home, DTH, satellite broadcasting, which will ensure and speed up access of broadcasting to the rural areas, in particular and a digital migration television master plan of the Department of Communications, DOC, during her term as a Sentech board member.
In closing, one should also assure this House that, as the ANC, we are focusing on the appointment of the candidate, not other SABC matters. Hence the ANC requests this House to endorse the name of Leah Khumalo as a board member of the SABC. Thank you.
Question agreed to (Independent Democrats and Democratic Alliance dissenting).
Ms Leah Thabisile Khumalo accordingly recommended for appointment to the Board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation.