Madam Deputy Speaker, Members of Parliament, good afternoon. On 1 July 2009, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications, the hon Vadi said: "Today is a sad day for our country."
I'm here today to say: Mosito o tswelela pele. Ke nako! [let the beat go on. Now is the time!]
We are ready as the ANC. The ANC welcomes the debate on the reinstitution of the SABC board, particularly on the proposed 12 names. When one looks at the SABC situation, it is clear that all is not well. Clearly, a drastic change is needed. We need a turnaround strategy. It is going to take time for the situation ... maar, bietjie, bietjie maak meer. [Applous.] [... but every drop counts. [Applause.]]
We'll get there.
The SABC reported a financial loss of R839 million for the 2008-09 financial year, and even requested government to help with a R2 billion bailout. Our intervention as this House has been the appointment of an interim board, which had to stabilise the SABC to increase revenue and reduce costs.
The interim board has done a good job. In a very short period of time, among other things, it had to fork out a heavy bailout of the then Group Chief Executive Officer, Dali Mpofu. It was a costly but prudent decision. It had to be taken.
It also closed some of the international news bureaus to scale down operations and costs. These measures and others indicate the boldness and decisiveness of the interim board as a clean handover to the new permanent board.
The nomination of Suzanne Vos, Desmond Golding, Clifford Motsepe, Ms Barbara Masekela and David Niddrie indicates the principles of continuity, youth vibrancy and change, which should be carried to the new permanent board to promote a culture of ethics and operational effectiveness. I repeat for the DA hon members that Mr Niddrie is also part of the change as a South African. He deserves a chance.
Se se raya gore, letlhaku le le?wa le agelelwa mo go le legologolo; botlhale ba phala bo tswa phalaneng; mmangwana o tshwara thipa ka fa bogaleng. [This means that great ideas are derived from old ones; older people can rely on their children for wisdom; a mother always protects her child.] The ANC, about which we are not shy, at its 52nd national conference in Polokwane resolved that in accordance with the Broadcasting Act, Act 4 of 1999, the appointing body should ensure that the SABC board is representative of all sectors in our society. We therefore believe that the accountability and fairness of the public broadcaster are central to the objective of the gains we have made as a country in pursuit of a national democratic society.
In conclusion, once again, the ANC calls on all political parties to support the 12 names proposed collectively to ensure that we have an effective broadcaster. They reflect a broad South African demography and possess an array of skills necessary to transform the institution.
I'd like to say that I'm disappointed by the hon member from the DA as he was also part of the process. As a new member, I don't believe what he said is true because he was part of the process, we had agreed with them and we agreed on the process. [Interjections.] It is high time that the DA accept that the majority of South Africans spoke on 22 April 2009. That is the mandate we carry; that is the mandate we'll die for.
Mmogo re ka dira go le gontsi. Ke a leboga. [Legofi.][Together, we can do more. Thank you. [Applause.]]