Interviews of Candidates for SABC Board

Meeting report

Recusal of Committee Member
Ms N Michael (DA) voiced concern about Ms W Newhoutdt-Druchen’s (ANC) presence in the meeting given that her husband was one of the candidates to be interviewed by the Committee. She therefore asked the Chairperson to rule on the issue of procedural fairness (to other candidates) and if there was any conflict.

The Chairperson asked the Committee Secretary to elaborate on the legal opinion that had been sourced from the Parliamentary Legal Unit.

Mr Thembinkosi Ngoma, Committee Secretary, advised that in terms of procedure, Ms Newhoudt-Druchen should remove herself from the proceedings and sit in the public gallery.

Ms Newhoudt-Druchen said that she was willing to excuse herself from the proceedings, by not asking questions, but would prefer to sit in as an observer.

Ms J Killian (COPE) commented that she empathised with the Member concerned. However, in the interest of fairness she would prefer if Ms Newhoudt-Druchen could totally excuse herself from the proceedings.

Ms R Marutoa (ANC) said that there was no need for the matter to be debated because Ms Newhoudt-Druchen had already agreed to recuse herself.

The Chairperson ruled that Ms Newhoudt-Druchen should not participate in the proceedings but rather sit in the public gallery as an observer.

Interviews
Candidates were asked the following questions:

•The nominees were asked to give a brief description of their background (who they were and what they had achieved) in relation to the job they were applying for.

•Candidates were asked to elaborate about their current employment.

•Candidates were asked to elaborate on their qualifications and previous experience in relation to the position they were applying for.

•Candidates were asked if they had any business or financial interests in the communications industry.

•They were asked why they were interested in being on the South African Broadcasting Board and what experience they would bring to the SABC.

•They were asked to expand on a turn-around strategy for the Board.

•They were asked whether their present companies were doing business with the SABC.

•They were asked about the biggest mistakes made by the Board and what they thought they would do to fix those mistakes.

•They were also asked how they would transform the SABC.

•They were asked to explain the difference they would make to SABC and what value they would add.

•Candidates were also asked whether they would commit themselves full-time to the Board.

•Candidates were asked whether they belonged to any political organisation.

•They were asked to share their thoughts on the proposed Media Tribunal.

•They were asked if they served on other boards.

•They were asked if the current funding model of the SABC was the correct one.

•Candidates were asked about the role of the SABC during the pre-election campaigning.

•They were asked about universal access and how the migration from analogue to digital would affect the poorest of the poor in terms of understanding and affordability.

•Candidates were asked to elaborate on their characteristics, whether they would be able to deliver on their mandate without outside or political pressure.

•They were asked how they would achieve quality programming in the SABC.

•Candidates were asked to share their views on the different roles between the Board, Management and Government.

•They were asked whether if there were enough skilled personnel at the SABC and how they would keep them.

•They were asked about their understanding of the independence of Board.

•They were asked how they would manage the Minister’s interventions on the Board.

•They were asked to explain the areas they would focus on if they were to be appointed to the SABC Board.

•They were asked what kind of a leader should be expected from the chairperson of the Board.

•They were asked whether they would ensure that transformation happened in relation to the management of the SABC and how they would ensure corporate governance procedures were implemented.

•Candidates were asked to elaborate whether they had any problems with policy formulation in terms of implementation between SABC Board and the Executive.

•They were asked to explain their understanding of the freedom of expression in the SABC.

•They were asked how they would balance the conflict of interests in the SABC Board.

•Candidates were asked to explain the role the Board would play in closing the gap in the digital divide.

Refer to audio recordings for responses.