Interviews of candidates for South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Board: day 4

Meeting report

The Committee met to conduct interviews for vacancies on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Board.

PMG did not attend the interviews as they took place in Johannesburg. However, the Committee Secretary has provided us with the relevant minutes of the meeting
 

PRESENT:

African National Congress (ANC)
Kholwane, Mr SE (Chairperson)
Muthambi, Ms F (Whip)
Morutoa, Ms R
Tsebe, Ms S
Lesoma, Ms M*
Kekana, Mr D
Schneemann, Mr G
Newhoudt-Druchen, Ms W

Democratic Alliance (DA)
Shinn, Ms M
Steyn, Mr A

Inkatha Freedom Party
Van der Merwe, Ms L

Congress of the People
Kilian, Ms J

Parliamentary Support Staff:
Mr TK Ngoma, Committee Secretary
Ms T Sepanya, Committee Secretary
Mr S Nene, Committee Researcher
Mr M Maleka, Content Advisor
Mr E Vos, Committee Assistant
Ms A Nkwandla, Committee Assistant
Mr T Gubula, Principal Communications Officer
Mr N Mjenxane, Legal Advisor

Member’s Assistants
Mr K Matlala – Assistant to Mr Kekana
Ms R Davids – Assistant to Ms Newhoudt-Druchen
Mr F Deysel – Assistant to Ms Newhoudt-Druchen

Guests

Department of Communications
Mr M Qwabe, Deputy Director

MCM Web
Mr D Martinis – Chief Executive Officer

Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)
Ms U Bangani, Senior Manager

SOS: Support Public Broadcasting
Mr S Phamodi - Coordinator

Etv
Mr M Phage, Government Regulatory Affairs

SABC
Mr A Cishe – Parliamentary Liaison Officer
Mr T Modise – Cameraman
Ms C Lewis - Journalist

Business Day
Mr R Pronto - photojournalist

1.         Opening and welcome
The Chairperson opened the meeting, outlined the interview process, and thanked all members for availing themselves during constituency period. He also welcomed the members of the public who were in attendance. Furthermore, he thanked candidates for availing themselves to be nominated to serve on the Board.

2.         SABC Board interviews

The Committee interviewed the following candidates:
Ms Ellen Zandile Tshabalala
Mr Krish Naidoo
Professor Theodore Mncedisi Jordan
Mr Thulani Tshefute
Ms Leah Khumalo
Prof Johannes Jacobus Rossouw
Ms Charlotte Mampane
Ms Rachel Kadilaas


Amongst others, candidates were asked the following questions:

Why do you think you are the suitable candidate to serve on the Board?

Identify two major challenges with the broadcaster and how would you resolve those issues if you were appointed to the Board?

Why do you want to be part of rebuilding the broadcaster?

What do you think is the role of the Board versus the role of the Company Secretary and the Executives?

In your own view, do you think the Group Chief Executive Officer is best suited for the position of the Editor-in-Chief?

What skills are needed in the SABC in order for it to function smoothly?

Is Sentech still relevant today?

How will the venture (Direct-To-Home satellite) with Sentech benefit the poor of the poor in terms of universal access?

What will you do to ensure that the corporation complies with its constitutional mandate, the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Broadcasting Act and King 111 Code on Corporate Governance?

Is there anything that disqualifies you, in terms of section 16 of the Broadcasting Act, not to be appointed to the Board?

How will DTH be used to ensure that all South Africans have access to television?

If you are appointed to the SABC Board, is there any particular area that you would like to focus on as a Board Member?

Is SABC adequately fulfilling its mandate?

How do you think the relationship between the Minister and the Board should be, especially in terms of the separation of powers?

The BBC publishes the names and interests of its Board members on their website. Do you think the South Africa should follow suit?

What is your understanding of section 76 of the Companies Act?

In terms of the work you have done, do you think the SABC is relevant to the young people of South Africa? If not, what do you think the SABC should be doing in order to make it relevant?

What do you think you will do for people living with disabilities should you be appointed to the SABC Board?

What will you do to make sure you assist the Board in turning around the situation at the SABC and achieve a clean audit?

The meeting adjourned at 20:00


Mr SE Kholwane, MP
Chairperson: PC on Communications