SABC Board & MDDA Board interviews

Meeting report

The procedure for each of the interviews was that the Chairperson welcomed the candidate, explained the interview process and introduced the Subcommittee members. The Chairperson explained that the Subcommittee had members from the different political parties based on their proportional representation in Parliament. The Chairperson explained the five-minute rule for the candidate to make an introduction. The introduction should include the candidate’s work experience, academic achievements and why the candidate should be considered for the board. Thereafter Members would asked questions. For each question, the candidate would be given five minutes to respond. This five-minute period included candidate’s response and member’s question. The Chairperson said he usually did not ask questions as the facilitator, however he would ask questions to clarify certain matters.

Refer to the audio for the responses to the questions.

At the close of each interview, the Chairperson noted that the interview and selection process is open and transparent to the public. The Subcommittee would adopt a report for the Committee to make the final recommendations. In the appointment process they look for candidates who seek to advance the work of the board and provide skills missing from the board to ensure it functions. The board must provide oversight on areas that need to be improved.

SABC Board interview: Ms Senamile Masango
Ms P Faku (ANC) asked what innovative ideas the candidate has to fast track the roll out of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) that will be used to grow the SABC. Secondly, what was the candidate’s understanding of a public broadcaster compared to a state broadcaster?

Mr Z Mbhele (DA) asked the candidate to expand on her ideas of value add to the SABC by means of digitization, moving towards the fourth industrialisation, innovation in championing new products and inspiring quality content. In her analysis of the SABC, what would she say is a key shortfall currently? In her strategic gap analysis, what would be essential to address those challenges? Secondly, improving the organisation is about trimming and streamlining. What does the candidate think may need to be trimmed, streamlined or taken away as the SABC moves forward as a leaner, more agile and innovative public broadcaster?

Ms N Khubheka (ANC) asked the candidate what must be incorporated into the new Broadcasting Amendment Bill to improve the SABC. Secondly, what does the candidate believe is SABC’s role in the digital migration process?

The Chairperson asked for clarity how the candidate will implement her ideas taking into consideration SABC's operating turnaround strategy on matters such as digitization and finances.

The Chairperson thanked the candidate and gave her an opportunity to give closing remarks.

MDDA Board interview: Ms Carol Mohlala
Ms P Faku (ANC) said that there are challenges with the MDDA funding model as specified in the MDDA Act which means that capacity building, research and innovation by MDDA cannot be supported adequately. These are key challenges that need to be urgently addressed. What does the candidate think can be done? Secondly, there are complaints of high signal distribution costs, what can be done to resolve this? Lastly, should the community broadcaster sector compete with commercial broadcasters?

Mr Z Mbhele (DA) was satisfied with the candidate’s response on how to build and ensure MDDA sustainability and also on partnership building. The candidate is directly involved in the community media space with the Stokvel Talk publication. There is untapped potential in community media in serving its audience which provides the basis for tapping into resources and revenue. He asked for her experience and insight about the niche space she is currently in. How can community media leverage these community niche gaps – so it is not so much competing with commercial media but find the niche gaps that can become the platform and mechanism for building those streams for sustainability and partnership so they can grow into their own?

Mr T Gumbu (ANC) asked how her experience in the media fraternity will build the MDDA and why. Secondly, what does she think will be MDDA's role in promoting community media in the digital era?

Ms N Khubheka (ANC) asked if she believes that the MDDA policy and legislation are still relevant. Secondly, how can the MDDA overcome fake news, because fake news takes a lot of space instead of giving the community the truth? Lastly, the coronavirus pandemic has caused significant challenges for health systems all over the world, and has affected the South African economy. If appointed, what does she think the MDDA can do to respond to the health crisis?

The Chairperson asked for clarity on the funding gaps within the existing MDDA funding model. Are the gaps the candidate spoke about beginning to be addressed? If not, why does the candidate think it is running short and what needs to be done to get it working?

The Chairperson thanked the candidate and gave her an opportunity to give closing remarks.

MDDA Board interview: Ms Blaise Koetsie
Ms P Faku (ANC) asked what is the candidate’s understanding of the role of media and media diversity.

What is the candidate’s corporate governance experience, does she understand the role of the board against that of management?

Mr Z Mbhele (DA) noted from her CV that the candidate is involved and has gained career experience in business restructuring. She must have some insight to organizational analysis and identification of weaknesses and opportunities. From a strategic gap identification, what would her observations and understanding identify as a key shortfall in the MDDA currently, that she could see herself potentially being able to address and turnaround? Lastly, what is the candidate’s unique value add that she can contribute to the MDDA board in skills, networks, experience, especially around building sustainability and partnerships for the future

Mr T Gumbu (ANC) asked what changes the candidate will bring to the MDDA board if appointed. What proposals does she have on how the MDDA can remain relevant and sustainable?

Ms N Khubheka (ANC) appreciated the candidate’s passion for youth development. Does she believe community media can compete with the public broadcaster or commercial media and give practical solutions that the MDDA can implement?  Does she believe MDDA policy and legislation are still relevant or how should they be amended? If appointed, what can the MDDA board do about fake news as fake news occupies more space than truthful news?

The Chairperson asked for clarity on possible solutions to get the MDDA relevant. Looking at the MDDA sustainability model for funding projects what is the candidate’s assessment of what may need to be done to improve funding projects.

The Chairperson thanked the candidate and gave her an opportunity to give closing remarks.

MDDA Board interview: Mr Phosa Mashangoane
Ms P Faku (ANC) noted the challenge of very high signal distribution costs. What can be done as most of the MDDA budget goes to such costs? Secondly, in the event of digital transformation, how can community media remain relevant and adopt new ways of doing business? Lastly, MDDA is currently not achieving its target for research and innovation – what must be done since they have budget constraints?

Mr Z Mbhele (DA) noted one of the solutions the candidate proposed is negotiating with National Treasury for increased funding and doing so with substantive motivation and research. The candidate brings diverse experience and asked if the avenue of seeking increased funding from National Treasury would really be successful. Building partnerships leverage other resources and build synergy that can take the MDDA to its next chapter. Based on his experience and networks, if they tap into the use of licence fees, which partnerships would the MDDA need to establish or strengthen in building and ensuring its sustainability?

Mr T Gumbu (ANC) asked about the nature of the relationship with ICASA. Secondly, what would be the role of MDDA in corporate governance?

Ms N Khubheka (ANC) said MDDA has a limited budget and they managed to achieve three clean audits. The candidate raised signal distribution – this creates huge costs for the MDDA. Does the candidate think National Treasury will be convinced as Treasury has made it known that it will not bail out state owned entities (SOEs). She asked if he believes his plan will be successful to challenge Treasury to get the funding. Is the MDDA funding model sufficient to convince Treasury to assist the MDDA?

South Africa is facing local government elections and there are many parties. How can they  ensure balance so all the parties get a fair share of community media?

Lastly, should community broadcasters compete with commercial broadcasters? In answering the question, what practical solutions can the MDDA implement?

The Chairperson asked for clarity on funding options. The reality of the matter is that the MDDA is constrained not so much by National Treasury but because the fiscus does not allow for a bailout. He asked if the current sustainability funding model takes challenges into consideration and brings alternatives to the board, and what could be done to ensure to that.

The Chairperson thanked the candidate and gave her an opportunity to give closing remarks.

The Chairperson said that filling the board vacancies is about serving the interests of South Africans. The Subcommittee would reconvene late that afternoon after the House sitting to continue the interviews. He thanked the Members for their active participation.

The meeting was adjourned.