SABC Board Interviews

COMMUNICATIONS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
04 September 2007
SABC BOARD INTERVIEWS

Acting Chairperson: Mr G Oliphant (ANC)

Documents handed out:
None

Audio recording of meeting [Part 1] [Part 2] & [Part 3]

SUMMARY

The Acting Chairperson indicated that Ms Bhengu had withdrawn from the process. They now have 35 candidates that would be running for SABC Board. The candidates interviewed today were Advocate Pansy Tlakula, Mr Ashwin Trikamjee, Dr Frene Ginwala, Mr Michael Judin, Mr Desmond Golding and Mr Randall Howard.

All Candidates were asked to introduce themselves and indicate why they were seeking appointment to the Board. Members called for comment on the possible conflict of interest arising either by reason of their work elsewhere or from party political affiliations. Candidates were asked to address the particular contributions or value they could add to the Board, and to give suggestions for rectifying any current difficulties or mistakes, their approach to rebuilding the reputation of the public broadcaster, and the current status of the SABC. Members also asked how the candidates saw the role of SABC, whether its funding caused any mismatch with this role, their views on the role and function of a public broadcaster, and what suggestions they would make for changes to various aspects of the board and its work. Members were also asked how they would attempt to rectify mistakes or rebuild the reputation of the SABC without damaging the candidates’ own reputations elsewhere. Further questions were directed towards recent events at the SABC. 

Interview: Advocate Pansy Tlakula
The Chairperson requested the candidate to provide a brief introduction and why she would like to be considered for appointment to the SABC Board.

Adv Tlakula outlined her legal degree and her LLM degree that she obtained from Harvard University, where she specialised in International Human Rights Law and Advocacy. She had taught law and was the Executive director of the Black Lawyers Association. Adv Tlakula was appointed as a member of the South African Human Rights Commission. She was the chairperson of the National Credit Regulator Board. She had also acted as chief electoral officer of the IEC and had led the team that managed the 2004 and 2006 elections, as well as being involved in other elections in Africa. She was nominated as member of the African Commission on Human People’s Rights. Advocate Tlakula mentioned that her particular field of expertise lay in freedom of expression. 

Adv Tlakula mentioned that she had experience of functioning in an independent and impartial environment, which she would bring to the board if appointed. The IEC formed part of the Chapter 9 institutions and so she had experience of an independent body. She would bring her experience on governance, being a member of the South African Human Rights Commission and her special focus on freedom of expression in Africa.

Mr R Pieterse (ANC) asked if Ms Tlakula had ever experienced gender stereotyping and gender discrimination in her career. 

Mr Pieterse referred to freedom of expression, responsibility and right to privacy. He then asked in those conditions how she would address the illegal nature in which the Health Minister’s documents were obtained. He further asked if she was a Board member, what kind of guard she would give.

Ms S Vos (IFP) referred to Adv Tlakula’s position with freedom and expression in Africa, and she asked how many of the AU signatories or countries adhered to the charter and declaration.

Ms Vos requested the candidate’s view on how the SABC should portray Africa or reporting on Africa in terms of declaration, freedom of expression and whether or not the current portrayal of Africa was a true reflection.

Ms Vos mentioned there would be an election coming up in 2009; she asked if the candidate would have enough time to serve on the SABC Board in relation to her current job.

Ms D Smuts (DA) stated that the Electoral Commission and Public Broadcaster were necessary conditions for democracy and that before Adv Tlakula was appointed to serve on the IEC, she was involved in three incidents that Ms Smuts found problematic. The first was the media enquiry that premised subliminal racism. The enquiry into this had suggested that equality and free speech were mutually exclusive, which Ms Smuts found problematic. She requested comment on that.
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Ms L Yengeni (ANC) requested the candidate’s assessment of the SABC as a public broadcaster, and whether or not it encouraged debate on different opinions in the country.

Ms Yengeni further mentioned that there were perceptions or accusations that the public broadcaster was biased to certain political parties or party leaders. She asked Ms Tlakula’s view in that regard.

Mr I Vadi (ANC) wondered about the candidate’s roles as Chief Electoral Officer of IEC in relation to the non-executive position of the SABC. He cited the example where an election might be declared unfairly conducted, and SABC decided to publicise this. He asked what her role would be and how she would she deal with those situations.

Adv. Swart asked on the urgency of the appeal letter that Adv Tlakula wrote to the Zimbabwean President and whether or not it was reported by the SABC.

Adv Swart wondered if the candidate’s position on SABC Board might not compromise her role as a freedom of speech commentator, should there be negative publicity associated with the broadcaster or alleged linkages or political biases.

Mr K Khumalo (ANC) asked who was currently leading the Commission on African People and Human Rights since there had been stress placed on the minority or indigenous languages.

Mr Khumalo mentioned that the SABC had an educational as well as an entertainment mandate. He asked if it would be possible, in the candidate’s view,  for the broadcaster to fulfil its mandate based on the current funding model and demands. 

Ms Vos followed up on the letter where the candidate stated that she was still waiting for a response and asked how long she would take on the intervention on human rights issues and what she thought should be done.

The Acting Chairperson referred to the challenge of SABC increasingly being  funded by advertisers, since the government was not supporting the broadcaster enough in terms of funding. He asked for comment.

The chairperson requested the candidate’s concluding remarks.

Interview: Mr Ashwin Trikamjee
The Acting Chairperson requested the candidate to provide a brief introduction, and why he would like to be considered for re-appointment to the SABC Board.

Mr Ashwin Trikamjee replied by stating his legal background as an Attorney and experience as a Judge in the High Court. He was the President of the provincial law society in Kwazulu Natal, and had been President also of the Law Society of South Africa. He had also been involved in the administration of football, where he was the President of the Federation and Vice President of SAFA. He was chairperson of the national league now known as PSL. He served on the disciplinary committee on various football tribunals and was involved in the South African Council of Sport. He had also been involved in religious activities, currently being President of the South African Hindu body, and co chairperson of the national religious forum.

Mr Trikamjee stated that community members requested him to serve on the SABC Board once again due to his contributory role on religion and sport on the SABC. He outlined that role in respect of religious broadcasting, sport and contribution in the financial sector of the SABC. He mentioned that he had been many years involved in community service

Adv P Swart (DA)  expressed that the Committee had been displeased with some of the decisions of the SABC, especially some of their poor decisions, and asked what role Mr Trikamjee had played in some of these problems.

Adv Swart referred to the debacle over the broadcasting right regarding PSL and asked the candidate what went wrong.

Adv Swart referred to Mr Trikamjee’s role on the religious broadcasting panel and complaints received from Christians on the radio council,  and asked how those were addressed. 

Mr Pieterse pointed out that Mr Trikamjee once led the referees’ association yet was also a referee. He asked if the Board should be involved in the management of the SABC, and whether or not the Board was executing their mandate properly, as there had been some unsatisfactory incidents. 

Mr Pieterse mentioned that the SABC had not increased the footprint and asked how Mr Trikamjee would measure the success of the SABC.

Ms Vos referred to a specific letter relating to a decision to withdraw from an association, and asked if he was aware of the tone and content of the letter.

Ms Vos mentioned that soccer was a sport of national interest in this country. She asked if there was a need to look at further legislation on real time games that could be publicised through the radio as well.

Ms Smuts asked for comment on the legislation where both the Minister of Communications and Sports were supposed to identify sports that may not be exclusively sold for satellite rights.

Ms Smuts requested clarity on the grounds the SABC Board took a decision to write that kind of letter.

Ms Smuts asked if it was true that the Head of Legal Services had resigned.

Ms Smuts raised the allegations of double invoicing at SABC and asked Mr Trikamjee’s views on what had happened.

The Acting Chairperson requested the member to give his concluding remarks.

Interview: Dr Frene Ginwala
The Acting Chairperson requested the candidate to provide a brief introduction and why she would like to be considered for re-appointment to the SABC Board.

Dr Ginwala explained her legal background as lawyer and print media journalist writing about Africa. She had edited a monthly magazine and later edited the Tanzania national newspaper. She was also a radio journalist, when she produced programmes on African culture. Dr Ginwala became the spokesperson of the ANC, mainly in Western Europe, and negotiator on behalf of the ANC. She had been a trustee of a Trust. She was appointed as Speaker in parliament, then was advisor on Intelligence, and she was part of the eventual Union of Africa. She stated that the independent producers had approached her and, being the head of ANC archives, she was interested in intellectual property of artists, local production and researchers. These were issues the public broadcaster should look at.

Mr Pieterse mentioned that there was now a low point in the media where instead of complementing each other they opposed one another, for example, print media and electronic media were taking divergent views. He asked if there would be conflict if she were seen as both member of the ANC and serving on the SABC Board.

Mr Pieterse referred to the improper funding of the SABC and the share of responsibilities. He asked for her comments on the funding model and proper share to the public broadcaster.

Ms Smuts referred to the qualities needed on the SABC Board, and said that the authority that attached to her as Madam Speaker would be useful. Ms Smuts asked why Dr Ginwala refused her nomination at first, but agreed only at a later stage.

Ms Smuts referred to the SABC having ordered an investigation, but only the leak to Mail and Guardian had made it seek a legal opinion. She asked for Dr Ginwala’s views, and whether there had been equity in all parties being given the chance to respond.

Ms Vos referred to ideological battles being fought at the Board, and asked if the Board should be the terrain of ideological battles.

Ms Vos referred to a report by ANC on media, diversity of media and the media tribunal and asked for the views of Dr Ginwala.

Ms Yengeni asked when did Dr Ginwala resign as a Member of Parliament and why

Ms Yengeni referred to the serious decisions that were taken at ANC level. She asked how Dr Ginwala would handle the matter if the Board were to take an opposing view.

Ms Yengeni mentioned that Dr Ginwala had pronounced herself publicly on the succession battle in the ANC, and she asked if her bias towards certain leaders would not interfere with her independence on the Board.

Adv Swart requested clarity if she officially resigned 3 weeks ago and what Dr Ginwala’s status in Parliament was from 2004 to the time of her resignation.

Mr Pieterse requested comment from Dr Ginwala on the articles written about rivalry between her and Ms Qunta.

The Acting Chairperson requested the candidate to provide her concluding remarks.

Interview: Mr Michael Judin

The Acting Chairperson requested the candidate’s introduction and why he would like to be considered on the board.

Mr Judin outlined his law background as an Attorney, and stated that he was currently the senior partner at a Johannesburg Law Firm. His work focused on corporate governance and risk issues. He was recently appointed into the new King committee, and was discussing the new Companies Bill, and how it would tie in with principles of Corporate Governance. Mr Judin began the mediation institute for Institution of Directors, focusing on negotiation and arbitration in South Africa. They were involved in negotiation and mediation to bring down litigation costs. Furthermore he was the Director of the American Chamber of Commerce where he was on the sanctions committee.

Mr Judin was appointed by the International Property Organisation (IPO) and could bring the work in mediation and negotiating sector on risk management fields.

Adv Swart asked if the candidate were appointed on the Board, how would he influence or contribute to good corporate governance

Adv Swart requested a current reflection of the SABC and the negative publicity the public broadcaster had experienced.

Mr Pieterse stated that the media was also about the numbers. There was a perception that e-TV had a higher number of viewers on the 7 o’clock news than the SABC. He asked how the candidate suggested that this be approached.

Mr Pieterse referred to the challenges arising from poor decisions that the SABC had and asked how the candidate’s presence could benefit the Board to deal with those challenges.

Ms Vos referred to the candidate’s unusual strengths, being involvement with local content, corporate governance and so forth. She asked if he had looked at the 2006 SABC Annual Report ,specifically on the challenge of retaining staff, whilst the executives of SABC were paid huge sums. She asked, with his experience of companies, if the amounts they were paid was commensurate with general remuneration.

Ms Vos asked, if the candidate were to be appointed on the Board, how would he ensure that the broadcaster could retain skills.  

The Acting Chairperson requested the number of companies of which Mr Judin was director of, and asked about the time he would have available.

The Acting Chairperson requested the candidate to state his concluding remarks.
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Interview: Mr Desmond Golding

The Chairperson welcomed the candidate and asked why he would like to be considered for appointment on the SABC Board.

Mr Desmond Golding stated that the public broadcaster was a crucial institution. He explained his background as Parliamentary Researcher for various committees. He was involved in policy and political issues at the Department of Labour and became an Economist at the Reserve Bank, dealing with direction strategy in risk management. He was a group credit officer at Investec and later Director at Standard Bank. Mr Golding was currently doing work for 2010.

Mr Golding stated that his particularly strong skills lay in risk management, procurement and auditing and he felt these would contribute most usefully to the Board.

Mr Khumalo stated that the broadcaster had a mandate to educate, entertain and inform. That mandate must be seen against the funding model, where the broadcaster obtained most of its revenue from advertising. He asked if this mandate was appropriate, and if not, which model would be suitable.

Mr Khumalo mentioned that South Africa was in a developmental state and asked what trajectory should guide the country.

Ms Vos asked whether the Executive Head for 2010 was full time employment. She also asked what other Boards the candidate had served in. 

Ms Vos referred to the ideological battles being fought on the Board and asked if Mr Golding was still deputy chairperson of the ANC Branch.

Ms Vos referred to the letter written withdrawing from the National Editors forum, and requested the candidate’s views on that letter.

Ms Vos requested Mr Golding’s analysis of accountable independence and asked if there was sufficient independence in the media. Furthermore she asked if there was a need for a media tribunal to address these issues.

Mr Pieterse requested Mr Golding’s view on national youth radio, and asked if certain genres of music like hip hop and kwaito would rebuild the culture.

The Acting Chairperson asked if Mr Golding had any relations with the e-TV Golding.

The Acting Chairperson requested his concluding remarks.

Interview: Mr Randall Howard
The Acting Chairperson requested the candidate to provide a brief introduction and why he would like to be considered for re-appointment to the SABC Board.

Mr Howard detailed his working class background and how this impacted on his understanding of society. He spoke of his Union Activities during his short working life and the fact that he was dismissed owing to his union activities. He was the chairperson of shop steward committee and branch chairperson of Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). Mr Howard was the branch secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, an affiliate of COSATU. He was an organiser of the affiliation, and later assistant secretary of the Union, and later general secretary. They brought public and private workers under the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) and COSATU. He was elected President of the International Transport Workers Federation. He worked at NEDLAC, where he was involved in the management committee and executive committee. He had been part of the political federation and partaking in the alliance structure.

Mr Howard stated that he was nominated due to his understanding of society politically, economically and socially, rather than for his academic achievements which would be theoretical rather than practical. He had engaged with the media as a result of his role in the union and had engaged with the SABC through COSATU in campaigning for more local content and indigenous culture to create the balance required in society. He would be able to add value as a result of his experience. Having gained an understanding of some of the operations of SABC through interaction and reading documentation he would make sure that social and labour issues would be available. He would ensure that all the provisions in the Act about public property, public interest, unity and diversity were covered and to this he could make a meaningful contribution. 

Mr Pieterse requested the candidate’s view, given his experience at NEDLAC, on whether the programmes on TV and radio had enough focus on business or worker issues.

Mr Pieterse asked if the candidate was sitting on any Boards that had links to e-TV or other competitors.

Ms Vos referred to huge problems regarding pensions at the SABC and asked if he knew anything about that.

Ms Vos asked what for his comment on what was happening throughout society, where some executives were paid millions.

Ms Vos referred to what the group CEO had written in respect of the withdrawals from the editors’ forum, and requested the candidate’s view on this.

Mr Vadi asked if the candidate would have the time to serve on the Board, given his active role in Unions.

Mr Vadi asked if the public broadcaster adequately reflected the poor or working class communities.

Mr Vadi asked for the candidate’s assessment on the current patterns of governance and if there were serious weaknesses.

Mr Vadi raised the way in which the media had dealt with leadership succession in sectors of the trade union movement, and asked if in Mr Howard’s opinion SABC had dealt with these issues sensitively and fairly.

Mr Khumalo mentioned that the SABC had been criticised that financial markets and economic issues were not sufficiently explained. He also said that there was talk that a labour desk might be established. He requested Mr Howard’s views.

Mr Khumalo referred to mainstreaming in television of programmes showing increasing sex and violence. He asked if there should be more progressive or better programming.

The Acting Chairperson requested the candidate to provide his closing remarks.  

The meeting was adjourned.