Search for new SABC board begins

The public is invited to make nominations for new South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board members before July 31, Parliament’s portfolio committee on communications said on Wednesday.

The call was the beginning of a search for a new board to steer the public broadcaster out of its current problems, chairperson Ismail Vadi said in a statement.

An interim board, comprising former MTN executive Irene Charnley, Unisa academic Phillip Mtimkulu, media expert Libby Lloyd, advocate Leslie Sedibe and former communications committee member Suzanne Vos was approved by the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The old board, headed by former chairperson Khanyi Mkonza, was dissolved about two weeks ago after members resigned amid allegations of mismanagement.

Vadi said the 12 new non-executive board members must have expertise in the fields of broadcasting policy and technology and broadcasting regulation.

They needed a clear understanding of media law and business issues and must represent a broad cross-section of South Africa’s population.

“They must also be committed to fairness, freedom of expression, the right of the public to be informed, as well as openness and accountability.”

Following nominations, the committee would short-list candidates, conduct interviews and present its findings to the National Assembly for recommendation to the president, Vadi said.—Sapa