New SABC chief 'worried' about 2010 broadcasting

Incoming South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) chief executive officer Solly Mokoetle expressed concern over the company’s readiness regarding broadcasting requirements for next year’s Fifa World Cup, in a brief interview on SAFM on Wednesday.

“I’m a little bit worried myself about my ability to deliver that,” he said in a news item.

He said that earlier in the day he had been scheduled to speak on one of the company’s radio stations and was privy to some technical difficulties linking SAFM with Lesedi.

Mokoetle, a former Telkom Media chief content officer, will start on January 1.

He was the public broadcaster’s chief operations officer between 2001 and December 2006.

His five-year contract followed a R11-million settlement by the broadcaster to former CEO Dali Mpofu in August.

“The decision to appoint Mr Mokoetle was based on his experience and a proven track record during the time the SABC was profitable, making him the most suitable candidate,” the broadcaster’s interim board chairperson Irene Charnley said.

“The board is confident that his appointment will provide the required leadership to turn around the SABC while maintaining public broadcasting mandate.”

Zuma appoints new SABC board
President Jacob Zuma appointed 12 members for the SABC board with effect from January 10 2010, the Presidency said on Wednesday.

Twelve non-executive members as recommended by the National Assembly are: Cedric Sabelo Gina, Phillipa “Pippa” Green, Peter John Harris, Barbara Masekela, Magathe Mello, Nkotomane Motsepe, Baldwin “Ben” Ngubane, David Niddrie, Claire O’Neil, Felleng Sekha, Suzanne Vos and Desmond Golding.

The president designated Ngubane as chairperson and Sekha as deputy chairperson of the board.

Ngubane is former minister of arts, culture, science and technology and former South African ambassador to Japan.

Sekha brings extensive experience in the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors, having served in various positions, including as chairperson of the Independent Broadcasting Authority and the National Telecommunications Forum, he said.

Zuma wished the new board members well in their task of strengthening the public broadcaster.—Sapa