Ferial Haffajee
VETERAN journalist and SABC board member Allister Sparks is to be hired to revamp the corporation’s television news and current affairs programming. But Sparks is unlikely to be welcomed by journalists brought in to do just that a few years ago.
Last week, the current editor-in-chief of the television news division, Joe Thloloe, is said to have threatened to resign when he got wind of the plan, but was persuaded not to do so by the SABC’s chief executive, Zwelakhe Sisulu.
This week, Thloloe put out a message on the SABC’s internal mail system refuting rumours of his pending departure, but it has been confirmed that Sparks will still be brought in to help run news for the next year.
This week, too, television news’s senior management team sent a memo to Sisulu confirming their support of Thloloe and objecting to a new caretaker team being brought in. Some apparently even threatened to resign.
But it is understood that Sisulu will press ahead. There has been widespread dissatisfaction with lack of change at television news and many influential staffers feel the old guard is still firmly in control in this crucial division.
And the current affairs section responsible for programmes like Focus, the Truth Commission Special Report and Two Way has been plagued by infighting and allegations of racial discrimination.
“There is a feeling that a major shake-up is needed,” said a senior staff member. Staff point to the effective control of television news bulletins by those from the old school like Dave Viljoen (responsible for the news that SABC chooses to cover), Izak Minnaar (head of regions) and Rob Stevenson (head of television production who often deputises for Thloloe).
“There is a preponderance of old mindsets at TV news,” said another insider.
But some wonder whether Sparks alone will manage the changes which need to be made. In addition, as he is an SABC board member, his appointment could create a conflict of interest. It is thought that Sparks will come in and choose a team who will help make the changes which top management feels is necessary.
“We’re talking to a number of people who can assist in getting our news to the quality we require,” said SABC spokesman Enoch Sithole this week. He confirmed that Sparks was among those people.
Sparks himself was not available for comment.