The debate about who is in line to take over the editorship of South Africa’s largest newspaper, the Sunday Times, moved up a gear this week following the resignation of SABC chief executive for news Barney Mthombothi.
Mthombothi has been widely touted as the likely candidate to fill the shoes of Mike Robertson, who has moved to the position of publisher. Robertson’s former position was advertised last month and is likely to go to a black candidate.
The announcement of Mthombothi’s resignation on Wednesday has fuelled rumours that he may join the paper, which is owned by Johnnic. However, Sunday Times editorial staff this week dismissed the speculations, saying that the front runner for the position appeared to be the paper’s political editor, Mondli Makhanya.
Makhanya, a former Mail & Guard-ian journalist, joined the Sunday Times about two years ago following a short stint as associate editor at the Sunday World.
Mthombothi’s resignation concludes a short, yet turbulent, spell at the public broadcaster. He was allegedly not on good terms with SABC group chief executive Peter Matlhare. Matlhare this week said Mathatha Tsedu, SABC deputy head of news, has been appointed acting head of news until a replacement is found. Tsedu is expected to take over the position.
Mthombothi has yet to announce his next move. But Sunday Times staffers say he somewhat blotted his copybook at Johnnic when he was offered the editorship of the Financial Mail, only to move to the SABC.
A Sunday Times source said Mthombothi had a 50-50 chance of landing the Sunday Times job. ”He would add moral authority to the paper.”
Another senior insider at Johnnic said Mthombothi was seen as the front runner for the Sunday Times editorship. ”But he may be too cerebral. Mondli has the dynamism that is needed.”