The National Assembly has given the nod to 12 names recommended by the communications portfolio committee to serve on the new board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
The assembly voted by 222 votes to 58 for the board. Notably the ruling African National Congress backed the recommendations, while the official opposition Democratic Alliance, New National Party and Inkatha Freedom Party opposed the recommendations.
The opposition has broadly argued that it is stacked in favour of ANC-supporting individuals.
The president can now appoint a chairperson and deputy chairperson from the list, which includes lawyer and human rights activist Christine Qunta, sitting member and journalist Thami Mazwai, Noluthando Gosa, lawyer Ashwyn Trikamjee, sitting member Derrick Swartz, Fadielah Lagardien, Cecil Msomi, Khanyi Mkhonza (who is chairperson of the Media Development and Diversity Agency), former South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority councillor Eddie Funde, Allison Gillwald, Andile Mbeki (apparently not directly related to President Thabo Mbeki) and Andrew Maralack.
It is widely expected that either Qunta or Funde will be appointed chairperson. — I-Net Bridge