Commentators have interpreted the number of staff leaving the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as a ‘purge†of those who disagree with Snuki Zikalala, news and current affairs director. The Mail & Guardian‘s Tumi Makgetla speaks to SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago about this and the resignation of John Perlman.
A number of high-calibre staff are leaving the SABC. Is the SABC concerned about the loss of this staff?
Broadcast journalism is an extremely competitive field and this is reflected in staff turnover levels across all media organisations. This competition is set to intensify as more players, such as CNBC-Africa, enter the market.
To what do you attribute this staff exodus?
The SABC employs more that 4Â 000 employees and two or four people’s departure cannot be an exodus.
In the case of Perlman, it has been said that one of the reasons for his resignation was that he refused to accept a warning for disagreeing with you on air about blacklisting at the SABC? Is this true?
This was not stated as a reason for his departure.
Was Perlman disciplined for his comment?
This matter was dealt with between Perlman and the Group CEO. We are not at liberty to communicate such staff matters without the approval of the staff member concerned.
Commentators have interpreted the number of staff leaving as a ‘purge†of those who disagree with Snuki Zikalala, news and current affairs director. What is your response to this suggestion?
None of the people who are leaving have cited that as their reason for leaving.
The commission report that followed the probe into blacklisting found that Zikalala’s management style ‘could only impact negatively on morale, initiative and an appropriate sense of ownership [by journalists]â€. Did this management style influence the decision of certain staff members to leave the SABC?
None of the people who are leaving has cited that as their reason for leaving.
The commission recommended that the board take close cognisance of the concerns about Zikalala’s management style. What has the SABC done to address these concerns?
Most of the recommendations are being implemented and the Group CEO will announce the progress when necessary.
What does the SABC plan to do to prevent losing further talent of such high quality?
The SABC makes every effort to retain its staff at all levels of the organisation, particularly experienced and skilled journalists. Like any other media organisation, sometimes we succeed in retaining them and in some instances we do not succeed.