While the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said chairperson Khanyi Mkonza had stepped down in “the interests” of the broadcaster, the M&G understands she was pushed out to protect the board.
If she had insisted on staying, some board members would have resigned, resulting in the dissolution of the board, the M&G understands.
Mkonza — described by some as an autocratic leader who often acted unilaterally against board decisions — was allegedly instrumental in the axing of group CEO Dali Mpofu.
The board had apparently decided to halt the legal battle to remove Mpofu, but a source told the M&G that Mkonza had gone ahead and briefed the corporation’s lawyers to continue with the case.
The Mpofu matter cost the SABC about R15-million in legal fees and severance pay.
According to the M&G‘s source, poor leadership by Mkonza and former deputy Christine Qunta was at the root of the broadcaster’s woes
“The genesis of all the problems is a result of Khanyi and Christine’s lack of leadership,” said the source, who also said that Mkonza did not have the experience needed to run the SABC.
“She was running an entity that didn’t have a budget like the public broadcaster’s budget.”
Mkonza was chairperson of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) before her stint as SABC chairperson. At the MDDA, Mkonza spearheaded the development of small media, such as community radio stations and small print publications.
She was appointed in December 2007 by former president Thabo Mbeki, a few days after he lost the presidency of the ANC to Jacob Zuma.
During Mkonza’s short tenure, the SABC lost the Premier Soccer League broadcast rights and now needs a R2-billion bailout to keep it afloat. The board also failed to stem the tide of experienced journalists leaving the broadcaster.
The M&G has also learnt that Andile Mbeki was the first board member to ask Mkonza to resign last year after there was dissatisfaction with her hiring a car and a driver at a cost of R200 000. Mkonza does not have a driving licence. She also spent R180 000 on a security guard posted outside her home.
Despite Mkonza’s resignation, calls are still rife for the board to be dissolved and a new one appointed under the new Broadcast Amendment Bill, which provides, among other things, for the removal of board members.