Some might say that Solly Mokoetle has an appetite for trouble — fresh from one corporate disaster zone, Telkom Media, he was announced this week as the new chief executive of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). But those close to his selection insist he has what it takes to reverse the fortunes of the public broadcaster.
After serving the SABC for 12 years and leaving on ”a sabbatical” in 2006, Mokoetle (53) became Telkom Media’s head of content. The venture, which went through R470-million without ever getting off the ground, was thrown a last-minute lifeline in May when it sold its stake in the pay-TV business to Chinese company Shenzhen Media SA.
In an interview this week Mokoetle said his time at Telkom Media had been ”challenging”.
”It was a development out of my control. I was a manager, not a shareholder. But I wasn’t affected by the sale. They were disappointed that I was leaving because they wanted me rebuild the whole thing,” he said. ‘I had the expertise and they wanted me to help launch it.”
Mokoetle said his farewell party at the SABC in 2006 was cancelled, apparently because of financial constraints. ”I hope those who forgot to give me a party will now welcome me back,” he said. ”It’s like the return of the prodigal son.”
His appointment this week was followed by an announcement that President Jacob Zuma had rubber-stamped the recommendations of the National Assembly and appointed 12 members for the new SABC board from January 10.
Former minister of arts, culture, science and technology Ben Ngubane, whose roots are in the Inkatha Freedom Party rather than the ANC, has been appointed chairperson. Felleng Sekha, who has extensive broadcasting and telecoms experience, is deputy chairperson.
Mokoetle should get along with the new board as he is ”undeniably passionate about broadcasting”, said senior SABC executives who have worked with him. But Mokoetle concedes that the SABC faces leadership and financial challenges.
”There’s a tough time ahead. To turn around an organisation from a deficit situation is not easy,” he said. ”Fortunately, the interim board has done some significant work in the path of recovery. They’ve managed to get a government guarantee for R1,4-billion and developed a financial model which, if implemented to a T, would bring a turnaround by 2012. I’m not hitting the ground cold.”
Interim board chairperson Irene Charnley said Mokoetle’s five-year contract was linked to performance. ”We know he’s up to the challenge,” she said. ”It was a rigorous and transparent [selection] process and I’m comfortable with his appointment.”
The Mail & Guardian has learned that chief financial officer Robin Nicholson will be back at work to assist Mokoetle. He was given a final written warning after a disciplinary hearing this week.
Nicholson was one of four senior executives suspended after the release of the auditor general’s report on fruitless and wasteful expenditure at the corporation.
The 12 non-executive members appointed to the new SABC board are Cedric Sabelo Gina, Philippa ”Pippa” Green, Peter John Harris, Barbara Masekela, Magathe Mello, Nkotomane Motsepe, Baldwin ”Ben” Ngubane, David Niddrie, Clare O’Neil, Felleng Sekha, Suzanne Vos and Desmond Golding.
