Members of the South African parliament’s communications portfolio committee may seem to be having some difficulty selecting a suitable candidate from the five candidates shortlisted to fill a position on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board.
The abovementioned subcommittee has interviewed four candidates, namely, Mpho Tsedu, Nalini Maharaj, Barbara Sangweni, and Dr Rene Horne, who all had very impressive credentials. Meanwhile, Senamile Masango, one of the candidates, requested that the interview be postponed due to an earlier engagement that could not be rescheduled. The committee had initially accepted six names, but Dr Nombeko Mbava dropped out at the last minute.
“Dr Nombeko Mbava wrote to the chairperson, informing the committee and expressing her gratitude for being shortlisted to serve on the board. She has, however, informed the committee that the president has recently appointed her as the full-time chairperson of the Financial and Fiscal Commission. Therefore, as a result of the expected duties that come with the position, as well as her desire not to overcommit herself in performing such a fiduciary duty, she wishes to withdraw her candidacy,” stated the committee secretary.
Bernedette Muthien resigned from the board, creating the vacancy. The job posting was published in two national, two regional, and seven community media newspapers in all 11 official languages. There were 69 nominees in total. While the public broadcaster has been plagued by allegations of corruption, incompetence, and maladministration in the past, the candidates have pledged to push forward with the entity’s plans to rehabilitate, transform the face of the organisation, and restore its financial viability.
The committee aims to interview the outstanding candidate on Tuesday, September 7, and then submit its recommendations to the National Assembly once qualification and security clearances are completed.
