Screen Africa asked Kate Skinner of the SOS Support Public Broadcasting coalition for an update on public broadcaster SABC’s progress in appointing a new CEO. Readers will recall that former CEO Solly Mokoetle resigned from the SABC on 19 January this year, citing an irretrievable breakdown in his relationship with the SABC board which had previously suspended him. CFO Robin Nicholson was appointed Acting CEO in the meantime.
“As far as I know applications for the CEO post have closed but nobody has been appointed yet,’ says Skinner. “In terms of process it is important to remember that the SABC board is made up of executives (the CEO, CFO and COO) and 12 non-executives. The 12 non-execs are selected by parliament and appointed by the President. Parliament plays no role in terms of the appointment of the three executives.’
Skinner believes that is likely that the following may happen:
– The board (i.e. the non-exec directors) will form a sub-committee to do the interviewing.
– The sub-committee will then make a recommendation to the full board (non execs and execs).
– The board will then either accept or reject the recommendation. If the board accepts the recommendation then this recommendation will go to the Minster of Communications for final approval.
“What is interesting to note is that the legislation (ie. Broadcasting Act of 1999) is silent on the appointment of execs. The SABC’s articles of association however state that the appointment of the execs must be done with the Minister’s approval.
“As SOS we have said that we don’t think that the Minister should play any role in the appointment of the three execs. This should solely be the prerogative of the non-execs on the board. We have stated that it is particularly inappropriate for the Minister to have a say in terms of the appointment of the CEO as the CEO also plays the role of editor-in-chief. But we haven’t won this argument yet,’ explains Skinner.
