Newly appointed communications minister Faith Muthambi announced a number
of objectives she will be introducing during her first 100 days in office, which
included ensuring a new CEO appointment by the South African Broadcasting
Corporation (SABC), at a Cluster Media Briefing held in Cape Town on 24 June.
“The entities reporting into the Ministry have a clear directive from me to
stabilise their leadership,’ said Muthambi, who continued, “All other entities will
also be attended to and pronouncements in this regard will be done after
consultation with their leadership. Although we are a shareholder Ministry we
are determined that the boards of directors must do their work without needing
the minister to interfere into their operations. However where necessary and as
the law empowers us to do so we will step in as the shareholder on behalf of
the People of South Africa.’
Tian Olivier is currently the acting CEO at the SABC, stepping in after Lulama
Mokhobo resigned before the end of her contract, a trend among the public
broadcaster’s recent leaders.
Gavin Davis, Democratic Alliance MP commented, “The appointment has the
potential to bring stability to the public broadcaster, if the right candidate is
chosen. We will, however, be seeking clarity on the appointment process to be
undertaken. It is crucial that the process is kept free of any political interference
in order to rebuild the SABC’s credibility.’
