Cape Town - The communications and digital technologies subcommittee has submitted the names of those who could possibly steer the ship of the troubled SABC, which has been without a board since last month.
The previous board’s five-year term expired on October 15, but the new board couldn’t be constituted due to delays in the vetting process, which have been attributed to the State Security Agency.
Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke told MPs on Wednesday that the administration of the SABC needed an urgent intervention.
The subcommittee on Thursday met to finalise discussions on the outcomes of the interviews and recommendations of candidates to sit on the SABC’s board.
Committee chairperson ANC MP Boyce Maneli said his party’s recommendations were made in the name of continuity, gender parity, performance during interviews and youth and minority representation.
Among other names by the ANC are Dr Rene Horn, Maimela David, Dinkwanyane Kgalema Mohuba, Magdalene Moonsamy, Dr Oscar van Heerden, Palesa Kadi, Nombuyiselo Batyi, Kate Makhwanya, Professor Franz Kruger, Reabetswe Motaung.
DA MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard said her party had used the same metrics and nominated those whose appointment would benefit the SABC.
She said there were a lot of similarities in her picks with the ANC’s.
Inkatha Freedom Party MP Zandile Majozi submitted 14 names.
The EFF proposed only two names.
The subcommittee will forward the names to the portfolio committee, which will send it to the National Assembly to pencil in the new board.
A group identifying itself as the SOS Coalition submitted to Maneli an objection about the deliberation process, specifically on the consideration of gender parity and the “disregard” of public opinion.
The coalition’s coordinator, Uyanda Siyotula, took exception with Batyi’s recommendation as her interests would be conflicted by virtue of her being the chief executive of the Association of Communications and Technology.