Cape Town - Political parties across the political divide on Tuesday threw their weight behind the 12 names recommended to President Cyril Ramaphosa by the National Assembly for appointment to the SABC board.
Former SABC head of news Phathiswa Magopeni, who was dismissed after she was pressured into agreeing to an impromptu interview with Ramaphosa, is tipped to be on the new board.
The public broadcaster has been without a board after the term of the previous board came to an end on October 15.
Communications and digital technologies portfolio committee chairperson Boyce Maneli said Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni informed the National Assembly in June about the impending expiry of the board’s term of office.
The call for nominations of people to be appointed to the new board was advertised in August.
“A total of 120 nominations were received including names that appeared more than once due to individuals being nominated more than once by different people and/or organisations,” he said.
Maneli said 37 names were shortlisted by a sub-committee for interviews in September.
The committee recommended the following: Renee Horne, Tseliso Thipanyane, Khathutshelo Ramukumba, Franz Krüger, Nomvuyiso Batyi, Phathiswa Magopeni, Aifheli Makhwanya, Magdalene Moonsamy, Rearabetsoe Motaung, David Maimela, Dinkwanyane Mohuba and Mpho Tsedu.
Parties across the political divide threw their weight behind the proposed SABC board.
DA MP Diane Kohler Barnard was delighted with the nomination of Magopeni, who was dismissed by the public broadcaster despite a disciplinary hearing recommending a warning against her. “Today a great wrong has been righted,” Kohler Barnard said.
EFF MP Vuyani Pambo said the party hoped the board would breathe new life into the SABC, while IFP MP Zandile Majozi pleaded that it not be faced with any political interference.
ACDP MP Steve Swart said his party supported the proposed board and Magopeni’s nomination.
Cape Times