Ellen Zandile Tshabalala, chairperson of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board, says the board’s immediate responsibility is to bring stability to the SABC after she was introduced to SABC staff.
HumanIPO reported yesterday Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa, had endorsed the interim board.
“Our immediate responsibility is to stabilise the SABC. The SABC has had four boards that have been dissolved in a single term,” SABC News quoted Tshabalala as saying.
Tshabalala added: “Our mandate is to stabilise the SABC and make sure there is productivity and efficiency and that people adhere to the broadcasting Act and other Acts that are prescribed for SABC.”
Other members of the interim board include Noluthando Gosa as deputy chairperson, Iraj Aberdian, an economist, Vusumzi Mavuso, former member of the Public Service Commission, and Ronnie Lubisi, a chartered accountant.
Lulama Mokhobo, chief executive of the SABC Group, along with management and other staff welcomed the interim board.
“We have full confidence that they will continue to guide the organisation as we prepare for digital migration, as well as ensuring the financial stability of the corporation continues,” Mokhobo said.
Tshabalala said the board will hold a meeting on Friday in order to draft a plan of action for the SABC, which will be presented in parliament.
The interim board has reportedly held a series of meetings with Dina Pule, communications minister, as well as the chief executive and director general of the SABC to ensure they are all in sync with the plan.
Tshabalala said the the board will also be meeting with stakeholders, unions and other organisations with regards to the SABC’s issues.
Furthermore, Tshabalala said they have requested executives to conduct presentations in order to help the interim board better understand the issues facing the corporation.
Ben Ngubane, former SABC board chairperson, and his deputy Thami ka Plaatjie resigned from their posts, which was followed by the resignations of all the other board members bar one before parliament resolved to dissolve the board due to infighting.
