Yes for SABC 12

"We’re cautiously optimistic about the new SABC Board appointments,” says Dominique Msibi, the Portfolio Director for Special Projects at the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA).

“We’re also very pleased to see the number people from the interim board included in the proposed new board. The interim board was very effective and achieved commendable results through tough decisions and with significant improvements to the SABC’s performance during its six-month tenure."

The Portfolio Committee on Communications interviewed its shortlisted applicants and listed 12 names recommended for the SABC board. These names must now be approved by the National Assembly then the nominees officially appointed by President Jacob Zuma. The interim board’s term ends this month.

“Following the interim board's excellent job with the long-overdue clean up at SABC, we trust the new SABC Board will continue in the same vein by maintaining the momentum of the clean up and ensuring that the SABC remains free of political meddling going forward,” says Msibi.

The committee reportedly hotly debated some of the names.

“That debate is a good sign,” says Msibi.

“It means that issues of concern were aired and the public has a better understanding of those who are eventually appointed. We have concerns about the suggestions of political deployments raised about some nominees and hope they will show themselves to be independent minded, however from an overall perspective this looks like a strong board.”