President Ramaphosa Appoints New SABC Board of Directors

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed new SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) board members on Tuesday.

President Ramaphosa said, "The SABC is a vital institution of our constitutional democracy. I trust the newly appointed board members will work hard at ensuring that South Africa continues to benefit from a stable, independent and effective national public broadcaster," SANews reported.

The new board was announced six months after the last board term ended. The new board consists of 12 members in total: Dr. Renee Horne, Advocate Tseliso Thipanyane, Mr. Khathutshelo Ramukumba, Ms. Nomvuyiso Batyi, Ms. Phathiswa Magopeni, Ms. Aifheli Makhwanya, Ms. Magdalene Moonsamy, Ms. Rearabetsoe Motaung, Mr. David Maimela, Mr. Dinkwanyane Mohuba, Mr. Mpho Tsedu and Ms. Palesa Kadi.

"In terms of section 13(3) of the Act, President Ramaphosa designated Mr. Khathutshelo Ramukumba as Chairperson and Ms. Nomvuyiso Batyi as the Deputy Chairperson of the SABC Board," the statement disclosed.

The president was supposed to appoint the board members in October last year, however, he delayed the process due to which he was criticized.

The Congress of the People (COPE) welcomed the new board members, it also slammed the president for six months delay.

"President Cyril Ramaphosa is clearly not serious in doing his job," COPE spokesperson Dennis Bloem said, SABCNews reported. "It took six months to appoint the SABC Board. But it is not only President Ramaphosa that is sleeping on his job."

Bloem noted that parliament is also equally guilty of not doing its job.

"The Communications Parliamentary Portfolio Committee failed the country by not keeping the Executive and the President accountable," the spokesperson said. "We want to applaud civil society and all the organizations who have put pressure on President Ramaphosa to appoint the new SABC Board. COPE wants to congratulate the new board and wishes them well."

William Bird, who serves as director of Media Monitoring Africa, said that it's a "huge relief" that the board members are appointed. However, Bird said that he "don't envy the new board," noting that "it's going to be a baptism of fire."

Bird explained that to make everything right the new board has to work day and night in order to stabilize the finances.

"They gonna have to work around the clock to try and stabilize and look at the finances and make sure that they can comply with all the legal requirements etc," he added. "And I think you know we also need to work to make sure that this can't happen again."

He concluded, "So, we have been really concerned about how this matter has been handled by the President."