Leave your ego at the door please
What is happening at our state broadcaster? In the last few days the institution has turned into a bit of a circus as senior management and board members allow personal and political agendas to get in the way of performing their duties. Instead of focussi
If you follow developments in the business world you often run into brash and arrogant individuals. These ‘characters’ usually have big egos – for the most part earned through their business acumen. Unfortunately the scenario playing out at the SABC at the moment is indicative of serious ego problems too. As soon as key individuals begin contemplating their own importance in the business structure cracks will begin to appear. Executive management (and boards) are supposed to be a team, which though not like-minded, should work toward achieving common goals. Such structures are in place to ensure that an organisation meets its strategic goals and objectives as well as its daily operating requirements.
There’s no place for ego in business
While ego plays its part, the latest developments at the SABC are more likely the product of political interference. Appointments to the SABC board are heavily influenced by the ruling party as they are based on recommendations by the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications. This time round the ‘new’ ANC leadership is openly unhappy with the board appointed by President Thabo Mbeki shortly after the 2007 ANC annual conference. The twelve member board (which would normally preside over the public broadcaster for a period of five years) comprises: Ms N Bulbulia, Mr B Khumalo, Ms Khanyisile Mkhonza (chairperson), Adv P Tlakula, Ms A Gilwald, Ms F Lagadien, Ms Christine Qunta (deputy chair), Mr A Trikamjee, Mr DK Golding, Mr A Mbeki, Ms GT Serobe and Mr BP Vundla. And just more than four month’s into this board’s tenure we’ve borne witness to a series of bizarre moves.
First head of SABC news Snuki Zikalala was suspended for allegedly refusing to re-hire Hlaudi Motsoeneng. Zikalala is a controversial figure at the best of times and his appointment was heavily criticised due to his open support for the ANC. Opposition parties still believe the head of news at a state broadcaster should be independent. His claim to fame, says the Sunday Tribune (tongue-in-cheek of course) is that Zikalala was once nominated “Worst News Executive of the year by Honest Reporting in 2006!”
Then SABC group CEO Dali Mpofu was suspended by the SABC board for allegedly not pre-warning them about the Zikalala suspension... Of course it probably helps that these suspensions come with full pay! And while we concede that attributing these suspensions to ego problems is a trifle harsh there’s certainly evidence of a political agenda. How has the South African public allowed their broadcaster to fall victim to such blatant political abuse? We cannot allow the SABC to be used by politicians in their struggle for a public relations platform.
If only they would stick to politics
Right now government has its hands so firmly on the strings that pull the marionettes at the SABC that it’s difficult to imagine the broadcaster acting independently. We’ve read a number of reports reminding us that the old Nationalist government controlled the state broadcaster too… But so what! That was then and this is now. We cannot tolerate the open intervention that occurs today. That’s why we almost fell off our chair when communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri told the media on Thursday that the government won’t intervene in the SABC crisis. It’s the board’s job to hire and fire at the SABC. How is it possible the ‘government appointed’ board is not getting any direction from government when it comes to making these life and death decisions. Ironically, while government won’t intervene in SABC internal affairs they will bring a vote of ‘no confidence’ in the SABC board on 22 May. What happens from there is anyone’s guess.
When will we shout “ENOUGH!”?
Moving away from the ongoing SABC saga we’ve become increasingly disillusioned with how certain aspects in the South African political environment play out. It seems each item of news theses days proves a fresh affront to the concepts of ethics and morality. On Thursday this week we learned that ex-NPA boss was suspended because he refused to obey instructions (allegedly from the desk of the president) not to arrest the police of chief. Frene Ginwale continues to head up the enquiry into Pikoli’s suspension. Who knows what her recommendation will be...
Another interesting article in the Pretoria News alleges that the JSC (Judicial Services Commission) steered clear of asking Justice Hlope about his tax matters during recent investigations into his ‘moonlighting’ activities. Why would they want to protect a member of their austere profession from such questions? Tax is a very serious matter, and failing to declare income is an offence in this country. And now we’ve got a big mess at the SABC. Where else in the world could you read such a spread of stories in a single week?
Editor’s thoughts:
The SABC board has an oversight role of appointments to senior executive positions at the state broadcaster. Unfortunately this board was appointed for a period of five years at around the same time a significant leadership shift occurred at the ruling party. What do the latest developments at the state broadcaster reveal about the political independence of the SABC board and the SABC in general? Add your comments below, or send them to [email protected]
