President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the appointment of 12 non-executive members of the Board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) for a five-year term. The appointments were made in accordance with the Broadcasting Act of 1999 and will take effect from the date of the notice in the government gazette.
The new board members are:
- Dr. Renee Horne, a media and communication expert and academic;
- Adv Tseliso Thipanyane, a human rights lawyer and former CEO of the South African Human Rights Commission;
- Mr Khathutshelo Ramukumba, a chartered accountant and former CEO of the National Youth Development Agency;
- Ms. Nomvuyiso Batyi, a former councillor and acting chairperson of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA);
- Ms Phathiswa Magopeni, a journalist and the current group executive for news and current affairs at the SABC;
- Ms. Aifheli Makhwanya, a policy analyst and former head of policy and research at ICASA;
- Ms Magdalene Moonsamy, an attorney and former spokesperson of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF);
- Ms. Rearabetsoe Motaung, a businesswoman and former board member of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA);
- Mr David Maimela, a researcher and political analyst;
- Mr Dinkwanyane Mohuba, a businessman and former board member of the South African Post Office (SAPO);
- Mr Mpho Tsedu, a veteran journalist and former executive director of the Institute for Advancement of Journalism (IAJ); and
- Ms Palesa Kadi, a community media activist and former board member of the MDDA.
President Ramaphosa also designated Mr Khathutshelo Ramukumba as the Chairperson and Ms Nomvuyiso Batyi as the Deputy Chairperson of the SABC Board.
The President expressed his confidence in the new board members and their ability to steer the public broadcaster towards stability, independence and effectiveness.
“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,” said President Ramaphosa.
Article by Lemuel Mothlabane (lemuel@ournews.co.za)
Edited by Cwayita Zweni (cwayita@ounews.co.za)