Khathutshelo Ramukumba has been appointed the new chairperson of the SABC board of directors, according to the office of the president.
This after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a new list of members who will serve on the board of the public broadcaster on Tuesday.
“The SABC is a vital institution of our constitutional democracy,” Ramaphosa said.
“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.”
The Presidency said Ramaphosa acted in terms of section 13(3) of the Broadcasting Act 1999. He picked Nomvuyiso Batyi as the deputy chairperson of the board.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of section 13[1] of the Broadcasting Act 1999 [act number 4 of 1999] as amended, appointed Dr Renee Horne, advocate Tseliso Thipanyane, Khathutshelo Ramukumba, Nomvuyiso Batyi, Phathiswa Magopeni, Aifheli Makhwanya, Magdalene Moonsamy, Rearabetsoe Motaung, David Maimela, Dinkwanyane Mohuba, Mpho Tsedu, and Palesa Kadi as non-executive members of the board of SABC for five years, effective from Tuesday,” said the Presidency.
It was reported in the media in March that before appointing a new SABC board, Ramaphosa had asked for more details on the names of candidates.
The president was also said to have written to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula requesting more information on the candidates.
In his letter to Mapisa-Nqakula, Ramaphosa said there was confusion over the “so-called reserve pool names” which ought not to be considered.
Ramaphosa said at the time that the chairperson of the portfolio committee on communications and digital technology, Boyce Makhosonke Maneli, held the view that 15 names should be recommended to him.
But only 12 names had been submitted.
The president then asked that the matter be referred back to the committee for a correct number of names to be given to him for consideration.
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