Parliament, Thursday, 14 March 2019 – The Portfolio Committee on Communications, having deliberated on the suitability of candidates who will fill the eight vacancies at the SABC board, has adopted a final report with eight recommended names.

They are Ms Mary Papayya, Ms Jasmina Patel, Dr Marcia Socikwa, Ms Mamodupi Mohlala-Molaudzi, Ms Bernedette Muthien, Adv Benjamin Motshedi Lekalakala, Prof Sathasivan Cooper and Mr David Maimela.

The report will be tabled in the National Assembly for debate and final adoption. It will then be forwarded to the President for appointment in terms of section 13 of the Broadcasting Act.

Meanwhile, the committee was also briefed by the Minister of Communications, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, on the state of the department and its entities, in which she highlighted the challenge of capacity constraints.

She said there are nine funded vacant positions, including, among others, Director-General, Chief Director for Entity Oversight and Director for Cabinet Support. However, the Minister has put a moratorium on filling all vacant positions in the department and entities.

“We thank the department for putting together a comprehensive presentation at short notice and putting together a team that is focussing on the merger between the Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services,” said Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize, the Chairperson of the Committee.

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS, PROF HLEGIWE MKHIZE.

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