Former SABC CEO recommended for Icasa board

Cape Town – A former CEO of the SABC, a broadcasting activist and a former ANC MP are among the five people recommended to serve on the board of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).

The Portfolio Committee on Communications on Tuesday decided to recommend Nomonde Gongxeka-Seope, Thembeka Simane, Kate Skinner, Lulama Mokhobo and Rubben Mohlaloga, after it interviewed 13 candidates on October 12.

Mohlaloga was appointed to the previous board in 2013, despite allegations that he defrauded the Land Bank of R6m. He has served as acting chairperson of the Icasa board since 2016.

He is also a former deputy president of the ANC Youth League and served as an ANC MP.

Mokhobo was SABC CEO from 2012 to February 2014.

In December last year, she testified before the ad hoc committee investigating the SABC board at the time that controversial former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng was the centre of power at the SABC and that she was often sidelined by him and former board chairperson Ben Ngubane.

READ: I have received threats, former SABC boss tells MPs

Skinner is a broadcasting researcher and founding member of the SOS Coalition, a lobby group which endeavours for the strengthening of public and community broadcasting in the public interest. The SOS Coalition has often taken a very critical stance on the SABC's management.

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications Humphrey Maxegwana said: "The committee is confident that the recommended candidates possess the requisite skills pertinent to the task, which include corporate governance, leadership, finance and legal. They also displayed thorough knowledge of the telecommunications and regulatory sector."

The recommended names will be tabled in the National Assembly for final adoption, and then forwarded to Communications Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane for appointment.  

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