President Zuma must accept Ngubane's resignation as SABC chair

I urge President Jacob Zuma to accept the resignations of SABC board chairman Dr Ben Ngubane and his deputy Mr Thami ka Plaatjie, and that he allows them to leave as soon as possible.

Under Dr Ngubane's leadership a number of appropriately experienced people, committed to restoring the SABC to a credible, financially stable public broadcaster serving all South Africans, resigned from the board in frustration because of Dr Ngubane's dictatorial style and his inability or unwillingness to prevent political interference in the stations' editorial and content.

His unwavering support for Mr Hlaudi Motsoeneng as acting Chief Operating Officer (COO) - who was both unqualified and unsuitable for the job - further divided the operations of the corporation, and eroded its reputation.

Together, they blatantly abused the SABC's platforms in support of the winning slate at the ANC's Mangaung conference last year. 

In the face of board turmoil that erupted publicly two weeks ago over the board's scheduled report to the parliamentary portfolio committee, deputy chairperson Ka Plaatjie proved to be wanting in battle and unable to carry through the mandate of a quorate board. 

Turning the SABC must be our key priority. I trust that the rest of the board will remain for stability's stake and that a chairperson, who is politically neutral and with solid credentials in corporate governance, can be found to take the SABC forward.

Statement issued by Marian Shinn MP, DA Shadow Minister of Communications, March 11 2013

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