Before appointing a new South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board, President Cyril Ramaphosa wants more details on the names of board member candidates.

Ramaphosa has written to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula requesting more information on the candidates.

According to the law, Parliament puts together a list of names of candidates, on which Ramaphosa has a final say.

In his letter to Mapisa-Nqakula, Ramaphosa said there was confusion over the "so-called reserve pool names" which ought not to be considered.

"Whilst you have informed me that the so-called reserve pool names ought, in your words, not to be considered at all, these feature in the decision of the National Assembly of 06 December 2022. Notwithstanding your letter, I do not believe myself constitutionally empowered to ignore the contents of a resolution of the National Assembly," he said.

Ramaphosa said 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 were submitted.

Ramaphosa has asked that the matter be referred back to the committee for a correct number of names to be given to him for consideration.

"In this respect, I note that the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee is of the same view. Furthermore, he indicates that it was always the intention of the committee that 15 names be submitted for my consideration in appointing the 12 persons to the board that the SABC now desperately needs," he added.

Ramaphosa asked that the matter be referred to the committee for its urgent consideration "and that I be given a clear, legally accurate record of what precisely the National Assembly has determined with respect to the persons they resolved to advise me to consider for appointment to the SABC board".