APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE SABC BOARD

Issued by: Office of the President

After carefully considering candidates for membership of the Board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, as recommended by the Portfolio Committee on Communications, President Nelson Mandela is happy to announce the appointment of 16 persons in terms of Sections 4 and 5 of the Broadcasting Act, No 73 of 1976.

The members are being appointed for a period of three years with effect from 1 December 1996 and they will replace the current Board whose term of office expires on 30 November 1996. The 16 have been chosen out of 21 nominees recommended by the Portfolio Committee on Communications.

The new Board is constituted as follows:-

CHAIRPERSON: Prof Paulus Zulu, a respected academic based at the University of Natal, Durban.

VICE-CHAIRPERSON: Ms Brigalia Bam, currently General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches

MEMBERS:

Mrs Anna Boshoff, President of the Transvaal Women's Agricultural Union and a member of the South African Press Council
Ms Lyndall J, Campher, media planner and advertising specialist
Dr Paul Davis, businessperson, President of Medical Rescue International
Dr Frederik J. Kok, currently Managing Director of the Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuur Vereeniging (ATKV)
Mr Mandla Langa, poet, author and Chairperson of the Government Communications Task Team
Prof Mbulelo Mzamane, author, poet and Rector of the University of Fort Hare
Mr Litha M. Nyhonyha, Executive Director of Msebe Merchant Bank
Advocate Francois Beukman, an expert on constitutional reform and the management of transformation
Dr William Rowland, representing the sector of the disabled
Mr Masepeke Sekhukhuni, Director of the Newtown Film and Television School, with extensive experience in journalism, film and video
Rev Gabriel M. Setiloane, a Methodist theologian
Mr Sheila V.M. Sisulu, educationist
Mr Allister H. Sparks, Journalist and Head of the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism
Prof Jabulani Thembela, academic based at the University of Zululand

The President is satisfied that the new Board possess the necessary skills, experience and qualifications that will enable it to steer the SABC towards meeting its public broadcasting mandate. Coming from diverse backgrounds, each member individually and the Board collectively, will be able to enrich the process of building and transforming the SABC.

However, the President has noted, with regret, that the short-list form the Portfolio Committee did not afford him the opportunity to ensure that the new Board is fully representative of the South African population. He therefore urges the Portfolio Committee to take this weakness into account when filling vacancies that may arise in the future.

CV's of the new Board members are available at the Office of the Secretary of the Portfolio Committee on Communications in Parliament.

29 November 1996

Issued by: President's Office

For further enquiries, contact: Joel Netshitenzhe 082 900 0083

Connie Molusi 082 552 1939