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 * Business Day, Johannesburg, 13 December 2005**

= **Gosa’s exit gives SABC the chance to come clean** =


 * Karima Brown**

WE SHOULD all pause for a moment to think critically about the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) following last week’s dramatic resignation of board member Noluthando Gosa amid allegations of corruption and corporate mismanagement.

While it is too early to say with any certainty whether Gosa (who is under investigation for possible violations of corporate governance) jumped or was pushed, the board and SABC CEO Dali Mpofu need to answer speedily the many questions raised in the wake of the resignation.

Gosa says she was spurred by transgressions that involved alleged irregular payments to board members; “damning” forensic reports relating to the commissioning of programmes; and allegations that board members had tendered for SABC work. In other words, the usual issues.

Her claims are contained in a 13-page report she submitted to the auditor-general and Parliament’s portfolio committee on communications.

But Gosa was silent when the Mail & Guardian published allegations that a fellow board member, Cecil Msomi, failed to declare an interest in a public relations firm that did business with the SABC on behalf of the African National Congress (ANC). The Broadcasting Act required Msomi to declare any direct or indirect interest in the telecoms, broadcast or print industry.

A member of the portfolio committee on communications, Inkatha Freedom Party’s Suzanne Vos, also pointed out that Msomi had not declared his interest in the firm when he was interviewed for a position on the board. The SABC board, including Gosa, backed Msomi to the hilt.

But with these fresh allegations from a former board member, chairman Eddie Funde will now be forced to come clean.

All too often debate about the SABC — which ideally should include critical issues such as the broadcaster’s public mandate and its independence — is bogged down in the political history of Snuki Zikalala, MD of news. It often appears the print media in particular can’t get past Zikalala’s supposed ANC credentials and his role as a party cadre — as if his history alone should disqualify him from this powerful post. But Zikalala’s ANC ties, real or imagined, are a red herring.

For many credible journalists employed at Auckland Park, a history in the ANC or the mass democratic movement does not present a conflict of interest. What counted was what we did with our historical ties.

An understanding of the ruling party’s history and how it functions today is vital for any journalist, but a connection with the ANC becomes a problem when it is used to further narrow political interests, skew reportage and shamelessly promote the government and the ruling elite.

When the current SABC board was appointed two years ago, its first order of business was to reinstate Zikalala as MD of news despite criticism inside and outside the broadcaster. This was a blatantly political move that had nothing to do with Zikalala’s abilities as a news manager. Zikalala returned to the SABC last year. He freely told staff that he was there to carry out the board’s mandate, and questioning him was tantamount to taking on the board.

The board has no business interfering in the management of the news division and should have no say in the appointment of editorial management.

Following his pronouncements about his special relationship with the board, Zikalala set off an exodus of news staff. True, some left for greener pastures, but many left because the space that still existed for critical journalism was fast closing.

Currently, the SABC does not have a head of television news; it has been unable to fill the economics editor position; and very soon it will be without a political editor. The post of head of radio news has also not been filled.

At lower levels, senior reporters across the broadcaster’s bureaus have left. With such critical staff shortages, it is no wonder it has failed to deliver on its promise of a continental, 24-hour news channel, despite a multimillion-rand allocation of taxpayers’ money.

With Funde and his cronies at the helm of the SABC, board membership has all but become full-time employment. If the corridor talk is true, the board’s interference transcends the news division. Insiders allege that the board routinely meddles in the inner workings of the commissioning process as well.

Perhaps the silver lining following Gosa’s resignation will be a transparent inquiry into the affairs of this board and a proper debate about its independence from political manipulation as well as the creeping influence of commercial interests.

‖Brown is political editor and a former producer at SABC Radio.

From: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/opinion.aspx?ID=BD4A127005