ANC seeks ‘consensus’ on new board

THE African National Congress (ANC) wants to draw a clear line between the old SABC board and the incoming interim one, both by achieving political consensus on the nominations and by not proposing any of the old members.

Opposition parties are sceptical of the ANC’s intentions with the new board, saying it plans to bring in a board sympathetic to the party’s new leaders. Some parties wish at least to retain the sole remaining board member, Prof Alison Gi lwald.

The ANC has proposed five names for the interim board, which will be decided upon by Parliament’s communications committee today following yesterday’s resolution by the National Assembly to dissolve the existing board. The ANC ’s proposals are former MTN vice-president Irene Charnley, University of SA political science lecturer Phil Mtimkulu, media consultant Libby Lloyd and advocates Leslie Sedibe and William Mokhare.

ANC communications spokesman Eric Kholwane said the ANC would attempt to achieve consensus on the names to be submitted to President Jacob Zuma and did not want to “bulldoze” its choices through the committee. The party wanted a “new beginning,” he said.

The Congress of the People has proposed — without their agreement — Rhodes University journalism professor Guy Berger, former head of SABC radio news Pippa Green, former auditor-general Shauket Fakie, former University of Cape Town vice-chancellors Prof Mamphela Ramphele and Prof Njabulo Ndebele, Gil wald and former SABC board member Desmond Golding.

The Independent Democrat s’ proposals — also without endorsement — include political analyst and businessman Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert, University of Johannesburg professor Chris Landsberg, advocate and political analyst Richard Calland, Absa CEO Maria Ramos, and former journalist and author Max du Preez.

The Inkatha Freedom Party proposed former committee member Suzanne Vos.

The Democratic Alliance will make its proposals today .