Chairperson and hon member, firstly, let me start by indicating that the negotiations between the former CEO and the board were done without the Minister's involvement, but with his support. When the interim SABC board came into office, we specifically requested that it should begin the stabilisation of the SABC by, among other things, beginning to address the question of a CEO, who has been in office there, and who was in dispute with the old board, but being a defector without him doing any work.
The board had the blessing of the Department of Communications to ensure that they should settle with the group CEO as soon as possible. Justification for that was the fact that the SABC had been in limbo for months. Even now, if the interim board had not undertaken these steps and had not settled in the way it did, that situation would still exist.
We think that the board should be commended for taking the steps that it took in order to, in the first place, consider the stability of the SABC. Everybody here has praise for the steps that the SABC's interim committee has generally undertaken, ever since its establishment, not long ago. I think it has done well. I thank you.
Vote No 25 - Environmental Affairs and Tourism - put.
Vote No 26 - Human Settlements - put.
Vote No 27 - Rural Development and Land Reform - put.