Chairperson, given the turmoil that the SABC has undergone in the past years, including compromised integrity as a public broadcaster, allegations of bias, financial mismanagement, governance failures and a state bailout of over a billion rands, the new members of the board have much work ahead of them.
The DA is especially pleased with the nomination of Dr Makhesa. We believe she was an excellent candidate and we believe she will bring a sense of integrity and even-handedness to the board.
We were disappointed that the strongest candidate, in our opinion, Mr Govin Reddy, has not been appointed. We are, however, encouraged by talks within the committee of placing these brilliant, yet unsuccessful candidates, on the advisory board that the Minister is required to establish. Mr Reddy's experience and the value he can add to South African broadcasting cannot be lost or ignored.
I must voice the DA's very strong concerns over the nomination of ANC and SACP member Mr Lumko Mtinde. Despite strong objections to his nomination, his name now serves before this House. Mr Mtinde is an outspoken advocate of the mooted media tribunal.
We are of the opinion that it is highly inappropriate for an advocate of a body that shuts down and regulates expression and speech to be appointed a governor of South Africa's primary source of information.
The public broadcaster should be mandated to relay all information and news accurately, fairly and without any fear of state censorship. On these grounds, the nomination of Mr Mtinde by ANC majority vote seems counterproductive, especially given the current hazardous state of the SABC and its current reputation. This House must please understand that the DA wants the SABC to be a success.
It is in the interests of all South Africans that the SABC operate successfully. It is for this reason that we strongly encourage the Minister to disregard the name of Lumko Mtinde and request the committee to submit to this House another more suitable candidate.
The DA believes that the new board, when constituted, should be cognisant of the fact that the SABC is a public broadcaster and not a state broadcaster. To live up to its mandate, the board will have to govern effectively as custodians of South Africans' primary source of news, information and entertainment.
Chairperson, in conclusion, allow me to thank those members of the board who stuck it out through very turbulent and often very unpleasant times. Allow me to wish the new members well again and remind them of this: It is an honour to serve your country. Do so with passion and integrity and only with the interests of all South Africans in your heart. Do not allow any form of political interference, and always operate in the interests of democracy and transparency.
In light of the unquestionable need for a free media, allow me to end with this quote from Voltaire: "I may disagree with what you say, but I will fight to my death to have you have the right to say it." I thank you. [Applause.]