Chairperson, hon members, it gives me great pleasure as the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises to finalise the Broadcasting Amendment Bill.
During the 2007 National Conference of the African National Congress in Polokwane, we reiterated our commitment to a public broadcaster that will play a critical role in shaping opinions of our nation and that the South African Broadcasting Corporation, SABC, should remain an important role- player in the national democratic revolution. The current amendments were as a result of the emergency at the South African Broadcasting Corporation that manifested in a number of ways.
This culminated in the summoning of the SABC board to appear before Parliament. Subsequent to these developments, an urgent legislative proposal to amend section 15 of the Broadcasting Act, Act 4 of 1999, was filed, so as to align the process for the dismissal of the board members with the Rules of the National Assembly. The amendment would mean that if, at any given time, it was felt that the SABC board was underperforming, a vote of no confidence in the board could then be passed by the House.
In terms of the Broadcasting Act, as it currently stands, members of the SABC board are appointed by the President on the recommendations of the National Assembly and hold office for a term of five years. The Act only provides for the removal of individual members of the board upon the recommendation of the board itself.
There is no mechanism provided in the Act for the resignation of or removal of a board member who does not perform his or her obligation in terms of the Act or for the dissolution of the entire board. The Bill seeks to address the gaps identified in the Act.
The Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises has considered and adopted the Bill with certain amendments. The committee rejects the amended definition of the appointing body and subsequent clauses that refer to the appointing body. The committee feels that the powers of the President to make appointments are derived from the tenet of separation of powers between the executive and the legislature. The committee proposes that a quorum for any meeting of the interim board be six members.
With the inclusion, and acceptance, of new amendments, the board would ideally function normally and democratically. However, the Democratic Alliance expressed reservations about the Bill, but we didn't get any explanation. I, therefore, put the Bill before the House for adoption. I thank you, Chair.
Debate concluded.