Hon Deputy Speaker, when we embarked on the process of appointing a new board, we had the opportunity of appointing a fully nonpartisan board. A new dawn seemed possible for the SABC. This is sorely needed, for another damning report by the Auditor-General had shown that the rot runs deep in our public broadcaster. To stop the rot, we had to find the very best talent for the board. Many of the people nominated today fit these criteria, but the fact remains that stronger candidates were left out in favour of weaker ones.
On this principle alone, I raise the IFP's objection with the board before us today. Sadly, at the last minute, the ruling party seemingly bowed to pressure to advance specific candidates and expertise took a back seat. How else does one explain the appointment of a senior manager in the office of the National Youth Development Agency? What exceptional skills made her the best in the pool? Is the fact that she is an ANC Youth League stalwart and married to an ANC Member of Parliament, over there, the overriding factor? [Interjections.] Only time will tell. More importantly, since we did not fully adhere to the sections of the Broadcasting Act which compels us to pick South Africans of a broad cross-section of the population, and we did not tick all the boxes ...