Chairperson, this was certainly a very lively and hilarious maiden speech and maiden debate. [Laughter.]
With regard to Mr Vadi's comments regarding the timelines for broadband digital migration, I have spoken about underfunding for the broadcasting digital migration programming in my input, but Sentech, which will provide the backbone infrastructure to enable this migration, has been funded to the tune of almost 90%. However, the funding for operational expenses, such as dual illumination and content development has still to be sourced.
Regarding internal audit functions, there were problems filling the management positions in the internal audit function. An offer was made to fill the chief director post in 2008. However, the capable candidate withdrew from the offer on the day of assumption of duty. The other candidates were not appointed due to the challenges with regard to probity checks. The position was readvertised and interviews were held where suitable candidates were identified for the chief director and director positions. On the vacancy rate, all funded positions have been filled for the 2008-09 financial year. The rest of the vacant positions are not funded as the department's structure was only approved on 31 January 2008.
On the South African Post Office, Sapo, and the labour brokers, of course, they will go before the portfolio committee. However, we have engaged with the labour brokers and they informed us that their numbers have decreased, and they are making interventions to ensure that labourers are not unduly exploited by labour brokers. The reason why they have to use labour brokers or casual labour is because of the seasonal nature of their business. For example, when there are grants they have to mobilise people to work there.
On the Presidential National Commission, we will consider the comments that have been made by members and look into the issue. On the board of the SABC, I must say that I find some of the discussions and comments made very disconcerting, because I think we are dealing with a very important institution which belongs to the public and, as far as possible, we should try not to politicise independent institutions. I think that we should accept that there are problems in the SABC.
I think that in the spirit of the President's overture to all to try to work together to solve the problems of the country, I would personally like to appeal to everyone to work together to try to solve problems. I know that the issue of the public broadcaster is now largely in the hands of the portfolio committee as well as the National Assembly, and I want to believe that all of us want to solve the problems, because, in the end, it will not be the people who are running the SABC, but ordinary people who will suffer.
The SABC is in dire straits. We need to find solutions to address the problems in the SABC. Whether these problems reside in the board or management, we need to collectively engage in order to find solutions, and not try to score political points. [Applause.] I therefore want to appeal to everybody, because as the Minister of Communications other people and stakeholders look to me; people and stakeholders within the SABC look to the Ministry to try to resolve their issues.
The independent producers look to the Ministry, and we have meetings scheduled to try to resolve the issues. Ordinary workers, the unions, look to the Ministry to try to resolve these issues and I will be engaging with them in the next few days. I would like to believe that, as we do so, as we engage with these stakeholders, there are earnest efforts in Parliament, in this House, to try to resolve the issue of the SABC so that all of us will go forward and try to ensure that the national broadcaster is up and running as soon as possible. It is not in the interest of anybody to delay decisions that will bring the public broadcaster to its feet again. I therefore want to appeal to everyone to ensure that we help one another in that regard. Thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.