CAPE TOWN - "We’re cautiously optimistic about the new SABC Board appointments," the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) Portfolio Director for Special Projects, Dominique Msibi said on Wednesday.
The organisation stated they are very pleased with the number of people from the interim board included in the proposed new board.
"The interim board was very effective and achieved commendable results through tough decisions and with significant improvements to the SABC’s performance during its six-month tenure," said Msibi.
The shortlisted applicants were interviewed by the Portfolio Committee on Communications, who then listed 12 names recommended for the SABC Board.
The 12 applicants must be approved by the National Assembly and thereafter will be officially appointed by President Zuma.
However, the interim board's term ends this month.
"Following the interim board's excellent job with the long-overdue clean up at SABC, we trust the new SABC Board will continue in the same vein by maintaining the momentum of the clean up and ensuring that the SABC remains free of political meddling going forward," Msibi said.
According to Msibi, the committee intensely debated some of the names.
She added that the debate is a good sign.
"It means that issues of concern were aired and the public has a better understanding of those who are eventually appointed," We have concerns about the suggestions of political deployments raised about some nominees and hope they will show themselves to be independent minded, however from an overall perspective this looks like a strong board," Msibi concluded.