SABC board ‘protecting its sustainability’ amid jobs bloodbath
Updated | By Nokukhanya N Mntambo
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) says it has no other option but to forge ahead with retrenchments.
The public broadcaster has found itself in the news again again with threats of looming retrenchments.
At least 400 jobs are at stake.
SABC Group CEO Madoda Mxakwe says the broadcaster’s wage bill is too high.
“It needs to be understood that we have a responsibility, as much as everybody has, to ensure the suitability of this organisation,” Mxakwe told Parliament’s communication committee.
The board appeared before the committee on Wednesday evening to bring them up to speed on the latest developments at the public broadcaster.
On Tuesday, workers gathered outside the SABC’s headquarters in Auckland Park in a bid to halt the retrenchment process.
“We’d given a commitment that we cannot be running an organisation that is going to be a burden on the fiscus,” Mxakwe added.
“We’ve engaged with organised labour and other stakeholders meaningfully on this process and we’ve ensured that we take into cognizant the livelihoods that are at stake.”
SABC Group CEO Madoda Mxakwe says the broadcaster is at a crossroads. He says the #SABCRetrenchments are not favourable but the board also has a responsibility to ensure the SABC's sustainability. pic.twitter.com/PlN5lhHYlH
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) November 18, 2020
Adding to an already ailing entity, the SABC believes government’s unwillingness to give it another bailout and the Covid-19 pandemic have also added to financial strain.
But Deputy Minister of Communications Pinky Kekana still believes the process can be pushed back.
“As we look at the jobs that may be affected by this, let’s disclose the categories of jobs where there’s duplication and reluctancy and then we are able to look at all these things accordingly.
“As the shareholder we are still under the impression that the process of engagement between the stakeholders in the SABC is unfolding and unfortunately, the contrary is unfolding because the SABC is continuing with retrenchments,” Kekana said.
The department also believes that the SABC needs to explore other funding models to ensure the broadcaster can stay afloat.
Kekana says the department maintains that the section 189 notices should be halted to allow for a skills audit and more engagements. #SABCRetrenchments pic.twitter.com/ubFb2FxUjQ
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) November 18, 2020
ALSO READ:
Other SABC divisions should retract retrenchment letters, demands Bemawu
Du Buisson's comments come Group Executive for News and Current Affairs Phathiswa Magopeni confirmed on Tuesday that she would be retracting retrenchment letters to staff in her department. ALSO READ: Gauteng Education puts contingency measures in place as taxi strike hits Tshwane "There is no different process that was followed with any other division.
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