Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams during Oral Presentations on the Spectrum Licencing Process by the industry in Sandton. South Africa. 02/04/2019. Siyabulela Duda
SABC turnaround plan: Communications minister not backing down
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has said she will not green light a government bailout until she is shown an effective and well thought out SABC turnaround plan.
Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams during Oral Presentations on the Spectrum Licencing Process by the industry in Sandton. South Africa. 02/04/2019. Siyabulela Duda
Minister for communications, telecommunications, and postal services Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has told members of parliament that she will quit from her post before agreeing to give the SABC money without a properly thought out turnaround plan.
Not happy with SABC turnaround plan
Ndabeni-Abrahams was addressing a meeting between her department and parliament’s portfolio committee on communications when she basically rejected the SABC turnaround plan proposed by the state-funded broadcaster’s board.
She was responding to Democratic Alliance member of parliament Phumzile van Damme, who accused the communications department of dragging their heels when it has come to making a decision on a SABC loan guarantee application.
“Indeed I did say that I will not be a shareholder that goes and asks for money while I don’t know what the money is going to be used for,” Ndabeni-Abrahams said.
“If the honourable member feels that’s unministerial and disrespectful, I might as well step down from the position because if I come to parliament and make a request for funds on behalf of the department and the entity, I’ve got to take responsibility fully on how the money is going to be utilised.
“And as much as I said that in a letter, SABC will tell you, honourable member, I did not stop engaging with them, as much as I said that in the letter.”
SABC plagued with problems
The national broadcaster has been facing severe financial issues of late. In June, it was announced that the SABC needed R3.2 billion from government to amid fears they were unable to pay staff.
“In terms of debt, there is over a billion that is owed. If you add accruals, you come close to R1.8 billion altogether that is due and payable,” SABC Chief Financial Officer, Yolande van Biljon said.
With Ndabeni-Abrahams delay in agreeing to a bailout, there were even fears the SABC would be unable to broadcast and therefore be forced off the air over unpaid bills.
Then a fire forced an evacuation of their studio offices in Aukland Park, the second such event in the space of two months. Sparking fears the lack of funds at the SABC has led to neglecting the maintenance of their infrastructure.
“Fifteen people have been hospitalised following a fire at a business at Auckland Park, Johannesburg,” ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring revealed after the fire.
