South Africa P.I.G.: SABC

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Fat-cat parastatal bosses come and go, but they get the cream

Seven of the top-10-earning executives at SA's parastatals have either left or are leaving. And a number of them left under a cloud. Moreover, eight of the top-paid heads of parastatals would have ranked among SA's 150 biggest earners in private companies. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547320646424532418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9HPqtBDJ54Ow53tM-ev4HUYvI47-xmukVm7r5sRWXwGBxGKRwsD8vW2uAzzTVebJ1Wku4bmU8C1sFeF4M3zaJJOg4D_Q_2mi1UeGdUXg5Cg2ORWd02d9Mb8nAiXP6q2hOLoNaW5OItjm/s400/corruption-theft.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" />Research into parastatal pay, carried out by Who Owns Whom, is done on a selected number of parastatals, so it does not capture the pay of all directors of state-owned entities. Pay at entities such as Eskom, SAA, Denel, and the SABC should be seen in the context of regular news about failure, controversy and financial bail-outs. Khaya Ngqula, the former head of SAA, tops the rankings, having earned R13.7-million in 2009. This included his controversial R9.35-million "termination benefit" - the amount he was paid to go away. Behind was Geoffrey Qhena of the Industrial Development Corporation, one of the few who still has his job. Qhena earned R10.3-million last year. This included a performance bonus of almost R7-million. The IDC and Transnet were among the biggest payers, with numerous directors earning big packages. Jacob Maroga, who ranked 10th, was sacked from Eskom in late 2009 with no official golden handshake, but R9-million in previously awarded shares will be transferred to him through 2010 and up to March 2011. Universally acknowledged to have managed Eskom poorly, Maroga enjoyed a salary of more than R5-million in 2009. The court has since reserved judgment in his subsequent bid for a payout for unlawful dismissal. Maroga is suing for benefits he would have accrued into 2011 - to a total of R85-million. Eskom CEO Brian Dames faces a huge task if he is to alter the organisation's trajectory and justify the recent rate hikes and requests for funding, but the pain will be eased by his own hefty pay packet: a salary of R3.3-million, a short-term bonus of R1.22-million, another of R946000 and a payment of R230000, listed as "other". Over at poorly performing Telkom, CEO Reuben September, who has since left, pulled in a performance bonus of R1.84-million, with other benefits of R7.43-million on top of a salary of R3.6-million to rake in a total income of R12.8-million (down from a hefty R19.1-million the year before). In October 2009 new SAA board chairman Cheryl Carolus famously took action against Ngqula (the new SAA board apparently paid R20-million for a forensic report) for cash spent outside of his financial mandate that needed to be paid back, announcing a suit against Ngqula for R30.8-million, with further thinking required on how to recoup R141-million in misspent sponsorship money. SAA paid bonuses of R60.7-million to 153 managers over three years, at an average of R400000 per employee, as part of a retention scheme that Ngqula introduced. The pending court action will eat up yet more taxpayers' money. Similarly, Dali Mpofu was paid R12-million when he left the SABC, even though the broadcaster was R800-million in the red at the time. Siyabonga Gama, the CEO of Transnet freight rail, was dismissed for breach of governance requirements in respect of two procurement contracts before he could lead the running in the race to fill the position of Transnet CEO. The position has been vacant for over a year since Maria Ramos stepped down. Gama's pay for his last year was more than R4-million. Executive directors and senior managers at three parastatals - Transnet, Eskom and the IDC - were paid an average salary of R3.7-million per year for the past three financial years to the end of March. Eskom posted the worst performance of the three, but its directors were the most highly paid. In all, Transnet's three-year wage bill amounted to R245.6-million for 23 directors and senior managers, while Eskom was estimated to have paid R139-million in the same period, an average annual remuneration of R5.8-million for eight directors and senior managers. The IDC paid its 20 directors (including those at subsidiary Foskor) and senior managers R170.6-million over the three years, at an average of R2.8-million each.

Fat-cat parastatal bosses come and go, but they get the cream

Seven of the top-10-earning executives at SA's parastatals have either left or are leaving. And a number of them left under a cloud. Mor...

12:37 PM

Fat cats pocket R262 million of Tax Payer money for FAILING!!!

Payouts to "failed" departing chief executives of South Africa's parastatals have cost the South African public at least R262.1 million over the last decade, a Democratic Alliance MP said on Tuesday. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKOeC109PSuN_THS0XYmd-AlVX4znMvZ3r1bYFuaCxEM2FIueL9FOmvRrP-fx0aC6cbe_jwhf7W5Daub8VrqBJMijIHI5CMSp4tWKhIX1kAjBLMk6AFWNsqtd5A7RyeSiwwGseoq7tAj_/s1600-h/fat_cat01.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yMZ4ei7eOwuQV5362hHDMRb2Xjhxa9Xto-yIwwhx7yI_-oyroImfHM3Fj7TxFtoYZtMIHDJAnkJHVOBgwNiArtUivwyNwVmfTe27CDz2SjU91abCD7FKKMm3hOtGCMP7gaU_TZQw0jr0/s1600-h/zuma-gravy.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432009704403560050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yMZ4ei7eOwuQV5362hHDMRb2Xjhxa9Xto-yIwwhx7yI_-oyroImfHM3Fj7TxFtoYZtMIHDJAnkJHVOBgwNiArtUivwyNwVmfTe27CDz2SjU91abCD7FKKMm3hOtGCMP7gaU_TZQw0jr0/s400/zuma-gravy.bmp" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px" /></a>Pieter van Dalen said the cost of the payouts would jump to R347 million if former Eskom chief executive Jacob Maroga was successful in a lawsuit against the parastatal. "If paid out, Jacob Maroga's R85 million claim would be just the latest in a series of staggering salary payouts to unsuccessful executives," Van Dalen said. "Since 2001, at least R262.1 million has been awarded to parastatal bosses for their part in running their respective parastatals to the ground." These payouts include an R8 million settlement received by former SA Airways (SAA) chief executive Khaya Ngqula, after he was fired for his role in a R1 billion tender rigging saga in 2009. Before Ngqula, SAA paid CEO Andre Viljoen R3.6 million on top of a salary of R2.2 million and a performance bonus of almost R1 million. During Viljoen's last two years at the helm of SAA, the company made losses of R15 billion. In 2001, former SAA CEO Coleman Andrews received a golden handshake of R232 million, even though the airline posted a net loss of more than R700 million for that year. In 2009 the SABC paid R11 million to its former group CEO Dali Mpofu. Mpofu took the SABC to court after he was suspended for suspending then head of news and current affairs Snuki Zikalala. Former Denel chief executive Victor Moche, who was fired from his position by then public enterprises minister Alec Erwin, walked away from the parastatal with a golden handshake of about R3 million in 2005. Land Bank CEO Alan Mukoki received R4.5 million after he quit in 2007 amid R2 billion worth of fraud. "This list, it should be noted, is limited only to payouts received by departing CEOs of parastatals. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWEofYA4lUpx5dRWem2qz0EHIwYduYaG0rB1ZX8hziy4Vxc8a1DqtTbskqkrgnxp9jY4p1FKHFjyrbdP6Vg1fDmE739H0F3BiperxaOtIjKb8bljmepIySpvYZwgUT5-4VH7BWZ_6TJkm/s1600-h/gravy-train.bmp"></a>"The culture of golden handshakes, however, extends far beyond that under the ANC. Recent examples of Lawrence Mushwana (R7 million) and Vusi Pikoli (R7.5 million) illustrate precisely that point." Van Dalen said the party would pose questions to the Minister of Public Enterprises Barbara Hogan to establish the true cost of severance packages over the last few years. "We cannot continue to pay for incompetence like this. This is money that could be spent on ensuring that parastatals deliver quality services to the public that they are required to". Related:- <a href="http://moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page326289?oid=332997&sn=2009+Detail+no+image&pid=326289">Drowning in the trough</a><a href="http://moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page326289?oid=342546&sn=2009+Detail+no+image&pid=326289">The revenge of Jacob Maroga</a>

Fat cats pocket R262 million of Tax Payer money for FAILING!!!

Payouts to "failed" departing chief executives of South Africa's parastatals have cost the South African public at least R262....

7:50 PM

SABC Survivor China stuff up..

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q-Evy4CoLOqiAo6Ve1yoKdEgCWHuP3UqL5mEUh7wZh3ecJaJC44LVAmDIeC_s9mTzjra3GjVcU-xS4HHoMeR08fjuJ1ponr5tIsryLg9I3fhuEJIAsdCze3ZJbvfHE-0B9dVBIes2Mw/s1600-h/sabc3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376665986057357186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q-Evy4CoLOqiAo6Ve1yoKdEgCWHuP3UqL5mEUh7wZh3ecJaJC44LVAmDIeC_s9mTzjra3GjVcU-xS4HHoMeR08fjuJ1ponr5tIsryLg9I3fhuEJIAsdCze3ZJbvfHE-0B9dVBIes2Mw/s400/sabc3.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 398px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 293px" /></a>Wow.. im no television fan ( i dont even have satellite tv ) but i would just like to commend the South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC ) for a fuck up (sorry there is no other word) of quite marvelous proportions. They have been showing Survivor China (on SABC 3) for a while now and last night was supposed to be the season finale. It came down to the three final contestants who had to face the jury who would in turn eventually decide on a winner… cut to extended ad break and the show returns to …wait for it… the damn reunion show where within the first 5 seconds they announce who the winner is??? W T F!!!!!???? They then showed the entire reunion episode ( way to do some damage control there SABC ) before insulting viewer intelligence by airing the final jury tribal council after everyone clearly now knew who the winner was. <a href="http://www.bizcommunity.com/Blog/ShanRadcliffe">Shan Radcliffe</a> of Bizcommunity.com wrote "This morning I Googled <a href="http://www.google.co.za/#hl=en&q=Survivor+China+SABC&meta=cr%3DcountryZA&fp=d463c30cb1665b12" target="_blank">"Survivor China"</a> and hit upon a number of posts from other suitably POed viewers. Of course, it turns out that someone over at the SABC eventually woke up to the deluge of irate calls and eventually screened the final half hour of the show, presumably sometime after midnight. I don't know. I'd turned off by then. There are some mighty pissed off survivor fans. SABC you bunch of wankers…shame on you..what kind of service is this.. you suck. PS: SABC3 has released its pitiful excuse for an apology here: <a href="http://www.sabc3.com/news/5896" target="_blank">www.sabc3.com/news/5896</a>...complete with the cellphone number of spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago... I suspect he's already sorry that line was given out... or perhaps it's just another SABC balls-up?" SABC totally cocks up Survivor China final ... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRS3EKCria4RRtqp19vt0uG1NZCxbY7HytfWNhRZ_3CHVXIk4KqI3dv4dc78zliPc5hRwN5sOTynpWh92kqO7Au-rihXAox1sXXk-8GPvOZsITe6t9wXbJlfvtIEq-eOVJ_p5Nc2BQbY/s1600-h/survivor_china_jeff.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376670861498035762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRS3EKCria4RRtqp19vt0uG1NZCxbY7HytfWNhRZ_3CHVXIk4KqI3dv4dc78zliPc5hRwN5sOTynpWh92kqO7Au-rihXAox1sXXk-8GPvOZsITe6t9wXbJlfvtIEq-eOVJ_p5Nc2BQbY/s400/survivor_china_jeff.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 255px" /></a>Viewers of the popular reality series Survivor are angry at the SABC for mixing up the finale broadcast of the show. Several viewers complained to News24 that the public broadcaster skipped the final vote with the last three contestants and broadcast the reunion show instead, spoiling the anticipated jury showdown for viewers. Morning radio DJ Gareth Cliff said on his show that while he doesn't watch Survivor, the SABC was "embarrassing". "Viewers also took to social networking site Twitter with <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=&ands=SABC&since=2009-08-31&until=2009-09-01" target="_blank">cursing, invective and foul language</a> to express their disgust at the SABC." wrote <a href="http://www.bizcommunity.com/Blog/ShanRadcliffe">Shan Radcliffe</a> "SABC 3 is pathetic - ruined Survivor for everybody by screwing up the finale! fire somebody!" wrote a user named Hockit. Other users were less polite. "I cant believe SABC messed up Survivor Final Tribal...pay ur TV liscence and u get screwed..." (sic) wrote life_in_cmyk. SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the broadcaster is investigating the incident. "We're looking into what happened and we'll issue a statement later," "Thank you very much to the people watching the SABC. When things go wrong they're quick to complain, but they don't congratulate us when things go right." <a href="http://www.news24.com/Content/Entertainment/SouthAfrica/1043/2bcb5392166b4c93ac206cd387009663/01-09-2009-11-22/Viewers_angry_over_Survivor" id="ctl00_ctl00_MainBodyPlaceholder_Column2Placeholder_articleStatistics_rptMostRead_ctl05_lnkArticle">Viewers angry over Survivor</a> 9/1/2009 11:54:19 AM What a crap statement....you at the SABC should know better! What is the point of following something for weeks just to have it spoiled like this... Jonathan 9/1/2009 11:55:52 AM Sorry Kaizer, but we pay you to get it right!!! John 9/1/2009 11:56:39 AM People dont congratulate the SABC when things go right because they are supposed to go that way. Only the incompetent need to be told when they final do a job well Suanne Farrar 9/1/2009 11:57:10 AM Very annoyed with SABC3. Obviously the person in charge of airing this episode of survivour is not a fan. They should have stopped the tape the moment they relised it was the incorrect one and put on an advert while they found the correct one... or is no one even monitoring the broadcast??? Conrad 9/1/2009 11:58:12 AM Uhm...Why should we congratulate them for doing things right...isn't that what we pay for. CJ 9/1/2009 11:58:52 AM o plse Kaizer Kganyago, why do u want to be congratulated on doing things right?? you are supposed to do it right!! duh! or are u so used to getting it wrong?! charlie brown 9/1/2009 11:59:12 AM the reason why people don't congratulate them when things go right is BECAUSE IT'S THERE JOB TO MAKE SURE IT GO'S RIGHT!!! anne 9/1/2009 11:59:24 AM we pay for everything to be right and for the sabc to do their job, jour own boss should congratulate you when a job is well done not the viewers... Paul 9/1/2009 1:51:42 PM Makes you wonder, are They broadcasting the correct daily news & weather reports what a lot of bull we pay for. Kits 9/1/2009 1:52:00 PM truly pathetic....and no even decency to apologise ...watching the reality show for possibly a month and then spoilt at the end ...dissapointment is not even the word...and the audacity to say they we dont congratulate them when things are going rite....u shud fired for passing a comment like that...actually the comment pisses me more off then the huge blunder regarding survivor....really hope you,re dealt with and issue a public apology for your comment my boy Jim 9/1/2009 1:52:08 PM "SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the broadcaster is investigating the incident". A LIITLE BIT LATE , ISN'T IT?, TRY EMPLOYING SOME QUALIFIED STAFF. royden 9/1/2009 1:52:54 PM Sorry Kaizer, the tribe has spoken, take your torch and .....? John 9/1/2009 1:53:56 PM In fact, what a shock, actually. Norms 9/1/2009 1:55:16 PM kaizer come right you BOX !!!! Anony 9/1/2009 1:55:29 PM "Things you do right"? Well Kaizer, most ppl DONT HAVE A CHOICE, we have to watch your absolute cr@p. Not everyone can afford DSTV which I'll bet you have. Please tell us, what do you do right? I can tell you what you do wrong, besides financial mismanagment, running the public broadcaster into the ground and so on. I can keep going, go ahead, tell us what does the 'magnificent SABC' do right? There are 168 hours in 1 week. Etv shows approx. 167 hours of WWE every week so that isn't an option. No, instead we get ppl employed at the SABC because of the political affiliations and not because of their competency. Hey Kaizer, do you think anyone actually respects you? Get a life...'things we do right'... you have just made yourself look arrogant ontop of being a laughable joke. Salama 9/1/2009 1:55:35 PM It was so deflating, after I realised what happened, I put my tv of and went to be. I mean really here was getting ready for the showdown between the jury and the 3 reaminding survivors, only to realise that they have now skipped to the after party. It's called Quality Control you MORONS... Hein 9/1/2009 1:56:01 PM Just want to congratulate Kaizer for getting the news right yesterday... Petina 9/1/2009 1:57:03 PM very very dissapointed and irritated with SABC 3 Jason P. 9/1/2009 1:57:46 PM Do you guys thank us for paying our TV licenses on time? No, but you're quick to bitch and moan if we're late you tool...so shut up and start focusing on doing your job! Only in Africa do they make cock ups like this and then cry about not getting a thank you.... Bob 9/1/2009 1:57:51 PM Kaizer...you tell us "pay your licecnce, its the right thing to do" Showing programmes in the correct order is the right thing to do!! This is yet another example of what happens when positions are given to incompetant friends and family....which is the South African way ! No wonder everything is in a state of chaos here! Bob 9/1/2009 1:58:02 PM Kaizer...you tell us "pay your licecnce, its the right thing to do" Showing programmes in the correct order is the right thing to do!! This is yet another example of what happens when positions are given to incompetant friends and family....which is the South African way ! No wonder everything is in a state of chaos here! Jason P 9/1/2009 1:58:10 PM Do you guys thank us for paying our TV licenses on time? No, but you're quick to bitch and moan if we're late you tool...so shut up and start focusing on doing your job! Only in Africa do they make cock ups like this and then cry about not getting a thank you.... Tanya 9/1/2009 1:59:18 PM What? Is he actually being serious! When he reads over his statement he is going to feel like such an idiot! Why do you need to be congratulated on doing your job, thats what we pay for - you guys are MEANT to and EXPECTED to get it right! Take responsibility... SABC you messed up! Carol 9/1/2009 1:59:26 PM why must anyone congratulate you, it is after all your job and u can ask ur boss for a raise for doing things right.and another thing the sabc plays everyhing over and over and over. sometimes it is nice to when u have missed a movie but we dont want to see it on sabc 1 tomorrow and than on sabc 2 the next week and than again on sabc 3. we we want to watch a movie again we should ask for it dont push it down on us.hope u have learn something from this E 9/1/2009 2:00:01 PM "Thank you very much to the people watching the SABC. When things go wrong they're quick to complain, but they don't congratulate us when things go right." what do you want, a cookie? We pay you guys to not screw up! Please stop thinking that we are as "dof" as you are. Bonny 9/1/2009 2:00:30 PM SABC messed it up for everyone...thats reason 101 I wont be paying my TV licence anytime soon. Kaiser, maybe if you got off your high-horse you'd realise that your ship "SABC" is sinking carol 9/1/2009 2:05:47 PM why must anyone congratulate you, it is after all your job and u can ask ur boss for a raise for doing things right.and another thing the sabc plays everyhing over and over and over. sometimes it is nice to when u have missed a movie but we dont want to see it on sabc 1 tomorrow and than on sabc 2 the next week and than again on sabc 3. we we want to watch a movie again we should ask for it dont push it down on us.hope u have learn something from this aNON 9/1/2009 2:06:40 PM Excuse me Mr Kaizer Kga whatever, but when DO things go right with SABC - it's going down the toilet very fast!!! Nobby 9/1/2009 2:06:54 PM SABC equals STUPID PROGRAMMING, MULTICHOICE SHOULD BUY THE SURVIVOR RIGHTS AT LEAST MULTICHOICE CATERS FOR EVERYONE cindy 9/1/2009 2:07:07 PM and that is exactly why so little people watch SABC... i for one, can't remember the last time i even saw the words "SABC1,2 or 3" on a screen :) long live DSTV! JJ 9/1/2009 2:08:52 PM The struggle is not over. You struggle to get to school. You struggle to get through matric. You struggle to get a job. You struggle to strike for an increase....and you struggle to find the right tape to broad-cast because Affirmative Action saw you end up in a job where being able to read (the label on the tape)is of crucial importance. Fortunately no-one will get fired for this blunder........firing is no longer an option in the new South Africa. Promotion is the only way to go.....Golden Handshake with the viewer's license fees. Survivor 9/1/2009 2:09:27 PM Yip, well, glad to see I'm not the only one being really p off about the incompetence of our "competent" SABC. We can only hope that they don't stuff it up again at the next series. And then we get this typical comment from KK about this incident - very scary to see this comes from their speaker....wonder how they justify their salaries whilst being so deep in the red and still buggering up basic dynamics. About time we all stop paying them.... AE 9/1/2009 2:09:39 PM AHEM .... SABC, Kaizer, You are running a business. Do we, the public spend our time patting the back of other businesses. You are supposed to do things right. That is how you make a real profit. That is how you draw in more viewers. My Mom has been dead for many years. She is being threatened with court action pertainint to her TV licence. I called them. They wanted to know where she was. I told the staff - DEAD. I was asked well what is the new address !!!! I kid you not. Explained that she was really dead and I had (11 times) sent copy of death certificate. I was asked if it had her address on it. OK guys you want to sue my Mom... you find her. Let me know when you do as I miss her like crazy. Erno van Dyk 9/1/2009 2:10:04 PM The SABC employees don't work for free like most South African Actors. Get your act together my friends. What is this thing about SABC productions being sold to other stations without reimbursing the actors? Yet another scam from the incompetent people working at the SABC TV, taking all the money from those productions and pocketing the money themselves. You are a disgrace to any functional establishment in South Africa, if there are any more left after all your backhanded corruption. Employ the right people for the jobs and not the political incompetants we have at present. kv 9/1/2009 2:10:38 PM My boss doesnt congratulate me every time I do something right, he just pays me my salary at the end of each month. Another royal screw up from the monkeys running the SABC. I feel I should withhold some TV Licence payments. It was like having taped the rugby and someone telling you the final score before you watched it - they spoilt weeks of anticipation. Pathetic management, as with most things in this country! Things like this really make us all so despondant... Gareth 9/1/2009 2:10:43 PM So true...I agree with everyone else that has commented on Kaizer's pathetic statement. We, the public pay for a service that should run smoothly bar none! Making a monumental mistake such as this and then on top of this letting the finalé run without any apologys or stopping it from continuing after the first minute or two shows that the SABC either isnt screening their programs. If the SABC and Kaizer actually felt any remorse they would of apologised to the viewers LONG TIME AGO!!! Instead, we the public pay our hard earned money for useless service. Maybe DSTV should get the rights to Survivor....!!!! PN 9/1/2009 2:10:58 PM Your apology is NOT excepted I am afraid. That was a MASSIVE mistake and you ruined the whole series for everyone. You literally wasted our time-Well done! You will really have to make up for it. I suggest you start broadcasting the next series as in tomorrow- I do not care how much it costs. Really now.. this is the most obscene unprofessional mistake I have ever encountered! johnathan Robinson 9/1/2009 2:11:10 PM I agree with you Suanne Farrar. As soon as they saw there was something wrong they should of stopped the tape, appologized, adverted, then carried on from the correct point. The fact that the show was just left to role shows that no one at the SABC office in charge of or responsible for lastnights show actualy cares whether they were doing thier job correctly or not, or possibly were even too stupid to actualy acknowledge/Notice the mistake and fix it. BingoLingo 9/1/2009 2:19:57 PM Blah to SABC3. A disappointing broadcast. Maybe they'll even blame the poor sweeper for brushing against the wiring and then putting back the wrong plug. Getting it right is your commitment to to the public (basically, your job). If you want compliments, you exceed your limits. Everyone has a right to complain about bad service - so SABC3 must face the music. Get service delivery right the first time, and the customer returns. Is that not sufficient compliment? Failing that, you now have to work harder to restore credibility, and without compliments too. phillip 9/1/2009 2:21:55 PM since when did things go right. Always issues, and premiums rising. PATHETIC garyh 9/1/2009 2:27:49 PM "Thank you very much to the people watching the SABC. When things go wrong they're quick to complain, but they don't congratulate us when things go right." This statement pretty much sums it all up, what a joke, positive spin my arse, he sounds like a politician! stopsign 9/1/2009 2:27:58 PM When was last time something at this broadcaster has gone right ? Louis 9/1/2009 2:28:15 PM Total dissapoint. A person watch the whole season and then misses the MOST important part - That was like in totally pointless!! Gavin 9/1/2009 2:28:16 PM Simple, they want us to pay TV licenses and increase the price of the license. I will simply not watch SABC nor pay my TV license. I mean Survivor is what, 12 weeks long and they stuff it up in the last episode come on what a waste of my time!! Lady B 9/1/2009 2:29:01 PM What an illiterate statement! If my name was Kaizer, I'd keep my tail firmly between my legs and keep my mouth shut. What a disappointment to follow a series for months & months, and then some dildo doesn't do what he's supposed to do! And clearly, someone at SABC was snoozing because in an hour of running the WRONG SHOW, no-one realised the mistake. Typical!! KP 9/1/2009 2:32:21 PM Sabc, that was unbelievable, You have NO IDEA. Kaizer, who ever hired you should be fired. Another spokesperson 9/1/2009 2:34:13 PM Kaizer Kganyago! What a blunder! When your customers rightly complain you don't apologise then antagonise them further by criticising them by moaning about "not being complemented"...time for a new career path, maybe? Anne 2 9/1/2009 2:35:34 PM I am speechless! SABC wanting thanks! For what????? Old programs, repeat programs, interrupted programs! If Survivor was broadcast on another network I wouldn't watch SABC at all! I am so sick of people in power thinking that they are doing the general population a favour by doing their jobs properly! Bodge 9/1/2009 2:36:11 PM What an idiot!!! No wonder the SABC is in such a state of despair. When idiots like you, Kaizer, are in control what else can one expect! Believe me if it wasn't for Survivor or Amazing Race my remote would skip your channel/s faster than a taxi skips a red robot! Simon 9/1/2009 2:39:03 PM "...congratulate us when things go right." By that he is saying most of the time, things go wrong? From now on I'll demand congratulations from my boss for doing my job properly. MT 9/1/2009 2:39:22 PM I would be embarrest to make a statement like that Kaizer! It is your JOB after all to make sure things go right - always looking for a way out - SHAMEFUL! mike allan 9/1/2009 2:39:40 PM what 'crap' SABC has'nt been right for a very long time & will not be right for a very long time to come!! COCO 9/1/2009 2:39:43 PM Kaizer, congratulate you on what? Repeats on tv? Programmes (good one's) that is 11 o'clock at night? Mixing the FINALE of Survivor? You want to broadcast the 2010?? What a joke. mike allan 9/1/2009 2:40:31 PM what 'crap' SABC has'nt been right for a very long time & will not be right for a very long time to come!! Simon 9/1/2009 2:41:20 PM "...congratulate us when things go right." By that he is saying most of the time, things go wrong? From now on I'll demand congratulations from my boss for doing my job properly. michy 9/1/2009 2:41:35 PM why should we congratulate you for getting anything right ~ we watch the same programs over and over again because you can't pay for new shows????????????????? Dawn 9/1/2009 2:41:43 PM They do stuff right? Like what? Normal broadcasting never starts at stated time, hasn't in 20 years.. Damn this recession i want my DSTV back! ;-) Buhle 9/1/2009 2:41:59 PM Just nonsense!!! Now we don't know WHY that Pip Squeek Todd won... SABC disappoints, again!!! Bodge 9/1/2009 2:42:39 PM What an idiot!!! No wonder the SABC is in such a state of despair. When idiots like you, Kaizer, are in control what else can one expect! Believe me if it wasn't for Survivor or Amazing Race my remote would skip your channel/s faster than a taxi skips a red robot! speed 9/1/2009 2:48:27 PM That's why i get it straight from the USA - cannot trust SABC to get it right. Have watched the next 3 seasons - SABC is 18 months behind. PN 9/1/2009 2:48:35 PM Your apology is NOT excepted I am afraid. That was a MASSIVE mistake and you ruined the whole series for everyone. You literally wasted our time-Well done! You will really have to make up for it. I suggest you start broadcasting the next series as in tomorrow- I do not care how much it costs. Really now.. this is the most obscene unprofessional mistake I have ever encountered! Bodge 9/1/2009 2:49:02 PM What an idiot!!! No wonder the SABC is in such a state of despair. When idiots like you, Kaizer, are in control what else can one expect! Believe me if it wasn't for Survivor or Amazing Race my remote would skip your channel/s faster than a taxi skips a red robot! Kaizer's Mom 9/1/2009 2:52:11 PM I would like to say congratulations to Kaizer for tying his own shoe laces this morning, all by himself. Things went right...so thank you my boy. JOE SOAP 9/1/2009 2:53:09 PM The show has been ruined for us by the SABC. How can this be remedied after the fact? Showing the final tribal council will not repair the damage already done. Someone need to answer for this and be kept accountable. John as well 9/1/2009 2:54:12 PM The "positive" spin comment is the kind of comment you'd expect from someone who doesn't know what they're doing. The best thing to do is try to point the finger at someone else in a bid not to look stupid. Doesn't he know that paying people will complain if what they pay for is screwed up. Jo-Anne Macleod 9/1/2009 2:54:54 PM I find it quite disturbing that the SABC can not get something as basic as this right. I am highly annoyed! I have been watching survivor religiously every week, waiting in anticipation for that final vote where you finally get to see who wins, the SABC has ruined it for me, it feels like all those weeks I have been following have been a complete waste of my time... Someone should be taken up for this!! Does anyone know if there is anyone worth complaining to??? Nxele 9/1/2009 2:55:57 PM Good thng i didnt watch it, the series that they are showing us is lyk 3 years old and there's another there survivors ahead of this one. SABC is so outdated Ronel 9/1/2009 2:57:40 PM Survivor and the Amazing Race are the only two shows I watch on SABC (thank goodness). Now it is going to be only one, that is if we will see the Amazing Race again on SABC. Survivor is the only show my son & I watch religiously every week and we have both decided that we will NEVER watch Survivor again. We pay our TV licenses for YOU to get it right and we have the right to complain when things go wrong!!!! What a shame that you have this attitude. Only in SA. dstv 9/1/2009 2:59:35 PM S - stupid A - arrogant B - bullsh*t C - corrupt, enough said byron 9/1/2009 3:01:50 PM SABC do you guys even watch what you broadcast? or are you all busy applying to be part of the SABC board? You SUCK Ebi 9/1/2009 3:01:58 PM This bloody idiot should be fired for making such a ridiculously STUPID comment!!! Could he possibly have an I.Q. above 2??? Anne 2 9/1/2009 3:03:39 PM I am speechless! SABC wanting thanks! For what????? Old programs, repeat programs, interrupted programs! If Survivor was broadcast on another network I wouldn't watch SABC at all! I am so sick of people in power thinking that they are doing the general population a favour by doing their jobs properly! Kotie 9/1/2009 3:06:19 PM Thank you for what? For being the usual incompetent and arrogant? Just do the darn job you get paid for so royally. All we get out of and from your sick organisation is corruption, incompetence and arrogance. We are sick and tired of that. We pay lisences, yet the service is pathetic!!! Idiot!!! Bryan 9/1/2009 3:08:33 PM When last did something go so right at SABC that it deserved congratulations? C'mon, that's a pathetic spin. I sent an email to address to the email address detailed on the SABC web site last night when the wrong show began airing, and this morning got a message back from the SABC mailmarshall saying that the email doesn't exist. The advertised line for SABC on the site rang through to some poor employee's personal email address. Were SABC even aware of the problem? The broadcaster managed to display a ticker about the soccer, but no apology was displayed. Now, given right of reply from News24, Kganyago doesn't even bother to use the platform to apologise to viewers. This is an extremely poor show from the broadcaster, an a pathetic exercise in PR. I spent 12 weeks following the show, and was upset and disappointed last night - this is not what we pay our TV licenses for. Personally, I'd like to see the SABC's television directive abolished - establish a second independent to compliment Etv, and leave SABC to focus on radio - funded by advertising. I feel sorry for Survivor: China sponsors Two Oceans - I used to enjoy their product, but now each time I take a sip, I'll get a bad taste in my mouth. Please 9/1/2009 3:09:56 PM SABC dimwits, please you dont have to be congratulated to get it right. its your job to get it right, you get paid to get it right. Ebi 9/1/2009 3:10:15 PM This bloody idiot should be fired for making such a ridiculously STUPID comment!!! Could he possibly have an I.Q. above 2??? I doubt it! Alana Slabber 9/1/2009 3:10:42 PM I have been following Survivor since the beginning and was furious at last nights "drama". We never had a problem with programs back in the day!! So what is the problem now? I salute SABC for getting 1 out of 500 programs right....now does that make you feel better? To receive a "congratulations" you have to get it right!!! DSTv rather 9/1/2009 3:10:43 PM Hard to believe people still actually watch SABC... James Laker 9/1/2009 3:10:48 PM And on Friday I went to buy a new LCD. I couldn't be helped and was turned away since the TV Licensing Service was down. It's Payday and people want to sell TVs, but can't. Great Impact you have on the industry. Well done SABC! Henk 9/1/2009 3:10:52 PM Ha Ha! Even SABC employees don't watch SABC! They porbably just switch the tapes and play solitaire on the PC! Kotie 9/1/2009 3:12:07 PM Thank you for what? For being the usual incompetent and arrogant? Just do the darn job you get paid for so royally. All we get out of and from your sick organisation is corruption, incompetence and arrogance. We are sick and tired of that. We pay lisences, yet the service is pathetic!!! Idiot!!! Mark 9/1/2009 3:12:17 PM It is a sad reflection of a lack of accountability in a bankrupt, disorganised business which has the taxpayer's money so o need to focus on doing the fundamentals. What a tragedy SABC is! In a corporate heads would have rolled! Goggie 9/1/2009 3:14:22 PM Uhm... missed this 1! Oh yes, I forgot, I don't watch any SABC channels... What's new, just another screw up in this screwed up country! (Note to self: Stop paying the damn TV licence! Why pay for something I don't use..) Kotie 9/1/2009 3:14:30 PM Thank you for what? For being the usual incompetent and arrogant? Just do the darn job you get paid for so royally. All we get out of and from your sick organisation is corruption, incompetence and arrogance. We are sick and tired of that. We pay lisences, yet the service is pathetic!!! Mampara!!! Pepper 9/1/2009 3:14:50 PM Kaizer Kganyago you are suppose to be a head of a department and you do not know what is going on in that department clearly our tv license that we are all paying is being paid to the wrong person and maybe they should take that money to advertise your post to someone who actually knows what is happening ZEE 9/1/2009 3:16:31 PM How else can they justify re-runs? AB 9/1/2009 3:20:01 PM I must agree, congratulate for going beyond the call of duty, I have my own business, I pay people to get it right, if they need to be congratulated then I may as well close my doors as now is "legally" obliged to pay me when I get it wrong!!! jj 9/1/2009 3:20:20 PM The SABC is a sinking ship and will soon have its final voyage. It’s just sad that a lot of people will lose their jobs. I have friends that are actors and they already struggling to get work. I just wonder if they still want to bring out there decoders for SABC 1,2,3. Who in his right mind will be crazy enough to buy a decoder to watch this crap. At the moment they are showing Invasion that was also aired on Mnet but the show was cancelled in America after just one season. So the poor viewers are following the series but it will come to a dead end just like survivor. nicola 9/1/2009 3:20:37 PM Confused No More. I became confused when I heard the word 'service' used with these agencies : The Revenue 'Service' Postal 'Service' Telephone 'Service' Municipal 'Service' Civil 'Service' Police 'Service' Customer 'Service' SABC 'Service' This is not what I thought 'service' meant. But today, I overheard two farmers talking, and one of them said he had hired a bull to 'service' a few cows. BAM!!! It all came into focus. Now I understand what all those agencies are doing to us ! You are now as enlightened as I am. AB 9/1/2009 3:20:47 PM I must agree, congratulate for going beyond the call of duty, I have my own business, I pay people to get it right, if they need to be congratulated then I may as well close my doors as no one is "legally" obliged to pay me when I get it wrong!!! Christine 9/1/2009 3:20:50 PM I myself did not follow Survivor but what a comment made by SABC? Stuff you, we pay our TV licenses, we do not have to send you well done cards every day. I can assure you, I get paid to do my job, and when I do wrong I know about it, but if I do right, well that is what I am paid for, right? Stupid a*s, you people want to run the country, steal the SABC's money, pay yourselves bonuses when not justified, but then we must say well done everyday for doing your job? Get a life man! craig 9/1/2009 3:23:13 PM "Thank you very much to the people watching the SABC. When things go wrong they're quick to complain, but they don't congratulate us when things go right." - Kaizer Kganyago Dear Kaizer Kganyago If you would be so kind as to show us one "clean broadcast", one devoid of advertisement screw ups, hanging video, News room mistakes, News inaccuracy, etc,etc I would be more than happy to congratulate you... Ant 9/1/2009 3:24:05 PM You have to do something right first before we can congratulate you! No Surprises 9/1/2009 3:24:32 PM I really don't know why everyone is so upset, I mean this is the sabc we're talking about here, what were you expecting? nirvana.pillay 9/1/2009 3:26:01 PM Exactly!!!we pay you to entertain! so many of us watched survivor all month to only get you to mess up the way you did!!! pathetic! I'm extremely disappointed in SABC! Nobby 9/1/2009 3:29:22 PM SABC equals STUPID PROGRAMMING, MULTICHOICE SHOULD BUY THE SURVIVOR RIGHTS AT LEAST MULTICHOICE CATERS FOR EVERYONE Jack 9/1/2009 3:29:27 PM SABC is just plain useless. Stacey 9/1/2009 3:30:33 PM What does the SABC want when they get things right? A damn cookie! I pay my TV licence so that they can do their job. Idiots! JoJo 9/1/2009 3:33:30 PM Sorry, but there's not much to be thankful for. Why must I wait till the late hours to see my English language programmes? I was extremely annoyed at last night's "mistake". David 9/1/2009 3:33:33 PM As said, They ARE paid to get to right. In my SABC days 50 years ago The nitwit responsible for this would be fired -- no questions no excuses. Yes -- blame it on AA and BEE for employing people who cant read cassette labels and got the job to screw up 'cos they managed to pass grade 6 when they were 24 yrs old. No apologies dont surprise me. The controller was probably sleeping behind the desk or too busy talking on his cell to his girlfriend instead of monitoring the screen.I'm cancelling my TV license. David 9/1/2009 3:33:57 PM As said, They ARE paid to get to right. In my SABC days 50 years ago The nitwit responsible for this would be fired -- no questions no excuses. Yes -- blame it on AA and BEE for employing people who cant read cassette labels and got the job to screw up 'cos they managed to pass grade 6 when they were 24 yrs old. No apologies dont surprise me. The controller was probably sleeping behind the desk or too busy talking on his cell to his girlfriend instead of monitoring the screen.I'm cancelling my TV license. Charmaine 9/1/2009 3:35:07 PM By watching SABC 3 and paying your licence, IS the way we congratulate "getting things right". It is not OK to get things wrong and then attempt to turn the tables on the viewers!! Just find out what and who and handle it so that this does not happen again... and how about LETTING YOUR VIEWERS KNOW how you have handled the situation. Now THAT might get respect. JoJo 9/1/2009 3:37:00 PM Sorry, but there's not much to be thankful for. Why must I wait till the late hours to see my English language programmes? I was extremely annoyed at last night's "mistake". NO SURPRISES 9/1/2009 3:37:43 PM I really don't know what everyone is getting so uptight about, I mean this is the sabc we're talking about here, what were you expecting? Craig 9/1/2009 3:40:59 PM STUFFED UP MY END TO SURVIVOR! Dam, here i was waiting with baited breathe to hear what the jury has to say, which is almost the most interesting part!!! "Congrats to Todd" WTF????? Its only one mistake tho guys...oh ya besides the board completely ruining SABC financially. SABC is definately not winning any popularity contests... GO SABC!! CK 9/1/2009 3:41:13 PM We have this saying: a person's answer to a question reflects his/her level of knowledge on a subject, also the nature of statements could reflect sound intellectual functioning...of which discernment and logical reasoning remain a valid indicator of intelligence and ability to solve problems. Kaizer Kganyago's statement seems diabolic and inappropriate. Who owes who here?...again the now familiar SA jargon to avoid accountability. Eddie 9/1/2009 3:43:37 PM NEXT SEASON: SURVIVOR SABC3 > OUTWIT, OUTPLAY, OUT ... yes, just "OUT" they don't do the "LAST" bit! brendan 9/1/2009 3:44:21 PM Doing what is expected of you in your job does not warrant any form of congratulations. Perhaps when you show a box office hit before it's 2 years old or a live sports broadcast of away games or be the first station to broadcast a popular series to South African viewers you can get a pat on the back. Well done for ruining the survivor finale.

SABC Survivor China stuff up..

Wow.. im no television fan ( i dont even have satellite tv ) but i would just like to commend the South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC ...

5:32 PM

Out of cash SABC seeks R1.5-billion bail out

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm9ubrxfl9oBziekwdlRh1gz7cJ8cigTnjYr7DWYB0gM2dcnnxB0Z_otr2-AZcROXSiIqTbNPT8gZdmnMD1bnt3Ls-WlULSXeAaZpnSNHSUvPS3Lo4IzzsZ5u1BEV5bUOBzSh4BpXbA0U/s1600-h/sabc-news.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339060593285964242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm9ubrxfl9oBziekwdlRh1gz7cJ8cigTnjYr7DWYB0gM2dcnnxB0Z_otr2-AZcROXSiIqTbNPT8gZdmnMD1bnt3Ls-WlULSXeAaZpnSNHSUvPS3Lo4IzzsZ5u1BEV5bUOBzSh4BpXbA0U/s400/sabc-news.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" /></a>The SABC is out of cash and is sitting on a deficit of almost R800-million. The broadcaster is seeking a bail-out of R1.5-billion. "Cash flow has been aggravated by rights payments [the costs of programme purchases] and slow-paying debtors," said Robin Nicholson, the SABC's chief financial officer. Independent producers have not been paid, workers will not receive annual increases and various other debtors complain about not being paid. Government is the biggest advertiser on the SABC and its slow payment systems are a key factor in the crisis. SABC News International, the sprawling empire of former editor-in-chief Snuki Zikalala, has been the largest cash-drain. Three of its 12 bureaux have already been closed and more are likely to go. The channel's start-up costs were estimated by Empire magazine at R240-million for 12 bureaux and a R45-million studio, and budgeted annual running costs run at R60-million. Now just a year old, the channel has not made one cent in revenue. Analysts suggest that viewership never climbed beyond a few thousand eyeballs as costs escalated. The SABC is likely to seek loans of R1.5-billion on the financial markets backed by support from government. In addition, it is lobbying the South African Revenue Service for VAT exemption on TV licence payments and for a state subsidy for those South Africans who watch television and listen to the radio but who are too poor to pay the broadcaster. Officially in austerity mode, the SABC has promised an end to profligacy. Some other areas to watch out for include: <ul><li>A 70% increase in the cost of consultants, from R129-million in 2007 to R220-million in 2008. At the same time permanent headcount has grown, suggesting there are two parallel sets of staff running the place. </li><li>Matilda Gaboo, the SABC's former head of international programme buying, spent R49-million on programmes that were never aired, according to an internal audit report and one by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and Comperio Forensics. The Sunday Times reported that only 38 of 165 deals done by Gaboo had been analysed by March, suggesting the wasteful expenditure might be much higher. </li><li>Mafika Sihlali, the SABC's former legal officer, allegedly defrauded the broadcaster of R1.8-million. </li></ul>In 2008, the year in which the SABC suffered serial management failures, the top dogs rewarded themselves with massively inflated incentive bonuses: <ul><li>Former news and current affairs boss Snuki Zikalala: R2.25-million, an increase of 46.05% a year; </li><li>Acting chief executive Gab Mampone: R1.95-million, an increase of 230%; </li><li>Chief people officer Phumelele Ntombela-Nzimande: R1.7-million, an increase of 59.72%; </li><li>Acting chief operating officer Mvuzo Mbebe: R1.9-million, an increase of 30%; and </li><li>Chief financial officer Robin Nicholson: R3.3-million, an increase of 18.4%. </li></ul>

Out of cash SABC seeks R1.5-billion bail out

The SABC is out of cash and is sitting on a deficit of almost R800-million. The broadcaster is seeking a bail-out of R1.5-billion. "Cas...

4:14 AM

SABC in the red for a staggering R784-million

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIDjPERrsuOGALGhmHEz5uGH9h2beKkrxzzG_6dhy2Gxhioq9HcMY8YKB3mHcIhkk7RqC7nvOHNo2RchdKWX-p3VXLeq7y-E5TI6WGofA-fCPawVnCDh4UBjbfcrCGPzgtSKbmNzz7Tg/s1600-h/sabcbig.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313425604517060674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIDjPERrsuOGALGhmHEz5uGH9h2beKkrxzzG_6dhy2Gxhioq9HcMY8YKB3mHcIhkk7RqC7nvOHNo2RchdKWX-p3VXLeq7y-E5TI6WGofA-fCPawVnCDh4UBjbfcrCGPzgtSKbmNzz7Tg/s400/sabcbig.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 288px" /></a>The SABC doled out R11.3-million to take its senior managers, staff, board members, some of their partners and 12 guests to last year’s Beijing Olympics. <ul><li><a href="http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=956100">Minister blasts SABC management</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.thetimes.co.za/Business/BusinessTimes/Article1.aspx?id=953376">SABC’s lost millions ‘not our fault’</a></li></ul>And its bitter legal battle with axed chief executive Dali Mpofu has cost a staggering R8-million thus far. Since last year the broadcaster has repeatedly dodged questions — from parliament and the media — over the two issues. And just last week it admitted that it was in the red for a staggering R784-million Business Times can today reveal that R5.5-million was spent on technical staff, R2.01-million on senior executives, R683 739 on board members and R2.2-million on guests on the Olympics trip. An additional R854 948 is also believed to have been spent on taking along the spouses of board members and executives. The amounts include flights, accommodation, entry tickets to the Olympic Games as well as daily financial stipends. The total cost of the trip contradicts statements made by acting CEO Gab Mampone that it had cost the financially strapped broadcaster just R4.5-million. Speaking to journalist John Perlman on Gauteng station Kaya FM on Monday, Mampone said R6-million had initially been budgeted but “we ended up paying R4.5-million, somewhere around there”. Asked what was the amount spent on taking executives and board members, Mampone replied: “Let me just explain something. It was not only board members or staff or executives — included in that we had key stakeholders that we invited as well, who accompanied us.” Responding to a parliamentary question in October, communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri said the cost for nine executives and three board members — “who were not directly involved in the operational elements of broadcasting ” —- was R2.7-million. “I am advised by SABC that SABC Sport had budgeted for the trip to the Beijing Olympics and therefore the expenditure was justified in the circumstances,” she said at the time, without revealing the real financial costs involved. Strangely, the SABC’s spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said late on Friday that four board members and just three senior executives attended the games. Regarding how much it cost to take the board members along and whether any spouses attended, he said they were “still sourcing this information”. In early February the Freedom Front Plus again grilled Matsepe- Casaburri by asking her, among other things, why each official went, how clients taken along were selected and whether relatives and friends went along and at what cost to the taxpayer. The minister has yet to respond despite a parliamentary deadline of February 27. Ironically, Mampone this week suspended two senior executives — his general manager of radio and TV sales, Strini Naicker, and the general manager of human resources, Lene Chamberlaine. The duo were placed on “special leave” after allegations of nepotism, mismanagement and abuse of funds were levelled against them by the Communications Workers Union. Mampone appointed a committee to probe the allegations after more than 70 staffers had petitioned him to remove the two executives.

SABC in the red for a staggering R784-million

The SABC doled out R11.3-million to take its senior managers, staff, board members, some of their partners and 12 guests to last year’s Beij...

7:36 AM

Cash-strapped SABC faces liquidation

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWG1WSCv3_txy7qEdZceREGZqHOgC1yMI1PQvaFk1ZuXw9Vcr4jxunVN9Ge07AfdUJ6rTbl2TsQe8ynJucDhrPsh07exhmRQfil20WfwAgfuuF7LTXoYMcwK2IIBVRNCxTKyP-mec_5Vo/s1600-h/sabc.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309166368003177986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWG1WSCv3_txy7qEdZceREGZqHOgC1yMI1PQvaFk1ZuXw9Vcr4jxunVN9Ge07AfdUJ6rTbl2TsQe8ynJucDhrPsh07exhmRQfil20WfwAgfuuF7LTXoYMcwK2IIBVRNCxTKyP-mec_5Vo/s400/sabc.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" /></a>Internal report slams board squabbles THE SABC, wracked by infighting between the board and its executive and crippled by a financial crisis, will have to go to court to stop a liquidation order against it in connection with its failure to pay a Johannesburg law firm.Liquidation order for SABC <ul><li><a href="http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=775864">SABC staff revolt</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=888853">ANC warns SABC against bias</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.thetimes.co.za/specialreports/SABC/SABC-Interviews.aspx?id=375142">Special Report - SABC in Crisis</a> </li></ul>The civil action by Barry Aaron and Associates, which is before the Johannesburg High Court, has sparked fears that the cash-strapped SABC’s bigger creditors might also join the “gold rush” to recoup monies owed them by the broadcaster. Lawyer Barry Aaron told The Times yesterday that he decided to go ahead with an application for a winding-up order after the SABC broke its promise to pay him R450 000 owed to his firm for legal services. His court action comes amid reports that the public broadcaster is in a financial crisis with a deficit of R700-million. SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago yesterday said the figure had been exaggerated.“The issue of the R700-million was all reported by newspapers and not by us,” Kganyago said, adding that the public broadcaster would hold a news briefing to clarify the issue. But unions operating at the SABC insist that they were told by the broadcaster’s chief financial officer about the R700-million deficit. An investigation by auditors Deloitte on behalf of the department of communications has revealed that squabbles between the SABC board and its executive have crippled the organisation. Aaron’s application to liquidate the SABC, which was filed on Friday, is due to be heard by the Johannesburg High Court tomorrow afternoon. He said the SABC owes him money for services rendered between November and January. Aaron represented the public broadcaster in its legal battle with the National Lottery Board over the Winikhaya television competition, which the board wanted scrapped. “They asked for time to pay me, but it was not going to be all of it. “They said they were going to pay me [this past Monday]. It seems they may have made a 20 percent payment, but I can say I have not received any money in this regard and it is not reflecting in my bank account. “I am going ahead with the application for the winding-up order and I am due in court on Thursday,” Aaron said. Kganyago confirmed that he knew of Aaron’s court action. “We have communicated to him that we have prioritised his payment and will pay him this week,” Kganyago said. But unions operating at the SABC said they are concerned that the court case and the broadcaster’s general financial problems might cause other creditors to take similar action to avoid incurring losses. “When other creditors of the SABC find out about this, there will be a rush from everyone to get their money. “We have been informed the SABC has not paid most of its creditors and soon the SABC will be liquidated,” said Hannes du Buisson, of the Broadcast, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers’ Union . “Our concern is that there appears to be no financial discipline in the SABC and, if we continue in this way, there will be job losses. “We are at a point where we can’t trust the board with the finances of the SABC.” The broadcaster has blamed its financial woes on the global economic meltdown, but this has been disputed by the union. “We are not saying this is not a contributor but we are saying it is definitely not the main contributor,” Du Buisson said. The Deloitte report, a copy of which is in The Times’ possession, paints a grim picture. The infighting between the board and the executive has put corporate governance at the SABC “under severe strain”, says the report. “We gained a strong impression from our discussions [with board members and SABC executives] that the board-to-executive divide and degree of mistrust is destructive and counter-productive. It impacts on the efficiency and effectiveness of the board and board proceedings.” The report, signed by Deloitte director Roy Shough, found that most of the conflict between the board and executive arose over the axing of Dali Mpofu as SABC group chief executive . As a result of this conflict, non- executive board members “feel they need to become operationally involved” in SABC activities. The investigation found that the board tends to operate in “crisis mode” — having “to deal with one crisis after the next”. Deloitte was critical of the shortage of broadcasting and editorial policy expertise on the SABC board: “The lack of non- executive directors with the proper broadcasting industry experience hampers the board’s ability to discharge its accountability in this specialised industry.” The investigation states that interviews revealed “antagonism and divisive behaviour and spirit” and “ an air and culture of infighting and discontent” and “a culture of mistrust ” . The report is only the latest blow to the SABC’s embattled board.

Cash-strapped SABC faces liquidation

Internal report slams board squabbles THE SABC, wracked by infighting between the board and its executive and crippled by a financial crisis...

8:21 PM

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