SABC interim board says local content policy must go

Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s imposition of a 90% local content policy has cost the South African Broadcasting Corporation more than R200 million.

The SABC’s interim board told Parliament on Monday that the state broadcaster was facing a multiplicity of crises‚ including cash liquidity problems‚ a loss of credibility and audience.

This was revealed by the deputy chair of the board‚ Mathatha Tsedu‚ in a briefing to the Portfolio Committee on Communications.

• SABC interim board putting together financial rescue package for public broadcasterThe SABC’s recently-appointed interim board says it is determined to fulfil the tasks it was appointed to undertake and that since its appointment it has been working with the Department of Communications to put together a package to ensure the financial rescue of the corporation. 

Tsedu said the interim board had drafted a recovery plan that included a proposal to reverse Motsoeneng’s content policy which had seen a drop in audience numbers and advertising.

• WATCH: 10 Hlaudilusional moments from Motsoeneng's media briefing It is a bit unusual for a media briefing to come with back-up dancers and a CD containing songs of praise for one of the main speakers, but that was the scene at Hlaudi Motsoeneng's media briefing on Wednesday. 

“The plan includes a proposal to reverse the 90/10 music policy‚ which has cost SABC radio R29 million and television R183 million. It also proposes the redrafting of the entity’s corporate plan‚” he said.

The interim board’s work had been made difficult‚ he added‚ by former Minister of Communications‚ Faith Muthambi‚ and some SABC staff members.