You're reading it here first.
Nobody is noticing or keeping track but I can tell you first that it's now been more than a YEAR that the SABC has been without a permanent head of news. What's worse is that the South African public broadcaster has no idea of when the position is going to be filled and when somebody is going to be appointed.
Phil Molefe took over as acting head of news at the SABC last May when the broadcaster decided not to renew the contract of the controversial dr. Snuki Zikalala, with Phil Molefe who has now been acting as the SABC's head of news for just over a year now. I can also be first to tell you that the SABC is now also advertising for a TV news editor, as well as some other integral management positions at the broadcaster. I also asked the SABC, who has no idea of when the permanent head of news will be appointed, although the job was advertised and interview have taken place.
''The process to find a new permanent head of news for the SABC has started,'' SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago told me earlier today but couldn't give any indication of when an appointment will be announced. ''Applications have closed for that and interviews have taken place. An announcement will be made soon.''
Meanwhile I can reveal that the SABC is now advertising for a TV news editor, a TV news bulletin writer, a regulatory officer (to look after and make sure that the SABC's TV channels and radio stations all comply with regulatory requirements) and a financial manager in the technology division.
I also just spoke to Kate Skinner, coordinator of the independent and public pressure group, Support Public Broadcasting (SOS). ''The SABC's news and current affairs division plays a critical and central role in the function and mandate of the SABC as a public broadcaster. SOS feels that the position of head of news needs to be filled as a matter of urgency with the best person. Not to have a permanent head of news at the SABC is devastating since news and current affairs is one of the flagship departments at the SABC,'' says Kate Skinner.
