You're reading it here first.
I can be first with reaction on the sudden resignation of the SABC's beleaguered and suspended group CEO Solly Mokoetle after a tenureship of exactly a year in which he managed to turn a large section of the SABC staff, South African television industry, as well as the SABC board against him.
''Two things,'' says Kate Skinner of the public pressure group Support Public Broadcasting (SOS). ''Firstly its good that the SABC can now move on. These problems around the disciplinary hearing of the SABC against Solly Mokoetle has dragged on too long. With Solly Mokoetle's resignation it means that the SABC can move forward by finding and employing a new group CEO.''
''There are lessons to be learned from what has happened between Solly Mokoetle and the SABC,'' Kate Skinner tells me. ''The new SABC board will now hopefully get to choose their own group CEO and not have someone appointed for them like Solly Mokoetle was. So hopefully if they get to choose their person, they can work better with that person.''
''Secondly the kind of person the SABC appoints as the new group CEO to replace Solly Mokoetle will be very important. The person replacing Solly Mokoetle is faced with massive challenges. The person has to be highly professional within the broadcasting arena and have a vision for public broadcasting specifically. I think the person will have to have a vision for the public broadcaster and it's a tall order. This person will have to - as a matter of urgency - sort out the SABC's delayed turnaround strategy which is absolutely critical.''
''Getting a turnaround strategy in place and implemented was Solly Mokoetle's first and most important task when he became group CEO at the SABC at the beginning of 2010. Now its 2011 and once again the SABC will get a new group CEO. The clock is ticking.''
ALSO READ: The SABC confirms that its group CEO, Solly Mokoetle has resigned with immediate effect.
