Friday, February 4, 2011

BREAKING. SABC agrees to stop roll-out of turnaround strategy, including filling posts; will have two day workshop with SABC staff.


You're reading it here first.

I'm told - and it's unconfirmed and I'm waiting for confirmation from the SABC - that the South African public broadcaster that's busy with an aggressive turnaround strategy to cut the broadcaster's massive expenditure, headcount and red tape, has agreed to stop all further implementation and roll out of the turnaround strategy including the filling of posts.

This major about turn - if this unconfirmed news by highly credible insider sources within the beleaguered broadcaster is indeed the case (and I have asked the SABC, and I'm awaiting a response) - will mark a sudden, and major reversal by the SABC who didn't properly consult the SABC's 3 biggest trade unions before drafting a hash and rash ''homework'' turnaround strategy plan when the SABC board was summoned to parliament at the end of last year.

The SABC's apparent change of heart comes after I told you yesterday RIGHT HERE that the one trade union Mwasa has walked out of the turnaround strategy consultation session yesterday, and on Wednesday RIGHT HERE that bewildered SABC workers are ''reeling'' from the SABC's crass Turnaround Strategy ''Road Show'' that unilaterally embarked across provinces (Durban SABC staff were left aghast!) to be told what will be happening without any consultation whatsoever.

In a letter of the SABC in my posession the broadcaster now says that after yesterday's consultation meeting the SABC will ''have a two day workshop to deal with all matters related to the turnaround and to share information comprehensively and to allow our social partners [trade unions] to engage on any aspect of the process.''

ALSO READ: SABC union Mwasa walks out of turnaround strategy discussions.
ALSO READ: Bewildered SABC workers reeling about broadcaster's Turnaround Strategy ''Road Show''.