In separate statements issued today the South African Screen Federation (Sasfed) as well as the SABC trade union, the Media Workers Association of South Africa (Mwasa), welcomed Lulama Mokhobo as the new group CEO of the SABC, and the first woman to permanently fill the position.
''Sasfed would like to welcome Lulama Mokhobo as the new permanent group chief executive of the SABC, replacing Phil Molefe who was the acting group CEO of the SABC and who had already replaced another interim group CEO Robin Nicholson,'' says the massive trade industry body representing the South African TV industry.
''Sasfed is grateful that the public broadcaster finally has a permanent group CEO again, who will serve a five-year term. Sasfed is pleased by the appointment of a woman to the helm of the SABC, and hopes she will offer some leadership and vision to the SABC, as well as better continuity and accountability.''
''Sasfed welcomes Lulama Mokhobo's appointment, wishes her the best in setting the SABC on the path to transparent and independent public broadcasting, and urges her to seek a meeting with the independent industry as soon as possible so together we can normalise the public broadcasting sphere and provide high quality content to the public.''
''Sasfed heralds the fact that for the first time ever, a woman will head the SABC.''
In another statement Mwasa said it ''welcomes the appointment of Thami Ka Plaatjie to the board of the SABC as deputy chairperson as well as the return of the former group executive: for public services, Lulama Mokhobo who now becomes the first woman group CEO of the SABC''.
''The appointments come at the beginning of what Mwasa hopes would be the beginning of genuine stabilization of the public entity after years of crisis-management and unsustainable levels of opportunity costs.''
''It is however critical and crucial that the SABC recovers from its catatonic state of arrested development,'' says Mwasa in the statement, adding that Mwasa ''positively looks forward to better cooperation with all who support the regeneration and recalibration of the SABC.''
The Broadcast, Electronic Media and Allied Workers Union (Bemawu) said that Lulama Mokhobo was not very successful as the head of public radio. "We will have to wait and see how she does," said Hannes du Buisson, Bemawu president.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said Lulama Mokhobo had the experience to run the SABC and to bring an end to factional tendencies.
The SOS Coalition in a statement said it ''welcomes the appointment of Thami Ka Plaatjie to the board of the SABC and to the position of deputy chairperson. Further, the SOS Coalition welcomes the appointment of a permanent new SABC CEO, Lulama Mokhobo''.
''We note the enormous pressures of this job and the tough decisions that need to be taken to ensure the successful implementation of the SABC's turnaround strategy,'' says the SOS Coalition. ''We will keep a watchful eye on all progress in this regard. SOS and its members note the need for strong leadership in this position.''
