Several candidates were interviewed this week in South Africa's parliament for vacant positions on the council of the country's broadcasting regulator, Icasa.
Candidates appeared before parliament's portfolio committee on communications in Cape Town for interviews as possible replacements for empty seats on the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa's (Icasa) Council.
The former SABC CEO Lulama Mokhobo resurfaced who infamously quit after just a few months because she was unable to cope at the South African broadcaster where the controversial and famously matricless executive Hlaudi Motsoeneng usurped her authority.
Also interviewed were the former e.tv executive Natalie-Ann Delport who raised eyebrows when she told the portfolio committee that she wants MultiChoice to lower the subscription fees for DStv.
Natalie-Ann Delport failed to explain how she wants DStv subscription fees to be lowered, or why as a would-be Icasa council member she is unsupportive of a free market economy within South Africa's broadcasting industry as far as private broadcasting operators are concerned.
The experienced broadcasting expert and academic Kate Skinner is also on the list and was a former co-ordinator of the Support Public Broadcasting (SOS Coalition) public pressure group advocating for good public broadcasting in South Africa.
15 candidates were shortlisted for interviews but 2 - Prof Onkaetse Mmusi and Themba Phiri - withdrew.
The other candidates are Thembeka Simane, Andrew Phetho, Adv Cawekazi Mahlati, Dr Mashilo Boloka, Nomonde Gongxeka-Seope, Rubben Mohlaloga, Thabo Makhakhe, Peter Hlapolosa, Ashraf Patel and Phosa Mashangoane.
Candidates were asked about the South African government's long-delayed and failed digital terrestrial television (DTT) project, broadcasting licences, and broadcasting regulation and legislation.
