Presentation to Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on

Communications12 November 2003

Chairman’s Introduction

Objectives

• Term overview

• Issues from June PPC

Issues Arising From The Parliamentary Committee: June

• Programmes on disabilities and sign language

• Detailed preparation for the launch of the station, clear timeframes

• Detailed funding model of public broadcasting

• Dedicated parliamentary channel

The SABC - 1999

• Role & obligations

• Lack of leadership

• Concerns about governance

• Insecurity

4 years ago - Organisation in crisis:

The SABC - 1999

• Poor stakeholder relations

• Lack of strategy

• Lack of organisational alignment

• Unacceptable public image

• Concerns about financial sustainability

• Collapsed Management System

Focus Areas of the Board

• Board focus

– Management– Staff– Content– Financial

• Diversity and unity of the current Board

• Diverse constituency and stakeholder base

Important Milestones:

• Appointment of executive team

• Increased representation of women and blacks

• Improved content offerings

• Amendment of Broadcasting Act

• The development of draft editorial policies

• SABC converted to limited company

• Strong governance procedures

The SABC Four Years On (1 of 2)

The SABC Four Years On (2 of 2)

• Redesigned performance management system

• Development of a financial model

• Development of a technology strategy

• Improved relationships with key stakeholders

• Improved relationship with sister and industry organisations

• Expansion of access by more than 5m people

• SABC in Top 10 of “Most loved Brands”

Remaining Board Agenda – September to December

• Vision documents

• Policy framework concluded

• New channels

• BOP

• Goals and plans

Near Term Challenges

• Finalise Editorial Policies

• Renew licences

• Apply for Regional Service licences

• Apply for amended licences

• Prepare for Elections

• Prepare for Convergence Act

Challenges Remain

• Funding

• Stabilisation

• Improving content

• Expanding access

• Implementing Amendment Act

• Proposed convergence legislation

• Increased competition

• People development and retention

• Elections

I will now hand over to the Chair of the Programming :News Subcommittee

Programming: News

News Programming Chairperson Achievements and 5 Year Review

• Expanded Radio News services

• Expanded current Affairs programming on TV

• News Bulletins in every official language on TV

• Dismantling of Bimedia

News Programming Chairperson Achievements and 5 Year Review

• Elections

• Breaking news stories of domestic and international importance

• World class commissioning standards

• Launching of SABC Africa

• Numerous International awards for coverage

• World first San journalists on XKFM

• NEPAD Agenda

News Programming Chairperson Challenges going forward

• More accessible news on TV

– Language

– scheduling

• Improving the skills base in the news room

• Improving the product

– Economic

– Foreign Affairs

• Opening new bureaus

News Programming ChairpersonImmediate Term Challenges

• SABC News planning and implementation for Elections 2004

• Programming initiatives for 10 years of democracy

I will now hand over to the Chair of the Programming :Radio & TV Subcommittee

Programming: Radio & TV

Programming Chairperson: TV & Radio Achievements and 5 Year Review

• Invested significantly in local content

• Drafted editorial policies

• Repositioned PBS Radio

• Increased non-English content on TV (Nguni, Sotho and Afrikaans)

• Increased local content

Programming Chairperson: TV & Radio Achievements and 5 Year Review

• Sports of national interest coverage

• Popular and award winning educational content

• Incorporation of sign language into programming

• Multi-faith religious programming guided by Religious Broadcast Panel

• Draft religious broadcasting policy

The SABC remains committed to meeting the needs of the disabled audiences

• Progressively expanding the amount of programming that is signed – focusing initially on news and events of national importance

• Special efforts are made to provide Sign Language interpretation when programmes are recorded in front of an audience

• The draft editorial policies took the following approach to dealing with disability:

– Addressing the information needs of disabled audiences– Giving disabled audiences greater access to SABC programming– Addressing the stereotypes of people with disabilities

Programming Chairperson: TV & RadioAccess to the disabled

• Editorial policies to be amended – additional clauses on disability

• Annual reports on research on use of technologies to further mandate including access to broadcasts by people with disabilities

• Research study on key issues in education and disability:

– Overview of emerging trends and current priorities

– Input from a communities of people with disabilities on the role of multi-media programmes in regard to education and training.

– Analysis of current programming & recommendations on strategies

– Responses to current programming including level of awareness, reception, utilisation, impact

– Development of production guidelines

– Advice on available technology to improve delivery

Future steps on disability issues

Programming Chairperson: TV & Radio Challenges going forward

• Increasing competition for audiences

• Costs of production

• Regional services

I will now hand over to the Chair of the HR Subcommittee

HR

HR Chairperson Overview Achievements and 5 Year Review

• Advances in employment equity

• Steady increase in number of disabled employees

• Workplace HIV prevalence study – strategy / programme in place

• Increased focus on performance and change management

I will now hand over to the Chair of the Finance Subcommittee

FINANCE

Finance & Audit Committee Chairperson Achievements and 5 Year Review

• Transformation of Financial Division

• Financial stabilisation

• Risk management policies and mechanisms

• New structures and processes to ensure efficient capital allocation

Finance & Audit Committee Chairperson Challenges going forward

• Funding SABC mandate

• Deflationary revenue environment

• Technology platform renewal

• Branding investment

• Corporatisation

• Improve financial performance

• Treasury / Forex management

Finance & Audit Committee Chairperson Near Term Challenges

• Continued implementation of financial realignment

• Financial strategy for the Corporation

• Implement new delegation document

• Implementation of EVA

I will now hand over to the Chairperson of the Board

New Board Agenda

• Programming on disability

• News content strategy

• Head of News

• Election coverage

• Regional channels

• Sustainable funding model

• Top management cover

• Social roles and responsibilities

Conclusion

• Board has had successes

• Laid a significant and steady foundation for the new board

Going Forward

– Stability required

– Broadcasting Amendment Act will continue to impact on SABC fundamentally

– Funding Mandate remains a challenge

– SABC poised to move forward and improve

– Thank you for your support