It has been a year of change at the South African public broadcaster, as 2018 brings a new CEO, COO and CFO.

Things haven’t been easy at the South African Broadcasting Corporation. The past couple of years have seen it face a number of crises, including editorial interference and a number of sexual harassment allegations.

Now, with the broadcaster setting up investigative commissions to look into past charges and having announced a new editorial direction, it is taking significant steps to rebuild public trust and accountability.

These steps also include a change at the top. In late January, Mr. Chris Maroleng was appointed Chief Operations Manager (COO) replacing Hlaudi Motsoeneng, who was fired for violating SABC’s code of conduct.

Maroleng has a significant background in journalism and media management, having worked as a news anchor and editor at eNCA. Most recently he held the position of Executive for Corporate Affairs at MTN.

More changes took place in June, with Mr. Madoda Mxakwe appointed as SABC’s new Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Ms. Yolande van Biljon as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

According to an SABC press release Mxakwe will bring a “broad combination of great skills and expertise derived from Senior Executive positions in business, communications and public affairs in both the private and public sector at a national and global level”, having previously worked for Nestle as country head of Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho.

Biljon also comes from an experienced business background having formerly qualified as a Chartered Accountant and held the role of CFO at Denel Dynamics. She also has a wealth of qualifications including a B Com (Accounting), B Compt (Hons), B Comm (Hons) and M Comm (Taxation).

We look forward to working with SABC’s new management and supporting the development of independent and accountable public media in South Africa.

Header Image: SABC trucks in Cape Town. Credit: warrenski/Creative Commons