A day after veteran Jimi Matthews’ shock resignation as the SABC’s CEO, the public broadcaster has appointed a Ugandan national as its head.
South African Broadcasting Corporation board chairman Prof Mbulaheni Maguvhe announced the appointment of James Aguma as Acting Group CEO yesterday.
He also appointed Audrey Raphela as acting chief financial officer.
Matthews posted his resignation letter on Twitter, saying he quit on moral grounds, explaining: “what is happening at the SABC is wrong and I can no longer be a part of it.”
Maguvhe said he respected Matthews’ decision.
“I also wish to reassure the public and our staff members that SABC is not in a crisis", he said.
“We have said this on numerous accounts that the time for austerity has come and is gone thanks to the hard work that (Chief Operating Officer) Mr (Hlaudi) Motsoeneng is displaying in getting us the necessary funds.”
Maguvhe said with the funds‚ the SABC would be able to fulfil its public mandate.
James Aguma, a Chartered Accountant, has been the SABC’s chief financial officer since March 2013 and completed a BCom and post graduate diploma in accounting at the University of Cape Town, wrapping his last course up in 1998.
Before that, he was general manager of strategic support for just over a year.
He reportedly lives in Johannesburg with his three daughters.
Aguma joins a lengthy list of former SABC bosses, including Reverend Hawu Mbatha, Peter Matlare, attorney Dali Mpofu, Solly Mokoetle and Lulama Mokhobo.
Many of these CEOs have either left under a cloud, or been suspended for some time before leaving.