Yunus Carrim, South Africa’s new minister of communications, said yesterday after his inauguration he intends to urgently address state entities, with specific reference to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
Carrim promised in Pretoria to improve the management and performance of state entities.
HumanIPO reported on Tuesday Dina Pule, the embattled former minister of communications, had been fired by president Jacob Zuma and replaced with Carrim.
“There is no reason why we cannot move with due expedition. We have these huge challenges and limited time, so we cannot afford not to move fast. The plans [for the SABC] are not plans that I make alone” the Times Live quoted Carrim as saying.
Carrim added: “We are all excruciatingly aware of the need to stabilise the SABC board and its management. We need to improve its performance. I have been the minister now for not more than 45 minutes. I will be spending a good deal of time over the next two weeks listening to people, largely learning.”
The new minister believes the country is lagging in terms of information and technology development, in comparison with other emerging economies, despite South Africa’s “significant progress” in its early years of democratic transformation.
“We simply have no choice. The public, business, trade union movements and society have reached a limit of tolerance about the difficulties we have been having at the SABC. We are committed to working with the public in turning around the SABC,” said Carrim.
Regarding the “turnaround” of the SABC, Carrim said it will occur, but it will not happen through politicians alone.
After the new ministers and deputy ministers were sworn in, the presidency stated Zuma was under no obligation to give reasons for the cabinet reshuffle.
“The presidency wishes to remind the opinion-makers that the president of the Republic uses his prerogative when appointing members to the national executive,” said Mac Maharaj, presidency spokesperson.
