South Africa’s public broadcaster, the SABC, has finally made appointments to the vitally important vacant spots on its executive team.
Madoda Mxakwe has been named as the new group CEO and Yolanda Van Biljon as chief financial officer.
Surprisingly, The Media Online picked up the reveal through this tweet by SABC chief operations officer, Chris Maroleng.
The #SABC appoints Madoda Mxakwe as GCEO and Yolanda van Biljon as CFO. Congratulations and well done to our two new Executives Directors!@SABCNewsOnline #SABCNews
— Chris Maroleng (@ChrisMaroleng) June 24, 2018
A reinforcement of the power of social media, when looking to pick up news and information.
The SABC’s statement
An official statement from the SABC was received two hours later, which revealed that Mxakwe’s appointment is effective from 01 July, while Van Biljon’s appointment is effective from today.
The appointments have been met with mostly positive reactions, with these being some of them:
I’m confident about this team and the future of the SABC. Congratulations to the new executive management team and we wish you all the best. South African s are behind your leadership assignment at this very important SOE.
— Grant Son (@GrantSon1) June 24, 2018
Have worked with these two experienced execs. Top marks for appointing these consummate professionals https://t.co/4HWUrUdTXm
— Ntuthuko Bhengu (@N22koBhengu) June 24, 2018
#OUTA welcomes all efforts to stabilise #SABC. We wish you and your team luck, @ChrisMaroleng. Undoing the massive #corruption and #taxabuse by #HlaudiMotsoeneng and his friends can’t be an easy task. https://t.co/uORPrW7kCa
— OUTA (@OUTASA) June 24, 2018
Dankie Chris! Slowly and steadily will stabilise the SABC ship. I know we complain here in these streets, but as a regular member of the public I respect u enough to allow u as a specialist to do what u do best. U have my support.
— Xolani Majola (@XolaniYeyesa) June 24, 2018
Excellent appointments indeed. The Corporation is clearly on a much needed turnaround journey. All the best.
— Zolile (@Zolile67752110) June 24, 2018
In a follow-up tweet Maroleng added, “Congratulations to the new CEO and CFO. Wishing you guys the very best. You have our continued support.”
Where the new executives come from
Before his new position at the SABC, Mxakwe’s (left) work experience since 2005 has been at Nestlé in various leadership capacities. He started as an executive director of corporate affairs for Nestlé Southern & Eastern Africa, before moving to Lagos, Nigeria, taking up the position of head of sales forNestlé Nigeria.
After two-and-half-years he moved again, this time to Europe, where he worked as assistant vice president of public affairs for Nestlé Switzerland.
His most recent position was as country head for Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, and Lesotho for Nestlé.
Among Mxakwe’s qualifications are an MA (Global Political Economy) from Sussex University in the UK, Executive Leadership Developments certificates from the London Business School, and a PGD in Business Administration from the Gordon Institute of Business School (GIBS).
“Madoda Mxakwe brings to the SABC a wealth of 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. He has the required business acumen, experience and decisive leadership skills in business turnarounds and transformation,” said SABC coard chairperson, Bongumusa Makhathini.
Van Biljon’s (left) previous work includes a stint with Denel Dynamics as manager for finance accounting, before her appointment as CFO in that company. She also previously worked as CFO at the Road Accident Fund, and most recently as Group CFO at GladAfrica Group (Pty).
She holds B Com (Accounting), B Compt (Hons), B Comm (Hons) and M Comm (Taxation) degrees and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1996.
“These appointments affirm our commitment to attract and retain the best skills to take the SABC to greater heights, particularly to address the evolving broadcasting environment enabled by technology and the changing media consumer patterns. We are proud to say that these appointments reflect diversity in relation to skills, age, gender and race. On behalf of the board, management and staff I would also like to extend my gratitude to Ms. Nomsa Philiso and Ms. Thabile Dlamini who have held the fort until the finalisation of these appointments,” Makhathini said.
The SABC is still “finalising other group executives appointments”, according to the broadcaster’s statement.
