Pretoria - Communications Minister Roy Padayachie has thanked outgoing SABC Group CEO Solly Mokoetle for his contribution to the public broadcaster, but added that the time had come for the latter to stabilise.
In a statement on Thursday, Padayachie said he noted Mokoetle's decision to step down as GCEO and was particularly grateful for his leadership of the SABC during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
He also commended the SABC board and Mokoetle for the "mature manner" in which they had handled the matter.
Mokoetle was suspended by the board last year for failing to come up with a turnaround strategy for the SABC. He intended challenging the suspension but reached a settlement with the board this week.
The path has now been paved for the board to start focusing on stabilising the SABC and to create an environment that is conducive for the implementation of the turnaround strategy, Padayachie said.
"In the recent past, the nation has been subjected to continuous reports about cracks within the leadership ranks of the SABC, tension between board members and senior management, a total breakdown of corporate governance and financial instability leading to cash flow challenges," he noted.
The importance of a stable public broadcaster that functioned optimally to meet its mandate could not be overemphasised, the minister added.
Padayachie said it was time to "open a new page and start a new chapter" in efforts to ensure the SABC returned to normality.
