SABC requests broader concessions from Treasury to implement sections of PFMA
CAPE TOWN - The SABC has requested broader concessions from Treasury so the struggling entity doesn't have to implement sections of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
The entity said the PFMA, which governs all commercial activity of the state and state-owned enterprises (SOEs), saying it constrains the entity's ability to be more competitive and protecting intellectual property.
But the public broadcaster has told Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) that it's managed to stabilise over the past year around financial management and governance.
While the SABC said it's turning the corner financially with the first unqualified audit in a decade, the entity still can't optimise its commercial activity.
One of the constraints is having to go through an open and transparent process when it buys certain services as required by the PFMA, unlike its private competitors who aren't governed by the legislation.
SABC head of supply chain, Phumzile Njoko, explained their challenge.
"So, there are certain constraints that we have been experiencing when it comes to the normal PFMA regulations, when it comes to our procurement activities and the regulations that govern that. We have subsequently received some concessions from National Treasury, but it is not very broad for our environment."
Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele said the SABC has stabilised since the board took over two years ago and the entity has reduced its losses from R700 million to R200 million.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
Cape Town's Atlantis solar plant: A groundbreaking step towards renewable energy
The City of Cape Town said it's making progress with its R200 million solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Atlantis. This is after installing around 2,400 solar panels of the total planned 12,850 to power the local grid by the end of this year. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis visited the first municipal own-built solar plant in South Africa on Thursday. He was accompanied by the mayoral committee for energy, Xanthea Limberg. 'It's awe-inspiring to see thousands of panels springing up at this first City-owned solar plant in South Africa, which is also benefiting the local economy and community here in Atlantis. This plant can potentially scale up to 10MW fed directly into our local grid, and we'll connect the initial 7MW capacity to a nearby main substation by the end of the year,' he said. 'This project is part of the broader change sweeping across our city, as we source alternative energy to ultimately meet 35% of total demand by 2030; as we scale-up the energy efficiency initiatives already saving ratepayers R350 million per year; as we make it easier for households to go solar and sell us the excess to get cash for power; as we open our grid to energy traders this year; and as we invest R5 billion on grid upgrades over three years to support this decentralised energy future,' Hill-Lewis said.
IOL News
18 hours ago
- IOL News
Dr Nobuhle Nkabane apologises for her conduct in Parliamentary Committee
Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane. Image: Supplied The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has publicly apologised for her behaviour in a Parliamentary Committee on Higher Education session held earlier this week after being lambasted by President Cyril Ramaphosa. In a post on X, she said that she had reflected and acknowledged 'that the situation could have been handled differently'. Nkabane met with the Committee earlier this week, to in theory, explain why she appointed certain people as chairmen of 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) recently and then withdrew those appointments. However, Nkabane was accused of not providing a detailed explanation and of not being transparent over her withdrawal of the appointments, and said any process needed to ensure that it was not victim to state capture or be dominated by any one political party when it came to political allegiance of those chosen for the role. She was also accused of not listening and telling Members of Parliament that, even though she withdrew appointments of chairmen, that process was not flawed. One member went as far as to say that no-one would believe her. Ramaphosa's indirectly said the Minister had called the process, and Parliament into ill repute. 'The public broadcast of Parliamentary proceedings and the viral spread of content from and public comment on these proceedings demand that all Ministers and senior officials remain conscious of all aspects of their conduct during such proceedings." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ramaphosa's office stated, 'he has requested that the Minister provides him with a detailed report on the decorum and substance of her engagement with Parliament'. Nkabane said she 'noted' Ramaphosa's statement and that of other 'concerns raised by various stakeholders'. Ramaphosa also said he wanted a report on the process undertaken to appoint board members to the SETA authorities that were at the centre of the Portfolio Committee's questions. 'The request for the report is in view of the President's expectation that Ministers, Deputy Ministers and senior executives in our public sector conduct themselves professionally, transparently and cordially in engaging with Parliament and other accountability institutions.' Nkabane said in her post on X that she took 'this opportunity to express my commitment to strengthening the relationship between the Ministry, the Department, and the Portfolio Committee. I intend to inculcate and maintain a constructive, respectful, and professional working relationship with all Members of Parliament.' The Minister added that 'it was never my intention to evade accountability or undermine the decorum of Parliament. I will continue to lead with humility, and I value the critical role of Parliament in providing oversight to ensure our sector delivers effectively for the benefit of all South Africans.' IOL
The Herald
20 hours ago
- The Herald
'It was never my intention to evade accountability or undermine parliament — Nkabane
Higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane has accepted that her conduct was wrong when she appeared before a portfolio committee in parliament this week. TimesLIVE on Thursday reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa had asked Nkabane to write him a report on her conduct when she appeared in parliament and refused to answer questions relating to the process she followed on the appointment of chairs of sector education and training authorities (Setas). Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, on Thursday revealed that Nkabane had been requested to submit a detailed report on the appointment process, as well as an explanation of her conduct before the portfolio committee. Nkabane's demeanour was deemed disrespectful when she refused to answer questions and referred the chair of the committee to Google for answers to a question she was asked. Nkabane was criticised for appearing to be nonchalant and seemingly chewing gum the entire time she was before the committee. 'Upon reflection, and having considered the feedback received from various stakeholders, I acknowledge that the situation could have been handled differently. I take this opportunity to express my commitment to strengthening the relationship between the ministry, the department, and the portfolio committee,' said Nkabane in a statement released by her department. Ramaphosa had taken issue with Nkabane's behaviour and wanted her to explain herself as he believed government officials should always uphold standards when appearing before structures such as parliament. Magwenya said Ramaphosa expected ministers, deputy ministers and senior executives in the public sector to conduct themselves professionally, transparently and cordially in engaging parliament and other accountability structures. In her statement, Nkabane said she had intended to maintain what she said was a 'constructive, respectful and professional' working relationship with parliament. 'I remain committed to the principles of accountability, good governance and co-operative governance as outlined in our constitution and parliamentary protocols,' she said. 'It was never my intention to evade accountability or undermine the decorum of parliament. I will continue to lead with humility, and I value the critical role of parliament in providing oversight to ensure our sector delivers effectively for the benefit of all South Africans.' TimesLIVE
