Annual Report 2008

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Annual Report 2008 Annual Report 2008 The theme for this year's Annual Report focuses on “Enhancing Public Value” and how this is reflected, through the eyes of a child. We ask: “What does value mean to a child?” and “Where would they like to see themselves or the country in the future?” Children find value in love, support, safety, helping others, having fun, achievements and receiving recognition. The theme is therefore reflected in visuals of happy children and the green ribbon. Focusing on our newly defined audience segments, visuals of children reflecting these diverse groups are used. The green ribbon was launched by the Minister of Social Development in 2005 as a new national symbol for child protection. The ribbon is therefore an element that is pulled through all the visuals, and is also in line with the SABC’s Green Revolution strategy, displaying the SABC’s commitment to children. The SABC’s focus is to protect future generations by empowering them to reach their goals. We encourage everyone to support the green ribbon initiative and thereby ensure a better tomorrow. Vision Broadcasting for Total Citizen Empowerment. Mission To be a people centred, content driven, technology enabled, strategically focused and sustainable public service broadcaster. Values Conversations and partnerships. Restoring of human dignity. Building a common future. “Children add value to our lives, and their dreams are the building blocks of tomorrow, so let’s bring about a The SABC is South Africa’s national public broadcaster. wind of change and allow them to be heard.” Some 20.4 million adults tune in to the SABC’s network of 18 radio stations every day and 20.6 million adults watch the free-to-air television channels. Contents The SABC 4 Broadcasting Charter 5 Corporate Goals 6 Chairperson’s Statement 10 SABC Board Members 14 Group CEO’s Statement 17 Organisational Structure 18 Executive Members 22 CFO’s Report 25 Corporate Governance 31 Performance Management Clusters 38 Clusters 40 People Cluster 44 Operations Cluster 50 Technology Cluster 52 Funding Cluster 56 Risk, Strategy and Governance Cluster Overview 61 SABC Foundation 72 Awards and Achievements Annual Financial Statements “Take time, take note, feel and listen to the future generation This is the 71st Annual Report of the South African Broadcasting Corporation Limited, referred to as ‘SABC’, ‘the Corporation’ or ‘the company’. (Registration Number: 2003/023915/06). It is tabled in Parliament in terms of the and you would know what Broadcasting Act, No 4 of 1999, as amended, and the Public Finance Management Act, No 1 of 1999, as amended. This report details the activities of the SABC for the twelve months ended 31 March 2008. direction to move in.” A note on terminology • References in this Annual Report to the Broadcasting Act are to the Broadcasting Act, No 4 of 1999, as amended. • References to the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) are to the Public Finance Management Act, No 1 of 1999, as amended. • References to the Companies Act are to the Companies Act, No 61 of 1973, as amended. 2 South African Broadcasting Corporation Limited “Children follow in the footsteps of those who lead them with pride and reflect a spirit of support.” The SABC SABC Annual Report 2008 3 Broadcasting Charter The Functions and Duties of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) are Specified in the Broadcasting Act. In terms of the Broadcasting Act of 1999, the SABC, • To be responsive to audience needs, including the and other entertainment whether live or recorded in pursuing its goals and exercising its powers, enjoys needs of the deaf and the blind, and be able to in connection with the broadcasting and programme freedom of expression and journalistic, creative and give an account of how it is meeting those needs. supply services of the company or for any purpose programming independence that is guaranteed by the incidental thereto. • To provide other services, whether or not broad- Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. casting or programme supply services, such serv- • To collect news and information in any part of the The SABC must offer, in all South Africa’s official ices being ancillary services. world and in any manner that may be thought fit and to establish and subscribe to news agencies. languages, a range of informative, educational and • To provide television and radio programmes and entertaining programmes that showcase South African any other material to be transmitted or distributed • To carry out research and development work in attitudes, opinions, ideas, values, talent and artistic by the common carrier for free-to-air reception by relation to any technology relevant to the objectives creativity. the public subject to section 33 of the Act. of the company and to acquire by operation of law, registration, purchase, assignment, licence Programming must also offer a plurality of views and • To provide to other bodies by such means or otherwise copyright and designs, trade marks, a variety of news, information and analyses from a and methods as may be convenient, services, trade names and any other intellectual, industrial South African perspective, and advance the national programmes and materials to be transmitted or and commercial property rights. and public interest. distributed by such bodies and to receive from such other bodies services, programmes and materials • To nurture South African talent, train people In Terms of the Broadcasting Charter, which is to be transmitted by stations of the company for in production skills, and carry out research and set out in the Broadcasting Act, the Objectives reception as above. development for the benefit of audiences. of the SABC are: • To commission, compile, prepare, edit, make, • To develop, produce, manufacture, purchase, • To make its services available throughout the print, publish, issue, circulate and distribute, acquire, use, display, sell, rent or dispose of sound Republic. with or without charge, such books, magazines, recordings and films and materials and apparatus periodicals, journals, printed matter, records, for use in connection with such sound recordings • To provide radio and television broadcasting serv- cassettes, compact disks, video tapes, audio- and films. ices, by analogue or digitally, and programmes of visual and interactive material, whether analogue • To develop and extend the services of the company information, education and entertainment, funded or digital and whether on media now known or beyond the borders of South Africa. by advertisements, subscriptions, sponsorships, li- hereafter invented, as may be conducive to any of cence fees or any other means of finance. the objectives of the company. • To acquire from time to time a licence or licences • To establish and maintain libraries and archives for such period and subject to such regulations, containing materials relevant to the objectives provisions and licence conditions as may be of the company and to make available to the prescribed by the Independent Communications public such libraries and archives with or without Authority of South Africa (ICASA). charge. • To provide, in its public broadcasting services, • To organise, present, produce, provide or subsidise radio and television programming that informs, concerts, shows, variety performances, revues, educates and entertains. musical and other productions and performances 4 South African Broadcasting Corporation Limited Corporate Goals The current Board of Directors of the SABC was announced in December 2007 and took up duties in January 2008. The Board resolved to adopt a series of twelve goals for the SABC which would reinforce the company’s mandate and ensure delivery in terms of the Broadcasting Act. The corporate goals underlie all of the SABC’s activities, and serve to ensure a coherence of these throughout the company. These corporate goals are key to the performance management of the company’s employees. The Corporate Goals of the SABC are to: • Ensure that the SABC promotes democracy, non- racism, nation-building and empowerment through innovative programming that is informative, entertaining and educational, in all official • Ensure compelling, professional and authoritative languages. news and current affairs programming that tells • Align the SABC with the Broadcasting Charter, the South African stories accurately, fairly and in company’s objectives as set out in the Broadcasting a balanced way, while reflecting the world, in Act and the Editorial Policies. particular Africa, to all South Africans, in line with the SABC’s Editorial Policies. • Create a financially sound company built on a sustainable business model within a specified • Ensure that the SABC plays a meaningful role timeframe that enables it to fulfil its mandate. in supporting the objectives of the African • Revitalise the company, particularly the News Renaissance and the New Partnership for Africa’s Division, by making it a place of preferred Development (NEPAD). employment and by attracting, retaining and • Put in place an innovative technology platform and nurturing the best available talent in the country. infrastructure that will enable the SABC to deliver “Our children value being • Ensure full statutory and regulatory compliance by on its mandate. part of a winning team, a all divisions of the company. • Conduct an evaluation and monitor the extent to winning country. It gives • Ensure appropriate availability and implementa- which the SABC’s activities are in line with the tion of Employment Equity and Black Economic provisions of the Broadcasting Act and its Editorial them the freedom to dream Empowerment policies. Policies. and achieve their goals.” • Create an SABC that enjoys the support and • Put in place policies for the proper governance of respect of its shareholder, viewers, listeners and the company, as required by the Broadcasting Act other stakeholders. and other legislation. SABC Annual Report 2008 5 Chairperson’s Statement This report reflects a transition between the outgoing Board and the new one announced at the end of 2007. The four-year term of the previous Board ended in December 2007, which was the third quarter of the reporting financial year.
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