It is disheartening if one thinks of the number of millionaires our public broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has inconsiderably created over the past few years.

And, it could be understandable if such millions of rands had been channelled through the development of our country or at least through education of our youth. I do comprehend that I may attract hostility for myself from those who always aspire to countenance the misappropriation of taxpayers’ money.

But even the Communications Minister Faith Muthambi once did concur or verify that in the seven years, the SABC has paid at least R42 million to some of its executives and managers because of breach of their contracts.

In 2009, the SABC had been forced to cough up millions of rands for Advocate Dali Mpofu after the breach of contractual agreement allowed him to be paid R6.7 million and an extra R4.4 million. Moreover, the agreement between Mpofu and the SABC cost the public broadcaster a whopping R2.1 million due to a court case.

Meanwhile, in 2013 the SABC had been coerced to cough up an exorbitant amount of R4.9 million to Phil Molefe, who was the Head of SABC News, again due to breach of his contract.
Moreover, the SABC had to pay R1.4 million to its former CEO Lulama Mokhobo though she was already paid R4.2 million in 2014, which both parties had already agreed upon.

And in 2012, the SABC paid its former executive Christine Mampane a whopping R4.3 million when she resigned after a misunderstanding with Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

In 2011 Solly Mokoetle was paid R3.8 million, while in 2012 Thelma Melk, who was a secretary of this state entity, was paid R3 million when she resigned after she was accused of underperformance.

Peter Montsho, who was a news department general manager, had to go with R1.2 million. Meanwhile the SABC former marketing director Zaiboonisha Jones milked the public broadcaster for R1.7 million. Today, the current COO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng seems to be fully prepared to even to go to the Constitutional Court to challenge the Western Cape High Court decision that dismissed the decision of the Cape Town Court that once said the recommendations of the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela were not binding.

The Western Cape High Court came up with the decision that Motsoeneng should be suspended and face disciplinary action. However, the SABC disciplinary committee has cleared him of all the alleged wrongdoings.

I personally respect Motsoeneng because, like it or not, he is living proof that given a chance a person can go far as long as he/she applies himself/herself fully to that particular task. But it does not augur well if he would use public funds to fight his own battles in court.
Meanwhile, the lesson to be learned by employers from this scenario is that sometimes it’s of no use for them to ask for three to five years’ experience, even from new graduates, applying for jobs like clerks, personal assistants, receptionists, etc because by doing so, they are alienating educated people from contributing to the development of our country.

However, I don’t aspire to encourage young people from neglecting education and hope for a miracle.

Philani Hadebe is a freelance journalist who majored in political science.