SABC faces backlash over appointment of Zimbabwean CFO

By Agencies and Own Correspondent

JOHANNESBURG: The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has come under fire following its decision to appoint Zimbabwean-born Tendai Matore as acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

The broadcaster’s substantive chief financial officer (CFO) Yolande van Biljon is leaving at the end of this month and Matore will serve as acting CFO while the SABC looks for a replacement.

The SABC gave no reason for Yolande van Biljon’s resignation.

Matore is a chartered accountant with an MBA in finance from the Durham Business School in the United Kingdom and has been with the SABC since 2017.

The SABC says it is “prioritising the recruitment of a permanent CFO to ensure continuity and alignment with the SABC’s 5-year strategy”.

However, the move has ignited widespread debate, with critics arguing it represents a missed opportunity to address South Africa’s pressing unemployment crisis, currently at 32.6%.

Many South Africans took to social media to voice their frustration, accusing the SABC of sidelining local talent.

“We have countless qualified South African accountants who are jobless. Why not prioritize them?” questioned one user, reflecting a common sentiment.

The backlash highlights broader dissatisfaction with public institutions perceived to favour foreign nationals for high-profile roles, sparking renewed calls for stricter policies to ensure local candidates are prioritized in such appointments.

Defending the selection, the SABC stressed that Matore’s extensive experience and qualifications made him the best candidate to tackle the broadcaster’s financial challenges.

“The recruitment process was rigorous and merit-based, aimed at finding the right expertise to steer the SABC through its current financial difficulties,” an SABC spokesperson explained.

Supporters of Matore’s appointment counter that focusing on nationality detracts from the principle of meritocracy.

“What matters is competence, especially in a role as critical as CFO for an organization grappling with financial instability,” commented one industry analyst.

The controversy reflects deeper tensions around employment and immigration in South Africa, where fierce competition for jobs has often fuelled resentment towards foreign workers.

As Matore assumes his role, public scrutiny will likely intensify, with his performance seen as a litmus test for the contentious appointment.

Whether he succeeds in stabilizing the SABC’s finances could determine if public criticism fades or escalates further.