By Takudziridzwa Nyama
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has announced the appointment of Tendai Matore as Acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective upon the departure of Yolande van Biljon on November 30, 2024.
Tendai Matore, a Chartered Accountant (SA) with an MBA in Finance from Durham Business School, brings extensive experience in financial management to his new position. He has been with the SABC since 2017 and is expected to continue strengthening the organization’s financial operations.
The SABC Board, management, and staff have extended their heartfelt gratitude to Ms. van Biljon for her contributions to the organization.
In a statement, the Board expressed appreciation for her efforts, particularly in enhancing the financial position of the SABC, which resulted in achieving an unqualified audit opinion for the first time in 14 years.
However, Matore’s appointment has sparked significant backlash on social media, with many South African citizens expressing anger and condemnation. Critics argue that hiring a foreign national for such a key position undermines local job opportunities.
One social media user voiced their frustration, saying, “Stop being cowards and prioritize South Africans for once. Why is SABC, which is funded by our tax money and license fees, undermining us like this? How can you hire a Zimbabwean as CFO?”
Another comment highlighted the widespread concern: “Foreigners are getting jobs while South Africans are unemployed and poor. This is not fair!”
The public discontent has escalated to the point where some South Africans have threatened to stop paying their television licenses following Matore’s appointment.
These reactions indicate a growing sentiment that domestic candidates should be prioritized for leadership roles in organizations that rely heavily on taxpayer funding.
As the SABC navigates this turbulent atmosphere, it remains to be seen how the organization will address the concerns of its stakeholders and the broader South African public which has become known for being xenophobic at every opportunity.