Through his spokesman he has said he was "applying his mind", citing the need to conduct thorough background checks on the 12 board nominees.
The case of Ellen Tshabalala, a former board chairwoman who was found to have bogus qualifications, has been cited as one of the reasons he has ordered another vetting of the board nominees despite the fact that a parliamentary committee had already done the job.
On the face of it Zuma's actions seem reasonable and prudent. Except that not everything is as it seems when it comes to the appointment of the board of such a powerful state entity.
Due diligence process required in appointment of SABC board members: Presidency
Since its creation under white minority rule, the SABC has always been used as a propaganda tool by whoever happened to be in charge of government.
With the ANC elective conference only weeks away, control of the SABC would enhance the chances of success of a presidential contender who hopes to succeed Zuma. As it happens, the president's preferences are well known.
It's been speculated that another reason for the delay is connected to the appointment of three key executives at the broadcaster: the chief executive, the chief operating officer and chief financial officer.
The five-member interim board, whose term expired two weeks ago, had already shortlisted the candidates for these posts, but the minister of communications, Ayanda Dlodlo, was unhappy with the list of names. Apparently she wants the ANC's deployment committee to have a final say.
Like her boss, Zuma, she is also not entirely impressed with the proposed board.
The pity is that while the political intrigue plays out, the SABC has neither money nor strong leadership.
Given the political intrigue in the ANC, both Zuma and Dlodlo surely can't be trusted to act in the best interests of the broadcaster.
It seems it will have to take civil society, and perhaps opposition parties, to once again approach the courts to force the government to do right by the SABC.
This matter has become rather urgent.
OPINION: SABC can't continue leaderless
President Jacob Zuma's reasons for not signing off on the appointment of a new SABC board are looking suspicious and appear inspired by political machinations.
Through his spokesman he has said he was "applying his mind", citing the need to conduct thorough background checks on the 12 board nominees.
The case of Ellen Tshabalala, a former board chairwoman who was found to have bogus qualifications, has been cited as one of the reasons he has ordered another vetting of the board nominees despite the fact that a parliamentary committee had already done the job.
On the face of it Zuma's actions seem reasonable and prudent. Except that not everything is as it seems when it comes to the appointment of the board of such a powerful state entity.
Due diligence process required in appointment of SABC board members: Presidency
Since its creation under white minority rule, the SABC has always been used as a propaganda tool by whoever happened to be in charge of government.
With the ANC elective conference only weeks away, control of the SABC would enhance the chances of success of a presidential contender who hopes to succeed Zuma. As it happens, the president's preferences are well known.
It's been speculated that another reason for the delay is connected to the appointment of three key executives at the broadcaster: the chief executive, the chief operating officer and chief financial officer.
The five-member interim board, whose term expired two weeks ago, had already shortlisted the candidates for these posts, but the minister of communications, Ayanda Dlodlo, was unhappy with the list of names. Apparently she wants the ANC's deployment committee to have a final say.
Like her boss, Zuma, she is also not entirely impressed with the proposed board.
The pity is that while the political intrigue plays out, the SABC has neither money nor strong leadership.
Given the political intrigue in the ANC, both Zuma and Dlodlo surely can't be trusted to act in the best interests of the broadcaster.
It seems it will have to take civil society, and perhaps opposition parties, to once again approach the courts to force the government to do right by the SABC.
This matter has become rather urgent.
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