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Hlaudi Motsoeneng didn’t have matric but he had the skills: former SABC chair Ben Ngubane

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Hlaudi Motsoeneng

Hlaudi Motsoeneng was a “troubleshooter” who had the skills the SABC needed for its chief operations officer, even though he did not have the requisite qualifications. That was how the public broadcaster’s former board chairman Ben Ngubane accounted for Motsoeneng’s meteoric rise through the ranks in 2011.

Ngubane was testifying at the state capture inquiry on Monday when he admitted that the SABC board knew Motsoeneng did not have a matric certificate. However, it didn’t pay attention to his qualifications because he was the man needed for the chief operations officer job, which came with a more than R2m annual package. Motsoeneng shot up the ranks at the broadcaster, from being a producer at Lesedi FM in the Free State to being the SABC’s chief operations officer within a year. Ngubane told the commission Motsoeneng was identified as a “troubleshooter” who kept Lesedi FM profitable while other stations were turning losses.

“[Motsoeneng] was seen as a troubleshooter and he was very proactive with all the issues that came up. Ultimately, he was elevated to the executive committee and that’s when he came to prominence. [Motsoeneng] was assigned to be the board’s communications and stakeholder relations manager on behalf of the board, and that is how he got to ultimately become an acting COO,” Ngubane said.
He said Motsoeneng had people skills,- “and that’s what we needed at that time”.

“This happened when we had difficulty with communications. The board decided we needed a person who would do board communications. Board decisions were not being reported correctly to staff. That’s how we created this position of a communications person for the board.

“He could give input to board meetings but he could not be part of the decision-making. Whoever is going to be communicating for us must know precisely what we are talking about. That’s how he came to be invited at board meetings,” Ngubane said. Motsoeneng was then handed the position of acting group executive for stakeholder relations.

Hlaudi Motsoeneng

In a report by former public protector Thuli Madonsela, Motsoeneng was found to have received salary appraisals thrice in a single year, hiking his salary as executive manager stakeholder relations from R1.5m to R2.4m. Then, when he was appointed acting COO, his monthly salary rose from R122,961 to R211,172 in 12 months – a violation of the SABC personnel regulations.

“Human resources identified [Motsoeneng’s] position in that context of adjusting salaries, of creating parity. When he became group executive there was another adjustment and when he became acting COO there was another adjustment,” Ngubane said.
Speaking about Motsoeneng’s qualifications, Ngubane said nobody paid much attention to his qualifications because he was already employed in the SABC.

“Unfortunately qualifications don’t come in for that type of decision. It’s a question of track record and the level in the organisation. That’s how acting people are appointed. He succeeded as a stakeholder manager; there was a new challenge and he was thought to be able to do it. We knew he didn’t have matric but we knew he could deliver what we wanted,” Ngubane said.

You might also like – Hawks prepare for Malema’s statement on fired rifle at EFF birthday bash

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema will appear at the Hawks’ head office in Pretoria on Tuesday over claims that he fired a rifle at the party’s birthday celebrations in East London last year.

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema

Malema will be giving a warning statement to the crime-fighting unit, the EFF confirmed in a statement. The Hawks also confirmed that Malema would be going to their offices. Read more

Source: Timeslive

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Godswill Akpabio advocates reduction in cost of governance

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Godswill Akpabio

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called for transparency, accountability and the elimination of unnecessary expenditures to cut down on the cost of governance in the country. Akpabio made the call on Monday at a one-day dialogue on the cost of governance in Nigeria organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, in Abuja.

Akpabio, who was represented by Sen. Agom Jarigbe (PDP-Rivers) highlighted the possible factors contributing to the high cost of governance in the country.He said the size of the country’s bureaucracy, the escalating public service wage bills, the overhead costs of appointed public officials, and the salaries and allowances of elected officials are major factors.

According to him, the running of government institutions among other substantial components contributed to weighing down the economy and hindering development efforts. Let us hold ourselves accountable and take responsibility for the betterment of our nation. We have to ensure that our government operates efficiently and effectively, serving the needs of the people and fostering sustainable development,” he said.

The president of the senate emphasized the need to streamline bureaucracy, eliminate unnecessary expenditures, and ensured transparency and accountability at all levels of governance. We must invest in our human capital, empowering our public officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive progress.

“And we must foster a culture of innovation and creativity, where new ideas can flourish and transform our nation,” he said.Akpabio urged all Nigerians to remain united, become agents of change and be committed to making sacrifices for the nation. He said that the 10th Assembly was ready to partner with all stakeholders to do everything within its constitutional powers to make Nigeria for all citizens.

Source: pmnewsnigeria

In other news – Bad leaders making the life of Nigerians miserable – Pastor Giwa

The senior pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa, on Sunday, lamented that the economic situation in Nigeria has gone from bad to worse under President Bola Tinubu.

Adewale Giwa

The clergyman noted that bad leaders were intentionally making life miserable for Nigerians. Read more

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South African Online Casino Player Strikes Gold with R189,000 Win at Tusk Casino

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Tusk Casino

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa 2024 — In a thrilling display of fortune and skill, Tusk Casino announces a monumental win by Adelheid, a passionate player from South Africa, who secured an astonishing R189,000 from a mere R100 bet on the renowned casino slot game, Gate of Olympus. This remarkable achievement underscores the high-stakes excitement that Tusk Casino offers to its players.

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With the support of SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, Tusk Casino continues to solidify its position as a leading online gaming destination, offering secure, engaging, and lucrative gaming experiences for South African players. This partnership ensures that players have access to reliable information, the latest industry news, and the best online gambling opportunities, fostering a safe and enjoyable casino online gambling ecosystem.

About SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za

SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za stands as South Africa’s largest and most reliable online casino and gambling guide, delivering unparalleled casino recommendations, unbiased reviews, and comprehensive gambling insights tailored to ZAR casino players since 2003. It remains a crucial resource for players seeking secure, high-quality, and rewarding online gambling experiences.

About Tusk Casino

As an established corporation with numerous ground casinos worldwide, Tusk Casino has successfully extended its reach into the South African online casino market, offering an exquisite blend of stylish design, player-centric features, and significant bonuses. Licensed and regulated by the Government of Curacao, it provides a diverse range of over 3000 slot games from leading global providers, ensuring a rich, rewarding, and secure online gaming experience for all South African players. With its impressive bonuses and comprehensive payment support, Tusk Casino is dedicated to delivering a distinct and superior online gaming experience.

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Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal

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Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal

Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal. Manchester City and Arsenal handed Liverpool the advantage in the Premier League title race as they played out a bitterly disappointing goalless stalemate at Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool are now top of the table and two points clear of Arsenal after they came from behind to beat Brighton at Anfield, their delight increased by their two closest rivals cancelling each other out.

This was a game that made a nonsense of its billing as a potential classic, as Arsenal’s containing tactics snuffed out City while the Gunners had only limited chances of their own in a desperately poor affair.

Nathan Ake had an early close-range header saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya before going off injured while former City striker Gabriel Jesus posed an occasional threat, just failing to connect with Bukayo Saka’s cross inches from goal after the break.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be happier than City counterpart Pep Guardiola with this outcome – but the real winners were Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.

Guardiola’s side were under greater pressure to win this match but their usual fluent passing game was rarely in evidence, stifled by the visitors’ organisation and infuriated by referee Anthony Taylor’s reluctance to punish the Gunners for a succession of infringements.

It led to a scrappy, disjointed game in which City were never allowed to gather their usual momentum and rhythm, with even the best efforts of master creators Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva unable to carve out meaningful opportunities for Erling Haaland, who was kept on the margins throughout.

The hosts held sway in possession for most of the second half but it was illustrative of the game that Raya barely had an anxious moment, his counterpart Stefan Ortega also idle for long periods.

Indeed, it is the first time City have failed to score at home in the Premier League since October 2021, a run of 47 games.

The reigning champions, as usual, will remain confident of retaining their title but Guardiola will be bitterly disappointed at his side’s failure to trouble Arsenal, with substitute Jack Grealish on the end of some lengthy post-match advice from his manager.

City are back here at Etihad Stadium to face in-form Aston Villa on Wednesday night knowing they cannot afford any more slip-ups in this tight Premier League title pursuit.

Arsenal arrived at Manchester City with a point to make and a chance to show their improvement at a ground where they have had a miserable record in the past.

The Gunners last won here in January 2015, drawing one and losing eight of their subsequent nine visits before this game.

Here, Arteta set his side out to be fiercely drilled and well-organised to frustrate, a strategy seemingly designed to earn the point they secured rather than risk more for victory.

It was a conservative approach but what it did demonstrate was that Arsenal do have more resilience and character than on previous occasions, when they have sometimes capitulated under City’s attacking assault.

Arteta’s side were composed but also willing to throw bodies on the line when danger threatened, not that they were ever in serious peril of conceding – a tribute to their display in itself.

They have kept clean sheets in both games against Manchester City this season, making them only the fourth team to shut out a Guardiola side twice in the same season.

Whether this is one point gained or two lost remains to be seen, but Arteta seemed satisfied enough at the final whistle.

source – BBC

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