The SABC does not want anyone or any organisation to dictate to it and therefore, nobody should do so, according to the public broadcaster former COO and new Group Executive of Corporate Affairs, Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

Mostoeneng was speaking a media briefing where his new position was announced by acting CEO, James Aguma.

When asked by a journalist about his thoughts on politics’ link to the SABC and statements made by the DA and ANC on the Supreme Court of Appeal judgement from last week, Motsoeneng would not be drawn on his views on that.

“The issue bout when we are saying we want to be independent, one thing you need to understand, what we are saying is all South Africans they should contribute to the SABC and give their own input. But, we don’t want people to dictate to us…to influence any direction within the organisation [sic],” Motsoeneng said.

Motsoeneng said the SABC would only accept external input if it was aimed at addressing transformation in the company.

“If their input is not in the interest of the organisation to transform the SABC content-wise, we’re not going to be influenced,” he said.

“Remember there are people who have been questioning ‘when you were coming wit 90% [local music quota] you don’t think the audience will run away?’, they’ll get used to it because we are South Africans we should not be apologetic,” Motsoeneng added.

Motsoeneng again reiterated that South Africa doesn’t do enough to recognise its local artists and promote their music.

“I don’t care what people say about me”

He then digressed and spoke about race and transformation within the organisation saying that black people are the biggest obstacle to transformation.

“What we are saying we need to change the mindsets of the people, but I said I’m not a politician, you know people who are talking about Hlaudi – it’s not my business, it’s their business, I don’t care what people are saying about Hlaudi. I have a duty to perform, I will focus on my duty, so I don’t have a problem with people, whether criticising Hlaudi [sic],” he went on.

Motsoeneng added that people who are ready and willing to transform [like him] are always a target because some don’t want transformation to happen.

“But some of us, we don’t care,” he said.