2006-01-10Staff Report 2 "By Kuvee Kangueehi WINDHOEK THE newly appointed Acting Director General of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Stanley Simataa has vowed to put in motion strategies to turn around the fortunes of the ailing public broadcaster. Simataa made the remarks on Friday when the Chairman of the NBC Board Ponhele ya France announced that the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Simataa had been appointed Acting Director General of the NBC effective from January 1. Simataa said although his time at the corporation would be short because the state broadcaster was planning to appoint a director general permanently, he noted he had no intention to just sit at the NBC and wait for time to go by. ""I will look at the wealth of information at my disposal in order to determine how the corporation will move forward."" The former Director in the Office of the Speaker said he did not know at what speed he would manage to change things but would try and ""make things right"". Ya France noted that the appointment of Simataa follows a board meeting in December. The NBC board chairman, who has been acting in the position of director general since the suspension and resignation of former Director General, Gerry Munyama, said the corporation had to make the appointment from outside to avoid creating a vacuum at the NBC. He said the board undertook a wide range of consultations with stakeholders and relevant authorities to appoint Simataa. He also revealed the salary of Simataa would be paid by the Ministry of Education and not by the corporation. Ya France also added that Simataa has no special mandate and will perform the usual duties of the director general. ""He will take over from where I left until the position is filled."" Simataa noted that he had not applied for the full time position and remarked that there was enough time for him to apply if he so wished. The closing date for applications is January 20 and Ya France noted that the human resources department had informed him that so far only one application has been received. Ya France also called on the staff and management of the NBC, public and media practioners to render the necessary support and cooperation to Simataa. Simataa is currently a Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and held senior government positions such as Director in the Office of the Speaker, Personal Assistant to former Minister of Home Affairs and Ministry of Lands, the current president Hifikepunye Pohamba." 2006-01-10Staff Report 2
