FEDUSA endorses Isidingo star Jack Devnarain for SABC Board

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has released an official statement endorsing the nomination of Isidingo star Jack Devnarain, better known to us Rajeesh Kumar,  to serve on the Board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in a non-executive capacity.

Devnarain has been serving as the Chairman of South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) — a branch of UASA the Union which is affiliated to FEDUSA.

A veteran of the performing arts industry and a law graduate at the University of Natal, Devnarain entered the world of work as a police constable with the Durban Metropolitan Police Service where he served the community with distinction for nine years and built a lasting aptitude for his current leadership role.

“Devnarain’s long association with the performing arts and the broadcasting industry, particularly the SABC, at both the grass root and leadership level since those early years, has endowed him with a profound insight into the challenges faced by the national broadcaster and what needs to be done.

“Our Chairman will provide a critical perspective and knowledge of the grass roots of the industry and enrich the Board’s understanding of the broadcasting business as a whole. As a national electronic media company with actors at the heart of its business, it would serve the SABC well to have an actor on its Board of Directors; who is able to provide a hands-on understanding of what happens on the ground,” says SAGA Vice-Secretary Francis Chouler.

“Now more than ever before, the SABC will benefit greatly from this ‘horse’s mouth’ perspective that Devnarain brings, and will be better equipped as a result to navigate matters of a complex nature between itself, actors, producers and third parties”.

As a member of the Presidential Task Team for Cultural and Creative Industries, Devnarain also brings exceptional and ethical leadership qualities; and his contributions to the Technical Working Group commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry where he provided technical insights in support of amendments to the Performer’s Protection and the Copyright Acts, demonstrates his deep understanding of policy.

“In addition to this experience, Mr Devnarain has a track record of transparent and accountable leadership within an NPO that must report to its membership. This is supported by the non-remunerative status of this time-consuming role and confirms Mr Devnarain’s upstanding and respected position in the media industry. This respect extends beyond the borders of South Africa as Mr Devnarain has represented SAGA in conferences in Brazil and Canada where key matters concerning the global industry have been debated. SAGA is a member of the International Federation of Actors (FIA) and as such, Mr Devnarain is plugged in to the latest global developments in terms of policy in relation to performers and the media industry”. says Chouler.

Mr Devnarain’s unique position and specific industry knowledge coupled with his experience of corporate governance make him an ideal candidate for a position on a board that is in critical need of an experienced, disciplined and diverse, concluded Chouler.

The curriculum vitae's (CVs) of 36 nominated candidates are published and accessible on Parliament’s website.

Members of the public are allowed to comment on the shortlist by no later than end of business on Tuesday, 29 August 2017.