The newly nominated SABC board is loaded with ANC alliance members, a joint statement from three opposition political parties said on Thursday.

The Democratic Alliance, Congress of the People and Independent Democrats said they had tried for two days to reach consensus with the ANC over the 12 member board.

"The reason advanced by the ANC for why the remaining five names could not be changed was that they were nominated by the SACP, ANC Youth League and Cosatu," the statement said.

"With the help of the IFP (Inkatha Freedom Party), the ANC has managed to push through a board that is loaded with ANC alliance nominees.

"It is now increasingly clear that a faction within the IFP has thrown its lot in with ANC," the statement added.

Parliament's portfolio committee on communications voted unanimously for journalist and engineer Magatho Mello, National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa president Cedric Gina, attorney Peter John Harris, current board member Suzanne Vos, journalist Pippa Green, IT law specialist Felleng Sekha and broadcast consultant Clare O'Neil.

The other five names ? SA Communist Party member David Niddrie, former SABC board member Barbara Masekela, attorney and ANC Youth League member Clifford Motsepe, economist and former SABC board member Desmond Golding, former arts and culture minister Ben Ngubane ? were rejected by the DA, Cope and the ID.

The 12 names will be debated by the National Assembly, before being sent to President Jacob Zuma for approval.

The three opposition parties said the ANC had missed an opportunity "to unite across party political lines in the selection of a new board".

"The ANC reneged on an undertaking to make the board appointment process more inclusive than the previous, highly contentious one," the statement said.

The parties said that following the interview process they had worked together to selected 12 names, "seven of which coincidentally corresponded with those put forward by the ANC".

"These, we believed, were candidates who had shown that they had the skills and integrity to turn the SABC around.

"We attempted for two days to engage with the ANC to seek consensus on the remaining five names, but today the ANC members of the committee instead confronted us with the very same list they had offered right at the start of the process.

"They have simply refused to consider amongst the last five names any names put forward by the opposition."

The ANC said in a statement that the finalisation of the list was "a culmination of a transparent, open and inclusive selection process".

"It is also serves as a culmination of a swift process of returning the SABC back to its normal and efficient operational state, following a catalogue of financial and leadership challenges at the institution," the party said.

The ANC urged opposition parties to unite behind the board.

We accept that it is impossible that the composition in its entirety will enjoy the acceptance of all political parties.

"We wish to urge all parties to rise above petty politicking and unite behind the new board in the interest of the SABC and the nation.