The board said that suspending the retrenchment process for seven days will facilitate the exploration of other options.
"This will allow all stakeholders to further engage and explore further options in an effort to ensure the financial sustainability of the SABC," the SABC said.
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Short of seeking further bailout from the government, however, there are few cost-saving options open to the SABC other than retrenchments.
This point was emphasised by SABC chairperson Bongumusa Makhathini, who said the move was a board-approved resolution and a key part of the public broadcaster's recovery plan.
Despite this, the CWU's strike action will continue next week, with Tshabalala advocating for the dissolution of the SABC board and the placing of the broadcaster into business administration.
"We are not going to concentrate on this seven-days' Christmas party they have invited us to," he said, calling on all SABC employees to participate in the strike action and impose a blackout at the state broadcaster.
"SABC workers, we are here Monday morning, those who are working on Saturday or Sunday; don't go to work."
Blackout and strikes
Prior to the temporary suspension of retrenchments, the CWU had threatened a blackout at the public broadcaster in response to management's decision.
CWU general secretary Aubrey Tshabalala threatened the public broadcaster with a blackout on Friday, and said a shutdown would continue through the next week if retrenchments went ahead.
This threat remains on the table as the unions and SABC continue negotiations.
Unions also plan to combat the retrenchments in labour court, arguing that the problems at the SABC do not stem from its general staff.
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Trade union Solidarity echoed this sentiment, demanding that presenters and other innocent SABC employees be left alone and that the looters and corrupt ones be prosecuted and dismissed.
