Product Code Database
The South African Broadcasting Corporation ( SABC) is the public broadcaster in South Africa, and provides 19 radio stations (AM/FM) as well as 6 television broadcasts and 3 OTT Services to the general public. It is one of the largest of South Africa's state-owned enterprises and the biggest state broadcaster in Africa.
Opposition politicians and civil society often criticise the SABC, accusing it of being a mouthpiece for whichever political party is in majority power, thus currently the ruling African National Congress; during the apartheid era it was accused of playing the same role for the National Party government.
These merged into the African Broadcasting Company in 1927, owned by I.W. Schlesinger, a wealthy businessman, but on 1 August 1936, they were sold to the SABC, established that year through an Act of Parliament. Introduction to Public Relations and Advertising, D F du Plessis, Juta and Company Ltd, 2000 p. 89 The SABC took over the African Broadcasting Company's staff and assets. It maintained a state monopoly on radio until the launch in December 1979 of Capital Radio 604, then Radio 702 in 1980. South African media policy: debates of the 1990s, P. Eric Louw, Anthroppos, 1993, p. 99 Although the subscription-funded television service M-Net launched in 1986, the SABC had a monopoly on free-to-air television until the launch of e.tv in 1998.
During National Party rule from 1948, it came under increasing accusations of being biased towards the ruling party. At one time most of its senior management were members of the Broederbond, the Afrikaner secret society, and later from institutions like Stellenbosch University.
The SABC was a radio service until the introduction of television in 1976. There were three main SABC radio stations: the SAfm (later known as Radio South Africa), the Afrikaans Service (later known as Radio Suid-Afrika and Afrikaans Stereo) and the commercial station, Springbok Radio. Africa Institute Bulletin, Volume 11, 1973, p. 155
Programmes on the English and Afrikaans services mainly consisted of news; plays such as The Forsyte Saga, Story of an African Farm, and The Summons, written and produced in South Africa; serious talk shows; BBC radio shows; children's programmes, such as Sound Box; and light music featuring orchestras, arrangers, musicians and singers. Accomplished musicians such as pianist and composer Charles Segal featured on all three stations regularly in shows like Piano Playtime. Accordionist Nico Carstens was a regular on the Afrikaans programmes.
All of the channels were set to be rebranded by March 1996, in line with a restructuring that began in the 1993 CODESA talks. Preliminary changes were set to take place in 1993, but were delayed after the elections in April 1994."More job losses, all channels rebranded", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 7, October–November 1995
In November 1995, Africa Monitor reported that the SABC was in talks with Channel 4 to deliver its television channels by satellite, to cover the entire population. Up until then, it was believed that a quarter of the national population received at least one of the three channels. By January 1996 a fourth channel carrying Channel 4's programmes was set to begin, and would convert to digital in July 1996, with the aim of creating an eight-channel pay-TV service."SABC/Channel 4 satellite TV venture", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 8, January–February 1996
At the end of 1995, the SABC lost its contract with Sky News. Footage on news bulletins broadcast by the corporation's television channels was now supplied by BBC World."Sky loses news slot to BBC", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 8, January–February 1996
On 4 February 1996, two years after the ANC came to power, the SABC reorganised its three TV channels, so as to be more representative of different language groups. The repositioning of the networks gave the SABC's television service the chance to be "the new voice and the new vision of the rainbow nation". Under the new structure, SABC TV was compared to a "tower of Babel" regarding SABC 1 and SABC 2's programming structure, in the eleven official languages, while SABC 3 was all in English. The relaunch party was also heavily criticised by some, such as Angela Van Schalkwyk, who mentioned that an American face presented the new television offer."1, 2, 3, SABC!", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 9, April–June 1996 This resulted in the downgrading of Afrikaans by reducing its airtime from 50% to 15%, a move that alienated many Afrikaans speakers. Starting July 1997, the corporation was commercialised. SABC's radical changes
In late 1998, the SABC finally started broadcasting its channels on DStv, per an agreement with Sentech to convert its channels to digital. The agreement encompassed its three national terrestrial networks, Bop TV and its thirteen radio stations, with the hopes of starting two pan-continental television networks, an entertainment channel and a news channel."SABC bites the bullet and goes digital", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 19, November 1998-January 1999
The launch of e.tv prompted the SABC to restructure its three television channels in late September 1998. The strategies were due to e.tv's promise that the service would be a "full-spectrum" channel as opposed to the niche programming of both the SABC and M-Net. SABC 1 repositioned itself as an entertainment channel for South African youth and young adults, SABC 2 would carry content related to educational and social issues from the rest of Africa to South African audiences, SABC 3 concentrated on a mix of news, current affairs and entertainment."SABC TV restructures to meet competition", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 19, November 1998-January 1999 Two satellite channels, available on DStv, opened on 16 November 1998, SABC Africa and Best of Africa (later renamed Africa2Africa)."Finally... news channel for Africa", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 20, February–April 1999
In line with its ambitions to be "the pulse of Africa's creative spirit" (SABC's tagline at the turn of the millennium), the SABC opened up to protocols and co-operation agreements with partners such as URTNA, FRU and the Television Trust for the Environment, eyeing in at the rest of Africa."Entertainment on Best of Africa", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 20, February–April 1999
On 8 August 2003, the SABC unveiled its current logo, coinciding with the Your SABC campaign, which was unveiled on its three television channels at 7:30pm that day. Simultaneously, the Topsport brand was ditched in favour of SABC Sport.South Africa: SABC sets to work on hearts and minds. (2003, Aug 12). BBC Monitoring Media
The SABC has since been accused of favouring the ruling ANC party, mostly in news. It remains dominant in the broadcast media.
Criticism intensified around 2003–2005, when it was accused of a wide range of shortcomings including self-censorship, lack of objectivity and selective news coverage.
On 20 October 2020, SABC and the government were in discussion to get TV and streaming providers in South Africa to collect TV licence on their behalf.
On 27 March 2021, SABC and eMedia Investments expanded their partnership which allowed OVHD customers to receive 3 additional channels as well as their 19 radio stations.
| Caprara | René Silvio | 1936 | 1948 |
| Roos | Gideon Daniel | 1948 | 1959 |
| Meyer | Pieter Johannes | 1959 | 1980 |
| de Villiers | Steve | 1980 | 1983 |
| Eksteen | Riaan | 1983 | 1988 |
| Harmse | Wynand | 1988 | 1994 |
| Matsepe-Casaburri | Ivy Florence | 1994 | 1996 |
| Zulu | Paulus | 1996 | 2000 |
| Maphai | Thabane Vincent | 2000 | 2003 |
| Funde | Sonwabo Eddie | 2003 | 2008 |
| Mkhonza | Khanyi | 2008 | 2009 |
| Charnley | Irene | 2009 | 2009 |
| Ngubane | Baldwin Sipho | 2010 | 2013 |
| Tshabalala | Zandile Ellen | 2013 | 2014 |
| Maguvhe | Mbulaheni Obert | 2014 | 2017 |
| Makhathini | Bongumusa Emmanuel | 2017 | 2022 |
| Ramukumba | Khathutshelo Mike | 2023 |
| + Chief executive officers of the SABC !Term !Name | |
| 1994–1998 | Zwelakhe Sisulu |
| 1998–2000 | Mbatha, H. |
| 2000 | Khuzwayo, C. |
| 2000-2005 | Matlare, P. |
| 2002–2008 | Mpofu, D. |
| 2008–2009 | Mampone, G. |
| 2009–2011 | Mokoetle, S. |
| 2011–2014 | Mokhobo, L. |
| 2014–2015 | Motsoeneng, H. |
| 2015 | Matlala, F. |
| 2015–2016 | Matthews, J. |
| 2017–2023 | Mxakwe, M. |
| 2023–present | Chabeli, N. |
The station featured a wide variety of programming, such as morning talk and news, game shows, soap operas like Basis Bravo, children's programming, music request programmes, top-ten music, talent shows and other musical entertainment. One popular Saturday noontime comedy show was Telefun Time, whose hosts would phone various people and conjure up situation comedy, a similar brand of humour to the films of Leon Schuster. Scrutiny 2, Volumes 1–2, Department of English, University of South Africa, 1996
By 1985, Springbok Radio was operating at a heavy loss. Debates of Parliament: Hansard, Volume 8, Issues 19–21, 1988, page 12123 After losing many listeners with the handing over of its shortwave frequencies to Radio 5 and facing competition from television, it ceased broadcasting on 31 December 1985. Springbok Radio Revisited , SABC
| Radio Highveld | 1964 | 947 |
| Radio Good Hope | 1965 | Good Hope FM |
| Radio Port Natal | 1967 | East Coast Radio |
| Radio Jacaranda | 1986 | Jacaranda FM |
| Radio Oranje | 1986 | OFM |
| Radio Algoa | 1986 | Algoa FM |
Eventually, musicians broke through the barrier, when the young, English-speaking Jewish musician and composer, Charles Segal collaborated with the older Afrikaans lyric-writer, Anton Dewaal, to write songs. Catalog of Copyright Entries: Musical compositions, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1957, page 582 Segal's songs like "Die Ou Kalahari" became highly popular with the Afrikaans-speaking public. The Star: an extraordinary 20th century, James Clarke The Star, 1999, page 173 However, there was tight censorship over all broadcasts, particularly of pop music, with, for example, the music of the Beatles being banned by the SABC between 1966 and March 1971. John Ono Lennon: Volume 2 1967–1980, Muff Andersson, Ravan Press, 1981, page 281
In 1966 the SABC established an external service, known as Radio RSA, which broadcast in English, Swahili, French, Portuguese, Dutch and German. In 1969 the SABC held a national contest to find theme music for the service. This contest was won by the popular pianist and composer, Charles Segal and co-writer, Dorothy Arenson. Their composition, "Carousel" remained the theme song for Radio RSA until 1992, when it was replaced by Channel Africa. South Africa Yearbook, South African Communication Service, 1995, page 292
In 1986, the SABC ran a competition to promote South African music. Each of the 15 radio stations, represented by an artist, entered a song to compete for the Song for South Africa in the National Song Festival. The finals were broadcast live on television. The Radio Port Natal submission won the competition with the Don Clarke song, Sanbonani, performed by P J Powers and Hotline.
SABC compiled the album sales chart from the end of 1981 to 1995, and the singles sales chart from 1958 to 1989 when singles stopped being manufactured.
By contrast, SABC Radio's competitors, like Primedia-owned Radio 702, Cape Talk and 94.7 Highveld Stereo have grown steadily in audience and revenue, while other stations such as the black-owned and focused YFM and Kaya FM have also attracted black audiences.
| SAfm | English | "A" Service; Radio South Africa | 1936 | www.safm.co.za | [26] |
| 5FM | English | Springbok Radio | 1975 | www.5fm.co.za | [28] |
| Metro FM | English | Radio Metro | 1986 | www.metrofm.co.za | [30] |
| Radio 2000 | English | Radio South Africa | 1986 | www.radio2000.co.za | [32] |
| Good Hope FM | English and Afrikaans | Radio Good Hope | 1965 | www.goodhopefm.co.za | [34] |
| RSG | Afrikaans | "B" Service; Radio Suid-Afrika; Afrikaans Stereo | 1937 | www.rsg.co.za | [36] |
| Ukhozi FM | Zulu language | Radio Zulu | 1960 | www.ukhozifm.co.za | [38] |
| Umhlobo Wenene FM | Xhosa language | Radio Xhosa (& Radio Transkei) | 1960 | www.uwfm.co.za | [40] |
| Lesedi FM | Sotho language | Radio Sesotho | 1960 | www.lesedifm.co.za | [42] |
| Thobela FM | Northern Sotho | Radio Lebowa | 1960 | www.thobelafm.co.za | [44] |
| Motsweding FM | Tswana language | Radio Setswana (& Radio Mmabatho) | 1962 | www.motswedingfm.co.za | [46] |
| Phalaphala FM | Venda language | Radio Venda (& Radio Thohoyandou) | 1965 | www.phalaphalafm.co.za | [48] |
| Munghana Lonene FM | Tsonga language | Radio XiTsonga | 1965 | www.munghanalonenefm.co.za | [50] |
| Ligwalagwala FM | Swazi language | Radio Swazi | 1982 | www.ligwalagwalafm.co.za | [52] |
| iKwekwezi FM | Ndebele | Radio Ndebele | 1983 | www.ikwekwezifm.co.za | [54] |
| tru fm | English and Xhosa | Radio Ciskei; CKI FM | 1983 | www.trufm.co.za | [56] |
| Lotus FM | English and Hindi language (for the Indian community) | Radio Lotus | 1983 | www.lotusfm.co.za | [58] |
| X-K FM | !Xu and Khwe language | 2000 | [59] |
The service initially broadcast only in English and Afrikaans, with an emphasis on religious programming on Sundays. Black Television Travels: African American Media Around the Globe, Timothy Havens, NYU Press, 2013, page 67 A local soap opera, The Villagers, set on a gold mine, was well received while other local productions like The Dingleys were panned as amateurish. Boer War on the box, Richard West, The Spectator, 9 April 1977, page 7
The majority of acquired programming on South African television came from the United States, although owing to their opposition to apartheid, some production companies stopped selling programmes to the country. The British actors' union Equity had already started a boycott of programme sales to South Africa, which was not lifted until 1993. Ban on sale of TV shows to South Africa lifted: Anti-apartheid blockade by actors' union dropped following reform of broadcasting, but opposition to touring remains, The Independent, 10 November 1993 However, the Thames Television police drama series The Sweeney and Van der Valk, were briefly shown on SABC TV, The S.A. film industry, African Studies Institute of the University of the Witwatersrand, 1979, page 106 as was the original version of Thunderbirds.
Many imported programmes were dubbed into Afrikaans and other indigenous languages, but in 1985, in order to accommodate English speakers, the SABC began to simulcast the original-language audio of series on an FM broadcasting service called Radio 2000, allowing viewers to watch them in the original language; the first English-language series to be simulcast was Miami Vice. The voice, the vision: a sixty year history of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, Malcolm Theunissen, Victor Nikitin, Melanie Pillay, Advent Graphics, 1996, page 120
SABC TV also produced lavish musical shows featuring the most popular South African composers, solo musicians, bands and orchestras. For example, the pianist and composer, Charles Segal, was given a half-hour special show: The Music of Charles Segal, where a selection of his music was performed by various local artists, such as Zane Adams, SABC Orchestra and others. However, it also broadcast pop music series like Pop Shop, which consisted of overseas and local music, and Double Track, which consisted entirely of local acts. South Africa Radio Denies Local Artists Are Snubbed, Billboard, 18 Dec 1982, page 55
With a limited budget, early programming aimed at children tended to be quite innovative, and programmes such as the Afrikaans-language puppet shows Haas Das se Nuus Kas and Oscar in Asblikfontein are still fondly remembered by many. The top 10 South African children's TV shows from days gone by, The South African, 29 November 2013
On 1 January 1981, two services were introduced, TV2 broadcasting in Zulu language and Xhosa language and TV3 broadcasting in Sotho language and Tswana language, both targeted at a black urban audience. The Press and Apartheid: Repression and Propaganda in South Africa, William A. Hachten, C.Anthony Giffard Springer, 1984, page 222 The main channel, then called TV1, was divided evenly between English and Afrikaans, as before. In 1986, a new service called TV4 was introduced, carrying sports and entertainment programming, taking over the frequencies used by TV2 and TV3, which then had to end broadcasting at 21:00. Communication and Democratic Reform in South Africa, Robert B. Horwitz, Cambridge University Press, 2001, page 68
In 1991, TV2, TV3 and TV4 were combined into a new service called CCV (Contemporary Community Values). South Africa: Official Yearbook of the Republic of South Africa, Department of Information, 1992, page 131 A third channel was introduced known as TSS, or Topsport Surplus Sport, Topsport being the brand name for the SABC's sport coverage, but this was replaced by NNTV (National Network TV), an educational, non-commercial channel, in 1993. The voice, the vision: a sixty year history of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, Malcolm Theunissen, Victor Nikitin, Melanie Pillay, Advent Graphics, 1996, page 127
In 1996, the SABC reorganised its three TV channels with the aim of making them more representative of the various cultural groups. The Voice of Apartheid Goes Multicultural, Kimberly J. McLarin, The New York Times, 25 July 1995 These new channels were called SABC 1, SABC 2 and SABC 3. The SABC also absorbed the Bop TV channel of the former Bophuthatswana bantustan. Africa: e.tv accuses SABC, Business Day, 27 November 1998 Between 1996 and 1998, the SABC had a satellite television service called AstraSat, which operated two channels, AstraSport and AstraPlus. Technological problems and advertising losses led to the scrapping of the service.
SABC TV programmes in Afrikaans and other languages are now subtitled in English, but programmes in English are not usually subtitled in other languages, the perception being that all South Africans can understand English. Language Policy and Nation-Building in Post-Apartheid South Africa, Jon Orman Springer Science & Business Media, 2008, page 132 Previously, subtitling was confined to productions like operas and operettas. Information Digest, The South Africa Foundation, 1989, page 80 It was not used on TV1, on the assumption that most viewers understood both Afrikaans and English, Surfing through the languages, The Economist, Volume 335, Issues 7917–7920, page 152 nor on CCV, despite presenters using two or more different languages during a single programme. African Film and Television Magazine, Volume 7, Z Productions, 1995
In 2013, the SABC announced plans to launch a new news channel, SABC News, to be available on DStv, instead of waiting for the introduction of digital terrestrial television. SABC's 24-hour news channel raises many questions, Business Day, 26 July 2013
In 2015, SABC partnered up with online TV platform Tuluntulu to launch two more channels which were SABC Education and SABC Children.
According to the SABC, the factors which are considered when deciding how much time a language gets on television are the following: how many home language speakers exist in the coverage area of a channel; the geographical spread of the language; the extent to which members of a language community are able to understand other languages; the extent of marginalisation of a language; the extent to which the language is understood by other South Africans; and whether there is available content that uses the language. SABC currently plans to launch five channels, the four of them being language-targeted:
SABC TV has an audience of over 30 million. SABC1 reaches 89% of the public, SABC2 reaches 91% of the public, and SABC3 reaches 77% of the public, according to the broadcaster. The SABC has 18 radio stations, which have more than 25 million weekly listeners.
In 2018, SABC scrapped part of the plans from 2015 and downsized their DTT plans from 18 TV channels to just 9 TV channels due to financial woes. The SABC have SABC 1-3 and News falling under the 9 channels with the rest being:
All these channels needed funding in order to materialize and without it the channels remain a dream. All of these channels will be craft through partnerships and a group executive at the SABC mentioned that if they are able to get the sports channel running in SD then they may be able to get a ninth channel which is history. The SABC downsizes its unfunded digital TV dream for DTT from 18 to these 9 TV channels., TV With Thinus, 26 September 2018
On 4 May 2020 amidst the coronavirus outbreak, the SABC launched its educational channel called SABC Education through DTT and YouTube with additional platforms added soon.
SABC Encore shut down from the end of May apparently MultiChoice and SABC agreement for the channel ended back in 2018 giving the channel a 2-year open window. The SABC said they were exploring other the idea of continuing the channel through another platform.
In November 2020, SABC signed a channel and radio distribution agreement with Telkom for their new streaming service. They also launched their own catch-up and video on demand streaming service called SABC Plus on 17 November 2022, similar to BBC iPlayer, following two years of announcements.
The SABC also helped the SWABC to establish a television service in 1981. SWA/Namibia Today, Section Liaison Services, Department of Governmental Affairs, 1988, page 98 This comprised a mix of programming in English, Afrikaans and German, 90 per cent of which came from or via the SABC. Economic development strategies for independent Namibia, Harbans Singh, Wilfred W. Asombang, United Nations Institute for Namibia, 1989, page 26 Programmes were shown locally a week after South Africa. International TV & Video Guide, Richard Paterson, Tantivy Press, 1986, pages 181–183 The SWABC received SABC TV programming (which it recorded, edited and rebroadcast) first by using a microwave link, and later via an Intelsat satellite link. Namibia Review, Volume 11, Directorate of Production and Publicity, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, 2002, page 16 The SWABC became the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) after the country's independence in 1990.
However, Walvis Bay, an enclave of South Africa in Namibia until 1994, received the SABC's TV1 on a low-power repeater, which was broadcast live via Intelsat from 1986.
In August 2005, the SABC came under heavy fire from independent media and the public for failing to broadcast footage in which deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was booed offstage by members of the ANC Youth League, who were showing support for the newly axed ex-deputy president, Jacob Zuma.
Rival broadcaster e.tv publicly accused SABC of biased reporting for failing to show the video footage of the humiliated deputy president. Snuki Zikalala, Head of News and ex-ANC spokesperson retorted that their cameraman had not been present at the meeting. This claim was later established to be false when e.tv footage was released which showed an SABC cameraman filming the incident.
The SABC's government connections also came under scrutiny when, in April 2005, Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe was interviewed live by Zikalala, who is a former ANC political commissar. The interview was deemed by the public to have sidestepped 'critical issues', and to have avoided difficult questions regarding Mugabe's radical land-reform policies and human rights violations.
In June 2006, the International Federation of Journalists denounced the cancelling of the Thabo Mbeki documentary, citing "self-censorship" and "politically-influenced managers".
Also in June 2006, SAfm host John Perlman disclosed on air that the SABC had created a blacklist of commentators. A commission of inquiry was created by SABC CEO Dali Mpofu to investigate the allegations that individuals had been blacklisted at the behest of Zikalala. Perlman eventually resigned from SAfm, and the broadcaster came under heavy criticism from free media advocates.
Shortly before the ANC's 2012 elective conference in Mangaung, the board of the SABC handed control of news, television, radio and sport to COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng. The board's decision was interpreted by some at the SABC as a calculated attempt to ensure that an ANC faction close to President Jacob Zuma was given positive coverage. During a press conference held by the SABC on 6 December 2012, to explain why it had prevented three journalists from participating in a discussion on how the media would cover the ANC's elective conference in Manguang, Hlaudi Motsoeneng said that whenever the ANC is discussed on the SABC an ANC party representative must be present.
In April 2014, journalists were warned by SABC chairperson, Ellen Zandile Tshabalala, that their phones were being wiretapped by the NIA, and reminded them to be loyal to the ANC ruling party. When challenged on the matter, Tshabalala insisted that her comments had been taken out of context. The scandal erupted at the same time that the DA official opposition accused the SABC of censorship when they stopped airing a television advert that referred to the ongoing Nkandlagate scandal.
In February 2015, the SABC was accused of censoring video and audio feeds of the State of the Nation address in Parliament, after opposition party EFF was forcefully ejected by armed plain-clothes policemen after interrupting the President's speech. Footage of opposition party DA walking out in protest over the presence of the armed personnel was also censored. This was in addition to the presence of a signal-jamming device that prevented journalists and MP's from being able to use their mobile devices to post news online.
The SABC was criticised for banning footage that showed protests and demonstrations in the run-up to the 2016 local elections. In July 2016, eight SABC journalists challenged the broadcaster's decision to censor news items, and were dismissed from the organisation. A subsequent hearing at the Labour Court found the dismissals were unlawful and ordered the reinstatement of four of the full-time SABC employees. During this period the eight journalists, including Suna Venter, were subjected to a number of death threats and other forms of intimidation.
In October 2016, the South African parliament began investigating corruption allegations against SABC and its Group Executive of Corporate Affairs - Hlaudi Motsoeneng. On 12 December, the Western Cape High Court ruled that Motsoeneng be removed from office effective immediately.
Reception outside South Africa
Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini
SABC television via satellite had also been widely available in neighbouring Lesotho and Eswatini, as well as Botswana. Media Law in Botswana , Kluwer Law International, 2011, p. 22 During the AstraSat period, SABC 1 and SABC 3 had more audience than Eswatini TV, as locals believed the service to be biased and underdeveloped. When the shutdown of AstraSat signals began on 11 September 2000 with SABC 3, the audience was deprived of its access, revealing the limitations of the Swazi media structure. After complaints from rights holders in Botswana, SABC encrypted its TV channels, thereby cutting off viewers in those countries. Sentech's 'pirated' Botswana signal finally off-air, ITWeb Africa, 1 July 2013
Namibia
Until 1979, the SABC operated broadcasting services in Namibia, which was then under South African rule, but in that year, these were transferred to the South West African Broadcasting Corporation (SWABC). The Laws of South West Africa, J. Meibert, 1979 However, the SWABC retained technical personnel from the SABC, and a number of its programmes were prepared at the SABC's studios in Johannesburg before being dispatched to Windhoek for transmission. Sub-Saharan Africa Report, Issues 80–86, Foreign Broadcast Information Service., 1985, p. 40
Mozambique
The cable company TV Cabo (Visabeira) offered SABC 1, SABC 3 and Bop TV in its first few years of operation. TV CABO These alongside e.tv were removed due to rights issues, in a situation similar to what would happen in Botswana ten years later, being replaced by other channels from the DStv bouquet, in August 2003, Perda dos canais 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 causing uproar from subscribers. Perda dos canais 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 Perda dos canais 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22
International services
In 1998, the SABC began to broadcast two TV channels to the rest of Africa: SABC Africa, a news service, and Africa 2 Africa, entertainment programming from South Africa and other African countries, via DStv. Media Studies: Institutions, theories, and issues, Pieter J. Fourie, Juta and Company Ltd, 2001, page 54 In 2003, Africa 2 Africa was merged with SABC Africa to create a hybrid service, drawing programming from both sources. Transnational Television Worldwide: Towards a New Media Order, Jean K. Chalaby
I.B.Tauris, 2005, page 121 SABC Africa closed in August 2008 after the SABC's contract with DStv was not renewed. SABC Africa to go off air for now, Mail and Guardian, 14 July 2008 In 2007, the SABC launched a 24-hour international news channel, SABC News International, but closed in 2010. SABC International goes bust, Mail and Guardian, 5 February 2010
Criticisms and controversies
Accusations of pro-ANC bias
The SABC has been accused of being a government and ruling party mouthpiece, particularly in the lead-up to the 2014 South African elections, particularly after it refused to air the campaign adverts of various opposition parties, and again in 2015 when it censored the video feeds of the 2015 State of the Nation address that portrayed the ANC and President Jacob Zuma in a negative light.
In 2015, Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi reinforced the notion that the SABC was a state-owned company, and therefore, subject to control by the Department of Communications and the ruling party.
Accusations of censorship
In May 2006, the SABC was accused of self censorship when it decided not to air a documentary on South African president Thabo Mbeki, and in early June 2006, the news organisation requested that the producers (from Daylight Films) not speak about it. This was widely criticised by independent media groups. In response, the International Freedom of Expression Exchange issued an alert concerning the SABC's apparent trend toward self-censorship.
SABC Encore's launch party
At the channel's launch event, the COO of SABC at the time used that event to rant about making pay-TV platforms like MultiChoice's DStv pay for SABC 1-3 and how the SABC is run by a 'blind person'. He also took the stage to call out those with their 'lack of knowledge' over the deal the public broadcaster has for the channel alongside SABC News.
Notes
See also
External links
Categories: Www.sabc.co.za Official Website, 1936 Establishments In South Africa, Broadcasting In South Africa, Mass Media Companies Of South Africa, Censorship In South Africa, Organisations Associated With Apartheid, Television Channels And Stations Established In 1975, Multilingual Broadcasters, Government-owned Companies Of South Africa, Organizations Established In 1936, Mass Media Companies Established In 1936, Radio Stations Established In 1936, State Media, Blacklisting, South African News Websites, Mass Media In Johannesburg, Sabc, Publicly Funded English Language Broadcasters
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