SABC says it’s ready for LGE despite funding challenges

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is confident it is prepared for the upcoming Local Government Elections. However, the public broadcaster cautions that securing additional funding is vital for its final preparations. In a recent appearance before Parliament’s Communications and Digital Technologies Portfolio Committee, SABC Group Chief Executive Officer Nomsa Chabeli emphasized that funding decisions would have a direct impact on the broadcaster’s operations and deployment, ultimately determining its readiness.

Chabeli highlighted that the broadcaster's tech has reached the end of its life and that the organization must now focus on maintaining redundancy and building resilience into its operations. The main concern is the timely receipt of necessary funds. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has also stated that the SABC is legally obligated to air Party Election Broadcasts (PEBs) as prescribed by regulations.

Unlike private broadcasters, the SABC cannot opt out of this requirement. ICASA’s Councillor Ntombiza Sithole clarified that the SABC is responsible for allocating broadcast times for the PEBs, while community radio stations and commercial broadcasters have the discretion to decide whether they want to participate. The entity is tasked with determining the duration and sequencing of the PEBs.