Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has allocated R704 million to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. This funding comes at a time when the SABC has faced significant financial challenges in recent years. The allocation includes R43 million for programme production, R464 million to support the core public broadcasting mandate, and R197 million for Channel Africa, which amplifies South Africa’s voice across the continent. The department has also published a request for proposals to develop a more sustainable funding model for the public broadcaster[2].
The SABC recently addressed concerns about the non-broadcast of the Afrikaans television news bulletin during a weekend in April 2025, confirming it was a scheduling error. Management has stressed there are no plans to discontinue Afrikaans news, and all bulletins will continue in their regular time slots. The SABC emphasized its constitutional and public service mandate to provide equitable access to news and information in all official languages, and consequence management processes have been initiated to address the oversight[4].
In terms of leadership and programming, the SABC has also made headlines with news of leadership transitions within its sales division and ongoing strategic adjustments to strengthen its language offerings[4]. Public and civil society engagement on these issues continues, as seen recently when Afrikaner advocacy group AfriForum welcomed the SABC’s decision to move Afrikaans TV news bulletins back to an earlier time slot in response to public feedback[6].
Other developments involving the SABC include coverage of high-profile national events, such as President Cyril Ramaphosa holding an inaugural meeting with the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group at the Union Buildings. This group features prominent figures like Springbok Captain Siya Kolisi, retired Constitutional Court Judge Edwin Cameron, former MP Lindiwe Mazibuko, and former Minister Roelf Meyer, who were appointed as ambassadors for South Africa’s anticipated national dialogue[1].