The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), a cornerstone of the country’s media landscape for decades, is once again facing uncertainty.
With growing fears that its signal could be switched off by the end of 2025, government officials have stepped in to address the crisis and explain what lies ahead for the public broadcaster.
Minister Calls for Urgent Funding Solution
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi broke his silence on the issue through the SABC’s own social media channel.
He stressed that the broadcaster cannot afford to delay its financial overhaul any longer.
“A new funding model for the SABC cannot be devised and enacted in the next three years.
That would just be kicking the can down the road,” Malatsi said on X. “We need to find a funding model immediately to keep the SABC signal running.
It has to generate revenue in a sustainable way.”
Mounting Debt with Sentech
The financial troubles were made even clearer during a recent briefing to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies.
SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli revealed that the broadcaster owes its signal distributor, Sentech, a staggering R1 billion in unpaid fees.
Worse still, the debt grows by R70 million each month the SABC continues broadcasting without settling the bill.
Long-Awaited Funding Bill Still in Limbo
Despite the urgency, Malatsi admitted that the department has been sitting on a draft SABC Bill since 2018, which was intended to fix the corporation’s financial sustainability.
Yet, in seven years, no workable funding model has been implemented.
He assured Parliament that a new investigation will be wrapped up within three months, but skepticism remains over whether this can truly prevent the looming shutdown.
Debate Over CEO’s Role
One of the most contentious elements of the SABC Bill is the dual role of CEO and editor-in-chief.
Malatsi argued this setup undermines editorial independence. “The newsroom must be run by journalists and not by management,” he explained, calling the requirement a “fundamental flaw.”
Former CEO Madoda Mxakwe also struggled to resolve this very issue during his time at the helm.
Salaries and Sustainability Questions
The broadcaster’s own financial figures paint a grim picture.
Earlier this year, the SABC admitted it was already R40 million in the red.
It also employs around 2,000 full-time staff, with average salaries exceeding R50,000 per month.
Senior management reportedly take home up to R1.5 million annually.
“We’ve insisted that the broadcaster sorts out its finances and pays its Sentech bill,” Malatsi said.
“If the SABC signal is cut off, it will have devastating consequences for the public. Everyone must play their part.”
Will the Signal Stay On?
For now, the fate of the SABC hangs in the balance. With the debt mounting and a sustainable plan still out of reach, many doubt the signal will last into 2026 unless drastic action is taken soon.