The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has announced plans to allocate US$43 million over three years to educational content aimed at children. This commitment translates to US$14 million annually, funded by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) as part of the SABC’s public service mandate.
Despite this allocation, the SABC has disclosed that the funds provided by the National Treasury are inadequate for fulfilling its public service obligations. The corporation estimates that delivering its constitutional content requires approximately US$122 million each year. Consequently, the SABC must generate an additional US$108 million independently due to decreased government funding and a significant decline in TV licence fee payments, resulting in an 85% evasion rate among South African households.
In response to concerns that the US$14 million allocation constitutes a taxpayer bailout, the SABC clarified that the funds are designated solely for the production and acquisition of educational and children’s programming. They emphasised that the allocation is not a bailout, but rather a necessary part of their efforts to deliver content that serves the public good.
The SABC provided an outline of the programs funded by this allocation, which includes popular titles such as “Skeem Saam,” “Geleza Nathi,” and “My Night.” While “Skeem Saam” has been a staple of South African television since 2011, tackling themes relevant to youth such as relationships and social issues, it has been funded as an educational program from its inception.
The SABC acknowledged that many programs funded by taxpayers have yet to be contracted or acquired, affecting transparency in reporting. When pressed for specifics on production partners involved in the US$43 million allocation, the SABC stated that many arrangements are still in the negotiation phase.
Despite challenges with funding and viewership metrics, the SABC remains committed to ensuring that government funding is used exclusively for its intended purpose. They assured the public that quarterly reports on financial allocations are submitted to the South African government, confirming adherence to the intended use of these funds.
With these measures in place, the SABC aims to fulfil its public service mandate while navigating the complexities of funding and viewer engagement in the evolving media landscape.
