Parliament Committee Pressures Minister Over Delayed SABC Bill

CAPE TOWN, 29 Aug 2025 - The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has issued an urgent warning that South Africa's public broadcaster could face complete collapse within months if government fails to act decisively on the stalled SABC Bill. The committee's stark assessment comes as the broadcaster continues hemorrhaging money while operating without sustainable funding legislation.

Minister's Withdrawal Attempt Stalls Critical Legislation

The crisis deepened after Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi indicated his intention to withdraw the SABC Bill in late 2024, despite extensive public consultation processes already completed. The proposed withdrawal has left the legislation in parliamentary limbo, with no clear timeline for resolution.

Committee Chairperson Kus Latigo revealed that procedural constraints prevented the minister from unilaterally withdrawing the Bill, meaning it technically remains before Parliament pending government deliberations. However, critical Cabinet consultations required for the withdrawal have not been concluded, leaving stakeholders in uncertainty.

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"We are concerned that there has been no real progress. The minister promised to return with a revised Bill within three months, but to date, the necessary consultations with Cabinet have not been concluded," Latigo explained during recent parliamentary proceedings.

Financial Crisis Threatens Broadcasting Operations

The delay comes at a critical juncture for the SABC, which faces unprecedented financial constraints that threaten its operational viability. The broadcaster has been unable to meet basic obligations to service providers, forcing signal distributor Sentech to subsidise operations at an unsustainable cost of R70 million monthly.

This financial lifeline represents a temporary measure that cannot continue indefinitely, with industry experts warning that the current arrangement merely delays inevitable collapse without addressing underlying structural issues.

"The SABC is in a dire state. At this rate, it may not survive beyond December 2025," Latigo cautioned parliamentarians. "We cannot sit idly by while Rome burns. This is reckless trading and government must intervene."

Funding Model Inadequate for Public Mandate

The committee highlighted the fundamental mismatch between the SABC's extensive public mandate and its current funding arrangements. Operating 19 radio stations and six television channels across multiple languages and communities, the broadcaster receives just R193 million annually from government coffers—an amount Latigo described as "a drop in the ocean" for a multi-billion-rand corporation.

This inadequate funding model has left the SABC vulnerable to multiple pressures:

• Declining advertising revenues as businesses shift marketing budgets to digital platforms
• Mounting operational debt that limits programming and infrastructure investment
• Intense competition from international streaming services and private broadcasters
• Collapse of the TV licence regime that previously provided supplementary revenue

Infrastructure Decay Compounds Crisis

Beyond immediate financial pressures, the SABC faces a technology crisis that requires urgent capital investment. Committee assessments indicate that essential infrastructure upgrades could cost between R1.5 billion and R2.5 billion, with current facilities described as being in a state of severe decay.

These infrastructure challenges directly impact the broadcaster's ability to deliver quality content and maintain reliable signal distribution across South Africa's diverse geographic landscape. Without significant investment, technical failures could force service interruptions that would further erode public trust and advertiser confidence.

Constitutional Obligation for State Support

Latigo emphasised that government funding for the SABC represents a constitutional obligation rather than optional support. The public broadcaster's mandate includes providing content in all official languages, serving rural and marginalised communities, and maintaining editorial independence—responsibilities that require stable, adequate funding.

"This is not about bailouts—it is about investment. Government has a constitutional responsibility to ensure the SABC is adequately funded to fulfil its mandate," she argued, drawing comparisons to public broadcasting models in developed economies where state funding ensures operational sustainability.

International Best Practices Ignored

The committee's analysis suggests South Africa has failed to adopt international best practices for public broadcasting funding. Unlike successful public broadcasters in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia, the SABC lacks a dedicated funding mechanism that provides predictable, long-term financial security.

These international models typically combine government appropriations with licence fees or dedicated taxes, creating funding streams that insulate public broadcasters from political interference while ensuring adequate resources for their public service mandates.

Legislative Vacuum Creates Uncertainty

The prolonged delay in finalising the SABC Bill has created a legislative vacuum that prevents implementation of sustainable funding solutions. The proposed legislation includes provisions requiring the minister to establish a comprehensive funding model within three years, but without parliamentary approval, these mechanisms remain theoretical.

"The Bill provides for the minister to finalise a funding model within three years, but without empowering legislation and investment, this clause is meaningless," Latigo noted, highlighting the circular nature of the current impasse.

Deadline Pressure Mounts

With the committee requesting a response from Minister Malatsi by Friday, pressure is mounting for decisive action. Parliamentary sources indicate that further delays could trigger more aggressive oversight measures, including potential hearings that would publicly scrutinise the government's handling of the crisis.

The December 2025 deadline mentioned by committee leadership represents a point of no return beyond which the SABC's operational collapse could become irreversible, potentially leaving millions of South Africans without access to public broadcasting services.

Broader Implications for Democracy

The SABC's potential collapse extends beyond entertainment and information services, touching on fundamental democratic principles. Public broadcasting plays a crucial role in providing diverse perspectives, supporting local languages and cultures, and ensuring information access for communities underserved by commercial media.

Loss of these services could create information deserts in rural areas while concentrating media power among private commercial interests, potentially undermining South Africa's media diversity and democratic discourse.

Path Forward Requires Political Will

Resolution of the SABC crisis requires coordinated political action across multiple government departments and levels. The committee's warnings suggest that piecemeal solutions or further delays will prove inadequate given the scale and urgency of challenges facing the broadcaster.

Stakeholders await Minister Malatsi's response, which could determine whether the SABC receives the legislative framework and financial support necessary for long-term sustainability or continues its trajectory toward operational collapse.

The coming weeks will prove crucial in determining whether South Africa's public broadcaster can secure the urgent intervention needed to fulfil its constitutional mandate and serve the nation's diverse broadcasting needs.