The South African Broadcasting Corporation has warned it cannot provide comprehensive election coverage after National Treasury failed to deliver promised funding, leaving the public broadcaster scrambling to plan within its limited budget.

Group chief executive Nomsa Chabeli told the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade this week that the SABC needs to provide wall-to-wall coverage of local government elections to fulfil its democratic mandate, but the money has not arrived.

“We are still required to provide the platforms for political parties to be able to speak to South African voters and get their messages across,” Chabeli said. “Unfortunately, we have not received the funding from the National Treasury, and therefore it is required that we plan in the absence of funding.”

Planning in the dark

The broadcaster now plans to cover the elections within what it can afford, though Chabeli said the SABC maintains capacity to deploy more resources if funding arrives in time.

“The ability to afford the deployment is still there should the funding become available, but sitting here nearly three weeks before the start, we realise that the window is fast closing,” she said.

Chabeli stressed the public broadcaster remains committed to providing credible and impartial election coverage, supported by realistic plans that work within current financial constraints.

The SABC holds a unique position in South African media, reaching millions of voters through multiple platforms and languages. The broadcaster provides access to political messaging for parties that cannot afford paid advertising on commercial channels.

First clean audit in 14 years

Despite the funding crisis, the SABC presented some positive news to the committee. The broadcaster achieved an unqualified audit outcome for the first time in 14 years, marking a significant turnaround in financial management.

Committee members heard that performance has improved significantly against targets set in the corporate plan. The SABC will soon release its financial results to the public.

However, the committee raised concerns about broader challenges facing the public broadcaster, including the failure of television licence revenue collection and South Africa’s stalled digital migration process, which has dragged on for more than 15 years.

Searching for alternatives

Member of Parliament Nico Pienaar said the TV licence collection system has failed and the SABC needs an alternative funding model.

“Have you considered reclassifying the SABC as a public benefit organisation?” Pienaar asked.

Fellow MP Bones Modise said Parliament must focus on saving the broadcaster, regardless of which direction it takes.

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“The legislation is outdated. What are we doing to save the SABC? That interaction is very important; we need to save the SABC,” Modise said.

He proposed a meeting early next year where the SABC can identify areas requiring parliamentary intervention.

Committee chairperson Sonja Boshoff also criticised Sentech for submitting presentations late, saying the practice hampers members’ ability to conduct effective oversight of state entities.

The committee will receive a briefing from Sentech at a later date.

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