Johannesburg – Thursday, 14 August 2025 – The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has noted several media reports regarding the development of its new Sales operating model and would like to provide clarity. The Corporation is not engaged in a process aimed at reducing headcount in the sales division. Instead, the Corporation has initiated an organisational design review to ensure that the sales function is fit for purpose, both for the current market realities and for the future.

The intent of this process is not to cut costs, but to realign roles, reorganise functions, and create efficiencies that better serve our mandate and commercial objectives. The final structure may result in the same number of roles or even an increase, depending on the outcome of the consultation process. All affected employees will have the opportunity to be considered for roles in the new structure.

It is therefore misleading and irresponsible to report that the SABC’s objective is to “get rid” of staff. Our focus remains on strengthening our sales function to better compete in the market and to safeguard the SABC’s sustainability.

We acknowledge and sincerely thank our sales teams for their continued commitment, resilience, and dedication in driving the SABC’s commercial efforts. We appreciate their understanding and patience as we work through this process together.

ENDS

Issued By:                        Group Communications

Media Enquiries:            Mmoni Ngubane (Head of Communications)

NgubaneMV@sabc.co.za T. 011 714 3057| C. 073 688 1590

Johannesburg – Friday, 8 August 2025 – The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) wishes to correct recent media reports and public commentary that have misrepresented the nature of government funding allocated to the public broadcaster, during the recent budget vote by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT).

Contrary to the current narrative suggesting that the SABC has received a new government grant or bailout totalling R704 million for the 2025/26 fiscal year, the Corporation would like to clarify the matter and state the following:

1. This is not new or additional funding.

The R704 million mentioned by the Honourable Minister, Solly Malatsi during the department’s recent budget vote refers to a Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) allocation spread over three years, and not a once-off disbursement. This equates to approximately R235 million per year over the MTEF period. Furthermore, it is important to note that the current MTEF allocation of R704 million is in fact lower than the total allocation received by the SABC in the previous MTEF period.

2. The funding is earmarked for specific public interest content.

This allocation is a continuation of a long-standing commitment by government to support the production and acquisition of children’s programming, educational and religious content as well as support towards Channel Africa in line with the SABC’s public service mandate. These funds are ringfenced and will be used strictly for the purposes for which they were allocated, to ensure that
the Corporation continues to deliver quality educational content to the SABC’s audiences, especially underserved communities.

3. No new bailout or discretionary grant has been received.

It is important to underscore that the SABC has not received any new or discretionary government grant as continuously purported by some media publications. The referenced funding forms part of previously committed support under the DCDT’s content policy priorities and is reflected accordingly in the national budget.

The SABC acknowledges with appreciation the continued support it receives from government and reiterates its long-standing view that the public broadcasting mandate, as set out in law, ideally requires full funding by the state to be sustainably fulfilled. While the current allocation provides valuable support, it covers only a portion of the total cost associated with delivering on the SABC’s constitutional and developmental obligations. The Corporation remains committed to ongoing and constructive engagement with all relevant stakeholders on this important matter.

ENDS
Issued By: Group Communications
Media Enquiries: Mmoni Ngubane (Head: Communications)
Ngubanemv@sabc.co.za | T. 011 714 3057 | C. 073 688 1590

Johannesburg – Monday, 28 July 2025- SABC Sport announces the departure of Simphiwe Dludlu, respected broadcaster, former Banyana Banyana captain, and one of South Africa’s most prominent voices in football. Simphiwe officially exits the SABC after a trailblazing tenure that began in 2022, concluding with her final broadcast on SoccerZone, which aired Monday, 28 July 2025.

Since joining SABC Sport, Simphiwe brought an unmatched depth of football knowledge, credibility, and charisma to the screen. Her presence became synonymous with insightful analysis, professional excellence, and the continued elevation of women in sport both on and off air.

One of her most significant roles was as an analyst on the flagship football show, SoccerZone. Simphiwe quickly became a fan favourite, known for her balanced commentary, strong on-screen presence, and ability to break down the technical aspects of the game in an accessible and engaging way. Her voice helped shape national conversations around domestic and international football, and she played a crucial role in broadening the show’s appeal to a more diverse audience, also with her ability to connect to SABC’s audiences in various languages.

Throughout her tenure at SABC Sport, Simphiwe served as lead analyst and commentator for the SABC’s broadcast of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, AFCON 2024, the CAF Women’s Champions League, Bafana Bafana matches, FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, AFCON 2025 qualifiers and the COSAFA Women’s Championships and on weekends doing analysis for PSL matches on SABC Sport, among others. Her expert coverage during these events brought fresh perspective and authenticity, particularly in spotlighting the achievements of women as leading football analysts across the board for both men and women football.

In 2022, she provided critical coverage and analysis during one of the most historic moments in South African sport Banyana Banyana’s WAFCON victory. Her heartfelt and insightful commentary resonated deeply with viewers, creating a shared national moment of pride and celebration.

“Beyond her on-screen brilliance, Simphiwe made a lasting impact behind the scenes. She was a mentor to many up-and-coming sports journalists and presenters, with a particular passion for empowering young women entering the industry. Her commitment to talent development and leadership within the newsroom has left a legacy that will continue to shape SABC Sport long after her departure.” Keletso Totlhanyo, Head of SABC Sport.

She was also an active supporter and voice for grassroots and youth football initiatives, using her platform to highlight the importance of developing talent at community level. Her commitment to empowering the next generation of footballers has contributed to SABC Sport’s mission of being a catalyst for social impact through sport.

ENDS

Issued By: Group Communications

Media Enquiries: Mmoni Ngubane (Head: Communications)

Ngubanemv@sabc.co.za | T. 011 714 3057 | C. 073 688 1590

Johannesburg – Saturday, 26 July 2025 – The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has launched a multi-platform campaign across its various SABC platforms, in the continuous fight against gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa.

Led by the SABC’s radio portfolio of 19 radio stations, the campaign will live in various forms through specially curated content. The aim of this campaign is to create awareness around the damage caused by gender-based violence and create special educational programmes geared towards educating the youth, caregivers, and communities at large.

Ms Nada Wotshela, the SABC’s Group Executive for Radio states, “As the country grapples with GBV, which has become a national emergency, affecting women, children, men, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, the public broadcaster felt it is important to lend its voice and platforms in further fighting this deadly societal disease. With our platforms, through different programming genres and in all official languages, we will be amplifying various stakeholders’ efforts through specially curated daily content on this matter”.

She concludes by saying, “We will create meaningful and multifaceted content with the help of experts, survivors of GBV, NGOs, state organs, as well as various civil society organisations who have been at the forefront of this fight. This requires that we all become involved and play a critical role in raising awareness and providing citizens with the necessary information and resources to assist with dealing with GBV”.

The primary message for the campaign is:

“If you see it, speak out.
If you’re hurting, reach out.
Because doing nothing is not an option.
GBV. It ends with you.
📞 Call 0800 428 428 to report abuse or get help.”

#GBV #EndGenderBasedViolence #SABCForChange #ItEndsWithYou

ENDS

Issued By:                          Group Communications

Media Enquiries:              Mmoni Ngubane (Head of Communications)

NgubaneMV@sabc.co.za T. 011 714 3057| C. 073 688 1590

Gqeberha – Thursday, 24 July 2025 – Impolo Yabahlobo Family Day returns to East London for its third edition of a gathering of coming together for listeners, families, and friends at Police Park East London on Saturday, 6 September 2025. In this year’s edition, the event honours not only the station’s 65-year milestone, but also deepens its commitment to creating a safe, joyful space for friend and families alike, in all-inclusive outdoor experience, positioning itself as a real celebration of community.

In its third year, Impolo as it is fondly referred to, has quickly grown from a station initiative into a beloved cultural and community calendar highlight, and this year’s edition promises to be its most meaningful yet. True to its name, Impolo Yabahlobo (“a toast or chill session between friends”) brings to life the values Umhlobo Wenene FM is known for: friendship, togetherness, and the unique joy of Xhosa cultural expression.

Anchored by the soulful and iconic Ringo Madlingozi, the lineup reflects the station’s musical heartbeat — a blend of South African excellence and isiXhosa-rooted sounds. Alongside Ringo, a mix of national stars such as Lloyiso, Zee Nxumalo, Mr Thela, Mr. Vee Sholo, Ziyanda Tshangana, Limit Nala and plenty of local DJs such as GQ (East London), 98% (Queenstown) and female sensation Zethu (Mthatha) amongst many others. Umhlobo Wenene FM’s beloved presenters such as PastorTheDJ, Mafa Bavuma, Amaza Ntshanga, Blaq Maci, Luks Gidane, Babe-Zee, Gudla, Luckeez Mfowethu, Yarees, Onke Max Sotshongaye and Keke the Bosslady of the Airwaves will take to the stage, making this a celebration that feels like a homecoming celebration.

To reinforce the day as a true Family Day, this year’s edition introduces a dedicated children’s zone, placing significant focus on children’s participation, safety, and joy. The zone will include face painting, superhero appearances, water slides, jumping castles, interactive rides and craft areas to keep little ones creatively and actively engaged all day. In addition, alcohol zones will be clearly separated from family areas, and the festival will wrap up before nightfall to ensure a controlled, family-oriented atmosphere — where celebration doesn’t come at the expense of safety.

This year, Umhlobo Wenene FM through this incredible event also takes a bold step by launching a CSI campaign addressing drug abuse, particularly among children and teenagers. The campaign stems from a growing concern over how substance abuse among youth can lead to long-term harm — including increased risks of gender-based violence (GBV) and other social ills. By placing children at the heart of this event and creating a safe, nurturing space for them, Impolo Yabahlobo sends a clear message: we can party with purpose, and we can celebrate while shaping a better tomorrow.

The day will also feature a curated food and drinks market, catering to various tastes and dietary needs — a uniquely South African culinary journey in every bite. Whether enjoying traditional favourites or sampling modern delights, festinos will have the chance to enjoy a variety of flavours side by side with sing-along melodies.

Ticket Information is as follows:

• General Admission: R250
• Kids Under 12: R100
• VIP Tickets: R800 (Includes shaded seating, limited parking)
• Cooler Box Fee: R150 applicable only to General audiences.

Umhlobo Wenene FM Business Manager, Loyiso Bala stated that “As the event continues to grow, Umhlobo Wenene FM is committed to anchoring Impolo Yabahlobo Family Day as a permanent annual fixture, helping sponsors and audiences plan ahead and invest emotionally and economically in what is fast becoming a cornerstone of Umhlobo Wenene FM’s signature event”.

ABOUT UMHLOBO WENENE FM

Umhlobo Wenene FM is one of South Africa’s leading radio stations, renowned for its culturally vibrant content and commitment to promoting local talent, indigenous language and the spirit of friendship. Broadcasting in isiXhosa to over 4 million listeners nationwide, Umhlobo Wenene FM carries a legacy of connecting communities and enriching lives, while never leaving them behind.

ENDS

Issued By: Group Communications

Media Enquiries: Mmoni Ngubane (Head of Communications)

NgubaneMV@sabc.co.za | T. 011 714 3057 | C. 073 688 1590

Johannesburg – Thursday, 03 July 2025 – Today, the South African Rugby Union (SARU), SuperSport and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), announced a broadcast agreement between the two broadcast media houses, for the SABC to broadcast the upcoming second Castle Lager Inbound Series Test match between South Africa (Springboks) and Italy (The Azzurri). The broadcast agreement has been reached in recognition of the historic nature of this particular match, which will mark the 30th anniversary of the Springboks’ historic 1995 Rugby World Cup victory and forms part of the celebrations by SARU to commemorate this historic moment for the country.

The exhilarating rugby spectacle will take place on Saturday, 12 July 2025 and kicks off at 17:10 (CAT) at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. It will be broadcast live on SABC 2, SABC Radio stations and on SuperSport (DStv).

Says Mark Alexander, the SARU President, “The 1995 triumph was a moment that captured the attention of the world – revealing the unmatched power of sport to bring people together, to heal deep wounds and to inspire a country that was still finding its feet as a young democracy.

“As SARU, we are working closely with our broadcasters to ensure that all South Africans can be part of this historic occasion,” concluded Alexander.

Nomsa Chabeli, the SABC’s Group CEO states, “As the public broadcaster, we view it as our mandate and responsibility to bring such defining national moments to every South African. Whether in a township, village, or city, every citizen should be able to relive the spirit of 1995 — a spirit of hope, unity, and excellence. We therefore extend our deepest appreciation to SARU and SuperSport for enabling this collaborative agreement. This partnership is a testament to the power of shared purpose — where commercial imperatives and public interest converge to serve a higher calling: nation-building”.

“We also recognise and celebrate the power of rugby in shaping our national identity. Rugby has brought us together in the most powerful of ways — in 1995, in 2007, in 2019, and again in 2023. And now, in 2025, we honour that enduring legacy”’, said Chabeli.

SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha says, “SuperSport is pleased to be able to contribute to the country’s celebration of 30 years of Springbok excellence since that unforgettable moment in 1995. That moment united the whole country and we are honoured to be involved in helping unite the country once more around the Springboks. This year also marks 30 years of SuperSport as a stand-alone channel and we are proud to share this milestone with the most successful rugby nation in men’s Rugby World Cup history – the Springboks. To make this moment special, SuperSport has a variety of activities throughout the year, including the Springbok Dream Team and special broadcasts on Your World of Champions on DStv.”

ENDS

Issued By:                         SARU, SUPERSPORT AND SABC

Media Enquiries:             

 De Jongh Borchardt (Communications Manager)

+27 (0) 21 928 7021

+27 (0) 82 999 9979

dejonghb@sarugby.co.za

Mmoni Ngubane (Head of Communications)

NgubaneMV@sabc.co.za

+27 (0) 73 688 1590

Sibusiso Mjikeliso (Senior Manager: Communication & Partnership)

Sibusiso.mjikeliso@supersport.com

+27 (0) 11 686 7637

+27 (0) 76 124 8074

Johannesburg – Tuesday, 1 July 2025 – Apart from your wedding day, your matric farewell is probably one of the most glamarous events of your lifetime, a fairytale evening that will be remembered for a very long time.

In 2024, RSG made the dreams of two matric learners, Tumelo Diale and Thembi Buys  a reality, by gifting each with a custom designed suit and dress specially made by Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion. 2025 will be the third year that this project is running.

This year, RSG in collaboration with the Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion, willonce again sprinkle some stardust on another two deserving matric students whose circumstances don’t allow for splurges on things like suits and dresses.

Amoré Swanepoel, RSG’s Marketing Manager says: “This project is really one that RSG is so proud of; each year the stories move us, and motivates us to want to do more and more for our community.”

The Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion will work closely with this year’s two winners so they can create the suit and dress of their dreams.

Fiona Abdo, Academic Director at the Academy says, “The Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion was founded from Elizabeth’s goal to empower and develop young women, and our ethos of educating, supporting, and growing the South African youth through Fashion remains a priority.”

She further comments “Fashion is such a great self-expressive tool, and we recognize the emphasis and importance the matric dance plays in the lives of our matric learners. It’s the platform that they get to present themselves through Fashion and styling to their peers and their community. The Elizabeth Galloway team are privileged and excited to be able to work together with RSG and the competition winners in making their matric dance fashion dream a reality.”

Starting 1 July 2025 up until 13 July 2025, the public will be able to email their nominations for deserving students, by following these instructions:

–       Include the name and surname of the person you want to nominate.

–       The date on which the nominee’s matric farewell dance will take place.

–       The gender of the nominee (so we know whether a dress or suit will be required).

–       Disclose whether you have the nominee’s permission to share their story and information.

–       Write a motivation on why you believe this specific individual deserves to win a special dress or suit to wear to their matric farewell.

–       You cannot nominate yourself and the nominated individuals’ matric dance must take place between 01 September and 31 December 2025.

Email all of the above information to info@rsg.co.za.

For additional information visit www.rsg.co.za.

Nominations close midnight on 13 July 2025.

Winners for this year, will be announced on Thursday, 24 July 2025

For more information, visit www.rsg.co.za or RSG’s social media platforms.

ENDS

The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBAs) is excited to announce SABC as an official media partner for its 2025 edition. This dynamic partnership brings together two powerful platforms committed to celebrating youth excellence, entrepreneurship, and South African storytelling.

With its extensive national reach across 19 radio stations in all 11 official languages and 5 TV stations, the SABC is uniquely positioned to amplify the voices of young South Africans and give national exposure to the brands shaping the future. This media partnership will ensure that stories of ambition, innovation, and impact reach diverse communities from urban centres to rural townships.

The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards have been celebrating and recognising African youth-owned brands for the past three years. Having SABC as a media partner is a key milestone that will ensure that the message goes far and wide, allowing young people from different corners of South Africa to be inspired to do more.

“Partnering with the SABC is a significant milestone for us,” said Pat Mahlangu, Founder and CEO of the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards. “The SABC’s credibility and reach will ensure that the achievements of our youth-owned brands are celebrated across the country, and that aspiring entrepreneurs are inspired by stories they can relate to.”

The partnership will include exclusive interviews with finalists and winners, brand features, and pre-event promotional content across SABC platforms. Together, the YOBAs and SABC aim to drive a national conversation about the role of youth entrepreneurship and brand building in South Africa’s economic growth.

“The SABC is excited to team up with organisations who share our passion of telling meaningful stories and empowering the youth. Together we can reach more communities and make a meaningful impact” said Ongeziwe “Oz” Lupuwana, Head: Integrated Marketing, SABC

The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards will take place on 21 June 2025, recognising the top youth-owned brands across 18 categories including Food & Beverage, Fashion, Technology, Tourism, Media, and Social Impact.

For more information, visit www.top16yoba.co.za  and follow the conversation on social media using #Top16YOBAs.

About SABC

Established in August 1936, The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SOC) Limited (“The SABC”) is a public broadcaster (Schedule 2: “Major Public Entity” in terms of the Public Finance Management Act No.1 of 1999, “PMFA”), with a mandate to inform, educate and entertain the public of South Africa. Founded on the statute of The Broadcasting Act (The Act) the SABC’s obligations are captured in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (“ICASA”) Regulations and license conditions, providing five televisions channels and 19 Radio stations.

About the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBAs)

Founded in 2022, the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBAs) recognises and celebrates outstanding brands built and led by South African youth. Spearheaded by brand entrepreneur Pat Mahlangu, the YOBAs aim to spotlight excellence across multiple industries while nurturing a culture of innovation, resilience, and economic empowerment among young entrepreneurs.

ENDS

Media Enquiries: Mmoni Ngubane (Head: Communications)

Ngubanemv@sabc.co.za | T. 011 714 3057 | C. 073 688 1590