Johannesburg – Sunday, 20 November 2022. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ has hit the home stretch. In under a few hours the eyes of the world will be fixed on Qatar as qualifying national teams battle for the Jules Rimet trophy. The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), as the home of football is ready to bring the world’s greatest spectacle to the fans of the beautiful game.

With five African countries – Cameroon, Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia – representing the continent, no local football fan will be left behind. The SABC Sport Channel on the new SABC + app will be the primary broadcast platform for the live presentation of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches. Additionally, SABC 1, SABC 2 and S3 will carry the games live, while the 19 SABC radio stations will simultaneously broadcast matches.

To ensure that South Africans are up to date with the developments from the pitches of Qatar, there will also be highlights packages, analysis and catch-up services available to audiences.

SABC Sport has put together a team of seasoned football on-air talent to deliver an unforgettable viewer-experience. The lead anchors will be Andile Ncube and Xoli Zondo. To give top class match analysis will be an unrivalled group of expert analysts of Desiree Ellis, Simphiwe Dludlu, Doctor Khumalo, Delron Buckley, Jomo Sono, Aaron Mokoena, Siphiwe Mkhonza, Gloria Brown, Thabiso Mosia, and Walter Steenbok.

SABC COO Ian Plaatjes commented: “The FIFA World Cup brings together football fans from all corners of the globe.  For the SABC, the event offers a display of unparalleled skill in broadcasting and innovation. As the home of football that has brought the game closer to South Africans for decades, the SABC is ready to broadcast the FIFA World Cup to the same high standards witnessed   in 2010 hosted in South Africa.  .”

The SABC has also launched Sisonke – Together for the Greatest Game, a campaign that calls on South Africans to support the FIFA World Cup coverage on SABC.

Mafikizolo, the legendary Afro-pop and dance group, has added to the euphoria with the release of Sisonke, the official World Cup song for the SABC’s campaign for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The track will galvanise the interest and enthusiasm of SABC viewers around the tournament, on SABC Sport. Typical of Mafikizolo style, Sisonke is a passionate and energising song that will whip fans into a frenzy with a dance routine thrown in. It’s an infectious rallying call with a catchy singalong chorus and refrain. It calls for togetherness and unity in celebration of the World Cup that comes once in every four years.

The games for World Cup Qatar 2022 begin with the opening ceremony on today, Sunday 20 November 2022 at 16:00 and will broadcast on SABC Sport Channel on SABC + and SABC1. The first match between Qatar and Ecuador kicks off at 18:00. After the group stages, the last 16 teams will battle for a place in the quarter finals, semi-finals and the final match to crown the new world champions. Fans can engage with content across SABC Sport platforms for the duration of the tournament.

The SABC Sport team is ready to share specially curated content that will keep football fans entertained and informed during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.Follow SABC Sport on:

Portal: www.sabcsport.com

Twitter: @SABC_Sport

Facebook: SABC Portal

Instagram: @sabcsport

Hashtags: #SABCSportFootball #Sisonke

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Issued By:                              Group Communications

Media Enquiries:                   Ms. Gugu Ntuli (Group Executive: Corporate Affairs and Marketing) NtuliGM@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3311|C. 071 877 0513

Durban-Friday, 18 November 2022-Ukhozi fm has become synonymous with innovative ways to connect with its listeners. Keeping in line with this, the SABC’s biggest public service station is ecstatic to bring another first to its listeners the exclusive merchandise,  Ushuni WoKhozi fm. The station has launched this exciting brand today.

Ushuni WoKhozi fm will launch its first item under this brand in the form of traditional Zulu shoes,  imbadada  reinterpreted for a contemporary consumer with modern styling and materials that explore the dynamic Zulu culture and heritage. The look and feel of the shoes is about craftsmanship, particularly the Zulu ornamental designs, with influences from other Nguni cultures. As part of the initial launch, Ushuni WoKhozi FM will be available in all KZN JAM stores, with a nationwide rollout on the cards for 2023.

To promote sustainability, the shoes are made from local sourced materials such as synthetic leather, synthetic rubber, and non-footwear industrial materials such as upholstery off-cuts and metal trims, which are repurposed into modern products.

“At Ukhozi FM, we’re always looking for new ways to connect with our listeners and stay top of mind. We are so excited to launch this brand which has been in the pipeline since 2018. Ukhozi FM is so fortunate to have listeners and followers that are not only loyal but also take pride in the brand. It is only fitting to make the brand available to them to wear daily to any occasions. We are so pleased to be able to distribute our shoes through a trusted brand like JAM Clothing that covers the majority of the country. This will ensure that Ukhozi FM listeners and followers access what is bound to be a new favourite with ease”, said Sbongi Ngcobo, Business Manager at Ukhozi FM.

The goal is not just to make a shoe, but to use the shoe as a medium of expression that everyone can relate to.

The shoes will be available at all KZN JAM Stores and JAM online stores from 18 November 2022.

It’s more than just a shoe, it’s a way of life!

Ukhozi FM Luhamba Phambili!

Ends

Issued By:                     Group Communications

Media Enquiries:          Ms. Gugu Ntuli (Group Executive: Corporate Affairs and Marketing)

NtuliGM@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3311|C. 071 877 0513

Johannesburg – Thursday, 17  November 2022 – The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has launched its long-anticipated OTT platform, SABC +.

The SABC + streaming app will provide the best that the SABC has to offer including 19 radio stations and 3 free-to-air television channels SABC 1, SABC 2, SABC 3, as well as the SABC Sports Channel and the SABC’s 24-hour news channel. In addition, the app will feature a variety of local and international content, to extend the Corporation’s mission to inform, educate and entertain citizen, everywhere, anytime.

“SABC +  signals a new digital era for the SABC and a key accomplishment in addressing universal access for all citizens” states Mr Madoda Mxakwe, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the SABC. “ SABC + app also presents a growth path to enhancing our value offering to clients and customers to build a strong foundation for future financial sustainability of the SABC”, concluded Mxakwe.

In partnership with the global consumer electronics and home appliances market leader, Hisense, the Corporation will distribute the SABC + app through the Hisense VIDAA Smart TVs and mobile devices in time for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ on 20 November 2022. Together, these two powerhouses will bring 28 matches of the FIFA World Cup and the official FIFA World Cup show daily, for FREE.

The SABC is proud to partner with a technology company such as Hisense to enable us to fulfil our public mandate, whilst utilising innovation to provide cutting edge content to the public.

SABC + platform can be accessed on the following platforms:

• Twitter: @SABCPlus  https://twitter.com/SABCPlus
• Facebook: @SABCPlus https://www.facebook.com/SABCPlus
• Instagram: @SABCPlus https://www.instagram.com/sabcplus/
• TikTok: @sabcplus
• www.sabcplus.com

Ends

Issued By:                      Group Communications

Media Enquiries:          Ms. Gugu Ntuli (Group Executive: Corporate Affairs and Marketing)

NtuliGM@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3311|C. 071 877 0513

Johannesburg – Wednesday, 9 November 2022 – The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), has learnt with sadness, of the passing of multi-talented and versatile broadcaster Ms Pearl Shongwe. Over the years, Ms Shongwe has been an invaluable member of the SABC family, having presented the children’s sport show ‘Sports Buzz’ as well co-anchoring the news and current affairs programme ‘Weekend Live’. In addition, she  also served as a sports host of “Sports Live” on  the SABC’s 24-hour news channel.

She also anchored the hugely popular show ‘One Day Leader’ on SABC 1. At the time of her untimely death, Ms Shongwe was a newsreader and presenter on the popular radio and television shows ‘The Touchdown’ show on Metro FM and SABC 1’s youth programme ‘Daily Thetha’, respectively.

Ms. Kina Nhlengethwa, Metro FM Business Manager said “Words cannot explain how great a loss it is for Metro FM, of this beautiful, vibrant and intelligent woman. It was a privilege to work with Pearl, for those that had the opportunity to meet her. She was a rising star, and still had a lot to offer in the industry. We wish to send our condolences to the family, her colleagues, our listeners and everyone who was close to her. She may be gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.”

Mr Moshoeshoe Monare the Group Executive for News and Current Affairs stated “She was a presenter of great talent and was a real team player”.

Ms Shongwe, who was also a well-known voice over artist made her mark in the media industry and will be deeply missed by the audiences she served and the colleagues with whom she worked, across the different  SABC platforms. Her impact will be remembered for a long time to come.

The SABC sends its heartfelt condolences to the Shongwe family, her friends and colleagues.

Ends

Issued By:                              Group Communications

Media Enquiries:                   Ms. Gugu Ntuli (Group Executive: Corporate Affairs and Marketing)

NtuliGM@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3311|C. 071 877 0513

Johannesburg-Friday, 4 November 2022– The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is pleased to announce that SABC Sport was recognised and scooped a silver award for the best sport promo for the #Weloveithere Football campaign at the Promax Africa awards last night.

#Weloveithere Football campaign promo was developed with the strategic objective to ensure that it effectively retain the SABC Sportbrand’s existing audiences and attract new ones.

The key message delivered by this award-winning promo was that SABC Sport is the ultimate football home of the nation. Through the #Weloveithere Football campaign, SABC Sport has consistently delivered a wide range of local and international football spectacles and firmly established itself as the preferred home for football lovers due to its attractive basket of football content.

 The SABC Group Executive for Video Entertainment, Merlin Naicker stated that “#Weloveithere campaign is the SABC Sport’s universal football landing proposition. As such, we have been intentional from the onset that we speak to all football lovers in a language they speak, across all platforms with a key focus of being an inclusive and credible football destination for our audiences as well as partners. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the SABC team and the creative agency who worked tirelessly around the clock to deliver only the best, concluded Naicker”.

This recognition resonates with the SABC Sport brand personality of being dependable, accessible and exciting.

Ends

Issued By:                              Group Communications

Media Enquiries:                  Ms. Gugu Ntuli (Group Executive: Corporate Affairs and Marketing)

NtuliGM@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3311|C. 071 877 0513