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

Gqeberha, Saturday, 28 October 2022 – The Eastern Cape’s biggest talent search competition, truTalent, has announced its winners for the 2022 Radio and DJ competitions.  Ntombozuko Bhalintuli triumphed in the Radio presenter category and Masonwabe Memane won the DJ category.

Both winners walk away with a one-year contract with the station, and will appear on shows to be announced in April 2023 when the station announces its new line-up. Each winner will receive a R10,000 cash prize and the voter who SMS’d the most  walks away with a R5,000 cash prize.  The competition, which has been running for 5 years, is an initiative by trufm, the biggest youth radio station in the Province. Trufm collaborated with Vodacom NXT LVL and local municipalities through various phases of the competition. A total of 88 897votes had been cast at the time of the announcement.

Ntombozuko Bhalintulo from East London finally succeeded after her second attempt. In 2019 she made it into the top two; the winner that year was Asive Sotashe who has been absorbed by the station. She made another attempt this year, auditioning in both East London and Queenstown to increase her chances of making it, which proved to be successful. She won the last leg of the competition with 5,400 votes,  and a total of 20 058 votes towards her overall success.

Masonwabe Memane, a club DJ in his own right, is a first-time entrant who wanted to increase his existing fanbase, skill and marketability. Memane has attended DJ workshops with trufm’s DJ Anda , which have assisted his development as a DJ.

This year’s truTalent competition received a total of 786 submissions following a two-year break between 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions. The station held audition in Peddie, Alice, Mdantsane, Ginsberg, Maclear, Queenstown, Mthatha, Bizana and Gqeberha. Eighteen finalists from each category were then selected to attend a radio workshop facilitated by industry experts in the field. The finalists got an opportunity to co-host with existing presenters to remain in the running for the top prize.

Business Manager, Loyiso Bala, said, “truTalent, opens up employment opportunities for the youth and further developing talented Eastern Capers.  Collaborations such as those with the local municipalities enabled even those who would not be able to travel for workshops to be included in the upskilling. Even the contestants that did not make it to the top, gained knowledge that they could use to try again next year.” Bala went on to congratulate the winners. “Not only did you guys put up a fight to showcase your talent, but you showed all of us that there is a marketer in each one of you”.

The station shared videos of the finalists sharing their experience of truTalent on their social media platforms @trufm on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Ends.

Issued on behalf of SABC Corporate

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

NtuliGM@sabc.co.za / 071877 0513