The SABC is having such a difficult time finding interesting local content that the public broadcaster has started negotiating with rivals like MultiChoice and Netflix.
SABC chairperson Khathutshelo Ramukumba disclosed this at a recent meeting of the portfolio committee, citing a lack of funds as the main reason for the broadcaster’s failures.
“When the portfolio committee visited the SABC, you would have noticed that Primedia was making a presentation on the content they’ve been able to provide to the SABC,” Ramukumba told the committee.
“This is to assist us in getting compelling content, as we currently lack the funds to invest in new local content.
“We’re already having conversations with MultiChoice on how we can collaborate on content sharing. We are adopting an unconventional approach, seeking ways to ensure the SABC can sustain itself given the financial challenges we face.”
Ramukumba continued: “Local content is mainly sourced from independent producers, who ordinarily rely on the SABC’s capacity to commission their productions.
“However, because of our financial situation, we are currently unable to fund or commission such projects, making it difficult for us to acquire local content.”
Lack of indigenous programming criticised
The committee members responsible for the communication portfolio made a strong point of bringing up the topic of compelling local content.
They criticised SABC’s lack of indigenous programming and questioned the logic of collaborating with direct rivals.
The uMkhonto-WeSizwe Party’s Vusi Shongwe charged that the public broadcaster prioritised Western programming over local content.
“I’ve been targeted by the religious sector. The religious sector complains that SABC does not broadcast the content of indigenous churches. The same content is thriving on other non-SABC channels,” said Shongwe.
“I’d like to know why SABC is rejecting indigenous content. We don’t see content from indigenous churches such as AmaZion, ZCC, or Shembe.
“Instead, we see a predominance of Western and charismatic churches. There’s a longstanding concern that charismatic churches always receive preferential treatment from the SABC.”
SABC to find room for ZCC, Shembe
In response, Ramukumba assured the committee that space would be made for indigenous churches on SABC platforms.
“We will look at how to support and create more space for local content. The SABC Plus platform offers us the flexibility of multiple channels, which means we can make room for content from churches such as ZCC, Shembe, and Zion.
“Perhaps they could even have a dedicated channel of their own,” said Ramukumba.
In response to a question about how the broadcaster intends to handle indigenous church content, SABC spokesperson Mmoni Ngubane said: “As a major global player in the highly competitive broadcasting industry, the SABC cannot at any given point outline or discuss its strategic initiatives in the public domain.
“The corporate plan, a public document, outlines the overall strategic direction of the SABC; however, the implementation plans remain confidential.”
