Minister of Sport, Arts and Recreation Zizi Kodwa says that federations and broadcasters need to find a solution to a broadcast impasse that has reared its ugly head again.
With only three days to go, the SABC and pay-channel are involved in a deadlock for the rights to beam the 2023 Rugby World Cup which gets under way on Friday in France.
Supersport are the rightsholders and negotiations for SABC to acquire a sub-licence for the event have hit a brick wall.
The financially struggling public broadcaster does not have the required amount that Supersport has put on the table to seal the deal.
So, as things stand, the contract has not been concluded and the SABC is still not sure whether the matches will be shown on its channels.
“When we took office, we said that access to sport is an instrument of mass participation, and I meant across all codes, and that it had to do with broadcasting of all sports of national importance,” said Kodwa.
He was speaking at the handover of the Pitso Mosimane Multi-Purpose Sports Court in Soweto on Tuesday.
“When we saw statements being thrown around declaring a dispute between Supersport and SABC, we then needed to meet with SABC on Monday and also have an independent discussion with Supersport to understand what the issue was and what needs to be done.”
“We need to find a permanent solution, we cannot find ourselves, five years down the line, we are still having the same problems.
“These are conversations we cannot have through a microphone, we have to sit down and find a way for federations to have the money that they need.
“I am very happy with the meeting I had with the senior executives of the SABC – and that the time the tournament starts on Friday, they would have found each other.
“Supersport are waiting for a call from the SABC to make sure the matter is resolved. I am very interested in finding a solution on this matter.
“I am not in those negotiations. It will be premature for me to mislead you [media] and the public. What I can commit to is what I said to both sides – guided by my understanding of what the role of sport is, nation-building, team social cohesion and national identity.
“We must not deny any section of the community on the basis of their location or on whether they cannot afford or not.”
The minister also addressed the issue of the radio rights negotiations.
“The matter of radio rights has been settled – there are no issues. Millions will be able to listen on radio but there’s a big section that wants to watch and not just listen.
“We hope the Competition Commission addresses issues of monopoly and [that] the broadcasting rights will be resolved.
“We leave those issues there, so I don’t want to mislead you [media], the commitment I have is that in the national interest, let us start off the tournament and let us have the opportunity to watch their best games.”
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa.
