EFF condemns the South African presidency for granting eNCA exclusive and monopoly control over the broadcasting feed of an address of the nation

29 October 2023

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns, in the strongest terms, the suspicious and dangerous decision by the South African Presidency to grant exclusive control to private broadcaster eNCA to an address to the nation, by Cyril Ramaphosa.

In a decision that simply represents the capture of the Presidency of South Africa, of Cyril Ramaphosa as a person and a President, and a nefarious relationship between eNCA and the state, the Presidency Spokesperson announced this afternoon that the entire media fraternity in South Africa will be provided a feed to the address scheduled for tomorrow, by eNCA.

This decision is callous, arrogant and representative of reciprocal capture between eNCA and Cyril Ramaphosa. The EFF is of the firm belief that this is a reward and promotion of a private broadcaster that is embedded, and is backed by the funders of Cyril Ramaphosa.

The people of South Africa ought to ask themselves the question as to why eNCA would be granted monopoly control of the feed of such an address? The nation must also ask, will eNCA derive any active or passive commercial gain from being the sole supplier of a feed to an address that will be viewed by millions of South Africans?

The EFF is aware, and wishes to inform members of the public and the media that Remgro Limited has a shareholding in eMedia Investments. Remgro is an investment holding company based in Stellenbosch, with interests in banking, mining, retail and various sectors, including media.

In terms of Remgro's media investments, 81% their investments go toward eMedia, which owns eNCA. This means almost an entirety of Remgro's investment in media, goes towards eMedia and eNCA.

The Chairperson of Remgro Limited is none other than Johann Rupert, which in essence means that Johann Rupert has influence and control over eMedia and its platforms, namely eNCA.

The only logical conclusion therefore is that Cyril Ramaphosa is rewarding a known ally, funder and puppet master undue control over media access to his Presidential addresses, as a means of repaying him for his support. It must be noted that this is the second occasion that eNCA has been given dominion over the national addresses by Ramaphosa.

This is blatant capture of the state President by capital and an undermining of media and access to information for the benefit of promoting Johann Rupert's media platform.

If for any reason there is a need to conduct access to Presidential addresses to the nation in this fashion, then the SABC ought to be the first port of call, especially considering the need to assist the public broadcaster which is struggling financially.

The EFF calls for this irresponsible and arrogant promotion by Ramaphosa of his puppet master Rupert and his eMedia platform to be cancelled immediately. All self-respecting media houses ought to oppose the monopoly of the eNCA over the office of the Presidency in South Africa and boycott being force fed content by them, as if they were inferior when SABC News, and other news platforms outperform the eNCA year after year.

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 30 October 2023