ICASA must investigate SABC's Afrikaans programming snub

30 June 2014

Reports that the SABC intends to relocate almost all of the remaining Afrikaans language programmes on SABC2 to SABC3 following the 2014 FIFA World Cup is cause for serious concern.

SABC 3 has a much poorer terrestrial footprint than SABC 2 in Afrikaans-speaking areas such as the Northern Cape and North West. This move could therefore prevent Afrikaans communities in rural areas from accessing programming in their language of choice. 

This move is a serious disservice to South Africa's Afrikaans-speaking community and could potentially violate the right to information. Furthermore, it could be considered a contravention of the SABC's Charter, its editorial policies and even Code of Practice. 

My colleague, Gavin Davis, has already written to the Chairperson of ICASA, Dr Stephen Sipho Mncube, and requested that an investigation into the dropping of Tsonga/Venda, Siswati/Ndebele and Afrikaans TV news bulletins during the 2014 FIFA World Cup be launched. 

Media reports suggest that the SABC has already decided that Afrikaans TV news bulletins will remain on SABC 3 once the 2014 FIFA World Cup concludes.

I now will also write to Dr Mncube and request that he expand his investigation to include this latest revelation and relocation of SABC 2's remaining Afrikaans programming.

Furthermore, I have submitted parliamentary questions to determine the motivation and processes behind the ANC's decision.

The SABC has a duty to treat all our official languages equitably and adhere to its licence conditions.

The DA will continue to fight for this and ensure our national broadcaster is held to account. 

Statement issued by Veronica van Dyk MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Communications, June 30 2014

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