Parliament, Thursday, 15 October 2026 – The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, Ms Sonja Boshoff, has expressed concern about the financial constraints facing the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as it prepares to cover the upcoming local government elections.
Ms Boshoff said that while the fiscal pressures facing government must be acknowledged, securing additional funding to support comprehensive election coverage would have been a preferable outcome. “We recognise that National Treasury must balance competing national priorities within a constrained fiscal environment. However, the SABC plays an essential role in ensuring that South Africans, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, have access to credible, impartial and comprehensive election coverage,” she said.
“The SABC has indicated that it remains committed to covering the elections within its available resources. Nevertheless, we are concerned that funding limitations could affect the extent of that coverage.”
The SABC appeared before the committee as part of Parliament’s budgetary and performance oversight processes.
Ms Boshoff welcomed the reported improvement in the public broadcaster’s audit performance and governance, but cautioned that improved audit outcomes should not be confused with long-term financial sustainability. “While progress in governance and financial management is encouraging, the SABC continues to face significant challenges. We need a clearer understanding of its operational costs, staffing requirements, infrastructure needs and long-term funding strategy,” the Chairperson said.
“Additional funding alone will not resolve these challenges. Parliament must also satisfy itself that every rand allocated to the SABC is used efficiently, that expenditure is properly prioritised and that the Corporation has a credible strategy to reduce its long-term dependence on additional government support.”
Ms Boshoff emphasised that the public broadcasting environment has changed considerably and that the SABC must adapt to remain relevant and competitive. “The SABC cannot continue relying on a funding and operating model that does not adequately respond to changing technology, audience preferences and competition from digital platforms,” she said. “A sustainable future requires both an appropriate funding framework and a clear strategy for innovation, operational efficiency and revenue generation.”
The Chairperson also welcomed the committee’s discussions on the need to review the legislative and policy framework governing public broadcasting. “The committee looks forward to engaging with any proposed broadcasting legislation referred to the NCOP through the appropriate parliamentary processes. Such reforms must address the sustainability of public broadcasting while safeguarding its independence and public service mandate.”
Ms Boshoff further highlighted the prolonged delays in South Africa’s migration from analogue to digital broadcasting. “Digital migration has been delayed for far too long. We need clarity on the remaining obstacles, the associated costs and the steps required to bring this process to a conclusion,” she noted. “Communities should not continue to be disadvantaged by delays in accessing improved broadcasting services.”
She also reaffirmed the importance of constructive parliamentary oversight. “Our objective is not simply to secure additional funding for the SABC. It is to ensure that South Africa has a financially sustainable, accountable and effective public broadcaster that can continue serving all its people.”
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE, MS SONJA BOSHOFF.
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